A sister for Seren

My newborn niece is called Angharad, as is my mother and grandmother. It’s a beautiful name. We use the ng sound as does everyone we know in Wales.

My dd is called Celyn - yes I know it’s traditionally a boys name - which is kind of daft really as Holly is a girls name yet Celyn (which is Welsh for Holly) is a boys name, as it ends in yn. In 26 years nobody has ever mentioned that dd has a boys name.

A word can be in a dictionary and be a name without them having the same meaning. Sally, for instance.

I am first language Welsh, work in the study of Welsh language and literature, speak mostly Welsh at work and at home. I'm completely unoffended at the thought of Caru as a name, although I've never heard it used. I wouldn't use a 'g' sound in Angharad, but that's because of my accent.
I think that people should respect the Welsh language enough to research baby names to make sure they're actual names, and that the pronounciation is correct, but I don't get this gatekeeping of Welshness. Arguing with the Welsh Dictionary is a good sign that it might be time to admit you were wrong...

Caru? Not Welsh but friend who is has DD called caru - told me it's pronounced Carrie and means love

I’m not sure why a poster has taken offence at this name tbh.

It is obviously derived from “Cariad” which is a term of endearment. Love, darling, sweetheart... Cariad is a popular girls name where I live - in Wales - as is Cari. I have never known it spelt as Caru but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any other Caru’s out there. I’m guessing Caru is pronounced Cari? Just a variation of the spelling. I can’t see anything there for anyone to be upset about 🤷🏻‍♀️

I wasn’t, personally.

Just in case anyone is wondering, 'caru' could be used to say 'making out' or 'shagging'.

Dippity

Lol. Our nickname for eldest DD (Seren) was Serendippity 🤭

Ignoring the fisticuffs -

Esyllt.

*couldn’t help myself… Sorry. There are so many lovely names on here already.

Dippity?

@Ostagazuzulum, Wow just wow yourself.
If you think that "to love" is a suitable name, then I don't think we are on the same wavelength. Bye.

I’m Welsh lol! I agree. There is no actual G sound but it is there in a very subtle, guttural, manner. Almost silent. But is there once you say the H which is definately there but most people omit. Otherwise Angharad becomes Ann-Harad - “Anarrad”.

What you mean there is no N? Which part of Wales are you from? How would you pronounce Angharad? I’m SW.

Yes she certainly is. DD refers to her as “buwch ddiog” as in, “Buwch ddiog is on the way. Wish me luck”.

Wow, just wow. @KirstenBlest

Congratulations for emulating all the issues with certain posters on Mumsnet

So, here we go. My friend is highly educated has a phd not that it's hugely relevant. Her daughter is called CARU not cari. Caru is 22 years old so she's had the name for a while. My friend is born and bred Welsh. Never lived anywhere else, dad is Welsh. Both very patriotic both speak Welsh. I know her very well through previous work. I can assure you no one I know Welsh or not is offended or insulted by caru being called Caru. I'm obviously not Welsh so wouldn't know to be offended but anyone that's Welsh has never been offended. Incidentally Caru also primarily speaks Welsh. If it's a verb then fine, people chose to call their children all sorts of things now and it's their children and their choice. Not for anyone to start bleeting that it's ridiculous and offensive. In my
Line of work you wouldn't believe the names I come across, some raise eyebrows but it's e parents choice. Your post was ott, judgmental, condescending. I'm more insulted by your tone than someone using a verb as a name

In the nicest possible way, possibly
Your time would be better used climbing down from your pedestal and giving your head a wobble than posting on Mumsnet. It was a harmless suggestion and maybe your response could have been guidance as to your view of it rather than full on judgmental outrage.

Right I'm off to buy a goldfish and think of a lovely verb word to name it with.

@ThisMarleyIsNotALabrador, There really is no G sound in Angharad.

The ng does not have an even slightly subtle g in it, back of the throat or not. The ng goes straight into the H. The ngh combination is tricky.

It definitely doesn't have an N in it either - It doesn't start with An.

If you want to sound it with a g, fair enough, but that's not how it is said in Welsh.

Your DD's MIL is a "hen 'sguthan wirion".

Angharad - there's no G in it, the Ng is a letter not two letters and you don't sound the g. It isn't Ang-GAR-ad or god forbid, Ann Garrud

There is a G sound in Angharad, but it is very subtle. The number of times I or DD have tried to explain the ng sound to people who aren’t Welsh. We have given up. There is simply no point... 🙄

We used to tell them say ‘Hang’, then drop the H ‘’Ang’, now make the G sound in the back of your throat, don’t say it but hold onto it and say H. Some give it a good try, others can’t be arsed. DD’s MIL of 10 years would still rather complain about “stupid Welsh names” than make any real effort. She calls DD Ang - as in the shortened form of Angela (because it’s easier for the poor little, confused cherub). Yet her DS (my SIL) pronounces it perfectly.

And no it it definately not Ann-Garad or Anger-ad!

My name is Sian. The number of people - 99% of them English - who tell me my name is spelt wrong. There is definately an R in Sian see... 🤔

Mabli?
Delyth?
Eira?

A typical example of the suggestions we get on here.
Sorry @Ostagazuzulum, you are only going by your friend's DD's namer, but it is a ridiculous suggestion.

Caru is a verb, is not pronounced Carrie and is not a name. It is potentially insulting. If I saw that as a name, I'd think that the poor mite was named after how it was conceived.

Ii do hope that your friend's DD is Cari.

Agree about mispronunciations hurting the ears.

I compromised on both DCs names as I knew MIL would always mangle them and I would grow to dislike her version. She still managed to turn DDs much simpler (to my ears) name into a right old dog’s breakfast. Interestingly, DD is now at university in England, where nobody seems to have trouble with her name. I do note that younger people can be very respectful and observant of correct pronunciation- however tricky - once advised.

I think we're wasting our time. @SilentPanic.

Bronwyn and Meredith come up on nearly every welsh name thread. Why?

I've only seen Eirys as a misspelling of Iris, but know 2 young women called Eiry

I think that anglicised pronunciations of welsh names are grim.

Caru? Not Welsh but friend who is has DD called caru - told me it's pronounced Carrie and means love.

As said above, Eirys is an old Welsh word for comely or fair, not a Cymrufied version of Iris (although I can understand why that would be a natural conclusion upon hearing the name.) It's in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru.