Updated October 2026
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Welsh
"love"
Kerris is a much easier if less authentic phonetic spelling of the popular and pretty Welsh name Cerys.
Spelling variation of Kerris or Cerys
This phonetic version of the Welsh Cerys might be easier for Americans, certainly, to understand, but it does lose some poetry in translation.
English
"from Rayne or Rennes"
The final s turns a nature name into a Waspy surname.
Diminutive of Gwenllian, Welsh
"white, flaxen"
While it may look like a variation of popular Leo, Llio is in fact a Welsh name, derived from Gwenllian, the medieval name of a legendary princess who is a national heroine in Wales. Given to a small…
Welsh, from Latin
"laurel"
This unusual and appealing form of Laura is popular in sections of Wales.
"dear light"
Lleucu is often considered the Welsh equivalent of Lucy, as it shares the same meaning of "light", and a similar sound. (Lwsi and Liwsi are the phonetic Welsh spellings of Lucy.) It's a statement…
"fair image"
A bit of a tongue-twister.
Welsh form of Mary
One of the many international versions of Mary that could make an unusual alternative. The similar sound to Maya/Maia could be a plus or a minus. Mair appears in the many Welsh towns and villages…
"red cliff"
Harvard's sibling.
"reedy stream"
Upper-crusty surname name.
"my fine one; my woman; my beloved"
A lyrical Welsh name with both poetry and ruggedness, Myfanwy can mean "my fine, delicate one", "my woman", or "my beloved", depending on whether you consider the second element as derived from manwy…
"chief, lady"
A sweet yet substantial name of Welsh origin, Nerys has the fresh feel of Carys, but the vintage charm of Mavis, Morag, and Lois. Likely borrowing from the Welsh element nêr meaning "lord, chief",…
"new pond"
Male name that seems feminine enough to switch genders, if you're looking for a new lyn spin.
"shining, holy"
Nolwenn is popular in Wales but would be a very adventurous choice in the US. Though with the increased visibility of names like Arwen, thanks to Lord of the Rings , it may not feel as odd going…
"nun"
The legendary St. Non was the mother of St. David, the patron saint of Wales. David was raised in a convent by his mother and went on to become a great teacher and bishop. Non is also known as Nonna…
The spelling makes the tradition Non even more of a non-name.
"white footprint"
Olwen is a Welsh favorite, the name of a legendary princess in what is believed to have been the earliest Arthurian romance, and in fact one of the first recorded examples of Welsh prose. In this…
Olwyn is a popular Welsh name that might be an alternative to the more familiar Bronwen or Rhonwen -- though in Wales the female form is usually spelled -wen and the male one -wyn.
"clearing"
Only if you don't mind hearing yourself saying, "Come quickly, Quixley."
English from Quintus; diminutive of Quinton
Clint with a glint; used for flinty characters in old TV westerns and soap operas.