Alternatives to Anwen?

[DrowsyDragon]

Hello, we’re expecting dd2. (Well probably, scans can be wrong). I’m welsh, though not welsh speaking (dw’in dysgu) and my husband is antipodean as is all of his family. I have a fairly traditional welsh name and I really want to pass welsh names down to my kids. Husband is ok with that as long as they are “not too hard” for non welsh people. DD1 is called Alys.
He’s really set his heart on Anwen for dd2 but my parents were really rude about it when he suggested it last time - old fashioned and frumpy?
I increasingly like it but I am not sure and as my husband has an A name too I worry it seems like we are doing an “a” name theme.
Basically, thoughts on Anwen, Lots of names with the same letter in one family and any other anglophone friendly welsh girls names. [he’s vetoed Eira and Mali to my disappointment). Thanks!

Seren?

my dd1 Is Anwen (Though she is known as her middle name-Morgan , family tradition his side amd its my Surname.
and Dd2 middle name is Alys ..
I really like Anwen, its very pretty.

Other family members are..
Ceris
Cadi-Mair
Celyn

Why at the mention of Welsh girls names does everyone say 'Seren' it's so over'used.

Or Op says they are looking for a name that will work outside Wales in terms of pronunciation and everyone steams in with Angharad or Gwenllian. ..

My favourite Welsh girl's name is Manon...

Ha ! Snap mose!

Sali-Mai
Nia
Mari
Rhian
Sian

I know a 3 year old Anwen. Definitely not dated. DH and I thought it is a lovely name.

I think Anwen is beautiful - if you like it just use it anyway, his parents can do one!

My favourite Welsh name is Carys and I also like Cariad.

Anwen is lovely, from a fellow welshy :)

Bronwen/Branwen
Aneira/Aneiri
Elena
Lowri
Eleri
Ffion
Carys
Cariad
Cerian
Eira

Arianwen or Rhianwen rather than Anwen
Erin or Eryn

I have both an Eira and an Anwen. Lovely names, just use Anwen :-)

Hello lovely people!
Wow I posted this and went to the garden not expecting so many answers!
Definitely sounding out some of the variants you guys have suggested to see how I feel about them. Sadly I think Arwen is out cos DH is a Tolkien nerd and everyone would assume!
I also love that both Ffion and Sian have come up. Both lovely names but one is mine and one is DD’s best friend from nursery :). Mostly I’m reassured how many of you like Anwen, my parents judgment got to me a bit but as you say, they named their kids.
The all ‘A’s except me is still a bit annoying to me but so many good ideas here.

Ha @Destroyedpeople I bloody love Gwenllian but DH will not have it. Might hold out for a middle name or maybe a pet in the future. Some of the Branwen, etc variants might well work and I had forgotten both Manson and Nia which are pretty. So thanks again all.

Don't worry too much about it possibly being theme-like if you really love the name.

Eilonwy? 🙂

Manon! Not Manson.

Anwen really isn't old fashioned and frumpy. As for alternatives, Seren is nice but it's everywhere. I've always like Sioned. Ffion is nice too.

I also love a Cadi, which I think is lovely.

Know a Cadi

Efa is my favourite welsh girls name.

And although technically not a name, I love Ceirios

Dw i'n dysgu cymraeg hefyd, OP.

Ignore your parents OP, it's up to you and DH.

My list consists of:
Alys
Eira
Mari
Tesni
Morwenna

So it think we have similar tastes. I like Anwen, but my Mam has a wen name so I'm avoiding them.

Nia
Ffion
Eleri
Eirys
Eirlys
Nerys
Carys
Cerys
Ceri
Sali
Mali
Lili
Mai
Efa
Nansi
Lwsi
Cadi
Catrin

Lots of lovely Welsh girls names. Something like Mari or Nia would go nicely with Alys I think.

Eilonwy is a guilty pleasure of mine. I used to think the author had made it up, but apparently it was coined in Victorian times (British Baby Names did a name of the week feature on it and found it in use in late 1800s).

It's not old fashioned, names go around. But I'd never have thought of Anwen as old fashioned anyway? It's just a lovely name.

I love the name Anwen - it's my best friend's middle name.

If you like it, use it, ignore your parents, and you're not doing an A theme on purpose, they just happen to be the names you like

Gwenyth
Tegan
Delyth
Myfanwy
Aelwen
Betrys