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Baby names

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

Welsh girl's names... bit of a different request...

145 replies

Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 13:56

... not for a baby - for me!

I've gone by my middle name my whole life - it was the one my parents have always called me - but I dislike my first name (the name I am never called except anywhere where there are official documents - like at the GP surgery). I like it on other people but it means nothing to me and there is no familial or cultural link with it, it's just a very generic name.

I raised the issue last week with my parents of finally changing my first name and they have been very supportive. I was willing to change my first name to another with the same initial to keep my current initials - to mirror my dad's - but having spoken to him last night he doesn't mind at all about that.

So... exciting times... I get to choose my own middle name! I could just stick with my middle name and my surname and jettison my first name altogether... but I really like the idea of choosing my own middle name. In fact I'm quite excited by the prospect!

So please can you throw your favourite Welsh baby names at me (I'm female).

I quite like Cadi, (An)Eira (I was born when it was snowing)... names you hear a bit less frequently. Not sure I have the gumption to plump for Tangwystl mind you! Oh and my name is Rhian, so can't have Arianwen or similar. Diolch!

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Arlanymor · 06/12/2024 08:34

user1492757084 · 05/12/2024 22:26

Meg

Cute but not Welsh?

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Arlanymor · 06/12/2024 08:33

devongirl12 · 05/12/2024 22:08

I used to think Angharad was one of the most awful names of ever heard.

Then it grew on me and I now love it.

I'm loving reading all these Welsh names, they are beautiful.

Sorry I don't have any to add myself, but looking forward to hearing what you choose.

Personally, I love Seren. But is it a bit "mainstream" compared to some of the more unusual Welsh names on here?

Thanks and you’re not wrong, I know so many Serens! Gorgeous name, but going through this whole thing I want it to be a bit more distinct!

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MrsSchnickelfritz · 06/12/2024 07:46

Swyn is pronounced soin - like loin with an s. Which is a horrible way to describe it but I can't think of how else to do it!

Seren is definitely much more mainstream - I still love it though. I've also always liked Enfys (Welsh for rainbow).

Whatisityoucantface · 05/12/2024 22:56

Love the shortlist OP! How is Sywn pronounced? (outing myself as English here!!)

user1492757084 · 05/12/2024 22:26

Meg

devongirl12 · 05/12/2024 22:08

mathanxiety · 05/12/2024 16:20

I think your mum is on the right track with Angharad. Gorgeous name and meaning.

Otherwise -
Llinos
Rhoswen
Eirlys
Enid
Iola
Heledd

I used to think Angharad was one of the most awful names of ever heard.

Then it grew on me and I now love it.

I'm loving reading all these Welsh names, they are beautiful.

Sorry I don't have any to add myself, but looking forward to hearing what you choose.

Personally, I love Seren. But is it a bit "mainstream" compared to some of the more unusual Welsh names on here?

Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 19:45

My mam's come back with: "I like Seren because you're my star!"

That's lovely mam, but I have two friends called Seren and it wasn't on the list!

Ironically I've just come to the bar to meet a friend and they are playing 'That's Not My Name' by the Ting Tings! Psychic jukebox?!

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Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 18:59

BibbityBobbityToo · 05/12/2024 18:55

Blodwen

Sadly dad went to school with a Blodwen... and they were not friends.

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BibbityBobbityToo · 05/12/2024 18:55

Blodwen

Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 18:53

Frozensnowflake · 05/12/2024 18:43

Eira is my fave from your short list and perfect for your Feb bday

Excited to see what my parents think! And boy was it snowing the day I was born (all those years ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth) - so definitely fitting! I would honestly be happy with any of them.

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Frozensnowflake · 05/12/2024 18:43

Eira is my fave from your short list and perfect for your Feb bday

EarlofShrewsbury · 05/12/2024 17:32

Celyn was traditionally a boys name but is now more a girls name, in the same vein as Hilary or Lesley.

If you search Celyn on Facebook they are all girls.

Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 17:18

Maddy70 · 05/12/2024 17:17

Myfi

I love it, my dad would hate it sadly. But I really do, I think it's so cute.

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Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 17:18

spiderlight · 05/12/2024 17:12

I'm homesick for Swansea now - I was born and bred there but have been in Cardiff for 24 years. Swansea will always be home though.

I did my Masters in Cardiff and it is a great place - handy for the rugby (although maybe not at the moment!!) but I honestly feel so at home here, I love being that much closer to the sea... I go for a stroll on the beach daily if I can... sending you love from Abertawe... should get to you in about 40 minutes down the M4! X

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Maddy70 · 05/12/2024 17:17

Myfi

Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 17:16

aveenobambino · 05/12/2024 17:09

I see you've already had Eluned suggested but that would be my favourite. Good luck OP!

Aww, thanks lovely - it is lovely, but we have two 'El' names in the family so might be a bit too approximate.

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Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 17:13

Thank you SO SO SO much - diolch o galon - for all of the suggestions.

You've been amazing and I appreciate it so much.

So having weighed everything up and stress tested against the following factors:

  1. Will my initials be ok? (Cadi is out - am so sad!)
  2. Does it fit with Rhian (reading aloud really helped with this in both English and Welsh - some names were so pretty on the page, but didn't work)
  3. Does it fit with my surname (undisclosed obviously - but it has a sibilance that again has to fit)
  4. Two syllables works best and matches my first name and surname - again that whole 'it sounds better that way' thing when read aloud
  5. Will my dad just veto it out of hand! No Myfi for me, much as I like it - there is no way he would sanction it, I know him too well... and I do want to give my parents input as they have been great about the proposal to change it and I want them to be happy so it's a positive thing for us all.

Here is the shortlist I have sent them

Rhian Swyn Surname
Rhian Eira Surname
Rhian Buddug Surname
Rhian Llinos Surname

Let's see what the parent panel has to say!

Thank you again, honestly you have all warmed the cockles of my heart. ❤

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spiderlight · 05/12/2024 17:12

I'm homesick for Swansea now - I was born and bred there but have been in Cardiff for 24 years. Swansea will always be home though.

aveenobambino · 05/12/2024 17:09

I see you've already had Eluned suggested but that would be my favourite. Good luck OP!

Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 17:06

Whatisityoucantface · 05/12/2024 17:04

This is a fabulous thread! I love Delyth and Manon which I haven’t see mentioned.
I’d be tempted by Eira or Eirlys myself. And Buddug is epic!

Aww, I think so too! I know a Delyth and we have a Manon in the family, but both great names. Makes me really realise how many gorgeous names there are out there. Buddug is so epic isn't it?!

Right shortlist coming up...

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Whatisityoucantface · 05/12/2024 17:04

This is a fabulous thread! I love Delyth and Manon which I haven’t see mentioned.
I’d be tempted by Eira or Eirlys myself. And Buddug is epic!

Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 16:56

Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 15:02

Lleucu is another good one I hadn't thought about - it is lovely and has a lovely meaning too. Heulwen also on the list. This is great, I never would have come up with all of these on my own - thank you!

@TotallyTwisted Sorry I was on a really bad internet connection earlier and missed your other point - yes Rhian is being bumped from middle name to first name! Yes I could have MORE you are correct! Oooohhh the possibilities!

Although I have also just realised I can't have Cadi as this whole mess started because my parents didn't want me to the have the first two initials RC! (Arsey!)

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Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 16:45

lostinwales · 05/12/2024 16:36

I love Tanwen had three boys so never got to use it (would have made an ace name for a ginger girl I thought), though if you have your relative with the 'wen' already this is a no too I presume?

We are in the far West but my middle boy went to Swansea for uni, it did him proud, great city.

Tanwen would be amazing for a titian girl! I have a friend called Amber (for similar reasons) and frankly she should have been a Tanwen! Yes the 'wen' and the 'un' sound is a bit close. But I agree it's a great name.

Jealous of you in the far West - my parents are in Pembs - but Swansea is a fab place, it really is, feels more like a town, but very vibrant, brilliant creative scene. And miles of golden sand - what's not to like?! So glad it did well for your middle boy. xxx

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Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 16:42

sickandtiredofitallnow · 05/12/2024 16:26

I was at school with an Eifron ( no idea of the spelling- it was over 50 years ago). Only Welsh name I've come across apart from Sian.

We have an Eifion in the family, so possibly a bit too close (although he's male). I know lots of Siâns and they are all lovely, but with an 'an' at the end of my name it probably wouldn't quite scan. Thank you!

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Arlanymor · 05/12/2024 16:41

Frozensnowflake · 05/12/2024 16:21

I know a Gwawr which means dawn which is nice. Also know a few kids with middle name Grug although I don’t love Grug to be honest.

Can't say I am a fan of Grug after all of the Minions movies, sounds a bit too much like Gru?! Gwawr is lovely and sounds like the noise a Welsh lion would make (which ironically is the name of a production company I am setting up!)

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