Welsh Names for Girls

Eigra is a name with a great mythological and literary past - it is the Welsh version of Igraine/Ygraine, who was the mother of King Arthur.

Eigra

A feminine form of the quietly used Welsh boy name, Meirion, this name could be considered a Welsh variant of Mariana, meaning "manly" or "related to Mars". It appears in the Welsh place names Portmeirion and Meirionfydd, the latter named for a the grandson of a legendary Welsh warrior and prince. It can be said as may-ree-O-nuh or sometimes mie-ree-O-nuh, depending on region. 
 
A more elaborate form is Meirionwen, blending Meiriona with the element gwen meaning "white, blessed".

Meiriona

A rare and beautiful addition to the Gwen- family of names. Gwanwyn comes from the Welsh word for springtime, bringing to mind the flowering green Welsh countryside. While it isn't commonly used as a name, the easy nicknames Gwen, Wyn and Wynnie make Gwanwyn an attractive choice, especially for a baby girl born in spring.

Gwanwyn

An unique looking choice with a pretty meaning, Gwawr is used occasionally in Wales. Said as GWOW, rhyming with wow or cow, with a soft 'r' sound at the end, it was given to three girls in Wales in a recent year. Gwawrddrydd ("daybreak") is a longer form, borne by a Welsh saint.

Gwawr

Rarely used outside of Wales due to its unfamiliar spelling and pronunciation, Elliw likely comes the Welsh word lliw meaning "color", lending the name a bright and sparkly feel. The Welsh double LL sound doesn't exist in English but sits somewhere between thl- and sh-. As such Elliw is pronounced (very roughly) as ETHL-ih-oo or ESH-ih-oo. In a recent year it was given to just three girls in England and Wales.

Elliw

This name of a river in Wales makes a unique option for either gender.

Alwyn

A spelling variation of the Welsh Olwen, this form my lend itself to nickname Wynne or Winnie over Ollie. Meaning "white footprint", the more traditional Olwen appears in Welsh mythology, in which she is the daughter of a giant. 
 
Other variants of the name include Olwenna, Olwin, and Olwyn, though they are rarely used.

Olwynne

Rarely heard outside of Wales, Arianwen combines the pretty Welsh element gwen with the silvery arian, giving it a metallic and shining meaning. The name is sometimes listed as one of the daughters of the legendary fifth-century king and saint, Brychan Brycheiniog. 
 
Given to 13 girls in England and Wales in a recent year, it is notably borne by actress Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood. In Welsh, it is typically pronounced a-ri-YAN-wehn, though in English, a-ree-AN-wehn may be heard.

Arianwen

In the US, there are a handful of baby girls given the Brin spelling of this classic Welsh gender-neutral names, compared with over 800 in one recent year named Brynn and about 150 called Bryn.

Brin

Very popular in Wales, this perfectly nice name's only problem is its similarity to the dated Beth Ann. But if you're looking to honor an ancestral Elizabeth with a distinctive rare choice, Bethan might be on your short list.

Bethan

Betrys is a feminine name with Welsh origins, representing a Celtic variant of Beatrice. The traditional name Beatrice comes from Latin 'Beatrix,' meaning 'she who brings happiness' or 'blessed.' This Welsh adaptation maintains the beautiful meaning while incorporating distinctive Celtic phonetics. Betrys has remained quite rare, even within Wales, giving it an air of uniqueness and historical charm. The name carries medieval echoes while still feeling accessible to modern ears. Despite its ancient roots, Betrys has never achieved widespread popularity, making it an excellent choice for parents seeking a name with authentic Welsh heritage and uncommon status. The distinctive spelling offers a fresh alternative to more familiar forms like Beatrice or Beatrix while maintaining the connection to its rich etymological meaning of joy and blessedness.

Betrys

In Welsh, Ceri is traditionally a male name but can also be used for girls. It's a short form of Ceridwen too, the name of the Welsh goddess of poetry.

Ceri

This early Welsh saint's name is unusual and lovely, waiting to be discovered.  Saint Arianell was a member of the Welsh royal family who was possessed by a spirit which was exorcised by Saint Dyfrig, who became Arianell's spiritual teacher.

Arianell

Spelling variant of Arianwen. Note that in Welsh, the -wyn suffix is usually masculine.

Arianwyn

A feminine form of the poetic Heddwyn, this Welsh name combines the elements heddand gwyn to form a name that means "blessed peace". The masculine variant was notably used by the Welsh-language poet, Ellis Humphrey Evans, who picked it after being inspired by the way sunlight broke through the mist in the Welsh valleys where here lived.
 
Pronounced as HETH-win, the th sound being like that in thin, neither Heddwen or Heddwyn were used as given names until after the poet's death during the Battle of Passchendaele in World War I. This feminine form in particular remains rare.

Heddwen

The Welsh and Breton word for the artistic muse or inspiration, Awen is a subtly magical feeling choice, connected to poetry and creativity. Given to a handful of babies most years in Wales, it is predominantly used for girls, though it has very occasionally been given to boys too.
 
Not to be confused with Arwen or Owen, it would be said as A-wehn in Breton, but more like OW-ehn in Welsh, (ow like in crow)

Awen

A pretty Welsh name with potential, especially for those who enjoy Maven, Maeve, and Mira. Occasionally used in Wales, a notable bearer is Welsh singer Meinir Gwilym.
 
Likely meaning "maiden", though "slender" and "young girl" are also suggested, the name features in a folk tale from north-west Wales called Rhys and Meinir, two lovers whose wedding day came to a tragic end. 
 Legend goes that Meinir followed the tradition of the "Wedding Quest", hiding from her soon-to-be husband and selecting an oak tree as her hiding place. Rhys searched for her, but, even with help from family and friends, was unable to find her. Years later, on a stormy night, Rhys was sheltering under the oak tree, which was then cracked in two by lightening. Out feel Meinir's skeleton, still in her wedding dress, and Rhys, unable to bear it, died. 
 
A gruesome connection perhaps, that may appeal to certain children.

Meinir

The Welsh name Enfys is a unisex name, although it is more commonly used for girls. With the beautiful meaning "rainbow", it is a rare choice in the UK, given to just a handful of babies each year, with 7 girls receiving the name in the most recent stats. 
 
Pronounced EHN-viss, it is a relatively modern name, first appearing in the 19th century, and with the rise of similar Emrys and its appearance in the movie Solo: A Star Wars Story, it may have a chance of catching on. In fact, it did see a boost in 2019, after the film was released, when it was given to 17 babies.

Enfys

While it may look like it to those unfamiliar, Gwenllian is not a blend of Gwendolyn and Lillian!
 
It is in fact a Welsh name, borne by a medieval Welsh princess noted for her bravery and beauty. Sometimes referred to as the Welsh Bouddica, Gwenllian resisted invasion by English and Norman forces and is a national heroine of Wales. It was given to nearly 30 girls in the UK in 2023 which made it the second most popular Gwen- name in the UK and a Top 100 choice in Wales. In a more recent count, it was given to 17 girls.
 
Diminutive of the name include Llio and Gwenli, both of which are used, albeit quietly, as standalone names.
 
The pronunciation is difficult to translate into English, as the Ll sound is exclusively Welsh, however a rough estimation is gwehn-SHEE-an, the double L being somewhere between the L in please and the Sh sound. You might also see it described as gwehn-HLEE-an or gwehn-THLEE-an, though it's probably easiest <a href="https://forvo.com/search/gwenllian/">to listen to it</a>.

Gwenllian

Liliwen is a sweet, whimsical flower name used occasionally in Wales, and would make an interesting alternative to Lilian, and another way to Lily as a nickname.

Liliwen

Welsh names for girls have long punched far above their weight, gaining recognition and use far beyond Wales to Great Britain and the world. Given how few people live in Wales, and how obscure the Welsh language is, Welsh girl names like Gwyneth, Rhonda and Bronwen are huge overachievers. 

 for girls enjoyed such success in the wider world? They blend the exotic and the familiar in a way that's appealing. The Welsh girls' name Arwen achieved widespread fame via the 

books and movies, inspiring a taste for the traditionally-Welsh wen-ending names.



Browse through our list of Welsh names for girls for many more choices. The girl names from Wales on this list are ordered according to their current popularity on Nameberry. For a full alphabetical list, click All.

Welsh names for girls with meanings and popularity, including top Welsh girl names and rare names for girls with Welsh origin (Page 7)