Opinions on these welsh names

[Christelle2207]

Rhys
Ioan

Ds2 due today and still no closer on agreeing a shortlist. I'm welsh and dp is english- child will grow up in England. IME English can't say Rhys as a Welsh person would so I would have to accept "Rees" pronunciation which I think is ok if not "correct" in my eyes. Ioan is pronounced yo-anne (emphasis on the yo) which I think is easier for english to say, but it's not very obvious looking at it is it?! Would I be setting up the child for a lifetime of misspellings and mispronounciations with either name?

I'm not a big fan of Rhys but like Ioan. I think people will learn quickly how to pronounce it, the sounds aren't complicated or difficult with an English tongue, it may not be that obvious written down.

I love Idris, it is on our list. It is also an Islamic name hence Idris Elba.
I also like Iolo but has the same issues as Ioan in that it may not be obvious written down, but its not hard once you know how to prononce it.

I don't mind the lack of a rolled R, but the missing H really annoys me when it becomes Rees. Lovely name though. Ioan is also lovely. I am baffled as to why these are hard to pronounce, it isn't as if you've suggested Llyr or (my uncle's name) Illtyd. Out of the two, Ioan is the one that people will get right once they've heard it, whereas Rhys will always be Rees in England. Ditto Iolo. A Ioan might get a few Ians until people hear it, but Ioan Gruffudd seems to get his name pronounced properly. Emyr, Emrys, Gad, Dafydd are all easy, I'll have a think for others!

All interesting thoughts thanks. We have Idris and Emrys on the list too now.
yes Llyr would be a nightmare! Will give that a miss.

I really like Llyr, but I live in a very Welsh speaking area where it isn't a problem. I can't imagine what it would be from an English speaker. I don't think my uncle Illtyd left Wales very often, if ever!

Blimey. Never come across an Illtyd before. Nightmare!

Go for Ioan! It's actually very easy to pronounce and much nicer than Rhys-as-Rees/Reece. Ioan Gruffydd is well known, I don't think you'll actually have a problem at all. Ditto Idris as in Elba, which is also lovely.

Mabon
Macsen
Iestyn
Bryn
Owain

all easy to pronounce.

Ioan if you're ever likely to move to Wales - there are so very, very, very many boys called Rhys!

If you like Emrys, what about Emyr as another option? I like Iestyn too. Illtyd always makes me think of the rather fine St Illtyd cheese

While I like the name Iolo suggested earlier, it does make me think of teenagers saying YOLO all the time!

My welsh friend has brothers named Huw and Ceri, and I also know an Oisian, Rhys, and Gwynvor. (spellings??)

Tudor?

you were close froggy, they are Osian, Rhys, Gwynfor.

Love Iolo. And Ianto.

What about Madoc, or Aneurin, Nye for short?

Gethin, Garin, Hari, Tomos, Dafydd, Jac, Macsen, Ceri, Ivor.

Froggy - DD was moaning about a girl in her class having an obsession with writing YOLO on everything - I thought she had a boyfriend called Iolo

I grew up in Wales.

We had a Rees & a Rhys in our road.

I am oblivious as to how these two names are pronounced differently.

Maybe a bit "out there" but i LOVE Ishmael (aka Isfael/Ismael/Ysmail). To me it has the same feel as Isaac only better.

Tigress, in Welsh you sound the H. So Rhodri and Rhys do not sound like Rodri and Rees, which is how they get pronounced in England. Ditto Rhian and similar for girls.

I lived in Wales for a while and I love Welsh names. I love all the I names - Ioan, Iestyn, Ianto, Ieuan... Go for Ioan. It's lovely. I like Rhys (and the other spellings really annoy me!!) but I know loads of them so I think Ioan is a better choice.

Iestyn is my fave Welsh name ever though!

Don't think Ishmael is Welsh

Christelle - you're right, the Welsh is Isfael or Ismael and the anglicised version is Ishmael (as in the village of St Ishmaels in Pembrokeshire, near where I grew up). I've never heard it used as a name in Wales but I have always loved it and wanted to use it. I know an English Ishmael of Muslim descent - I think I embarrassed him slightly by blathering on about what a great name he has .

Teilo?

There are some great names on this thread. Makes me want another babe just to use one

Ioan is a fine name IMO.
My sons middle name is Inigo, DH vetoed it being his first name, as everyone kept saying indigo, I wish to this day I had stuck too it.

Ok Sirvix. I can see that.

How about Gwilym....? My favourite boys name. Followed by Osian, Idris and Macsen.

Griffin, Griff for short (Griffy when his sister wants to wind him up)

Ioan is pronounced 'Yo-wan'(John I think)

Don't use Emyr! I am Welsh and had a friend called Emyr as a teenager. My Welsh (but English speaking) parents couldn't say his name and forever called him 'Emma'. I've never met an English person who doesn't mangle it.

I also knew a Llyr, and that was a washout.

Has Taliesin been suggested yet? Bit flouncy? I like Ioan and it looks pretty self explanatory to me. Ieuan is nice too.