Discover and Shortlist Your Perfect Baby Names!
Welsh names are drawn from Celtic traditions, mythology, and the Welsh language, known for its poetic beauty. Names like Eira (snow) and Gareth (gentle) reflect nature, virtues, and legendary tales. These names preserve the unique linguistic and cultural heritage of Wales, offering a connection to its storied past.
| Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eliidan | Eliidan: Unique Welsh name meaning "like a prince," gender-neutral choice. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Elin | Elin means "light" in Hebrew; derived from the name Helen. | English, Welsh | Girl | |
| Elinud | Elinud: Rare Welsh name meaning "anointed with oil," biblically significant. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Elisun | Elisun: Unique Welsh name meaning "fair brow," associated with beauty. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Elleri | Elleri: Unique Welsh name meaning "kind-hearted" or "compassionate." | Old English, Welsh | Unisex | |
| Ellis | Ellis: Unisex name meaning "benevolent," with historical Welsh and English roots. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Elowyn | Elowyn: Welsh name meaning "elm tree" or "elf friend," enchanting. | Welsh | Girl | |
| Elphin | Elphin: Welsh name meaning "kindly, fair," steeped in mythology. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Elradd | Elradd means "dweller by the oak trees" in Welsh. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Eluned | Eluned: Welsh name meaning "shining beauty" with historical significance. | Welsh | Girl | |
| Elvain | Elvain: unique Welsh name meaning "white, fair, blessed," with charm. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Elvyny | Elvyny: Unique Welsh name meaning "friend of the elves." Enchanting. | Welsh | Girl | |
| Elvyrn | Elvyrn: Unique Welsh name meaning "white, fair brow," gender-neutral. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Elwel | Elwel: Welsh name meaning "from the old spring," masculine origin. | Welsh | Boy | |
| Elwirah | Elwirah: Unique Welsh name meaning "fair and true," for girls. | Welsh | Girl | |
| Elwynn | Elwynn: Unisex Welsh name meaning "white, fair, blessed," unique choice. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Elwynne | Elwynne: Unique Welsh name meaning "white, fair, blessed," elegant choice. | Welsh | Girl | |
| Elwyrah | Elwyrah: Unique Welsh name meaning "white-browed," symbolizing purity and innocence. | Welsh | Girl | |
| Elyson | Elyson: modern, unisex name meaning "kind-hearted," with Welsh origins. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Elywena | Elywena: Unique Welsh name meaning "blessed river," rich in culture. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Elywenah | Elywenah: Unique Welsh name meaning "blessed river," symbolizing nature's beauty. | Welsh | Girl | |
| Emberlynn | Emberlynn combines "ember" and "lynn," symbolizing warmth and beauty. | Welsh | Girl | |
| Emblyn | Emblyn: Welsh name meaning "to embroider," symbolizing creativity and craftsmanship. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Emmilyn | Emmilyn: a modern name combining Emily and Lynn, meaning "rivaling lake." | Welsh | Girl | |
| Emry | Emry: Unisex name meaning "immortal," linked to Merlin's legacy. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Emryc | Emryc: Unique Welsh name meaning "immortal ruler," symbolizing strength and resilience. | Welsh | Boy | |
| Emyll | Emyll: Unique name, possibly Welsh, suitable for boys and girls. | Celtic, Germanic, Welsh | Unisex | |
| Emyr | Emyr: Welsh name meaning "king," rich in history and mythology. | Welsh | Boy | |
| Enfys | Enfys: Welsh unisex name meaning "bright rainbow," symbolizing hope. | Welsh | Unisex | |
| Enid | Enid: Welsh name meaning "soul," popularized by Tennyson's poetry. | Welsh | Girl |
The name 'Welsh' originates from the Old English term 'Wealh', meaning 'foreigner' or 'stranger'. This term was used by the Anglo-Saxons to describe the Celtic-speaking people of Britain. Over time, it specifically came to refer to the people of what is now Wales.
In other languages, the term equivalent to 'Welsh' often has similar connotations of 'foreign' or 'Celtic speaker'. For example, in German, 'Welsch' is a historical term for Romance language speakers, showing a similar pattern of denoting foreignness. In many cases, these terms have evolved from the same Germanic roots.
Yes, the name 'Welsh' is directly related to the name of the country Wales. The term 'Wales' and the adjective 'Welsh' both derive from the same Old English root 'Wealh'. This term was historically used to refer to the Celtic inhabitants of the British Isles by the Anglo-Saxons.
The term 'Welsh' evolved in the English language from the Old English 'Wealh', which underwent changes in pronunciation and spelling over time. As English developed and standardized, 'Wealh' became 'Welsh', specifically referring to the language and people of Wales. This evolution reflects the linguistic and cultural changes in Britain after the Anglo-Saxon settlement.
Historically, the term 'Welsh' signified a distinction between the Anglo-Saxon invaders and the native Celtic-speaking Britons. It was used to denote the 'otherness' of the Celtic people during and after the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain. Over time, it became a self-identifier for the people of Wales and their language.
Within Wales, the name 'Welsh' is not commonly used as a self-descriptor; instead, 'Cymru' for the country and 'Cymraeg' for the language are used. These Welsh terms derive from the Brythonic word 'Combrogi', meaning 'fellow-countrymen'. The English term 'Welsh' is an exonym, meaning it is used by outsiders, whereas 'Cymru' and 'Cymraeg' are endonyms, used by the people themselves.
The term 'Welsh' is indeed connected to the Welsh language, as it is the English name for the language spoken in Wales. The Welsh language itself is called 'Cymraeg' in Welsh, and the term 'Welsh' is used by English speakers. The connection between the term and the language reflects the historical relationship between the English and Welsh peoples.
The Welsh people have varying perspectives on the term 'Welsh'; some embrace it as part of their identity, while others prefer 'Cymru' and 'Cymraeg'. The term 'Welsh' is widely accepted and used internationally to refer to the people and culture of Wales. However, within Wales, there is a strong sense of cultural pride associated with the native Welsh terms.
The meaning of 'Welsh' has indeed changed over time, from a general term for 'foreigner' to a specific identifier for the people and language of Wales. This change reflects the shifting political and cultural landscapes of Britain through the centuries. Today, 'Welish' carries a sense of national identity and pride for the people of Wales.
While 'Welsh' primarily refers to the people and language of Wales, it can also be used in broader contexts to describe things related to Wales, such as 'Welsh culture' or 'Welsh traditions'. It is not typically used to refer to unrelated subjects or in a generic sense. The term remains closely tied to its national and linguistic roots.
