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Mair

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Meaning and Origin of the Name Mair 

Mair (pronounced like MIRE or MARE) is a popular Welsh girls name that can be used as a unisex or boys name (from non-Welsh origins). The name is also frequently found as a surname as well. Mair is the Welsh form of the name Mary which has many meanings varying from the unsure Hebrew definition (from the name Miryam) of “sea of bitterness” to the more likely Egyption meaning (derived from the word myr) of “beloved” or, more simply, “love.” Other meanings include “rebelliousness” and “wished for child.” The most common Welsh meanings seem to be “bitter,” similar to the French meaning of the name Marie which is, itself, a variant of Mary, and “star of the sea,” a meaning derived from the Latin words “stella maris.” Saint Jerome associated this phrase with the name of the Virgin Mary giving her the ancient title of “Our Lady, Star of the Sea. The title was meant to emphasize her role as a bastion of hope for the Christians of the time.

Variations of Mair

Variations of the name Mair include Mari and Mairwen. Mair serves double duty as the diminutive form of the name Mairwen.

Famous People Called Mair

Famous people with the name include Mair Jones and Angharad Mair.

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Betsan

name

Summary of the facts for the name Betsan:

  • Origin – Welsh
  • Meaning – My God is a vow
  • Popularity – Not in the top 100 girl’s names

Meaning and Origin of Betsan

Betsan is a Welsh female name that has the same roots as the name Elizabeth. So the meaning of Elizabeth in In English, Hebrew and Greek is ‘My God is a vow’ which therefore is the meaning of Betsan.

Popularity of the Name

Betsan is not in the top 100 most popular baby girl’s names in Wales in 2012.

Famous People Called Betsan

There are not too many famous people with the name Betsan in the public this is because the name is principally limited to being used in Wales. However the most famous Welsh woman with this name is Betsan Powys who is a political journalist that works for the BBC television and BBC radio Cymru. Bestan is married to an artist David Hammond  and enjoys  choral singing, harp music and competing in choral recitation competitions at the local chapel. This chapel is listed as Eisteddfodau of Bards. Bestan had gone ahead and had adopted a new name a bardic name “Betsi Tregana”.

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Our comprehensive list of Welsh girls’ names.

Fflur

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Meaning and Origin

The Fflur pronunciation is unique in that it rolls gently off the tongue yet is not an exclusively feminine sound. The Fflur pronunciation is indicative of the Fflur meaning of Fflur which is ‘flower’. The image of purity and beauty are among the top reasons that the Fflur name is beginning to rise in popularity.

How to Pronounce the name Fflur

Fflur, pronounced as F-LEER is becoming a popular name for girls, but as of 2012 has not yet made the list of the top 100 names in Wales according to the Office of National Statistics. Name lists are maintained in almost every country and some trends cross over national borders and are used as unisex names for boys and girls.

Famous People Called Fflur

While the Fflur name is still catching on, there are some famous people in history who carry the same moniker. Elin Fflur Jones is a popular folk musician and lead singer of the band Bran. Not to be consider just another pretty face, Elin Fflur Jones is also very intelligent and went on to study law. While the exact origin of the Fflur name is unknown, the most widely accepted theory is that it came from a historical and beautiful Welsh region of the same name.

Useful Resources

Our comprehensive list of Welsh girls’ names.

Eleri

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Origin and Meaning of Eleri

Eleri (pronounced eh-LER-ee) is a beautiful and intriguing Welsh girl’s name with a rich mythological background. Its origins are shrouded in the mists of Celtic legend, offering several possible interpretations that add to its mystique.

The name Eleri is a Welsh female name. The name meaning is uncertain, but Eleri meaning is most likely a river, based on the Eleri River in Wales.

Afon Leri in Ceredigion
Afon Leri in Ceredigion

The name Eleri is common in Wales and is most likely related to the Celtic vernacular.

In Welsh mythology, Eleri appears as the name of a river, Afon Leri, known for its swift currents and rugged terrain. This association with the river symbolises the name Eleri’s potential for both serenity and resilience, suggesting a spirit that can flow with grace but also stand firm against life’s currents.

A girl named Eleri is likely to possess a strong sense of self, a deep connection to nature, and a willingness to face challenges with courage and determination. She may also be drawn to creative pursuits, expressing her emotions through art, music, or writing.

Popularity

In 2021, Eleri was not in the top 100 baby girls’ names in Wales.

In 2021 Eleri was the 86th most popular name in England. According to the 2021 birth records, there were 30 little girls with the Eleri. However, the name is the 825th most popular name in the United Kingdom.

Variations

Eleri has a few uncommon variations, including Elery, Eleira, and Eleri.

How to pronounce the name Eleri?

Last but not least Eleri is pronounced as El-e-ree.

Famous People Called Eleri

Eleri may have only been used 30 times, but the United Kingdom has a couple of famous Eleri’s:

  • The first Eleri was a Welsh princess, she was the daughter of Brychan 5th a Welsh King. There is no information about Eleri.
  • Eleri Siôn is more current, she is a Welsh singer, radio personality, and television presenter. Sion was born in Neuaddlwyd, Aberaeron on a farm. She attended the school Ysgol Uwchradd Aberaeron and received her collegiate education at Lampeter University. Sion would take a break to work as a presenter and finish her degree at Cardiff University. Sion is currently employed with BBC Radio Wales as a radio host.

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Dwynwen

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Origins of the name “Dwynwen”

Dwynwen (pronounced dooIN-wen) is a beautiful girl’s name, and when it is spoken aloud, it suggests an ancient past. That is because the name comes from 5th century Wales and the patron saint of lovers, Saint Dwynwen. Her story varies, but the following is one of the most popular:Dwynwen had fallen in love with a man named Maelon, but her father had arranged another marriage for her. Overcome with sadness, Dwynwen asked God to help her forget Maelon. So she received a potion from an angel that turned Maelon into ice. She was then granted three wishes. Her first wish was for Maelon to be thawed, the second that God would keep watch over all true lovers, and the third was that she would never be married. All these came true, and Dwynwen became a nun and built a church on the island of Llanddwyn, of which the remains are still there today. One can visit the island, where Dwynwen’s well stands. The well is believed to be the home of a sacred fish that can predict lovers’ futures. In present day Wales, St. Dwynwen day is the Welsh equivalent to St. Valentine’s day and is celebrated on January 25.

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Glynis

name

Glynis is a great choice for a baby’s name if you are looking for something traditional which is not too common.

Glynis – Meaning and Origin

Glynis is a Welsh girl’s name that is a variation of the name Glenys that means ‘pure’.

Popularity

Glynis is not currently in the top 100 Welsh baby names (2012 data). In the 1950’s Glynis was more popular and in 1954 the name was in the top 100 baby girls names in England and Wales (figures from Office of National Statistics).

How to Pronounce Glynis

Glynis is a fairly easy word to pronounce and it is it made up from 2 syllables Glyn-Is.

People Called Glynis

  • Glynis Barber – is an actress who has appeared on the soaps Emmerdale and Eastenders.
  • Glynis Johns – is a Welsh actress who has appeared in many movies over her acting career.

Variations on the name

Glenys is the main variation on this name.

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Elen

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Elen is lovely female name that has been common in Wales over the centuries. It was the name of a Welsh saint ‘Elen Luyddog’ who established a number of churches in Wales towards the end of the 4th century.

Origin and Meaning of Elen

Elen is commonly used as a Welsh name for Helen. It is also reported that Elen can mean ‘nymph’.

How to Pronounce Elen

Elen can be pronounced as ‘EL-en’.

Popularity

Elen is a popular name but it was not in the 100 most popular baby girls’ names in 2012.

Famous People

There is not an extensive list of famous people with the 1st name Elen but here are a few:

  • Elen ferch Llywelyn – the daughter of Llywelyn the Great and was born in the year 1206.
  • Elen Rhys – is a Welsh actress who starred in the films Panic Button and Season of the Witches.

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Gwenllian

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The name Gwenllian is an elegant name that is often shorten to Gwen. This name has been a prominent name in Welsh history and goes as far back as the medieval times.

Meaning and Origin

Gwenllian meaning – this name is composed of 2 Welsh words ‘Gwen’ meaning fair and ‘Llian’ meaning flaxen.

Gwenllian Pronunciation

Gwenllian is pronounced in three syllables Gwen-Lli-Ann. The letter ‘LL’ is not in the English language but ‘Lli’ pronounced sounds a little like ‘key’.

Popularity

Not in the 100 most popular Welsh girls baby names in 2012, but this baby name is quite trendy with Welsh parents.

Famous People

  • Gwenllian ferch Llywelyn –was the daughter of the Prince of Wales Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. She was the last true Princess of Wales.
  • Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd – was the daughter of Gruffydd who was the Prince of Deheubarth.

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Glenda

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Girl’s Name Glenda

Discover the meaning; origin and popularity of this Welsh name. Glenda is an attractive female name that originates from Wales. The name is an easy name to pronounce as it’s only composed of 2 syllables ‘Glen-da’.

Meaning of the name Glenda

Glenda is formed from two Welsh words ‘glân’ which means holy or pure and ‘da’ which means good.

The Popularity of the Name

Glenda was not in the top 100 baby girls’ names in Wales in 2012 (figures from the ONS). However, people called this name can still be found in many Welsh towns and villages.

Famous People

Here is a brief list of people with the 1st name Glenda:

  • Glenda Jackson – is a Politician who represented the Labour party and before politics she was an actress who starred in the films ‘Women in Love’ and ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’.
  • Glenda Linscott – is an Australian actress who appeared in the soap series Neighbors.

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Glenys

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Girl’s Name Glenys

Glenys is a gorgeous female name that originates from Wales. It is a short name that is composed of 2 syllables ‘Glen-ys’. On this page you’ll read about the meaning of the name, it popularity and famous people called Glenys.

Meaning of Glenys

Glenys is derived from the Welsh word glân which means holy, pure or fair.

Glenys’ Popularity

Glenys was not in the top 100 baby girls’ names in Wales in 2012. However you’ll still find someone with the name in most Welsh towns and villages.

Famous People

Here is a brief list of people with the 1st name Glenys:

  • Glenys Kinnock – is was a Labour politician who is married to the ex-Labour leader Neil Kinnock.
  • Glwnys Thornton – is Labour politician and member of the house of Lords.

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