Caian

Caian could be an elaborated form of Cai, the Welsh form of Kay, the name of King Arthur’s foster-brother and seneschel in Arthurian legend; it may possibly be a Welsh form of Gaius, a Roman given name of uncertain meaning though it’s been linked to Latin gaudere meaning “to rejoice”, though it may also be derived from an older Etruscan source…

Branwen

Branwen is the name of a major character in the Second Branch of the Mabinogi (a collection of 4 related stories, part of the Mabinogion). Branwen was the sister of Brân the Blessed, a giant and the king of Britain. She is married to the Irish king Matholwch but her half-brother Efnysien is angry he…

Pryderi

Pryderi is the name of a prominent figure in Welsh mythology, the son of Pwyll, the king of Dyfed, and Rhiannon (also another major figure in Welsh mythology). He is kidnapped as an infant but is later reunited with his parents, eventually becoming king of Dyfed after his father’s death. Pryderi appears in all Four…

Cadogan

Cadogan is a Welsh male name, the anglicized form of Welsh Cadwgan. The first element is composed of Welsh cad meaning “battle” though the second element is a little uncertain. It could be derived from Old Welsh gwogawn meaning “glory, honor” or perhaps  gwgan “scowler”. Cadogan is also the anglicized form of Irish surname Ó Ceadagáin…

Aeron

Aeron is a Welsh unisex name meaning “fruits; berries” from the Welsh word aeron via Proto-Brythonic *aɨron (berries) < Proto-Celtic *agronā via a PIE root word. Aeron is also the name of a river in Wales, and the River Ayr in Scotland, derived from the name of a hypothetical Celtic goddess, Agrona, the goddess of war…

Taran

Taran is a Welsh and Pictish male name, a cognate of the Celtic god of thunder Taranis. It comes from Proto-Celtic *toranos (thunder) via a PIE root word. Taran is the name of a 7th century Pictish king. Taran is also an Indian male via Hindi tarānā तराना meaning “melody, song, anthem, tune” derived from…

Cariad

Cariad is a Welsh female name which is taken from the Welsh word cariad meaning “love, affection; beloved, sweetheart, darling” which comes from the root word caru (to love, like) < Proto-Brythonic *karɨd (to love) <Proto-Celtic *kareti (to desire, to wish) which ultimately derives from PIE root word *keh₂- (to desire, wish). Origin: Proto-Indo-European Meaning:…

Gwilym

Gwilym is the Welsh form of William which comes from Germanic name Willahelm meaning “desiring protection” or “willful protection” from Germanic elements wil (will, desire) and helm (helmet, protection). Origin: Proto-Indo-European Meaning: “desiring protection” or “willful protection” Usage: Welsh Nicknames: Gwil (Welsh) Variants: Gwilim (Welsh) Gwillym (Welsh)

Telyn

Telyn comes from a Welsh word meaning “harp”. I’m not sure if Telyn is used as a given name by Welsh-speaking parents, and from all the sites I’ve come across it’s listed as a female name, but I would consider it more of a unisex name. Origin: Welsh Meaning: “harp” Usage: Welsh Variants: Telynn

Bronwen

Bronwen is a Welsh female name made up of Welsh elements bron (breast) < Proto-Brythonic *bronn via Proto-Celtic *brusū (belly; breast) which itself derives from an unknown origin; and gwen (white, fair, blessed)< Proto-Brythonic *gwɨnn (white) via Proto-Celtic *windos (white) which derives from a nasalized form of PIE root *weyd- (to see). Origin: Proto-Celtic; Proto-Indo-European Meaning:…

Mabon

Mabon is the name of a figure in Welsh mythology, featuring in the legend of Culhwch and Olwen. He is the son of Modron, who may have been based on the Gaulish goddess Matrona (and may have been the prototype of Morgan le Fay). Mabon was taken from his mother three nights after his birth…

Glynis

Glynis is a Welsh female name, either a variant of Glenys derived from the Welsh word glân meaning “clean, clear, holy” via Proto-Celtic *glanos (clean; clear), or it’s an elaborated form of Welsh glyn “valley”. Origin: Proto-Celtic Meaning: “clean, clear, holy” or “valley” Usage: Welsh Variants: Glenys (Welsh) Glennis (anglicized spelling of Glynis/Glenys) Glenice (anglicized…

Hywel

Hywel is a Welsh male name meaning “eminent”, combined of Welsh elements hy- (good) and gwêl (sight) both of which derive from a PIE origin; though it’s also been linked to Breton uhel (high)< Proto-Brythonic *ʉxel (high, elevated)< *ouxselos (high, elevated) derived from a PIE root word. Origin: Proto-Indo-European Meaning: “eminent” Usage: Welsh Pronunciation: huw-ehl…

Ivor

Ivor is a male given name, the English (British) form of Old Norse Ívarr, made up of Old Norse elements yr (yew “tree”) and arr (warrior) so the name would essentially meaning “yew warrior”. I’ve also seen the first element related to the meaning “bow”; since bows were made out of yew it’s possible that…