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Welsh Names that Start With D

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
  1. Dylan

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "son of the sea"

    • Description:

      Dylan still feels poetic and romantic after years of popularity. It still ranks highly on the charts, among the top boy names starting with D, so if you choose it, be aware that yours may not be the only Dylan in his class.
  2. Dawson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of David"

    • Description:

      Dawson was scarcely heard as a first name before the debut of Dawson's Creek in 1998, at which point it leaped up more than 550 places in one year. The character Dawson Leery, played by James Van Der Beek, was a teen favorite until the show's demise in 2003.
  3. Dylan

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "son of the sea"

    • Description:

      Boys' favorite retains more of its poetic, windswept quality when used for a girl, as Robin Wright and Sean Penn did. Alyssa Milano gave her daughter Elizabella Dylan as a middle name.
  4. Delyth

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "pretty and blessed"

    • Description:

      If you like soft, lispy Welsh names like Gwyneth, or want an alternative to Delilah, Adele, or Edith, consider this out-of-the-ordinary option.
  5. Dewey

    • Origin:

      Anglicized variation of Welsh Dewi, nickname of Dafydd

    • Meaning:

      "beloved"

    • Description:

      Not heard since the 1980s, Dewey shot into the Top 20 in 1898 thanks to the popularity of Spanish-American War naval hero Admiral George Dewey. Dewey has subtle links to his Welsh roots and relation to father name David . The name was borne by the fifth century St. Dewi, patron saint of Wales. Later references include the namesake of the library Dewey Decimal System, a Donald Duck nephew, the younger brother on Malcolm in the Middle and Lemony Snicket character Dewey Denouement. It has a strong but dewy feel and is appealing enough to be ripe for a modern revival.
  6. Dei

    • Origin:

      Welsh, diminutive of Dafydd/David

    • Description:

      Simplify things and spell it Dai, or even Day.
  7. Drystan

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "sad, tumult"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "bird"

    • Description:

      This 1950s Welsh bird name sounds less dated than our fifties Robin.
  9. Dai

    • Origin:

      Welsh; Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "beloved; great"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "genuine, steadfast, true"

    • Description:

      Common in Wales, but would really stand out here. One of the middle names of Stella McCartney's daughter Reiley; Dilys Powell was a well-known British film critic, Professor Dilys Derwent a Harry Potter character., a witch who worked as a Healer at St. Mungo's Hospital, and was a celebrated Headmistress of Hogwarts School..
  11. Dwyn

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Dwynwen

    • Meaning:

      "wave"

    • Description:

      Short, but still kind of a mouthful.
  12. Dilwyn

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "fair, white, blessed"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "wave"

    • Description:

      St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers, and her feast day on January 25 is the equivalent of Valentine's day in Wales. The short form Dwyn may be more manageable for the non-Welsh.
  14. Delwen

    • Origin:

      Welsh invented name

    • Meaning:

      "pretty and fair"

    • Description:

      Delwen appears to be a modern invented name in Welsh, deriving from two common name components: del - meaning pretty and wen - meaning fair/white. Similar names include Delyth, also Welsh, and Elowen, which is Cornish.
  15. Dyfan

    • Description:

      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.
  16. Dewi

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Dafydd, Welsh variation of David

    • Description:

      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.
  17. Deiniol

    • Description:

      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.

  18. Dafydd

    • Origin:

      Welsh variation of David

    • Description:

      Extremely common in Wales and England, Dafydd would likely leave some non-Welsh speakers confused at first. But we love the soft, lispy quality this variation offers.
  19. Davies

    • Origin:

      Welsh

    • Meaning:

      "son of David"

    • Description:

      This is a both fresher and cooler spin on David.
  20. Daffydd

    • Description:

      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.