Meaning of the name Llŷr

The Welsh name Llŷr (pronounced Lleer) carries a sense of mystery and grandeur, echoing from the mists of ancient Celtic mythology. While its exact origin remains debated, Llyr’s significance in Welsh legend is undeniable.

The name Llŷr is a Welsh name usually for a male or boy, it also has Irish and Celtic roots.

There are a number of meanings provided for the name Llŷr;  the most common meaning of Llŷr, is believed to stem from the Proto-Celtic word “Lēros,” meaning “sea. Another possible meaning from the Irish tradition is “a mythical king”.

How to Pronounce Llŷr?

The phonetic pronunciation is L-l-ee-r-h (LEER).

It consists of Welsh two letters, not in English:

• Ll – as in the start of popular Welsh places like Llanelli or Llandaf
• ŷ – the ‘to bach’ (little roof) extends the vowel (y)

Popularity of the Name

The popularity of Llŷr was not in the top 100 baby boys’ names in 2021.

Famous People with the Name

• It has been stated that Llŷr, was the influence for Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” the spelling was changed.
• The mythology of Llŷr has him listed as a God in the Celtic and Welsh mythologies respectively. In both cultures the stories of Llŷr have him associated with being a God of the sea. The mythical Llŷr had several children; they were Bran, Manawyddan, and a daughter named Branwen. He is also stated as being the father of the powers of darkness who battled the children of the Goddess Don, her children were the powers of light. The Stories of Llŷr’s children can be found in the Mabinogi, located in the second and third branch.

Interesting Fact

Llŷr shares a linguistic connection with the Irish mythological figure Manannán mac Lir, believed to be a variant of the same deity.

Useful Resources

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