Welsh girl's names... bit of a different request...

[Arlanymor]

... not for a baby - for me!

I've gone by my middle name my whole life - it was the one my parents have always called me - but I dislike my first name (the name I am never called except anywhere where there are official documents - like at the GP surgery). I like it on other people but it means nothing to me and there is no familial or cultural link with it, it's just a very generic name.

I raised the issue last week with my parents of finally changing my first name and they have been very supportive. I was willing to change my first name to another with the same initial to keep my current initials - to mirror my dad's - but having spoken to him last night he doesn't mind at all about that.

So... exciting times... I get to choose my own middle name! I could just stick with my middle name and my surname and jettison my first name altogether... but I really like the idea of choosing my own middle name. In fact I'm quite excited by the prospect!

So please can you throw your favourite Welsh baby names at me (I'm female).

I quite like Cadi, (An)Eira (I was born when it was snowing)... names you hear a bit less frequently. Not sure I have the gumption to plump for Tangwystl mind you! Oh and my name is Rhian, so can't have Arianwen or similar. Diolch!

Bronwen or Olwen?

Olwen - white footprint, good for February birthday too, thank you. We have a Bronwen in our family, so can't plump for that, but it is a pretty name.

I love Lleucu! Probably because of the song Lleucu Llwyd.

I also love Swyn, Siriol and Glain.

Chuffed to see my own very unusual Welsh name suggested here - not saying which one as it really is very unusual!!

At 45, I'd say you're not old enough to be an Olwen. It's not one of those that has come back into fashion for babies either.
I'd say Bronwen and Myfanwy are also old ladies' names, although I can imagine a baby Myfi.

Lleucu's great as long as you don't end up being called Cliquey.

Yes, it makes total sense, I knew it was Welsh for Eleanor, but it didnt feel Welsh, Welsh - "fundamentally Welsh" was probably the phrase I was looking for 😅 It is a pretty name though.

I do know what you mean - I think I said earlier that there's an artist who goes by Myf - but Myfi is very cute I think! Although will people confuse me with the Dutch rabbit?! I really do like it though... Brownwen I can't have because we have one in the family.

Also in all honesty my dad wouldn't let me get away with Myfi - he'd come up with it rhyming with ' whiffy' or something. The new name definitely has to pass the dad test!

Oh yes, Lleucu Llwyd! I hadn't thought of cliquey as per @Gwenhwyfar says - eek!

Swyn is great, I don't think I can have Siriol because of the vowel sounds, but like it too.

Ah glad it appeared! Honestly I think all of the names on this thread are great, just some I favour more than others.

Iechyd da!

Totally pretty! I think it's a nice spelling too!

Celyn

It means Holly which is wintery/snowy?

I think the good thing about choosing a middle name is, you don't need to worry too much about spelling and pronunciation. You're probably not going to be having to use it or spell it as much as your first name..so you can go a bit more adventurous I reckon!
I would also hope most people in Swansea wouldn't turn Lleucu into Cliquey?!

Yes, but sounds like a boy's name in Welsh because the feminine form is celynnen (not generally used as a name).

Wikipedia mentions Celyn as a female name, but I maintain that the -yn at the end makes it sound masculine.

I think your mum is on the right track with Angharad. Gorgeous name and meaning.

Otherwise -
Llinos
Rhoswen
Eirlys
Enid
Iola
Heledd

I know a Gwawr which means dawn which is nice. Also know a few kids with middle name Grug although I don’t love Grug to be honest.

I was at school with an Eifron ( no idea of the spelling- it was over 50 years ago). Only Welsh name I've come across apart from Sian.

Like Celyn Jones? I like it, but I think more commonly used for males? Mind you Ceri is universal and there the guy who directed Knives Out is called Rian Johnson! Thank you.

I love Tanwen had three boys so never got to use it (would have made an ace name for a ginger girl I thought), though if you have your relative with the 'wen' already this is a no too I presume?

We are in the far West but my middle boy went to Swansea for uni, it did him proud, great city.

I would hope they wouldn't! But people can be odd!

Oh yes definitely and I have spent my whole life trying to explain the English pronunciation of Rhian to people... it's just like Ian with an 'R' - I'm not making anyone do the Welsh 'Rh'! What's with Ree-anne?! I ask you!

Llinos is lovely - it has a literal ring to it doesn't it? And Iona I love. I think Rhoswen might be a bit much with Rhian? Too many digraphs?

Can't say I am a fan of Grug after all of the Minions movies, sounds a bit too much like Gru?! Gwawr is lovely and sounds like the noise a Welsh lion would make (which ironically is the name of a production company I am setting up!)

We have an Eifion in the family, so possibly a bit too close (although he's male). I know lots of Siâns and they are all lovely, but with an 'an' at the end of my name it probably wouldn't quite scan. Thank you!

Tanwen would be amazing for a titian girl! I have a friend called Amber (for similar reasons) and frankly she should have been a Tanwen! Yes the 'wen' and the 'un' sound is a bit close. But I agree it's a great name.

Jealous of you in the far West - my parents are in Pembs - but Swansea is a fab place, it really is, feels more like a town, but very vibrant, brilliant creative scene. And miles of golden sand - what's not to like?! So glad it did well for your middle boy. xxx

@TotallyTwisted Sorry I was on a really bad internet connection earlier and missed your other point - yes Rhian is being bumped from middle name to first name! Yes I could have MORE you are correct! Oooohhh the possibilities!

Although I have also just realised I can't have Cadi as this whole mess started because my parents didn't want me to the have the first two initials RC! (Arsey!)

This is a fabulous thread! I love Delyth and Manon which I haven’t see mentioned.
I’d be tempted by Eira or Eirlys myself. And Buddug is epic!