Cornish Names

  1. Kitto
    • Origin:

      Cornish, diminutive of Christopher, Greek and Latin
    • Meaning:

      "bearer of Christ"
    • Description:

      Kitto updates Dad Name Christopher with a trendy o-ending short form. Use it as an honor name or an original nickname.
  2. Kelynen
    • Locryn
      • Origin:

        Cornish
      • Description:

        This dashing Cornish name comes from the name of a legendary British king, Locrinus, who married Gwendolen, the daughter of the "founder of Cornwall" Corineus. Locrinus' name derives from the ancient English kingdom Loegria (from Welsh Lloegr).
    • Meraud
      • Origin:

        Cornish
      • Meaning:

        "a profit from the sea"
      • Description:

        A medieval Cornish name which despite sounding similar to the French name Emeraude, is actually connected to the Welsh name Morfydd. Pronunciation rhymes with Herod -- and yes, the final d is pronounced.
    • Merryn
      • Origin:

        Cornish variation of Mirin, Irish and Scottish, meaning unknown
      • Description:

        St. Merryn, the name of a Cornish town derived from Mirin, a 6th century Irish saint important in Scottish history often as Mirren, is sometimes used in modern times as a girl's name. Lovely, sleek, shimmery feel though many will assume it's invented until you enlighten them on its long history. Also spelled Meryn.
    • Morgelyn
      • Origin:

        Cornish
      • Meaning:

        "sea holly"
      • Description:

        Morgelyn is a Cornish compound name derived from the Welsh mor, meaning "sea" and kelyn, "holly." Sea holly is another name for the Eryngium plant, which showcases prickly purple blooms, making Morgelyn a botanical name.
    • Morvoren
      • Origin:

        Cornish
      • Meaning:

        "mermaid"
      • Description:

        Morvoren derives from the Cornish mor, meaning "sea," and moren, "maiden," taking on the meaning of "mermaid." The Mermaid of Zennor, a local mythological figure, was associated with morvoren, although it wasn't until after the 20th-century revival of the Cornish language that Morvoren became the mermaid's name rather than her species. In recent years, the name has been given to baby girls a handful of times in its native Cornwall.
    • Morwenna
      • Origin:

        Welsh
      • Meaning:

        "maiden"
      • Description:

        Morwenna is an ancient Cornish name now being revived in Wales, deriving from a Celtic word meaning "maiden", although the Mor- syllable means that it's often associated with the sea. It's been heard in the British series Doc Martin and Poldark. Morwenna Banks is a British actress.
    • Morenwyn
      • Nessa
        • Origin:

          Scandinavian
        • Meaning:

          "headlands, promontory"
        • Description:

          Like its cousin Tessa, Nessa -- a shortening of Vanessa or Agnes or Anastasia among other possibilities -- is an attractive nickname that can stand on its own.
      • Perran
        • Origin:

          Cornish
        • Meaning:

          "little dark one"
        • Description:

          Also spelled, Piran, this Cornish saint's name is also a village. Perran is thought to be analogous to the Irish name Ciaran.
      • Piran
        • Origin:

          Cornish
        • Meaning:

          "little dark one"
        • Description:

          It may be a longshot – especially since it was given to less than 5 boys in the US in 2021 – but Piran could conceivably be a future Kieran, which is shaping up to being the next Kevin. Piran is the patron saint of miners and of Cornwall.
      • Rosen
        • Origin:

          Cornish
        • Meaning:

          "rose"
        • Description:

          The masculine version of Rosen, pronounced ROH-zen, is a German and Bulgarian name, commonly seen as an element in Ashkenazi Jewish surnames. But Rosen, pronounced ROZ-en, is a modern Cornish word name used predominantly for girls.
      • Rosenwyn
        • Origin:

          Cornish
        • Meaning:

          "white rose"
        • Description:

          A rare and beautiful member of the "Rose" family of names, Rosenwyn is a modern Cornish compound name meaning "white rose" or "fair rose". There is a popular Cornish folk song titled An Rosen Wyn, which may have inspired its use as a name.
      • Rozen
        • Senara
          • Origin:

            Variation of Azenor, Breton
          • Meaning:

            "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.
        • Treeve
          • Origin:

            Variation of Treave, Cornish
          • Meaning:

            "village, home"
          • Description:

            Treeve is an alternate spelling for Treave, a Cornish place name that is virtually unused in the US.
        • Tressa
          • Origin:

            Cornish
          • Meaning:

            "third"
          • Description:

            More unusual than Tessa, this would make an interesting, meaningful and attractive choice for a third child.
        • Zennor
          • Origin:

            Cornish, place name
          • Description:

            This Cornish place name is possibly named after a female saint, Senara. It makes a very interesting choice for those of Cornish descent or who love Cornwall.