What do you think of Llywelyn?

[AnnieDelores]

DP has just suggested this. At first I didn't like it but it's really growing on me. Shortened to Lewi?

ConstanceFelicity , could you help me with the phonetic pronunciation? If that's possible!!??

Sounds to me like most of you agree that if we can't say it properly, we shouldn't go there which is a shame.

You need to hear it, I think. The ll sound defies explanation!

listen

pretend you're about to sat "l" tough behind base of top teeth then instead of letting your tongue drop as you say "l" you keep your tongue in place and breath out the two sides of your mouth (kinda sounds like an angry cat!). Thats the best description I can give in writing!

What does goggle say Llareggub

tough = tongue

Great explanation, kewcumber.

My DS2's middle name is Taliesin. His grandparents still can't remember how to say it!

we have friends with a Taliesin - but it isn't difficult to say is it? Even if you're Englishborn and bred - no "foreign" sounds!

If I can learn to pronounce "strastvoytyeh" in russian most people should be able to learn "ll" in welsh with a bit of perseverance!

I have a friend with a Taliesin too, nn Tali.

DS2's middle name is Euros, which everyone pronounces the same as the European currency

I love it. It was on our short list for DS. Our only link to Wales was that I had studied there for a while, but I think it's fine to borrow names from other languages. I think most English people will have heard of it too, so will have some idea of pronunciation and spelling. Do you pronounce the "Ll" as an English "L" or in the Welsh way?

Sorry, just noticed there were 2 pages in this thread. If you're looking for a Welsh name, how about Lloyd or Rhys?

Ooh I love Taliesin. I suggested it for DS but DP wasn't keen. It has a great story behind it. Taliesin myth

Llareggub , you're right, it does defy explanation! Tanks for the link. Don't think I will be able to say that properly. Just tried and sound like a cat coughing up a furball. Looks like it will have to be the english pronunciation if we go for it..... DP is a mad welsh rugby fan and proud of his welsh heritage and it would please him if I chose it - but I'll have a good think about the implications anf if in doubt....will stick with Teddy (Edward)!

Tali is lovely too but knew a girl at school called Tali (nn for natalie) and she was not nice!

I also have a Iestyn!

Good luck with the name-hunt.

Stick to Llywelyn - Its a great name though I am biased, lots of people call my brother hloowelyn.

Llareggub has fantastic taste in names! Iestyn and Taliesin, how cool.

I wanted Taliesin for ds, but dh vetoed it (too difficult/poncey as we live in England). Am still a bit sad about that.

Btw, Edward's not a terribly Welsh-friendly name. All those castles to keep down the Welsh and that horrid trick with the prince who could speak no English...

(Kewcumber, brilliant explanation of the 'Ll' sound - I checked and that is exactly how I do it! Wouldn't have had any idea how to tell someone else, learnt it as a child from my Welsh family so have never had to think about it. Tried to explain Dewi to an English person once and really struggled.)

If I was more Welsh I would have liked to use Ieuan, just because when dh and I were at university (in Wales) there was a try that Ieuan Evans scored that was on the TV all the time (we were also rugby fans) and the way that the commentator said "Ieuan Evans" has stuck with me ever since :)

Still it would be an incredibly hard name to spell in England. There are lovely Welsh names that aren't quite so tricky so say or spell.

I consider it a surname.

I love the name Leighton though, which can work in England.

Laurence (Laurie) is a great name too.

Dewi for an English person = Dair-wee (not perfect but probably close enough!)

Leighton can;t possibly be welsh can it?! Surely not just formspelling alone.

Komondor - most Welsh male names are both surnames and first names. Owen/Evan/Lloyd etc. etc. etc. Owen's son Evan would be called 'Evan ap Owen', ap meaning 'son of'. (Actually Ifan ap Owain but I'm keeping it simple). Then if he called his son Lloyd that child would be Lloyd ap Ifan. Apparently the Welsh surname Parry is short for ap Harry.

Edam - good point, I did actually know that, as my maiden name is Williams. I dont know anyone with Llywelen as a first name, although I know a family with Llwelen as their surname. Know lots of Lewis's and Evan's etc. Its obviously a more unusual first name, but nonetheless a first name.

Re Leighton, I live in Wrexham, and know a Leighton, who is a Welsh speaker, so just assumed it to be Welsh. There is also a village near Welshpool called Leighton.

Kewcumber is absolutely right though, the spelling is not Welsh. I've just googled it, and it is old english!! So ignore anything I say on name origins.

Love it. I have three very welsh named children. While I live in deepest, darkest welsh speaking Wales, DH and family are welsh speaking; they don't bat an eyelid. Mind you on our youngest is an unusual, very old name and as I am Australian. I do get some interesting reactions when I tell people my kids names. Mind you at the third they certainly were not suprised at our name selection.
My poor family, even 14 weeks after DS3's birth they are still a little befuddled but they are coping beautifully. My rule was that I could say it, spell it and yell it

Edam also

Prichard - ap richard
Bevan - ap Evan

Obviously rather anglicised now

(don;t think there is a Ployd though )