Wales is a beautiful country shaped by rugged mountains, fast flowing rivers and stunning beaches. It is an ancient place, and has evolved through a tumultuous history. The language, one of the oldest still spoken in Europe has a rhythm and a poetry to it which makes the names of its people both unusual and evocative. Here are some examples with guides on how to pronounce Welsh boy’s names.
Welsh Boy’s Names
Bryn – Pronounced Brrin, it means hill. Famous owners of the name Bryn are Bryn Terfel the top Welsh Baritone and Uncle Bryn, the character played by Rob Brydon in the hit UK comedy series Gavin and Stacey.
Carwyn – Pronounced (Car) Carr (wyn) win means blessed love, as pure an expression of feeling as a child could ever want.
Dafydd – Pronounced (Daf) Dav (ydd) with means beloved. A popular name in Wales.
Dylan – Pronounced (Dyl) Dill (an) ann. Dylan means man from the sea. There are a number of famous Dylans, such as Sixties singer songwriter Bob Dylan and famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. The name has gained in popularity since Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas named their son Dylan.
Dewi – Pronounced (D) d (e) egg (wi) wee is the Welsh version of the English name David. The most famous Dewi of all is Dewi Sant, Saint David, the patron saint of Wales who has his Saints day on March 1st each year.
Emyr – Pronounced (Em) hem (yr) irrigate. This very old Welsh name means honour.
Geraint – Pronounced (Ge) Gale (rai) rye (nt) nt. Geraint is the name of a protagonist in a romance associated with the Mabinogion, the medieval book of Welsh fables.
Ioan – Pronounced (I) ee (ow) owe (an) ann. Ioan is a Welsh version of the name John. Famous Ioan’s include Welsh actor, star of the Fantastic 4 films, Ioan Gruffudd
Llywelyn – Pronounced (Ll) Lch (y) ur (wel) well (yn) in. Llywelyn isn’t the easiest name to pronounce containing as it does the infamous Welsh ‘LL ‘sound, but it is worth the effort. Meaning Lionlike or leader, Llywelyn was the name of two of Wales’ most famous princes. Llywelyn Fawr (Llywelyn the Great) and Llywelyn Olaf (Llywelyn the Last).
Morgan – Pronounced rhymes with organ. Morgan means the bright sea and is the name of the great American actor Morgan Freeman, star of the Shawshank Redemption and Oscar nominated for his role as Nelson Mandela in the film Invictus.
Owain – Pronounced (Ow) Owe (ain) twine. Owain is the name of one of Wales most famous sons. Owain Glyndwr led a revolt against the English for a decade in the early 15th century and was a character in Shakespeare’s play Henry IV Part 1 as Glendower.
Rhodri – Pronounced (Rhod) Rrod (ri) ree. Rhodri means ruler of the wheel and is the name of the second First Minister to lead the Welsh Assembly, Rhodri Morgan
Sion – Pronounced (Sh) Sh (one) bone. Sion is a Welsh version of the name John. Twm Sion Cati was a legendary Welsh outlaw of the middle ages, similar in style to Robin Hood
Tudor – Pronounced (Tew) rhymes with pew (or) ur. This is the Welsh version of the English name Theodore and was also the surname of Henry Tudor, Welshman who became King Henry VII, founding the House of Tudor, which included Henry VIII and Elizabeth I who oversaw a golden age in British history.
Unusual Welsh Baby Names for Boys
Parents looking for boys baby names which are unusual, should look at Wales and Welsh culture, which is a rich source of ideas for that stand out name.
See also: Unusual Welsh Baby Names for Girls
Neil Hughes - Growing up in West Wales, there was little doubt that rugby would be one of the great passions of my life. I played with great enthusiasm ...
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