Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Welsh boy names

86 replies

Lenny86 · 23/04/2021 13:23

We are expecting a boy and would like a Welsh name, but we live in England, so it needs to be easy to spell and say. We both like Idris, but people were very negative when we suggested it for our first child (comments about the actor). I really like Osian, but OH isn’t keen. Any suggestions on a 1-2 syllable name that works in English too?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Saskiaair · 23/04/2021 18:21

@DacwMamYnDwad we live in a multicultural country and world. It doesn't take a lot to learn a name.
I work internationally lots of different names to learn to spell and pronounce but it's only enriched my life.
It's sad when people assume English people can't pronounce or take the time to learn a name.
Do you have extensive experience of this? Because we don't and we live in the south of England everyone manages just fine.
I love having Welsh names (one you listed is my husbands and it is pronounced correctly and not how you've assumed it would be) ppl know where we're from and if makes us proud and always starts a conversation.

DacwMamYnDwad · 23/04/2021 18:15

I really hate the attitude of not allowing your heritage in a name for fear of English people not pronouncing it correctly or misspelling it. Give people a bit more credit!

I would if it was due. @Saskiaair. I have seen and heard what happens to Welsh names in a non-Welsh speaking setting and post accordingly.

If OP would like to name her child Euryn or Aneurin, both nice names, it might be an idea to consider how someone new to the name might say it.

Chunkymenrock · 23/04/2021 18:04

Nye or Deri?

StillRunningUpThatHill · 23/04/2021 17:59

Idwal is a Welsh boys’ name which is a bit similar, although it’s more old-fashioned.

Saskiaair · 23/04/2021 17:57

@DacwMamYnDwad sorry but this is a very extreme reaction. You mention my husband's name and people in England pronounce it just fine.

I'm Welsh and so is my husband but we live in England as far away from Wales as possible. My husband has a very traditional Welsh name and no one gets it wrong if they are told. Same for me.

I really hate the attitude of not allowing your heritage in a name for fear of English people not pronouncing it correctly or misspelling it. Give people a bit more credit!
Go with a name you love. Personally I love Osian.

BertieBotts · 23/04/2021 17:19

Arwyn is nice as well :)

LJB689908 · 23/04/2021 17:18

I love the name Dewi, if I was ever to have another baby and it was a boy that would be my choice Smile

Bananarama100 · 23/04/2021 16:39

I love Gwion, that was my first choice but my non-Welsh husband vetoed!

doctorhamster · 23/04/2021 16:25

Evan or Aled are nice.

user1493494961 · 23/04/2021 16:22

Eban.

DacwMamYnDwad · 23/04/2021 16:13

Aled will work. I like it.

CaffiSaliMali · 23/04/2021 16:13

Idris is lovely, I wouldn't let other people's comments put you off - it's not their child.

My top 3 Welsh boys names are Osian, Macsen and Tomos.

Elis
Harri
Gwion
Emlyn
Gwilym
Siôn
Siôr
Jac
Marc
Cai
Iago
Aled
Owen
Emrys
Owain
Ioan
Iestyn
Ieuan
Aneirin/Aneurin
Taliesin
Trystan
Rhodri
Carwyn

DacwMamYnDwad · 23/04/2021 15:44

Idris is gaining popularity with muslim parents, so won't be obviously Welsh. It was not much used in Wales but has become popular on here - probably due to Mr Elba.

Osian has overpopular in Wales, and it has pronunciation and spelling issues. A lifetime of Os-eye-un?

Daffyd - It's Dafydd.
Gryffud - see Daffyd.

Geraint, Bryn, Gareth - middle-aged. Siôn - middle-aged or slightly younger, will get Sigh-un

Dewi - will get Dewey and Dowey?

Huw - will get Hugh or Hoo
Alun - will be Al-un, not Al-in
Rhys - will be Rees
Dylan - will be Dillun

Wyn is quite good
Gwyn will get written as Gywn.
Gwilym will get written as Gwylim/Giwlym/Gollum

Ones that will be ok:
Lloyd
Owen
Vaughan (but will get Vaughn sometimes)

Original poster
Lenny86 · 23/04/2021 15:03

@FizzyApricot

Have you googled top 100 Welsh names and gone through the list?
Yes I have looked through a couple of lists and haven’t found many I like, so thought I would ask on here in case there are some I have missed
OP posts:
NoSquirrels · 23/04/2021 14:48

Ivo?

FizzyApricot · 23/04/2021 14:47

Have you googled top 100 Welsh names and gone through the list?

ladygindiva · 23/04/2021 14:47

Gruffydd, I've just googled it

ladygindiva · 23/04/2021 14:45

I know a family with a gryffydd or is it gruffyd, anyway, I can't spell it but I gather it's pronounced Griffith and they call him Gryff, I think it's a great name.

JADE21111972 · 23/04/2021 14:44

Abner is a lovely name

lovemenomore · 23/04/2021 14:43

I know a Macsen & a Sion!

Original poster
Lenny86 · 23/04/2021 14:42

@TheVanguardSix

I love the name Ivor, which is the English variation of Ifor.
Love Ivor!
OP posts:
pickingdaisies · 23/04/2021 14:41

Love Idris and Ossian. If you both like a name, don't let others put you off. You'll never find a name everyone likes.
Owen
Gareth
Alun or Aled

Sniffingtheair · 23/04/2021 14:40

Gareth, Rhodri, Morgan, Elgan and Evan are all fairly easy for English speakers.

TatianaBis · 23/04/2021 14:33

Love Ossian - one of my favourite names.

Ioan
Tudur
Gwyn

TheVanguardSix · 23/04/2021 14:12

I love the name Ivor, which is the English variation of Ifor.

Swipe left for the next trending thread