Category Archives: name

Welsh male pet names


People are beginning to give their pets human names. These are some of the most popular Welsh male pet names that people are calling their pets.

Welsh male pet names
Welsh pet names


Griffin – This is a pet that will be treated well. It means Lord or Prince.
Cefin – This is a name for a dog that means a little comely one. This is a popular name with smaller dog breeds.
Alwyn – This is a name for white dogs since it means great white and blessed.
Maddox – People name their dogs this name if they are looking for them to be show dogs or in competitions. The name translates to champion.
Cadell – This is for spunky dogs since it means the battle spirit.
Emyr – This is a dog name that translates to honour.
Arawn – This name is for dogs with a lot of energy and their wild spirit.
These are some of the most popular Welsh dog names. People are naming their dogs according to their appearance and the role that they play in the home.

Llew – the mighty lion in Welsh. A great name for a powerful and courageous dog.

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.

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Welsh boys’ Nicknames

Welsh nicknames often take after the job or a relationship of the person. The Welsh language and culture are very descriptive, and many people especially in South Wales are fondly given a nickname by their friends. For example, ‘Bryn the milk’ was the nickname for the milk man or ‘Des the butcher’ for the local butcher. ‘Dai bungalow’ or ‘Dai Twp’ was the name of a person called David but wasn’t the brightest person around.

'Bryn the Milk' was the nickname of the local milkman
‘Bryn the Milk’ was the nickname of the local milkman

‘Welsh nicknames are a part of everyday life, for that matter any type of nickname is. You can find a good list of nicknames at your local library or online. During your search, you’ll probably some unusual ones that you might find interesting. Take for instance the nickname for the Welsh is Mush.

Here are some nicknames. John bad English, Mari Back Kitchen, Dai Bandy meaning bowed-legged Dai, Dai Bara Bwngy meaning square and stocky. These are just a few the are many more. Have a look at some yourself, you’ll get a kick out of it. Just go to any library or do an internet search. All too often we take nicknames for granted.

The use of nicknames seems to bring us closer to an individual. It brings us to a more intimate relationship with them. The use of ‘Welsh nicknames have been around a long time and will probably be around for a long time to come.

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.

Welsh Names for John

John is a very popular name worldwide and is the 3rd most popular name in the US according to demographics from the Social Security Administration and the 12th most popular name in the world.

The Welsh versions of the Name John
The Welsh versions of the Name John

In Welsh, the name John is often referred to as Ieuan, Iwan, or, borrowed from English, Siôn, A popular form of tion. Ifan eventually became referred to in English as Evan.

Depending upon whether Welsh parents hold on to the Welsh traditions, or enjoy the more Anglo name John, all of these are very popular Welsh Names.

John is adopted from the Hebrew, meaning John is Yohanan, meaning “graced by God.” and is a name that evokes strength, intelligence, and kindness which are primary reasons why many parents name their child John or a derivative of John.

Whether you call a boy Ianto, Ioan, Sion, or any of the derivates, they are all Welsh names for John.

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.

Why do Welsh names have ap

The Welsh language is rich in its naming customs; this includes the practice of adding an ap suffix to Welsh children’s names. The prefix is the Welsh word for “son,” depending on context and meaning.

Father and Son
Father and Son

In Welsh, an ap is usually used as a male name, but it can be used as a female name. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but the meaning of this prefix is quite significant. It indicates that the child has been named in honour of a person, often a parent.

An example of its use is Maredudd ap Emyr, Maredudd son of Emyr.

Why do Welsh names have ap this is a unique way to honour your loved ones and gives the child a sense of honour as they mature. It’s also got some religious connotations – children whose names end with ab are often meant to be raised in piety and morality. While it’s common in Wales, the Welsh ap naming convention is not exclusive to Brits of Welsh ancestry. It has been used by parents honouring namesakes from other cultures as well.

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Discover the meaning and origin of other Welsh boys’ names.

English Welsh Boys Names

The English Meaning of Welsh Boys Names

There are many Welsh names for boys that are popular in the Wales and the rest of the World. Here are some popular names in Wales today with their meanings:

Wales has some of the best names in the World
Wales has some of the best names in the World


1. Alan means “saint”.
2. Bryn means “hill”.
3. Dewi and Dafydd are a form of David, which means “beloved”.
4. Charlie, meaning “having full rights”.
5. George, meaning “earth worker”.
6. Harri, meaning “house ruler”.
7. Jac, meaning “God is gracious”.
8. Jacob, meaning “supplanter”.
9. Logan, meaning “man from the hollow”.
10. Noah, meaning “restful, calm”.
11. Oliver, meaning “represents the Olive Tree”.
12. Theo, meaning “God given”.
13. Andras, meaning “manly, brave”.
14. Bowen, meaning “son of Owen’.
15. Cass, meaning “curly haired”.
16. Celtic, meaning “musical”.
17. Davy, a form of David, meaning “beloved and precious”.
18. Dylan, meaning “near the sea” or “healthy”.
19. Drystan, meaning “full of sorrow”.
20. Eliot, meaning “an old Welshman”.
21. Evan or Evans, meaning “God is good”.
22. Griff, Griffin and Griffith, meaning “Lord who has a strong grip on everything which is around him”.
23. Gwinne, meaning “perfection”

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.

Common Welsh boys names

Welsh people are a Celtic group whose history continues to thrive in Wales of the United Kingdom.

Wales has some lovely boys' names
Wales has some lovely boys’ names

The Welsh language has survived over the centuries as well as common names passed on to their children. Here are a few common Welsh boys names and their meanings:

Common Welsh Boys Names

  • Aled – the name of a river in the United Kingdom and a poet from the 15th century.
  • Cai – means rejoice.
  • Dafydd – means friend in Hebrew.
  • Dylan – son of the sea.
  • Elis – kind and benevolent.
  • Iwan – God is gracious. This name is equivalent to the English name John.
  • Gareth – meaning gentle person.
  • Jac – God is gracious. This name is equivalent to the English name Jack.
  • Osian – means little deer.

Though historically, the Welsh would present their sons’ names then say “of” and then say the father’s name, this tradition no longer exists in their community.

Llew

Meaning of the Name Llew

Llew is a baby boy name that means leader, as it comes from the Welsh word for lion. Lovers of history and culture choose this masculine name with its roots in Celtic mythology. Feminine variations of Llew include Lewella and Llewella.

Llew means a lion in Welsh
Llew means a lion in Welsh

Llew can also be a shortern version of the name Llewelyn.

Popularity of Llew

Llew is not on the list of the 100 most popular baby boy names for Wales in 2019. However, Llew is the nickname for the more popular Llewelyn, a patriotic name for Welsh babies.

Famous People

Famous people throughout history with the name Llew include:

  • Lleu Llaw Gyffes, a warrior, hero, and magician in Welsh mythology.
  • British politician Llew Smith (born Llewellyn Thomas Smith.)
  • Llewellyn (Llew) Edwards, famous Welsh boxer.

How to Pronounce Llew

The Welsh pronunciation of Llew sounds like SHEW, not like the American pronunciation of the name Lou.

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Discover the meaning and origin of other Welsh boys names.

Iorwerth

Meaning and Origin of the Name Iorwerth

The name Iorwerth is a boy’s name and is Welsh in origin. The meaning of Iorwerth is “handsome lord”, “worthy Lord” or “worthy leader”.

The name Iorwerth is linked to a Lord or a Leader
The name Iorwerth is linked to a Lord or a Leader

Popularity

The popularity of Iorwerth is not in the top 100 in the world, and not ranked at all in the U.S. Less than 5 boys and girls got this name in 2018. There might be 300 people in the whole world with this name.

Famous People Called Iorwerth

  • Rhun ap Iorwerth is the Deputy Leader of Plaid Cymru since 2018. He was born Aug. 27, 1972, in Pontypridd, United Kingdom. At one time, he was a journalist for BBC Westminster.
  • Llywelyn mab Iorwerth is also known as Llywelyn the Great. He was King of Gwynedd, North Wales at first and then became King of all of Wales. He was born 1173 in Dolwyddelan, United Kingdom, and died April 11, 1240, in Aberconwy Abbey, United Kingdom.
  • Iorwerth ap Bleddyn was a Prince of Powys, in Eastern Wales. He was born in 1053 and died in 1111.
  • Iorwerth Drwyndwn was born in 1145 and died in 1174. He was the father of Llywelyn The Great.

Iolo

Meaning and Origin of the Name Iolo

The name Iolo is a boy’s name, and a shortened version of Iorwerth. The meaning of Iolo is “handsome lord” or “wealthy guardian”.

According to Numerology, people with this name are romantic and nurturing, the ruling planet is Venus, their colour is blue, and their gemstone is emerald.

Popularity

Iolo was not in the top 100 baby boys’ names in Wales in 2021. More generally there are about 1000 people in the world with this name.

Famous People with the Name

Iolo Williams a famous Welsh Ornithologist and TV Presenter

Iolo Williams is a television presenter for BBC and S4C Nature Programs. He was born in Builth Wells, Breconshire. His birthday is Aug. 22, 1962, and he is married to Ceri. Iolo is best known for his TV nature programmes on BBC and S4C in both English and Welsh.

Iolo Jones is a Welsh Champion Chess Player. He was born Aug. 02, 1947, in Llandysul, West Wales.

Iolo Morganwg, aka Edward Williams, was born March 10, 1947, in Llancartan, Vale of Glamorgan, and died Dec 18, 1826, in Flemingstan, Wales. He was a Welsh antiquarian, poet, and “collector of ill repute”. It is suspected that he forged manuscripts.

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.

Ifor

Meaning and Origin of the Boys name Ifor

Ifor is a mighty Welsh boy’s name, but you’ve probably more acquainted to the anglicised version, Ivor, being more well-known.

The history of the name Ifor comes from its Welsh background but can be traced back to the medieval Scandinavian name Ivarr. The meaning of Ifor translates to “saint” or “leader.”

The meaning of Ifor comes from a leader or a saint
The meaning of Ifor comes from a leader or a saint

Popularity

Ifor wasn’t particularly popular in Wales during the last name survey in 2020 by the ONS and the name failed to reach the top 100 baby boys’ names in Wales.

Favour People with the name Ifor

The name’s popularity in Wales comes from the infamous Ifor Bach, a 12th-century leader in Southern Wales. Bach was noted as a conqueror who once kidnapped the Earl of Gloucester.

Other well-known Ifors include; Ifor Davies (1910-1982), a Welsh labour politician, who was a Speaker for the Welsh government, and Ifor Williams (1881-1965), a well-known Welsh academic who began the formal study of old Welsh poetry. With its historical background and strong meaning, the popularity of Ifor has the potential to rise again as a popular book series hosting several Welsh names begins filming in Hollywood. If you are considering a solid but unique boy name, Ifor is an excellent option.

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.