Breton Names
Updated Mon Oct 30 2023
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Breton names originate from the Celtic language spoken in the Brittany region of France.
Breton boy names include Gael, Malo, Kavan, and Oan, and Breton girl names include Maelie, Senara, Anaelle, and Azenor.
Browse all of our Breton baby names here, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
RELATED:
- Gael
Origin:
BretonMeaning:
"Gaelic"Description:
This cross-cultural name, found in Wales, Brittany, and Spain, is a surprise star in the U.S. in recent years, largely thanks to actor Gael Garcia Bernal. It's especially popular in Texas.
- Mael
Origin:
French or BretonMeaning:
"chief or prince"Description:
The name of a fifth century Breton saint, Mael is a popular boys' name in contemporary France, though it is usually spelled with a diaeresis or umlaut - Maël. Mael is the Breton spelling, and the pronunciation is almost like the English word mile, with two distinctive syllables.
- Maelie
Origin:
BretonMeaning:
"Princess"Description:
The French Miley? This trendy choice from Brittany, which is pronounced either as Miley or May-lee, is related to the traditional (male) saint's name Mael, traditionally feminized as Maelle.
- Senara
Origin:
Variation of Azenor, BretonMeaning:
"light"Description:
The origins of Senara, the name of a Cornish saint who is patron of the village of Zennor, are not so straightforward. Some say she was the same person as Azenor, a legendary Breton princess whose mother-in-law cast her out to sea in a trunk. Other stories say she was a mermaid turned Christian.
- Malo
Origin:
BretonMeaning:
"shining hostage"Description:
Malo, the name of an important sixth century Breton saint who founded St. Malo, the charming port town in Brittany -- is considered quite au courant in France right now, ranking firmly in the Top 100.
- Azenor
Origin:
Breton form of Elinor or HelenMeaning:
"light"Description:
One way to spin grandma Helen or Ellen's name off the beaten track. The legendary Azenor was a tragic 6th century Breton princess who was mother to a saint. This personage also may be known as Senara.
- Kavan
Origin:
BretonMeaning:
"battle"Description:
Rarely heard, and all too likely to be confused with Kevin.
- Devi
Origin:
SanskritMeaning:
"divine"Description:
Devi is the name of a Hindu goddess. Deva or Dev are male forms.
- Anaelle
Origin:
Breton form of AnnaMeaning:
"grace"Description:
Also spelled Anael, this offers a new spin on an old standard. Or even a couple of old standards, if you count Annabelle.
- Oan
Origin:
BretonMeaning:
"lamb"Description:
A too-literal spin on Owen.
- Conwenna
Origin:
Cornish, Welsh or BretonDescription:
Made familiar by poet William Blake. According to Blake, after her death, Conwenna "shines ... over the north with pearly beams gorgeous and terrible". Make of that what you will.
- Katell
Origin:
Breton variation of KatherineMeaning:
"pure"Description:
Original twist on this classic.
- Perlezenn
- Enora
Origin:
BretonMeaning:
"honor"Description:
Unusual Honor or Nora alternative, but we prefer the originals.
- Nanig
- Oanez
Origin:
Breton variation of AgnesMeaning:
"lamb."Description:
Kind of a combination of Agnes and Inez, a name rarely heard in the US.
- Yvan
- Kerouac
Origin:
Breton literary nameDescription:
Kerouac could make for a meaningful possible modern literary inspiration, via On the Road author Jack. The writer's baptism certificate read Jean Louis Kirouac, though he later claimed his full name was Jean-Louis Lebris de Kerouac.
- Jaffrez
- Samzun