Names That Mean Welsh
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- Jennifer
Origin:
Cornish variation of Welsh GuinevereMeaning:
"white shadow, white wave"Description:
Jennifer is the Cornish variation of Guinevere, which ultimately derived from the Welsh name Gwenhwyfar. It has been in use in the English-speaking world since the 18th century but came to prominence in the 20th. Playwright George Bernard Shaw chose Jennifer for the name of his leading lady in his play The Doctor’s Dilemma, which drew more attention to the name.
- Nia
Origin:
Swahili; Welsh form of the Irish NiamhMeaning:
"resolve; brilliance"Description:
Short but energetic and substantial, Nia has special meaning for African-American parents, as it's one of the days of Kwanza. Nia also benefits by its similarity to (yet differentness from) the megapopular Mia.
- Ivor
Origin:
Scottish variation of Welsh IforMeaning:
"yew"Description:
Ivor, a favorite choice for upscale characters in Brit Lit novels by authors like P.G. Wodehouse and Evelyn Waugh, is an interesting and unusual name just waiting to be discovered by parents in this country.
- Walden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"valley of the Welsh"Description:
Walden is a recent entrant to the en-ending boys' names trend, a name that summons up placid images of Thoreau's two-year stay contemplating nature near Walden Pond.
- Marc
Origin:
French, Welsh and Catalan variation of MarkDescription:
Designer (as in Marc Jacobs) form of Mark. An international classic, but long falling in popularity as a boys' name.
- Dewey
Origin:
Anglicized variation of Welsh Dewi, nickname of DafyddMeaning:
"beloved"Description:
Not heard since the 1980s, Dewey shot into the Top 20 in 1898 thanks to the popularity of Spanish-American War naval hero Admiral George Dewey. Dewey has subtle links to his Welsh roots and relation to father name David . The name was borne by the fifth century St. Dewi, patron saint of Wales. Later references include the namesake of the library Dewey Decimal System, a Donald Duck nephew, the younger brother on Malcolm in the Middle and Lemony Snicket character Dewey Denouement. It has a strong but dewy feel and is appealing enough to be ripe for a modern revival.
- Penrose
Origin:
Cornish and Welsh place name and surnameMeaning:
"top of the heath"Description:
Penrose – an ancient locational surname derived from several villages in Cornwall, Wales, and the Welsh border country of England – might work as a first name, although the "Rose" syllable might lead the uninitiated to assume it's a female name. As a middle name, however, it would make for a surprising and distinguished choice. A male Penrose could be called Pen/Penn, Ross or Roe for short.
- Evana
Origin:
Feminine form of Evan, Welsh form of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
Evana is an intriguing feminization, but will often be mistaken for the better-known Ivana, thanks to the first Mrs. Trump.
- Penrose
Origin:
Cornish and Welsh place name and surnameMeaning:
"top of the heath"Description:
Penrose – an ancient place-name and surname derived from several villages in Cornwall, Wales, and the Welsh border country of England – would make for an even more unexpected alternative to quirky nature name Primrose. Intuitive nicknames Penny or Rosie make it feel more wearable.
- Howell
Origin:
English variation of Hywel, an eminent Welsh kingDescription:
A familiar and usable last name turned first. Or you could look at it as a homophone of the verb howl, which gives it a wilder feel.
- Ela
Origin:
TurkishMeaning:
"terebinth tree"Description:
A sweet, simple mini-name that fits into many cultures. The only drawback is the potential for confusion with Ella, Ayla, and other similar names.
- Caris
Origin:
Welsh, GreekMeaning:
"love; grace, kindness"Description:
Beautiful meanings no matter which origin you want to go with. But either way, it rhymes with Paris.
- Tomi
Origin:
Japanese, Nigerian, or Welsh variation of ThomasMeaning:
"wealth; twin"Description:
A Welsh diminutive of Tomos/Thomas, or just a simplified spelling of Tommy.
- Antoni
Origin:
Polish, Catalan and Welsh form of Antonius, LatinMeaning:
"priceless"
- 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.
- Dewi
Origin:
Diminutive of Dafydd, Welsh variation of DavidDescription:
The name of the patron saint of Wales is virtually unknown in the US under this spelling. There were no baby boys named Dewi or Dewie in the US in 2021, though there were 35 named Dewey. Incredibly enough, Dewey ranked among the US Top 1000 for an entire century, from 1887 to 1986, reaching as high as Number 19 in 1898.
- Penoyer
Origin:
Variation of Pennoyer, Welsh surnameMeaning:
"golden head"Description:
Penoyer is a rarer variation of the surname Pennoyer, derived from the Welsh component pen, meaning "head," and Latin aur, "gold." It doesn't refer to a blonde, but rather Golden Valley of Herefordshire, England.
- Gwyladyss
Origin:
Old Welsh variation of GladysDescription:
Gwyladyss is an Old Welsh variation of the New Welsh Gladys, pronounced like the more familiar form, but modern English speakers can be forgiven for not knowing that. Gladys would be a difficult enough name for a 21st century child; with this spelling, it would be impossible.
- Jenifry
Origin:
Cornish variation of the Welsh name GwenfrewiMeaning:
"white peace"Description:
This Celtic saint's name is the most offbeat Jen name of all.