Welsh Names for Babies
By Carys.
Updated Fri May 12 2023
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Welsh baby names, which you may not have come across before, that are fairly easy to pronounce (once you know the alphabet).
Some pronunciations may differ across Wales. Some meanings may not be entirely accurate.
- Rhona
Origin:
ScottishMeaning:
"Scottish island name"Description:
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".
- Meryl
Origin:
Variation of Muriel via Meriel, IrishMeaning:
"of the bright sea"Description:
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.
- Tomos
Origin:
Welsh form of Thomas, AramaicMeaning:
"twin"Description:
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.
- Luc
Origin:
FrenchMeaning:
"man from Lucania"Description:
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.
- Mai
Origin:
Japanese, French, Welsh, Vietnamese, NavajoMeaning:
"dance; May; cherry blossom; coyote"Description:
Cross-cultural winner.
- Ninian
Origin:
Scottish and Irish, meaning unknownDescription:
Ancient Irish saint's name that's unlikely, because of its similarity to "ninny," to join cousin Finian in popularity.
- Mathew
Origin:
Spelling variation of MatthewDescription:
There was a time in the early twentieth century when Matthew and Mathew were closer together in terms of popularity; today, Matthew is America's clear preference.
- Mair
Origin:
Welsh form of MaryDescription:
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.
- Rhiain
Description:
Rhiain is a feminine name of Welsh origin, derived from 'rhiain' meaning 'maiden' or 'lady' in Welsh. It was traditionally used as a poetic term for a noble young woman in medieval Welsh literature. The name carries a lilting, melodic quality characteristic of Welsh names, with its unusual vowel combination creating a distinctive sound. Rhiain remains quite rare even in Wales and is virtually unknown outside Welsh-speaking communities, giving it an air of mystery and uniqueness. The pronunciation (roughly REE-ine) may present challenges in non-Welsh speaking areas. For those with Welsh heritage or an appreciation for Celtic culture, Rhiain offers an authentic yet uncommon choice that connects to ancient traditions while sounding contemporary.
- Pedr
Origin:
Welsh form of PeterDescription:
A softer, less vowelly variation of Peter, that appears in the Welsh Bible but not currently in the charts there. The Welsh name for daffodils, the national flower of Wales, is cennin pedr, "Peter's leeks".
- Tomi
Origin:
Japanese; Nigerian; Welsh variation of ThomasMeaning:
"wealth; twin"Description:
A Welsh diminutive of Tomos/Thomas, or just a simplified spelling of Tommy.
- Pawl
Origin:
Welsh form of PaulDescription:
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.
- Bechan
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"little one"Description:
An unusual Welsh name with a cute meaning.
- Meical
Description:
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.
- Madlen
Origin:
Welsh form of MadeleineDescription:
Of all the names in the Magdalene/Madeleine family, this is the most sweetly simple.
- Wil
Origin:
GermanicMeaning:
"will"Description:
This spelling pares Will down to the bare minimum — and why not? It is also a Welsh diminutive of William / Wiliam / Gwilym.
- Llwyd
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"gray"Description:
A surname and first name in Wales, similar to (but less familiar than) Lloyd.
- Trystan
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"noise or sorrowful"Description:
An alternative spelling of Tristan, and also the modern Welsh form of the legendary hero's name.
- Ffiona
Origin:
Welsh form of Fiona; or "foxglove"Meaning:
"foxglove"Description:
A pretty halfway house between the modern name Ffion, which has been popular in Wales in recent decades, and the unrelated name Fiona.
- Steffan
Origin:
Welsh from GreekDescription:
The Welsh form of Steven feels lighter and fresher than the well-trodden English versions.
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