Welsh Names for Boys

A cross-cultural name that can be a nickname for David, as is common in Wales, pronounced "dye". 

Simplify things and spell it Dai, or even Day. 

Dyfan is a masculine Welsh name with ancient Celtic origins, pronounced roughly as 'DUV-an.' The name derives from the Welsh elements 'du' meaning 'black' or 'dark' and 'ban' meaning 'peak' or 'prominence.' In Welsh history and legend, Saint Dyfan (also spelled Deruvian) was reportedly one of the first Christian missionaries to Britain in the 2nd century. The name carries connotations of spiritual devotion, natural strength, and cultural heritage. While common in Wales and among Welsh families abroad, Dyfan remains relatively rare in the broader English-speaking world, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a name with authentic Celtic roots and distinctive character.

Dyfan

Deiniol is a Welsh masculine name with profound historical roots. It derives from the Celtic element "deinos," meaning "fortress" or "stronghold." The name is particularly significant in Welsh heritage as it belonged to Saint Deiniol, a 6th-century religious figure who founded the monastery at Bangor and became its first bishop. Deiniol remains relatively uncommon outside of Wales, giving it a distinctive quality that appeals to parents seeking a name with Celtic origins and historical depth. The pronunciation (day-NEE-ol) may present some challenges outside Welsh-speaking communities, but its uniqueness and cultural significance make it an intriguing choice for those connected to Welsh heritage or drawn to names with strong historical foundations.

Deiniol

Daffydd is a Welsh variant spelling of David, a name with Hebrew origins meaning 'beloved.' The standard Welsh form is typically written as Dafydd, making Daffydd an uncommon variant with an extra 'f.' This name carries strong Welsh cultural associations and reflects the distinctive phonetic patterns of the Welsh language. The pronunciation is approximately 'DAH-vith' with a soft 'th' sound at the end. While David ranks among the most enduring biblical names worldwide, the Daffydd spelling remains quite rare, even in Wales. The name connects to Welsh heritage and cultural identity, potentially honoring Saint David (Dewi Sant), the patron saint of Wales. The unusual spelling may present pronunciation challenges outside Wales but offers a distinctive connection to Welsh linguistic traditions.

Daffydd

The name of the patron saint of Wales is virtually unknown in the US under this spelling. There were no baby boys named Dewi or Dewie in the US in 2021, though there were 35 named Dewey. Incredibly enough, Dewey ranked among the US Top 1000 for an entire century, from 1887 to 1986, reaching as high as Number 19 in 1898.

Dewi

Welsh heritage choice that's rare today even in its native land.

Dilwyn

The Welsh form of Tristan, and the name of a counselor to King Arthur.

Drystan

Gentle and poetic and most often heard in Wales, Emlyn joins Emrys as soft, interesting alternatives to popular Em- names like Emmett and Emery. Sometimes viewed as a Welsh variation of Emiliano, it more likely comes from the Welsh em and glyn meaning "around the valley" (or possibly from llyn, giving it the meaning "around the lake").
 
Emlyn was one of the seven ancient districts of Wales and while it may lean feminine to American ears - perhaps as a spelling variant of Emmeline - there are plenty of masculine namesakes, including footballers Emlyn Williams, Emlyn Hughes and Emlyn Mulligan, Welsh Physicist Emlyn Rhoderick, and Emlyn A.G Watkins, a police officer awarded for bravery. Writer Jenny Nimmo also used it in her novel, Emlyn's Moon.
 
2023 saw a number of vintage rarities coming back into style in the US, and Emlyn was one of them. Used on more than 5 boys for the first time in a century, perhaps it could fit in with other rising choices like Ephraim and Ellis.

Emlyn

Sieffre

Very popular in Wales; this could make a nice middle name in honor of a Grandpa Glenn. 

Glyn

This Old Welsh name associated with blacksmiths has never caught on, but it has the right two-syllable occupational feel to qualify for revival. Gower Champion was a successful midcentury dancer, choreographer and director on the Broadway stage, in films and on TV.


Gower

The Welsh version of William is almost unheard-of across, but it's fairly straightforward and could make a good heritage choice or alternative honor name.

Gwilym

Short, simple, gentle, undeniably Welsh but easy to spell and pronounce – there's a lot to like about this underused gem. In the States it's been almost exclusively female, perhaps due to the greater familiarity of Gwen, but it definitely feels like a candidate to reclaim for the boys. 

 Gwyn has exactly the same meaning and origin as his much more popular Irish cousin Finn.

Gwyn

A bold Welsh name with a gentle meaning, Heddwyn is notably associated with the poet Ellis Humphrey Evans, who died at Passchendaele during World War One. He used Hedd Wyn as his Bardic name, having been inspired by the way sunlight broke through the mist in the Welsh valleys, making this a truly poetic feeling choice. In fact, it only started to be used after the poet's death. 
 
Derived from the elements hedd meaning "peace" and gwyn meaning "blessed, white", it is pronounced similarly to Edwin with a H at the beginning, but the dd sound is more like the th sound in thin in Wales.

Heddwyn

Hillery is a masculine name with English origins, though it's now used for both genders with slightly different spelling variations (Hillary being more common for females). The name derives from Latin 'hilaris' meaning 'cheerful' or from the medieval given name Hilarius. It also has roots as a surname before becoming a first name. Historically, Hillery was more commonly male, but gained feminine associations in the 20th century. For boys, it has remained relatively uncommon, giving it a distinctive quality. The name carries aristocratic connotations in British culture, where it has been used among upper classes. The masculine version maintains traditional spelling while offering a refined sound that balances strength and sophistication.

Hillery

Ilar is an uncommon masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may be a variant of the Welsh name Ilar, related to Hilary, which derives from the Latin 'hilaris' meaning 'cheerful' or 'happy.' Alternatively, it could be connected to the Basque name Hilarri, or serve as a shortened form of names like Ilario. In some cultures, it might also represent a unique variant of the Russian Ilarion or Ilari. The name's brevity gives it a modern, minimalist appeal while its obscurity makes it an attractive choice for parents seeking something truly distinctive. Ilar has never been among popular ranking names in the United States or most Western countries, maintaining its status as a rare choice.

Ilar

Huw is a traditional Welsh masculine name, representing the Welsh form of Hugh. Derived from the Germanic element "hug" meaning "heart," "mind," or "spirit," Huw carries connotations of intelligence and soulfulness. Despite its brevity, the name has a rich history in Wales, where it has been used since medieval times. The distinctive Welsh spelling with the 'w' instead of the more common 'gh' ending reflects Welsh phonetics and gives the name its authentic character. While primarily found in Wales and among Welsh diaspora communities, Huw has gained some recognition beyond these regions due to notable bearers including Welsh actors and musicians. The name combines simplicity with cultural depth, making it appealing to parents seeking a distinctively Celtic name with straightforward pronunciation.

Wmffre is a masculine Welsh name that represents the Welsh adaptation of the Germanic name Humphrey. In Welsh orthography, 'W' often functions as a vowel, giving this name a pronunciation closer to 'OOM-fre.' The original name Humphrey derives from the Germanic elements 'hun' (warrior) and 'frid' (peace), essentially meaning 'peaceful warrior.' Wmffre remains distinctly Welsh and is primarily found in Wales or among Welsh diaspora communities. The name reflects the Welsh linguistic tradition of adapting borrowed names to fit Welsh phonology and spelling conventions. While not among the most commonly used Welsh names today, Wmffre represents an important part of Welsh naming heritage and might be chosen by families seeking to honor their Welsh ancestry with an authentic traditional name.

Wmffre

Ieuan was in the England & Wales Top 300 from the late 90s until the late-2000s, but in other countries, the pronunciation and spelling would be troublesome.

Ieuan

Welsh names for boys are finding a home in the wider world, with Welsh boy names such as Owen and Dylan becoming popular in the US and less common choices such as Idris and Bowen making a name for themselves.

Welsh male names have achieved international fame via films like 

 was  made famous when Angelina Jolie chose it for her oldest son, and the unusual Idris was introduced by actor Idris Elba.

 in the US right now is Owen, in the Top 25. 

 include Ellis, Rhys, Emrys, and Evan, the Welsh form of John.

This list of Welsh boys names will introduce you to both the popular and the rare selections.

Welsh names for boys with meaning and popularity (Page 7)