Cross-cultural winner.

Meryl is a name that's at once rare and famous, thanks to Meryl (born Mary Louise) Streep. Streep's name is an invented short form of Mary Louise, but Meryl might also be a contraction of the unique Irish name Meriel.

Possibly started life as a short form of Rhonwen, but most likely derives from the name of the Hebridean island Rona, which means "rough island".

Designer (as in Marc Jacobs) form of Mark. An international classic, but long falling in popularity as a boys' name.

A Welsh diminutive of Tomos/Thomas, or just a simplified spelling of Tommy.

Luc is the sleeker Gallic cousin of Luke, and if you want to know the difference between their pronunciations, just watch Kevin Kline's hilarious description in the film French Kiss. Peter Gabriel and Sean Patrick Thomas picked this version for their sons.

An alternative spelling of Tristan, and also the modern Welsh form of the legendary hero's name.

This spelling pares Will down to the bare minimum — and why not? It is also a Welsh diminutive of William / Wiliam / Gwilym.

Of all the names in the Magdalene/Madeleine family, this is the most sweetly simple.

Tomos is the standard Welsh version of Thomas, both in the Bible and secular texts like Thomas the Tank Engine. It is an enduring classic in the Welsh charts, with diminutives including Twm and Tomi.

Ancient Irish saint's name that's unlikely, because of its similarity to "ninny," to join cousin Finian in popularity.

A surname and first name in Wales, similar to (but less familiar than) Lloyd.

A Welsh biblical name that currently doesn't chart in its homeland. If you like the sound, you might also consider spelling it (the unrelated name) Powell.

The Welsh form of Steven feels lighter and fresher than the well-trodden English versions.

An unusual Welsh name with a cute meaning.

No, it's not a typo: it's William as a Welsh speaker would spell it. Gwilym is the more traditional Welsh version, though.

Meical is the Welsh form of Michael, a masculine name with Hebrew origins meaning 'Who is like God?' This question is rhetorical, implying that no one is like God. Pronounced roughly as 'MAY-cal', it represents the unique way Welsh language adapted the biblical name to suit its phonetic patterns. While Michael has been one of the most enduringly popular names across Western cultures, Meical remains relatively uncommon outside Wales, giving it a distinctive cultural resonance. The name carries strong connections to Welsh heritage and language traditions, making it particularly meaningful for families with Welsh roots. Its biblical origins combined with its Celtic form create a name that bridges ancient traditions with cultural specificity.