Meaning and Origin of the Name Myfanwy

Myfanwy is a beautiful and distinctive Welsh girl’s name with a rich history. While its exact origins are debated, it most likely stems from the Old Welsh elements mynfyw meaning “lively” or “spirited” and gwawr meaning “fair” or “excellent”. Therefore, the most common translation of Myfanwy is “lively fair one” or “excellent spirit”.

However, some scholars propose alternative interpretations. One theory suggests the name derives from the word “annwyl” meaning “beloved”. Another theory breaks it down as “my” meaning “my” and “banw” meaning “woman” or “dearest”, resulting in a similar translation of “my dearest” or “my beloved”. This interpretation aligns with the Welsh love song “Myfanwy”, which expresses a young man’s longing for a beautiful woman.

Therefore, the meaning of Myfanwy carries some ambiguity. It could evoke a lively spirit, a cherished one, or both. This richness of meaning adds to the name’s unique charm.

Pet Names

It is also often shortened into the nickname Myf or Myffy.

Variations

Myfanwi is a relatively fixed name with few variations. However, some alternative spellings include Myfanwyf, Myfanwyv, and Mefanwy.

Popularity of Myfanwy

The name gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly amongst the Welsh nobility. One famous bearer was Myfanwy Fychan, daughter of Owain Gwynedd, the Prince of Gwynedd in the 12th century. Her story is woven into medieval Welsh literature, most notably in the tale of “Kulhwch ac Olwen”, one of the Four Branches of the Mabinogion. In the story, Myfanwy is renowned for her beauty and intelligence.

Myfanwy’s popularity waned somewhat after the Middle Ages, but it enjoyed a revival in the 19th century along with the general resurgence of interest in Celtic culture. Today, Myfanwy remains a well-regarded name in Wales and continues to be chosen by parents who appreciate its unique sound and rich heritage.

Myfanwy is not one of the most popular Welsh girl’s names, but it is still in use and holds a special place in Welsh culture. It did not make the list of the 100 most popular girl’s names for babies in Wales as of 2023.

Why the Name is Famous in Wales

It is the subject of a Welsh song popular in 1875 and may have been written as a reference to a 14th-century love poem about a woman of the same name.

• Myfanwy Fychan (12th century) – Daughter of Owain Gwynedd, Prince of Gwynedd
• Myfanwy Wiliams (1884-1976) – Welsh academic and writer

Some other famous people with the name include: Myfanwy Waring and Myfanwy Talog the dramatic and comedic Welsh actresses respectively, Myfanwy Moore the head of all comedy content produced for the BBC, Myfanwy Piper a British art critic, Myfanwy Haycock the Welsh poet and Myfanwy Howell a Welsh TV broadcaster.

Useful Resources

• Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh girls’ names on our website.

Meaning and Origin of the Girl’s Name Mari

Mari name is Welsh in origin and has some interesting defined variants. The meaning of Mari is defined as bitter from the Hebrew Mah or Marah. In the Bible, the Torah cites Marah as having been a place the children of Israel travelled through during the 40-year exodus from Egypt.

The meaning of Mari is a variation on the name Mair. This means star of the sea from the Latin derivation “Stella Maris”. At the time of Saint Jerome, this name was seen to provide a semblance of hope for Christian believers based on the role she is identified.

Popularity

The popularity of Mari as a name was estimated to be ranked at 100 in 2009. Beyond this name being Welsh in origin, facts concerning famous persons, or international citations of this name are sparse. In England the variant Mary is found more frequently than Mari. Though not extinct, sources assert that Mari was not among the top 100 popular Welsh baby names in 2013.

Variations of the Name

Internationally, variants on Mari include Mary, Italian, Marah,Hebrew, Zari, African and American, and Kari, French and American.

Useful Resources

Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh girls’ names on our website.

Origin of the Girl’s Name Alaw

The Alaw name has been used by a popular Welsh band named Alaw, a Welsh river named Afon Alaw, and many little girls and women alike. This is a beautiful name that has been used for many centuries and is still a relatively popular name in Wales today.

Meaning

It is widely reported that the meaning of Alaw is melodious, which is why the popular musical band, Alaw, has this name as their band’s title. The Afon Alaw is a river that may have gotten its name from the sounds of the creatures that may live near the river. The very sounds of their calls may sound almost, if not very, melodious to some.

Other sources indicate that the actual and original meaning is the old Welsh name for ‘Lily’.

Popularity

The popularity of Alaw has decreased since last year in 2013. The name Alaw was not even in the top 100 popular Welsh names list. In relativity to certain other Welsh names, however, the popularity of Alaw is still significant and noticeable.

How to Pronounce Alaw

The Alaw name is pronounced AH-low, which actually rhymes with now. It almost sounds like the word allow, except there is more emphasis on the first letter of the name.

Useful Resources

• Discover the beauty of other Welsh girls’ names on our website.
• Looking for famous people with Welsh names?

Meaning of Enfys

Enfys is a name of Welsh origin. In Welsh, it simply means “rainbow.” It has no non-Welsh meanings. It is unisex, so it can be given to either a boy or a girl.

Popularity

According to the most recently available government statistics, Enfys was not in the 100 most popular baby girl’s name in Wales in 2013. It is actually a very uncommon name. It is uncommon in Wales and even more uncommon outside of Wales. If you are looking for a distinctly Welsh name that is likely to be fairly unique, this name fits the bill.

How to Pronounce Enfys

Enfys is pronounced EN-viss. Some sources indicate it may also be pronounced En-vees.

Famous people with the Name

Famous people with the name Enfys name include:

• Enfys Dickinson — Movie producer and manager who has worked on such notable films as “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”
• Enfys McMurry — Author of “Hearst’s Other Castle” and other works.
• Enfys Beynon Thomas Old Welsh illustrator and author. Works by this individual are in Welsh.

Useful  Resources

• Discover the meaning of other Welsh girl’s names on our website.

Meaning and popularity of the Welsh name Llinos

Llinos is a charming and melodious Welsh girl’s name that has graced the namescape of Wales for centuries. Its meaning, “linnet,” a small, cheerful songbird with a melodious voice, imbues the name with a sense of sweetness and harmony.

The Llinos name is commonly given to a baby girl, but it is also popular as a name for adults. Some people are called Llinos as a baby and then begin to adopt the adult Linnet as they get older.

The name Linnet takes its meaning from the Welsh surname Eluned, which is then derived from the name Cilun. The overall meaning of Llinos in Welsh is “Idol”, and the name is commonly picked by persons who value outward personalities who are compassionate. The name Llinos also has some roots in French, where it is a reference to a flaxen songbird.

Popularity of the Name

Llinos has consistently ranked among the top choices for baby girls in Wales, demonstrating its enduring popularity. The name has also gained recognition beyond Welsh borders, captivating parents worldwide with its unique charm and cultural significance.

The popularity of Llinos is small in Wales, and it is not in the top hundred names for Welsh women (in 2022).

Traits of someone called Llinos

A girl named Llinos is likely to possess a melodious voice, a love for music, and a gentle, compassionate spirit. She may also be drawn to nature, embodying the delicate beauty and resilience of the linnet.

Useful Resources

• See the meaning and popularity of other Welsh girls’names on this website
• And see what girl’s names are currently popular in Wales.

The Name Gaynor

The name Gaynor is of Irish and Gaelic origin and can be used as either a boys name or a girls name. However, in recent time Gaynor’s popularity has been to use it as a girls name.

Meaning of the Welsh Name

The meaning of Gaynor is the “son of the fair-skinned one” which can be a bit confusing since it has been used more frequently as a girls name recently. In Irish, it literally means fair and soft. It can also mean strength.

The name Gaynor is another name for Guinevere, which is the medieval form of the name. Gaynor is the modernised version of the name.

Popularity

While Gaynor is not typically a name given to boys, is has been a popular surname or last name. For girls, it is a popular first name. There are many celebrities who have the name Gaynor, and while some of them have changed their name to something more common, not everyone has.

While the name has some popularity, it is still a very unique name in our society. In 2017, Gaynor was not in the top 100 baby girls’ names in Wales.

If you are looking for a name that is not common but is also not extremely uncommon, Gaynor is a good choice for you to add to your list.

Famous People with the Name Gaynor

Famous people with the name Gaynor include:

• the actress Gaynor Faye who has appeared as  Judy Mallett in the hugely popular TV show Coronation Street and  Megan Macey in Emmerdale.
• the singer Gloria Gaynor famous for her song ‘I will survive’.
• Gaynor Hopkins, the singer better known as Bonnie Tyler born in Skewen by Neath.
• Gaynor Llywelyn, the fictional character in the Welsh language show Pobol y Cwm

Useful Resources

• Our comprehensive list of Welsh girls’ names

Meaning and Origin of Alwen

The name Alwen is a very unique name to none Welsh speakers. It is one that you don’t see or hear very often outside Wales and when most people do hear it, they love they way it rolls off their tongues.

If you want to be surprised when your baby is born, why not choose a universal name? The name Alwen is just that. It can be used for either a girl or as a boy (Alwyn).

The meaning of Alwen is just as unique as the name itself. It means keeper of the elves. So if you are looking for something with a little bit of a fantasy twist to it, then the name Alwen is the one for your new little one.

Pronunciation

There are several ways in which Alwen is pronounced, it all depends on where you wish to put the emphasis. For example: A-lwen, Al-wen, or A-l-wen. Normally in Wales it is pronounced Al-wen. Because of the flexibility of this name it all depends on you the parents as to how you would like your child’s name pronounced.

When you are thinking of how to pronounce Alwen, take in consideration how others may say the name as well. Depending on where they come from. So be aware that when you pronounce the baby’s name for the first time the person listening has a clear understanding of how to pronounce it.

Useful Resources

• See our comprehensive list of Welsh girls’ names

Anwen is a Welsh girl’s name and is popular within the Welsh speaking community, however outside Wales the name is often mistaken for the name “Arwen,” a name popularized by J.R.R Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series (his languages frequently mimicked Welsh etymology). Anwen was not in the top 100 most popular girl’s names in Wales in 2012.

Meaning of the Name Anwen

Though the origins of the name Anwen are vague, the suffix -wen is thought to be an altered version of the word gwen, the feminine form of the word gwynn which once meant “white” or “blessed.” This suffix is used frequently in Welsh names such as Anwen, Arianwen and Ceinwen.

The first syllable, an, is an intensive prefix likened to the words “very” and “much.” The common meaning of Anwen is “very beautiful” though there is speculation that the word was inspired by another, annwyl, a term of endearment meaning “beloved” or “dear.” The name Anwen could also be considered a prefixed version of the name Gwen (meaning “pretty” or “fair”).

How to Pronounce Anwen?

Anwen pronunciation: Ann-wen.

Famous People

Famous people with the name Anwen include: Anwyn Rees-Myers and Anwen Keeling. In the popular series Torchwood, the daughter of the characters Gwen and Rhys is also named Anwen.

Useful Resources

• See our guide to other Welsh girls’ names