Welsh Girls Names

Wales is a country abundant in stunning scenery and steeped in cultural heritage. Although English is widely spoken, Wales is proud of its history and heritage and many of the names hailing from this part of Britain are from Celtic and Gaelic roots. Below are a list of traditionally Welsh names for baby girls. For boys go to Welsh boy names.

Aeron

Battle. The name was borne in early Celtic mythology by the Goddess of battle and slaughter, Agrona. It is possibly a derivative of the modern Welsh ‘aer’ which also means battle. The name is also a vocabulary word for fruit and berries.

Avenable

The name comes from that of the girl in the Merlin legends who disguised herself as a squire to find work in the court of the Emperor of Rome. She was sent to Merlin to interpret the meaning of one of the Emperor’s dreams. She later married the Emperor after Merlin’s interpretation…and discovery that she was a woman!

Bethan

Consecrated to God. The name is the Welsh version of the name Elizabeth, and has many variations and pet names including Bet, Beti, Betsan and Betsi.

Branwen

A girl with black hair and white skin. The name comes from the Welsh ‘bran’ which means crow and ‘gwen’ which means shining and holy. The name is closely associated with Celtic war deity. Bronwyn is the modern, and more popular variation.

Ceridwen

Possibly derived from the Welsh ‘cariad’ which means beloved.
Alternatively, it may come from the Welsh ‘cerdd’ meaning song, and ‘gwen’ which means shining or holy. Ceridwyn was a powerful sorceress in the Welsh legend of Taliesin. Famous people named Ceridwen include the actress Ceridwen Smith.

Dilys

Genuine, perfect or true. The name is derived from the Welsh word, and came to popularity in the early 19th Century.

Elaine

Torch, bright light. The name is French in origin but was brought to Wales through legend. The name may also be a derivative of the Welsh for ‘hind’ or ‘fawn’. She was known as the Lady of Shallot in literature, and Elaine de Astolat (The White) in Arthurian legend. She fell in love with Lancelot and died when he did not reciprocate her love.

Enid

Life or spirit. Enid, daughter of the Earl of the Mist is the heroine of a Welsh Authurian romance. May have been a Celtic goddess of sovereignty originally or an embodiment of the land. Famous people named Enid include the children’s author Enid Blyton.

Ffion

Fair or white. The name is Gaelic in origin and comes from the Welsh ‘ffion’ which means oxglove. A modern version is Ffiona, or Fiona. This is one of the most popular Welsh girl’s names.

Guinevere

Fair one. In Welsh legend, Guinevere was the daughter of Leodegrance of Cameliard and the wife of King Arthur. She was found guilty of adultery and banished to the Amesbury monastery, according to Malory’s story.

Igerna

Pure, chaste. In legend she was the wife of Gorlois of Cornwall. She became the mother of Arthur through shape shifting deception of the wizard Merlin’s making.

Isolde

Fair one. Isolde was the name of the heroine of the legend ‘Tristan and Isolde’. Isolde was betrothed to King Mark, who sent his nephew Tristan to bring her to him, and through the accidental drinking of a potion, they fell in love. Their love ended in tragedy. Isolde is also a princess in Arthurian times.

Jenifer

Friend of peace. The name comes from the old Welsh meaning white phantom, or spirit and is also another modern variant of Guinevere. The spelling with one ‘n’ is traditional, but Jennifer is the more modern popular version. Famous people named Jennifer include the actress Jennifer Aniston.

Lowri

Crown of laurels. This is the Welsh version of Laura, or Laurel which comes from the Latin ‘laura’ meaning laurel. The name is particularly popular in North Wales. Famous people named Lowri include the TV presenter Lowri Turner.

Melangell

Sweet angel. A Melangell was the Welsh patron saint of animals, and another was a 6th century Irish princess who hid a hare from the hounds, and was given land for a Welsh convent. There, the hare is known as ‘Melangell’s little lamb’.

Nona

Ninth. In medieval times it was often used as the name for the 9th baby of a family. Nona was the mother of St David, patron saint of Wales and she was also a cousin of King Arthur. Her feast day is March 2nd, the day after her son’s.

Olwen

White footprint or shining track. The name comes from the old Welsh ‘ol’ meaning track, and ‘gwen’ meaning shining or holy. She was the daughter of a giant in the Welsh legend Kulhwch and Olwen.

Ragnell

In Welsh legend, Ragnell was enchanted into an ugly form of the Loathly Lady, and she aided Gawain in finding the answer to the riddle ‘what do women desire? He married her, and on their first kiss she became beautiful.

Rhiannon

Divine Queen. She was a Celtic goddess, whose birds sang more sweetly than any mortal bird according to legend. She was well known for being forward with her views, and being particularly witty. A mythological nymph.

Tegau

Fair, pretty, fine. Originates from the Welsh word ‘teg’. In legend, Tegau Eurfron (Golden Breast) was one of the 3 faithful women of the Island of Britain. She wore a mantle which would only reach the ground when worn by a chaste woman and according to legend, Tegau was the only woman of King Arthur’s court whose mantle was full length.

Sources: Amethyst-night, twfcymru
Photograph:
Ben Hoyt @ Flickr

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