💡 GOOD TO KNOWLearn the ll and dd sounds before you use a name in a spoken game or podcast.
Learn the ll and dd sounds before you use a name in a spoken game or podcast.
Welsh names have a sound you will not find anywhere else. Double letters like ll and dd, the w used as a vowel, and roots in myth and poetry make names like Llywelyn, Rhiannon and Taliesin instantly Welsh. This Welsh name generator gives you real first names that families in Wales still choose today.
Writers use it for characters in Cardiff or Snowdonia, parents use it for baby name ideas, and fantasy fans love how old and magical many names feel. Choose male or female and press the button for ten Welsh names, some with a family name or an old ap name.
How to use the welsh name generator
- Choose Male, Female or Any in the Style box.
- Press Generate names for ten Welsh names.
- Use the sound guide on this page to say each name the Welsh way.
- Copy the name or save it with the heart button.
How to say Welsh names
Welsh spelling is very regular once you know a few rules. Each letter or letter pair almost always makes the same sound, so you can read any name aloud with a little practice. The letters that confuse English readers most are listed below.
Stress in Welsh usually falls on the second-to-last syllable. That is why Rhiannon is said rhee-AN-on and Angharad is said ang-HAR-ad. Get the stress right and even a tricky name will sound natural.
- ll: put your tongue on the roof of your mouth and blow, as in Llywelyn.
- dd: sounds like th in this, so Dafydd is DAV-ith.
- f: sounds like v, while ff sounds like f, as in Ffion.
- w and y: can be vowels; Gwyn rhymes with tin, and Bryn with bin.
- si: sounds like sh, so Siân is SHAHN and Siôn is SHON.
Names from legend and poetry
Many Welsh names come from the Mabinogion, a group of medieval Welsh tales. Rhiannon is a queen linked with horses, Branwen is a tragic princess, and Olwen is said to leave white flowers wherever she walks. Taliesin was a real sixth-century poet who later became a figure of legend. Ceridwen is a wise enchantress with a famous cauldron.
Other names honour Welsh history. Llywelyn and Gruffudd were princes of Wales, and Owain is the name of Owain Glyndŵr, who led a revolt around 1400. Dwynwen is the patron saint of lovers, and her day, 25 January, is a Welsh version of Valentine's Day.
Example names and what makes them work
| Name | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Rhiannon Lloyd | A queen from Welsh legend with a surname meaning grey. |
| Llywelyn ap Gruffudd | A princely name in the old ap style, ideal for a historical hero. |
| Seren Davies | Seren means star, and Davies keeps the name grounded and modern. |
| Taliesin | The name of a legendary bard, perfect for a poet or musician character. |
| Eira Pugh | Eira means snow, a short, pretty name with a crisp surname. |
| Gethin ab Owain | Shows ab used before a vowel, a nice touch of real Welsh custom. |
| Enfys Morgan | Enfys means rainbow; Morgan is both a first name and a surname in Wales. |
| Bedwyr | An old Arthurian name, the Welsh form of Sir Bedivere. |
Tips for picking the right name
- Learn the ll and dd sounds before you use a name in a spoken game or podcast.
- Use an ap or ab name for medieval settings and a common surname for modern ones.
- Pick nature names like Eira, Haf or Enfys for a gentle, outdoor character.
- Keep the accent marks in Siân and Siôn; they show the long vowel.
- Give Mabinogion names to characters with magic or royal roots for an extra layer of meaning.
Common questions
What are popular Welsh names today?
In recent years names like Osian, Tomos, Ffion, Seren, Mali and Cerys have been well loved in Wales. Older names like Gwilym and Gwenllian are also coming back as families look for names with Welsh roots.
How do you pronounce Dafydd?
Say it DAV-ith. The single f sounds like v, and the dd sounds like the th in this. Dafydd is the Welsh form of David, the name of the patron saint of Wales.
Are Welsh names the same as Irish or Scottish names?
No. Welsh is a Brythonic Celtic language, while Irish and Scottish Gaelic are Goidelic. They share old roots, but their spelling, sounds and names are quite different. Ffion and Gwen are Welsh; Niamh and Mhairi are Gaelic.
Can I use these names for a fantasy story?
Yes. Welsh names already sound magical to many readers, and several come straight from legend. Names like Ceridwen, Taliesin and Bedwyr suit wizards, bards and knights in a fantasy world.