Welsh Names

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

Evans is an historic Welsh patronymic surname, derived from Evan, which is a form of John. With Evan's popularity in the U.S. and the U.K. -- it's a Top 50 names -- the stylish s-ending version may also be on the rise.

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

Islwyn is the name of a mountain in Wales which has a pleasant fluid sound. Islwyn has recently been made more familiar through Runescape.

Very popular in Wales, this perfectly nice name's only problem is its similarity to the dated Beth Ann.

Welsh heritage choice that's rare today even in its native land.

Simplify things and spell it Dai, or even Day.

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 choice even within Wales, and the spelling/pronunciation would make it extremely bold in other countries.

The feminine version of the common Welsh name Glyn became somewhat known in this country via the charming Welsh actress Glynis Johns. Variations include Glenys and Glynys. With other Welsh names--Gwyneth, Bronwyn, Bryn, Griffith--now on the American table, Glynis could make a distinctive tribute to an Uncle Glenn.

This name of a river in Wales represents a vowel change from Alan, which makes the name somewhat more intriguing, but still possibly not intriguing enough. Bonus points if you're a surfer, sailor, or you're expecting a baby born under a water sign of the zodiac: It's one of the more unusual names that mean water.

Takes Edwin one step -- make that ten steps -- too far.

This Welsh surname might be an interesting alternative to the popular Evan, though that Bev beginning conjures up a fifty-five-year-old woman named Beverly.

Noted bearers of this surname include a metaphysical poet, a Nobel Prize winner, and a baseball Hall of Famer, so there's plenty of hero-name inspiration.

You say Bryn, he says Bryana -- here's a name you might agree on.

Parry is quite common in Wales, often as a surname, but would inevitably be misunderstood as Perry or even Harry.

There aren't many Glendas under forty.

Taliesin is a name an architecture-minded parent could love, because of its close association with Frank Lloyd Wright.

Why bother to invent a new name or spelling when there are intriguing oddities like this in existence. Also in the Welsh encyclopedia of names: Ffion, Ffiona, and Ffraid, the Welsh form of Brigid.

This Welsh saint's name has an industrial edge.