50 Welsh Baby Names: Meanings & Origins

The Welsh language is derived from Wales, a constituent state located in the United Kingdom directly west of England. While English is technically the primary language spoken in Wales, Welsh is also considered an official language. It's part of the Celtic language family, and it has given us some of the most beautiful baby names in the world. If you’re keen on giving your own baby boy or baby girl a Welsh name, start with this list.

Popular Welsh Baby Names: Meanings and Origins
Name	Meaning	Origin
Ariana	Noble, pure	Welsh
Brian	Strong, virtuous	Welsh, Celtic
Caden	Spirit of battle, friend	Welsh, English, Arabic
Drew	Masculine, strong	Welsh, English
Dylan	Son of the sea	Welsh
Jennifer	White wave, fair	Welsh, English
Megan	Pearl	Welsh, Latin
Morgan	Circling sea	Welsh
Owen	Youth, well-born	Welsh
Teagan	Little poet, pretty	Welsh, Irish

Popular Welsh Baby Names for Girls

Below you'll find 25 beautiful Welsh baby names for girls along with their meanings, origins, and a few fun facts.

Ariana

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Noble, pure, very holy
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aryana, Aryanna, Ariane, Oriana, Arene
Famous Namesakes: Ariana Grande, U.S. singer
Peak Popularity: The popularity of this name drastically increased from 1980 to 1982 in the United States. Since then, it has steadily increased, achieving its peak popularity in 2014.

Avalon

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Apple Island, island
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ava
Famous Namesakes: Avalon Gomez, U.S. actress; Avalon Rossi Tipton, director
Peak Popularity: Avalon reached peak popularity in the United Stated in 2002. For every million babies born, 122 were given the name.

Bethan

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: God is my oath
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Bethany, Bethania, Elisheba, Beth, Anne
Famous Namesakes: Bethan Gwanas, Welsh author; Bethan Huws, Welsh artist; Bethan Sayed, Welsh politician
Peak Popularity: While Bethan has no history of ranking in the top 1,000 American baby names, Bethany reached its peak in popularity in 1987.

Cambrie

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Wales
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cambie, Cambria, Cambry, Cammie, Cam, Brie, Bree
Famous Namesakes: Cambrie Shroder, U.S. television personality and model
Peak Popularity: Cambrie has no history of ranking in the top 1,000 American baby names.

Fun Fact: Cambrie is considered a unisex Welsh name.

Cari

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Beloved
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Carey, Cary, Kerry, Carol
Famous Namesakes: Cari Read, Canadian Olympic swimmer; Cari Champion, U.S. sportscaster
Peak Popularity: The name Cari continuously grew in popularity from 1959 and reached its peak popularity in the U.S. in 1976.

Dee

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: divine, delight
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dea, Deana, Diane, Adea, Deandrea, Diana
Famous Namesakes: Dee Wallace Stone, U.S. actress; Dee Dee Bridgewater, U.S. jazz singer
Peak Popularity: The name rose to its peak popularity in the U.S. in 1962.

Efa

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Alive
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Effa, Eva, Eve, Efraim, Evina, Evarose, Evert, Evita, Evelyne, Eveanna, Ephraim, Evie
Famous Namesakes: Efa Gruffudd Jones, chief executive at the National Centre for Learning Welsh
Peak Popularity: In 2015, the name Efa reached its peak popularity in England and Wales. Efa has no history of ranking in the top 1,000 U.S. baby names.

Elen

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Shining, Burst of the sun
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ellen, Ellan, Elan, Ehlan, Maryellen, Elle, Elenora, Leona, Ilene, Eleanor, Helen, Elina, Eliana
Famous Namesakes: Elen Levon, Australian singer-songwriter
Peak Popularity: Elen has no history of ranking in the top 1,000 U.S. baby names.

Enid

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Soul, life, spirit
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ened, Enydd, Enedd, Enyd, Enidd, Eanid, Eneida, Eneyda
Famous Namesakes: Enid Markey, U.S. actress; Enid Greene Waldholtz, U.S. congresswoman from Utah
Peak Popularity: The name was at its most popular in 1920 in the United States and has since declined in usage.

Fun Fact: Enid is the name of a city in Oklahoma, and Mississippi has an Enid Lake.

Gladys

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Land, Nation, Princess, Country
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Claudias, Gladdi, Claudia, Clady, Claudie, Claud, Klaudius, Gladis
Famous Namesakes: Gladys Noon Spellman, U.S. congresswoman from Maryland; Gladys Knight, American singer-songwriter
Peak Popularity: Gladys was at its most popular in 1901 in the United States and has since declined in usage.

Glenda

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Holy, good
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Glendalee, Glanda, Glennda.
Famous Namesakes: Glenda May Jackson, English actress and politician; Glenda Farrell, U.S. actress
Peak Popularity: Glenda peaked in popularity in the United States in 1944.

Guinevere

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: White shadow
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gwen, Win, Wendee, Gwennie, Gwenn, Genevieve, Gwyn
Famous Namesakes: Guinevere Jane Turner, U.S. screenwriter and actress; U.S. model Guinevere van Seenus.
Peak Popularity: Guinevere has no history of ranking in the top 1,000 U.S. baby names.

Fun Fact: Jennifer is considered the modern version of this old-fashioned name. Guinevere was also the name of the ill-fated queen in Camelot.

Gwyneth

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Blessed, happy
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gweneth, Gwenette, Gwen, Gwendolen, Guendolen, Gwennette, Gweneta, Gwenetta, Ceridwen
Famous Namesakes: Gwyneth Scally, U.S. visual contemporary artist; Gwyneth Paltrow, U.S. actress and entrepreneur
Peak Popularity: The name hasn't been super popular over the years. It saw a few spikes in the '0. The name was most popular in 2013 when 288 baby girls were named Gwyneth.

Iola

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Violet, beauty
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Iole, Iolanthe, Yolanda, Jolanta, Jolanda, Iolanda, Olinda, Yolanthe, Yomara, Iolee, Iolia.
Famous Namesakes: Iola Johnson, U.S. news anchor
Peak Popularity: Iola was at its most popular in 1907 in the United States and has since declined in usage.

Isolde

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Ice ruler
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Iseult, Isolda
Famous Namesakes: Isolde Kurtz, German poet
Peak Popularity: Isolde has no history of ranking in the top 1,000 U.S. baby names.

Fun Fact: Isolde is a namesake of the lead character in the romance novel Tristan & Isolde, written by Rosemary Sutcliff.

Jennifer

Origin: Welsh, English
Meaning: White Wave, white phantom, white shadow, fair
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jenna, Jenessa, Jenalee, Jinnifer, Geniffer, Jennie, Genni, Jennica, Genny, Jeniffer, Ginnifer, Jenniver, Jenifer, Jennee, Jennipher
Famous Namesakes: Jennifer Aniston, U.S. Actress; Jennifer Love Hewitt, U.S. actress; Jennifer Garner, U.S. actress
Peak Popularity: Jennifer has been a top 1,000 U.S. name since 1938. It was the number one girl's name for fifteen years, reaching peak popularity in 1984.

Lynette

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Lake, Idol
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lanette, Linnet, Lynn, Linette, Linell, Linn, Adallyn, Lynnmarie, Lynnette, Lina, Linett, Lunete, Luna, Lunet
Famous Namesakes: Lynette Woodward, U.S. pro basketball player; Lynette Long, U.S. psychologist and author
Peak Popularity: Lynette's popularity peaked in 1987 and has not ranked in the top 1,000 U.S. baby names since 1994.

Mali

Origin: Welsh, Latin
Meaning: Ruler and first born
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Molly, Mala, Amalia, Malvina, Mahala, Emily, Aimil, Amy
Famous Namesakes: Mali Nicole, U.S. Singer; Mali Koopman, Australian model
Peak Popularity: While Mali has no history of ranking in the top 1,000 American baby names, Molly reached peak popularity in 1991 and continues to be a popular U.S. girls name.

Fun Fact: In Thailand, the word "Mali" means jasmine flower.

Mari

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Drop of the sea, bitter, beloved
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Maria, Mary, Marie
Famous Namesakes: Mari Johanna Kiviniemi, 41st Prime Minister of Finland
Peak Popularity: Mari's popularity peaked in 1954 and has not ranked in the top 1,000 U.S. baby names since 1995.

Megan

Origin: Welsh, Latin
Meaning: Pearl,
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Meghan, Meg, Magan, Magen, Maegan, Megane, Meaghan, Meggan, Meagan, Meygan, Megyn
Famous Namesakes: Megan Fox, U.S. actress; Megan Pete (Megan Thee Stallion), U.S. rapper
Peak Popularity: This name has been exceptionally popular in the United States over the last 50 years. It reached peak popularity in 1994 and is still consistently used.

Fun Fact: This Welsh name is considered a shorthand version of the more formal name Margaret.

Meredith

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Great ruler, protector of the sea
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Meridith, Meredyth, Meredy, Merry, Merridie, Meridie, Meredeth, Merridith, Meredithe, Meredythe, Merideth, Meradith, Meridath
Famous Namesakes: Meredith Vieira, U.S. TV journalist; Meredith Monk, U.S. composer and singer
Peak Popularity: Meredith has been a top 1,000 U.S. girl's name for over 100 years. It peaked in popularity in 1981.

Fun Fact: U.S. country-pop sensation Taylor Swift named her cat Meredith Grey after the title doctor on the long-running television show Grey's Anatomy.

Morgan

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Sea-Born, Sea-Circle
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Maughan, Morgen, Morgana, Muirgen, Morgane, Morgaine
Famous Namesakes: Morgan Fairchild, U.S. actress; Morgan Elizabeth York, U.S. actress
Peak Popularity: Morgan was in the top 25 most popular baby names in the U.S. from 1994 to 2000 where it reached its peak popularity in 1997.

Seren

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Star, sail mast
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Sirona, Siren, Soren, Serena, Serenity
Famous Namesakes: Seren Gibson, Welsh model
Peak Popularity: The name hasn't been too common in the United States. In 2016 it reached a peak with 62 babies given the name. In 2019, only 25 girls were named Seren. It's remained popular in the United Kingdom, however.

Teagan

Origin: Welsh, Irish
Meaning: Little poet, fair, pretty
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Teagann, Tegan, Tegwen, Taegan, Tegin, Taygan, Tiegan, Tigan
Famous Namesakes: Teagan Clive, U.S. Actress
Peak Popularity: Teagan had been an uncommon name in the U.S. until it became a top 1K name in 1999. Its peak popularity was in 2016 and ranked 192nd in 2020.

Trina

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Pure, innocent, good
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Thrina, Cateline, Katharina, Karine, Carina, Karin, Karina, Carine, Cara, Karen, Caitlin, Cate, Catheryn
Famous Namesakes: Trina Turk, U.S. Fashion Designer; Trina Robbins, U.S. comic writer and artist
Peak Popularity: Trina's popularity peaked in 1971 and has not ranked in the top 1,000 U.S. baby names since 1990.

Popular Welsh Baby Names for Boys

Below you'll find 25 beautiful Welsh baby names for boys along with their meanings, origins, and a few fun facts.

Alwin

Origin: Welsh, English, German
Meaning: Noble friend, friend of elves
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Elwin, Audwin, Alwyn, Aldwin, Aldin, Aelfdane, Adalwen
Famous Namesakes: Alwin Nikolais, U.S. Choreographer
Peak Popularity: Alwin has no history of ranking in the top 1,000 American baby names.

Andreas

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Strong, manly
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ander, Leander, Andor, Andra, Leandros, Arndor, Andrius
Famous Namesakes: Andreas Vesalius, Belgian Anatomist; Andreas Beck, German tennis player
Peak Popularity: Andreas' popularity peaked in 1966 and has not ranked in the top 1,000 U.S. baby names since 2008.

Fun Fact: The name Andreas is considered the Latin equivalent to Andrew.

Brad

Origin: Welsh, English
Meaning: Broad, wide meadow, broad clearing
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Bradd, Bradley, Bradly, Braden, Bernie, Brady
Famous Namesakes: Brad Pitt, U.S. actor; Brad Garrett, U.S. actor
Peak Popularity: Brad's popularity peaked in 1975 and has not ranked in the top 1,000 U.S. baby names since 2007. The alternative Bradley has remained in the top 1K names for over a century.

Brian

Origin: Welsh, Nordic, Celtic
Meaning: Strong, virtuous, honorable, noble
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Bryan, Bryon, Brien, Brion
Famous Namesakes: Brian Boru, King of Ireland; Brian Williams, U.S. broadcast journalist
Peak Popularity: Brian has been exceptionally popular and a top 1K U.S. name over the last century. It peaked in popularity in 1977.

Fun Fact: The name is believed to have originated from the Celtic word "bre," which means hill. Its meaning later evolved to "high" and "noble."

Caden

Origin: Welsh, English, Arabic
Meaning: Son of Cadan, spirit of battle, friend
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cade, Kadin, Cadan, Caiden, Kaiden, Kayden, Cayden, Kaden, Cadin, Cadon, Caedon, Cadyn, Cadan
Famous Namesakes: Caden Lovelace, U.S. novelist; Caden Michael Gray, U.S. actor
Peak Popularity: Caden had been an uncommon name in the U.S. until it became a top 1K name in 1992. Its peak popularity was in 2006 and ranked 242nd in 2020.

Cain

Origin: Welsh, Hebrew
Meaning: Craftsman, warrior’s son, archaic
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Caine, Kane, Cathán, Cathan, Kaniel, Keane, Kain, Cainen, Cane, Kean, Cayne, Kayne
Famous Namesakes: Cain Ackland, Australian football player
Peak Popularity: Cain had been an uncommon name in the U.S. until it became a top 1K name in 1994. Its peak popularity was in 2014 and ranked 886 in 2020.

Fun Fact: Cain is a Biblical name; he was the son of Adam and Eve.

Cassian

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Hollow, empty
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cassius, Cach, Cassio, Casiano
Famous Namesakes: Cassian Horowitz, U.S. actor; Cassian Delsar, Australian ice hockey player
Peak Popularity: Cassian has no history of ranking in the top 1,000 American baby names.

Fun Fact: There were at least four 5th century St. Cassians. One was the patron saint of stenographers (transcriber).

Daryn

Origin: Welsh/English
Meaning: Great, Little Great One, Oak Tree
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Darrin, Darren, Daren, Daran
Famous Namesakes: Daryn Okada, U.S. cinematographer
Peak Popularity: The spelling of the name "Daryn" was only in the top 1K names from 1965-1968. However, the alternate spellings—particularly Darren—have been more common. Darren has consistently been a top 1K name since 1957.

Drew

Origin: Welsh/English
Meaning: Manly, Masculine, Strong
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Andy, Andrew, Dru, Drewie
Famous Namesakes: Drew Abbott, U.S. guitarist; Drew Brees, U.S. NFL player
Peak Popularity: In 1985, the name Drew was at its peak popularity in the United States. Drew has consistently been a top 1K name in the U.S. since 1939.

Fun Fact: Drew is considered a nickname for Andrew, which is more common.

Dylan

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Son of the sea, son of the waves
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dillon, Dylon, Dillan, Dyllan, Dillen, Dylonn, Dylun, Dylen, Deelan
Famous Namesakes: Dylan Marlais Thomas, Welsh poet and writer; Dylan O’Brien, U.S. actor
Peak Popularity: In 2004, the name Dylan was at its peak popularity in the United States. Dylan has consistently been a top 1K name in the U.S. since 1966.

Evann

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Archer, merciful God
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Evan, John, Jehanne, Ieuan, Johanan, Eoghan, Ivan, Ifan, Ewan, Eavan, Evanjames, Johannes, Dejohn, Gianni, Jackie, Yanis
Peak Popularity: While Evann has no history of ranking in the top 1,000 American baby names, Evan has consistently been in the top 1K for over a century with its peak popularity in 2009.

Gavin

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: White hawk
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gavyn, Gavon, Gawen, Gawayn, Gavvin, Gowen, Gawaine, Gavan, Gawin, Gawain, Galvin, Gavinn, Gawayne, Gawyn, Gaven, Gauvain
Famous Namesakes: Gavin McGregor Rossdale, U.S. singer; Gavin Rees, Welsh boxer
Peak Popularity: Gavin has consistently been in the top 1K since 1960 with its peak popularity in 2008.

Glenn

Origin: Welsh, Scottish, Celtic
Meaning: Valley
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gleann, Glen, Glenna
Famous Namesakes: Glenn Franklin Howerton III, U.S. actor; Glenn Gould, classical pianist and Bach interpreter
Peak Popularity: The name Glenn had been popular in the U.S. for over a century. It peaked in 1962 and remained in the top 1K until 2008.

Fun Fact: Glenn is derived from the Gaelic word 'gleann', which directly translates to valley.

Irving

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Green river, sea friend
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Irwyn, Irv, Earvin, Irvine, Ervine, Irvin, Erv, Irvyn, Irven, Ervin, Irwin, Eireamhon, Yves, Ivo, Erouan, Erwan, Irvin, Erwen, Erwin, Herwin, Arwin, Iwe, Iwo, Arvin
Famous Namesakes: Irving Grant Thalberg, U.S. Film Producer; Irving Langmuir, U.S. Nobel Prize-Winning Chemist
Peak Popularity: Irving's popularity peaked in 1911 and has not ranked in the top 1,000 U.S. baby names since 2005.

Jeston

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Clever, Good Think, Just and Upright
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jestin, Justin, Jesstin, Jesten, Jessten, Jesston
Famous Namesakes: Jestoni Alarcon, Filipino actor and politician
Peak Popularity: Jeston has not been a popular name in the United States. Since the year 2000, fewer than 15 baby boys were given the name per year.

Kendrick

Origin: Welsh, English, Scottish
Meaning: Royal power, bold ruler, champion
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cynwrig, Kendric, Kenrik, Kenrick, Kendricks, Kendrik, Kenricks, Kendrix, Kendryck.
Famous Namesakes: Kendrick Lamar (Duckworth), U.S. rapper and songwriter; Kendrick Lewis, U.S. NFL player; Kendrick Brett Meek, U.S. congressman
Peak Popularity: Kendrick has consistently been in the top 1K since 1964 with its peak popularity in 2013.

Maddox

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Son of Madoc, fortunate
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Madock, Maddocks, Maddock, Madog, Madox, Madocks, Maddux, Maddex
Famous Namesakes: Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt, son of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
Peak Popularity: Maddox is currently experiencing a small peak in popularity, which began in the 2000s. At its peak in 2017—which has remained relatively stable the last decade—about 3,000 boys were given the name.

Fun Fact: Maddox is also a common Welsh and English surname.

Merlyn

Origin: Welsh, Celtic
Meaning: Sea fortress, black bird
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Merlin, Myrddin, Marlin, Marland
Famous Namesakes: Merlyn Myer, Australian Philanthropist; Merlyn Hans Dethlefsen, U.S. Airforce Officer and Medal of Honor Recipient
Peak Popularity: Merlyn was a top 1K name in the U.S. from 1917-1945 and peaked in popularity in 1931.

Mervyn

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Sea lover, sea friend
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Marvin, Myrddin, Merfyn, Marwin, Marve, Merwin, Marv, Murvin, Merv, Marvyn, Mervynn, Mervin, Murvyn, Merven, Merwyn, Merfyn, Merwinn
Famous Namesakes: Mervyn Tuchet, English Nobleman and Earl of Castlehaven; Mervyn LeRoy, U.S. film director
Peak Popularity: Mervyn was consistently a top 1K name in the U.S. from 1933-1937 and peaked in popularity in 1937.

Owen

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Youth, well-born
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Owain, Owin, Owyn, Owaine, Eóghan, Eoghan, Eugene, Ewan
Famous Namesakes: Owen Wilson, U.S. actor
Peak Popularity: Owen has been exceptionally popular and a top 1K U.S. name for over a century. It ranked 21st in 2019, its most popular year.

Reece

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Enthusiasm, passion, ardor
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rhys, Rease, Rees, Ryce, Rhett, Reese, Rhys, Rees, Rhyse, Reyse, Rice, Ryez, Rece, Reace, Riese, Ryse, Reyce, Rei, Reyes,
Famous Namesakes: Reece Lyne, English professional rugby player; Reece King, English model
Peak Popularity: Reece has consistently been a top 1K name in the U.S. since 1986 achieving its peak popularity in 2001.

Fun Fact: Reece is a unisex name.

Rhett

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Counsel, advice
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ret, Rhys, Rhet.
Famous Namesakes: Rhett Davies, English record producer and engineer; Rhett Marshall Ellison, U.S. football player
Peak Popularity: Rhett has been exceptionally popular and a top 1K U.S. name for over half a century. It ranked 165th in 2019, its most popular year.

Trevyn

Origin: Welsh, Cornish
Meaning: Fair Town
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Traevyn, Trevon, Tremain, Trey, Tray, Von, Traevon, Trevonte, Tramaine, Trae, Trayanna, Trayvon, Vonmarie, Vaughan, Trevontae
Famous Namesakes: Trevyn McDowell, property developer and former actress
Peak Popularity: Trevyn has no history of ranking in the top 1,000 American baby names.

Trenton

Origin: Welsh, English
Meaning: Trent’s town
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Trendon, Trent, Trant, Trintin, Trentton, Trenten, Trendun, Trinton, Trentyn
Famous Namesakes: Trenton Doyle Hancock, U.S. artist; Trenton Lee Stewart, U.S. author
Peak Popularity: Trenton has been exceptionally popular and a top 1K U.S. name for over half a century and peaked in popularity in 2007.

Tristan

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Outcry, riot, tumult
Alternative Spellings & Variations: Tristen, Tristain, Tristynne, Trysten, Tristyn, Trystyn, Trestan, Trestin, Treston, Trestton, Trestyn, Tris, Trisan, Trisden, Trissten, Tristin, Drystan,
Famous Namesakes: Tristan Trevor James Johnson, Canadian basketball player
Peak Popularity: Triston continues to be popular since it joined the top 1K U.S. names in 1971. Its peak in popularity was in 1996.

Fun Fact: Tristan is a namesake of the lead character in the romance novel Tristan & Isolde, written by Rosemary Sutcliff.

Sources

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