ThatsAmore's list "From Wales" of 20 great name ideas: Betrys - Eleri!

From Wales

Welsh names and connections.

(Tips: F is pronounced as V,  DD is like TH,  SI is SH. In general, names ending in "wen" equals feminine and "wyn" equals masculine; but I know there is a lot more crossover these days.)

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

An unusual floral -wen name which was the name of an 1878 opera by Welsh composer Joseph Parry.

Blodwen

This is an attractive Celtic mythological name, popular in Wales and a cousin of the better known Bronwyn. In Welsh mythology, Branwen was turned into a bird.

Branwen

Unusual floral name which would be perfect for a spring baby girl, if you can pronounce the Welsh double L correctly. It's a tricky sound for non-native Welsh speakers, kind of halfway between an H and an L.

Briallen

The Welsh word for "love" and a term of endearment turned modern word-name, Cariad is a sweet possibility that might work well as a <a href="https:///list/630/70-lovely-names-for-february-babies">name for a February or Valentines baby</a> or a <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/412/christmas-baby-names">name for a Christmas baby.</a> A famous bearer is British comedian Cariad Lloyd.

Cariad

A Welsh place name, possibly from the caru root, meaning "love, affection", Caron could work as a way to honor a Karen with a twist. It can also be used as a masculine name, as a variation of the Greek Charon ("fierce brightness") or French Chèron (possibly from Roman Carinu, "beloved, dear").

Caron

The sweet and simple Welsh form of Katherine, long popular in Wales but dropping down the popularity charts now. As a German name, it's a short form of Katharina.

Catrin

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

A mythological Welsh name with an intriguing sound, Ceridwen appears in several Welsh legends, in which she is an an enchantress and the owner of the cauldron of poetic inspiration. She is also associated with the great bard, Taliesin, with one 16th-century tale recounting that when her servant consumed a potion of wisdom, intended for Ceridwen's son, Ceridwen swallows the servant, who is then reborn through her as the bard. 
 
Sometimes interpreted as the goddess of rebirth, transformation, inspiration, and poetry. in modern times, there are several theories on the etymology of the name. One is that it comes from cyrrid meaning "bent, crooked", combined with either ben or gwen meaning "woman" and "white, fair, blessed" respectively. In this case, the name could take on a darker, witchy-er feel.
 
Alternatively, it may come from credd meaning "poetry", mixed with either gwen or awen, which offer two lovely meanings: "fair as a poem" or "poetic inspiration". Other scholars have additionally proposed that the first element may come from craid meaning "passionate, fierce, powerful" or from credu meaning "belief", thereby interpreting the name as "powerful woman" or "woman to be believed in".
 
Ceridwen has been predominantly used in its native Wales, but is sometimes seen in England too.


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Ceridwen

Common name in Wales that's all but unknown in the U.S.  Certainly an attractive choice ripe for export. In the UK it sits at Number 330. 

Cerys

Caerwen

Caronwen

Cerwyn

Creirwy

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.

Delyth

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

Deryn

Common in Wales, but would really stand out here. One of the <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/673/middle-names">middle names</a> 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..

Dilys

Dwyn

A modern, unisex Welsh name with a shiny feel, Eirian can mean "silver" (from Welsh arian) or "snow, brilliant, bright" (from eira). It may appeal to those who like rising star Eira, but want something longer, or more gender neutral. 
 
Pronounced with either an AY sound at the beginning (rhyming with pay) or and EYE sound (rhyming with lie) depending on region and dialect.

Eirian

The striking name of a Welsh river, Eleri feels as mystical as it does modern. A recent year saw it feature in the England and Wales Top 1000, with 49 babies given the name: of them, 29 were born in Wales, where the name ranks at #83.
 
The exact meaning of the Eleri is unknown, though some sources suggest it is derived from the Welsh elements el and geri, in turn meaning "greatly bitter". It has also been connected to Hilary and Hilarius ("cheerful"), though this may be through conflating it with the English surname, Ellery.