Can I use Carys if I'm not Welsh?

[Sprockerdilerock]

I really love the name but neither I nor DH have any Welsh connections at all!

Is it ok to use it anyway?

Not sure if we are having a boy or girl so might be moot anyway!

I don't see why not. I'm sure not all Serens or Dylans are Welsh either.

Yes

I don't see why not. It's a lovely name.

I'm welsh and I don't see why not!

Why not? It's easy to spell, easy to pronounce and is a pretty name with a lovely meaning.

The only drawback is people asking if she's a Carys or a Cerys...but that can happen with so many names I don't think it's enough to stop you using the name.

I would assume a Welsh connection, so that might get tiresome. Fwiw I'd say the same about Seren (PP), but not Dylan - that's a true crossover boosted by American usage.

(I'm not Welsh)

Absolutely- we have a Carys and we’re not Welsh.

FWIW I have a Niamh and we aren't Irish. I had a few people ask about the Irish connection when we announced her name but 18 months down the line and no one mentions it at all now.

As an aside, we have Carys on our list if we have a second girl and she would only be 1/8 Welsh

Of course. And you can use Charis without being Greek.

Course you can. Not sure why you would want to though.

It’s one of those Welsh names that has become normal in English families. I wouldn’t assume a Welsh connection just like Bethan, or Sian really. It’s not all that Welsh, unlike Angharad, say.

@StanfordPines

It’s one of those Welsh names that has become normal in English families. I wouldn’t assume a Welsh connection just like Bethan, or Sian really. It’s not all that Welsh, unlike Angharad, say.

I know a completely non-welsh Angharad - named after the actress Angharad Rees. Is forever having to explain.

Yes, of course.

Bear in mind though that you and she may get a lot of questions about her 'Welsh connection'.

I'm half English/Welsh with a Welsh name born and raised in England. I get a lot of questions about my name, if people know it's a Welsh name they are sometimes surprised by my English accent and questions get asked. So bear that in mind as it could get irritating.

As a general rule - not directed at the OP as Carys is correct - I would say to anyone using a name from another language/culture that they should make sure they have got the name right first. Some websites just list random Welsh words as names - like artaith (torture). I know someone who is named Olwyn, which is the Welsh word for wheel because their parents misspelled Olwen.

Yes, I think so - It's a fairly simple, well known Welsh name (although you may get occasional Cerys confusion as pp mentioned). I don't think it's obscure/unusual enough that a lot of people will ask about a Welsh connection.

I know a few people called carys or cerys. No Welsh connection.

Absolutely! It’s well known and easy to pronounce to non-welsh speakers.

I knew a carys growing up in England although she spelt it differently