It’s always interesting to take a look at the lists of the most popular baby names in the UK, which are usually published at this time of year. Among the many Olivers, Amleias, and Georges, there are usually a handful of Welsh names that creep up the rankings every year. Here’s a look at the meanings behind some of the most popular Welsh names.
Carys
Carys is a traditional Welsh girl’s name, which is developed from the Welsh word for ‘love’. Girls with this name are said to be full of good spirits and enthusiasm, with a great sense of humour. Not surprisingly, they are popular types who enjoy spending time with others!
Carys was the name of choice for one of the daughters of the Welsh-born actor Catherine Zeta Jones and her husband Michael Douglas.
Megan
Megan is one of the most fashionable girl’s names right now, a popular choice both within Wales and beyond. It’s thought to be a Welsh variation of the English name Margaret. The Welsh pronunciation puts more emphasis on the second syllable of the name rather than the first, so it sounds more like ‘meh-gan’.
Famous people with this name include the actress Megan Fox, and the rap star Megan Thee Stallion.
Seren
Seren is used both as a boy’s and girl’s name in Wales, and has been growing steadily in popularity over the years. It means ‘star’ in Welsh, and has also been interpreted as ‘sail mast.’
The name may also have possibly derived from Sirona, who was an ancient goddess of hot springs. It may also be derived from Saeran, who was an early Welsh saint, who has a church dedicated to him in Llanynys, Denbigshire. Famous people with this name include Seren Haf Gibson, a Welsh model, and the athlete Seren Bundy-Davies.
Owain
Owain is a Welsh boy’s name, and a more traditional version of the popular name Owen. It derives from the national hero Owain Glyndwr, also known as Owain ap Gruffydd. He was the last native Welsh person to hold the title Prince of Wales, according to the BBC. He was born in 1359 at a time when Anglo-Welsh relations were relatively amicable.
However, tensions brewed after the ascension of Henry IV in 1399, and by 1400, Owain led a revolt against the rule of the English King, which was initially successful. He is now considered to be an important symbol of Welsh national and cultural identity, with many monuments dedicated to his memory.
Emyr
Emyr is a variant of the Welsh word for king or emperor. While it’s not a very well known name outside Wales, it’s still a common man’s name in its native land. Examples of famous people with this name include the Welsh author and poet Emyr Humphreys and the rugby international Emyr Lewis.
If someone you know will be welcoming a newborn into the world soon, a charming traditional gift could be a Welsh love spoon. Handcrafted from quality materials, they have a special symbol motif carved into the handle.