Alternatives to Anwen?

Never knew that about Alwyn - I know a Welsh Alwyn, and am related to an Alwen so I assumed Alwyn was the male equivalent of Alwen (and I guess when Welsh speakers use the name that is their thought process).

I know a few welsh Alwyns.
Alwen is a welsh name - it's the name of a river.

@Destroyedpeople"
Meaning of Alwyn
The origin and therefore meaning of the name Alwyn is from a German. In its original German meaning, the name means “Friend”. In its original English meaning, the name means “Wise Friend” and the old Teutonic meaning is “Loved By All.

Erin isn't welsh but occasionally is given to girls by welsh-speaking parents.

I'd guess at some names being popular with parents who don't have welsh as their main language. I'd guess these to be names like Dylan, Anwen, Carys, Bryn etc.

'Alwyn isn't Welsh'....well I am sure my Welsh speaking aquaintance in his little Welsh speaking town will be delighted to hear that. ..

Arwen is from Lord of the Rings.
Alwyn isn't welsh either.

Awen is a name, and it means muse. It can also mean ash (as in tree) or a singular of reins.

The -wen names being trendy at the time meant that some names were made up.

Anwyn isn't a name, and would be a bit unfortunate.

Name suggestions on here tend to seem middle-aged, and I don't hear those names on young children.

Names of welsh origin given in Wales in 2017 (and their numbers):

1. Erin (91)
2. Ffion (88)
3. Seren (78)
4. Megan (77)
5. Mali (71)
6. Alys (57)
7. Nia (48)
8. Cadi (44)
9. Eira (44)

Mae'n ddifyr nodi hefyd bod Efa (40), Elin (37), Nansi (36) a Gwen (34) yn dod i'r 100 uchaf o'r holl enwau - Cymreig neu beidio - am y tro cyntaf. Mae Martha yn y degfed safle ar ein rhestr ni, gan gymryd lle Lowri (41).

I love Anwen ❤️ my favourite welsh name. Followed by Eleri. Also think Eira is pretty, more so for the meaning though I think.

I'm not entirely convinced Arwen is an actual name...? I've only ever come across Arwyns (obviously male). And Awen is the name of the company that runs all the libraries round here.

I know a gorgeous young Anwen. Not frumpy at all!

Alwen is much prettier, but that doesn't go with Alys.
Awen is lovely.

It's not a classic. There was a fashion for -wyn (boy) and -wen (girl) names in the first few decades of the 20th century.

It's about as classic as Annette, Sheila or Beryl.

I like Anwen.

And Arwen.

Anwen is a fab name, plus she had the option of Annie as a nickname if she wants.

Ffion is my favourite Welsh girls name.

Suggestions:
Buddug
Betsan
Catrin
Elen
Fflur
Leusa

I think Anwen is dated and frumpy too. It's a name that works if you don't speak welsh. It is more popular than you would think, but I'm not keen. It's a bit like Annette.

Arwen isn't really welsh, although it is sometimes used as the female version of Arwyn.

Gwenyth is spelt Gwenith.

Seren is overused and I don't like it.
Cariad is awful.

Betrys is a no from me because it is too similar to ' petrus ' - Betrys betrus.

Anwen is very pretty IMO. Just go with it....

I would say Anwen in Wales is similar to names like Josephine or Frances in England, rather than names like Edith and Mabel. Its absolute peak popularity was in a much older generation but it never really disappeared due to being too associated with a particular generation. It seems to be becoming more popular again in Wales, particularly amongst non-Welsh speakers.

Other names:
Lili
Cadi
Elin
Nia
Efa
Catrin

Dwi'n hoffi Anwen. Classic rather than old fashioned I think.

Gwenyth
Tegan
Delyth
Myfanwy
Aelwen
Betrys

I love the name Anwen - it's my best friend's middle name.

If you like it, use it, ignore your parents, and you're not doing an A theme on purpose, they just happen to be the names you like

It's not old fashioned, names go around. But I'd never have thought of Anwen as old fashioned anyway? It's just a lovely name.

Dw i'n dysgu cymraeg hefyd, OP.

Ignore your parents OP, it's up to you and DH.

My list consists of:
Alys
Eira
Mari
Tesni
Morwenna

So it think we have similar tastes. I like Anwen, but my Mam has a wen name so I'm avoiding them.

Nia
Ffion
Eleri
Eirys
Eirlys
Nerys
Carys
Cerys
Ceri
Sali
Mali
Lili
Mai
Efa
Nansi
Lwsi
Cadi
Catrin

Lots of lovely Welsh girls names. Something like Mari or Nia would go nicely with Alys I think.

Eilonwy is a guilty pleasure of mine. I used to think the author had made it up, but apparently it was coined in Victorian times (British Baby Names did a name of the week feature on it and found it in use in late 1800s).

Efa is my favourite welsh girls name.

And although technically not a name, I love Ceirios

Know a Cadi

I also love a Cadi, which I think is lovely.

Anwen really isn't old fashioned and frumpy. As for alternatives, Seren is nice but it's everywhere. I've always like Sioned. Ffion is nice too.