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!

Dwi'n hoffi Anwen. Classic rather than old fashioned I think.

I would say Anwen in Wales is similar to names like Josephine or Frances in England, rather than names like Edith and Mabel. Its absolute peak popularity was in a much older generation but it never really disappeared due to being too associated with a particular generation. It seems to be becoming more popular again in Wales, particularly amongst non-Welsh speakers.

Other names:
Lili
Cadi
Elin
Nia
Efa
Catrin

Anwen is very pretty IMO. Just go with it....

I think Anwen is dated and frumpy too. It's a name that works if you don't speak welsh. It is more popular than you would think, but I'm not keen. It's a bit like Annette.

Arwen isn't really welsh, although it is sometimes used as the female version of Arwyn.

Gwenyth is spelt Gwenith.

Seren is overused and I don't like it.
Cariad is awful.

Betrys is a no from me because it is too similar to ' petrus ' - Betrys betrus.

Suggestions:
Buddug
Betsan
Catrin
Elen
Fflur
Leusa

Anwen is a fab name, plus she had the option of Annie as a nickname if she wants.

Ffion is my favourite Welsh girls name.

I like Anwen.

And Arwen.

It's not a classic. There was a fashion for -wyn (boy) and -wen (girl) names in the first few decades of the 20th century.

It's about as classic as Annette, Sheila or Beryl.

Alwen is much prettier, but that doesn't go with Alys.
Awen is lovely.

I know a gorgeous young Anwen. Not frumpy at all!

I love Anwen ❤️ my favourite welsh name. Followed by Eleri. Also think Eira is pretty, more so for the meaning though I think.

I'm not entirely convinced Arwen is an actual name...? I've only ever come across Arwyns (obviously male). And Awen is the name of the company that runs all the libraries round here.

Arwen is from Lord of the Rings.
Alwyn isn't welsh either.

Awen is a name, and it means muse. It can also mean ash (as in tree) or a singular of reins.

The -wen names being trendy at the time meant that some names were made up.

Anwyn isn't a name, and would be a bit unfortunate.

Name suggestions on here tend to seem middle-aged, and I don't hear those names on young children.

Names of welsh origin given in Wales in 2017 (and their numbers):

1. Erin (91)
2. Ffion (88)
3. Seren (78)
4. Megan (77)
5. Mali (71)
6. Alys (57)
7. Nia (48)
8. Cadi (44)
9. Eira (44)

10. Martha (43)

Mae'n ddifyr nodi hefyd bod Efa (40), Elin (37), Nansi (36) a Gwen (34) yn dod i'r 100 uchaf o'r holl enwau - Cymreig neu beidio - am y tro cyntaf. Mae Martha yn y degfed safle ar ein rhestr ni, gan gymryd lle Lowri (41).

'Alwyn isn't Welsh'....well I am sure my Welsh speaking aquaintance in his little Welsh speaking town will be delighted to hear that. ..

Erin isn't welsh but occasionally is given to girls by welsh-speaking parents.

I'd guess at some names being popular with parents who don't have welsh as their main language. I'd guess these to be names like Dylan, Anwen, Carys, Bryn etc.

@Destroyedpeople"
Meaning of Alwyn
The origin and therefore meaning of the name Alwyn is from a German. In its original German meaning, the name means “Friend”. In its original English meaning, the name means “Wise Friend” and the old Teutonic meaning is “Loved By All.

I know a few welsh Alwyns.
Alwen is a welsh name - it's the name of a river.

Never knew that about Alwyn - I know a Welsh Alwyn, and am related to an Alwen so I assumed Alwyn was the male equivalent of Alwen (and I guess when Welsh speakers use the name that is their thought process).

Well who knew... (MikeUniform Mike! )....I did have a little Google myself and it did come up under 'Welsh boys' names'....so it's German too...as you say a lot of names are kind of half invented. .

And Mike uniform....'Buddug' really? Once I told my kids it was the worst Welsh girls name I had ever heard and they insisted on calling me that fir the next two years. ....

And Betsan sounds like a make of portable loo tbh or possibly lavatory cleaner.

If you like Anwen then use it, I think it's lovely.

Other suggestions:
Awel
Awen
And my particular favourite, Glesni (means purity). Pronounced Gless-nee

I like Anwen.
Elinor is my favourite, though.

Lots to think about. DH seems really set On Anwen at the moment but we have a while to go. I’m going to keep an open mind and there’s some lovely suggestions on there. Think Buddug might cause my Aussie in laws to freak out though.
I really like Catrin as well which DH has conceded is his second favourite. (I’d have loved Mali but apparently we know too many little girls called Mali already. )

I really like the name Anwen but I would avoid another A name just for practical reasons. You will have two Miss A s in your house which will make post awkward.

I know an Eirwen which I think is lovely

@devildeepbluesea, Glesni is greenness.

@DrowsyDragon, I'd say use Anwen apart from the A initial. It is quite popular and it is simple to say and spell.

Elinor is nice in a welsh accent, but it isn't welsh.

Catrin is a classic name, that is also easy to live with and won't date badly and it goes well with Alys. I like Alys very much.

Awel is a bit dodgy as it means Breeze.

Buddug will not work for you, sorry, I think it's lovely.

@MikeUniformMike literally it means greenness but 'glesni' has always meant purity, clarity, limpid-ness. Never greenness.

@MikeUniformMike we’re pretty keen on Alys too. :)
Two Miss A is a definite point. Always having to use middle names might wear thin - can you I,Aline post in Duggar household? Do not want to seem Duggar-ish.

I love Elinor but I knew I would be cheating on the welsh and I really want to pass my cultural heritage on. DD is at a welsh speaking Meithrin, we’re sending her to Welsh medium so yeah a Welsh first name is important to me. DH agrees though picked an english middle name which is fine!