Symbolic Celtic Names for Expectant Parents and Fiction Writers (Part 2: Boys)

Having a new baby is magical, but the task of naming him can be daunting. If you want to give him a lifelong gift of his Celtic heritage, check out the names below and their symbolism.

In my last post, I created a list of girls’ names from the Irish, Scots Gaelic, and Welsh languages along with the symbolic meaning of each name. This week’s post is boys’ names. 

In compiling these lists, I took into account a) the sound of the name, b) the symbolism, and c) the degree of difficulty in spelling and pronouncing each name. Be aware, especially if you’re a parent, that there are some names in the lists that might cause issues with correct pronunciation. For example, Dàibhidh is the Irish language version of David and is pronounced fairly similarly, but the spelling might puzzle English-speaking teachers and lead them to call your son “Day-buh-hidg-huh.” So, weigh value / significance versus the headaches your child might endure.

The names I chose names made the list because they were musical, symbolically beautiful, powerful, and in some cases, culturally significant.

I’ve headed the lists with the name of the language within the language itself. So, the language English people call “Irish” is listed as Gaeilge.

Whether you’re an expectant parent, a fiction writer trying to name characters, or just someone who enjoys learning things (especially Celtic things), enjoy exploring these names and their meanings. If you want to check out the names for girls, click here.

A note on pronunciation: the accent is on the first syllable unless otherwise indicated by italicized syllables.

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A note on word origin: Many of these names are Celtic in origin, but others are the Celtic language version of a common name from another language. To use David again as an example, the name is from Hebrew, but I included both the Irish and Welsh versions of the name. The meaning of the name, “beloved,” comes from the original Hebrew.

CYMRAEG (Welsh)

Alawn (ah-loun)  "melody." 

Aneirin (an-ay-rin) "very golden"

Arial (ar-ee-al) "courage."  Note: this is a potentially problematic name for a boy. It is a masculine name in Welsh. Also, Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest, features a character named Ariel, a poetic spirit who is generally considered male. However, Disney’s movie, The Little Mermaid, featured a main character (the mermaid) whose name is Ariel. Thus, many people think of the name as feminine.

Arthen (ar-then) or Arthian (ar-thee-en) "bear."  The legendary King Arthur’s name is a variant.

Awsten (ow-sten) "magnificient"

Brân (bron) "raven" or "crow" The name is associated with protection. In Welsh folklore, Brân the Blessed was a giant and a high king who had some troublesome relatives. Read his story here.

Brynlyn (brin-lin) "lake hill"

Caerwyn kire-win "white fort"

Carwyn  kar-win  "pure love"

Cei (or Cai) (kye) “joy” or “optimism.” Possibly derived from the Latin name Caius. King Arthur's foster brother and a knight of the Round Table.

Celyn (kel-in) "a holly tree" The Druids classified holly trees as royal.

Ceri (Kerry) "loveable"

Dafydd (dav-ith) "beloved" The Welsh version of the Hebrew name David. Also, St. David is as important to the Welsh as St. Patrick is to the Irish.

Deri (dare-ree)  "an oak tree."  Another royal tree. The name also implies "mighty."

Dewi (dew-ee) a diminutive of Dafydd. Also, Dewi is the name of the Red Dragon, the emblem of Wales.

Dylan (duh-lan) a name from the Mabinogion, it is possibly connected to the word "shttps://www.moonfishwriting.com/post/take-an-arthurian-legend-vacation-in-walesea." Also, the name of the famous Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas.

Eirian (eye-ree-an) "shining and fair"

A young Welsh boy, Myrddin Emyrs, told King Vortigern how to stop his castle from falling down every night. The boy later became known as Merlin.

Emrys (em-ris)  from the Latin "Ambrosius," a name meaning "immortal." Emrys is also associated with Merlin. Originally, in Welsh folklore, he was called Myrddin Emrys. A famous site, Dinas Emrys, is said to have been named for him. Click here to read how the young boy, Myrddin Emrys, helped Vortigern (a historical Welsh king) with the issue of his castle collapsing every night. The story also introduces the Red Dragon.

Emyr (em-ur)   "king" or "lord"

Gawain (gah-wine or gah-wayne) "white falcon."  A knight of the Round Table.

Gruffydd (grif-ith) "Strong ruler." The name of many, MANY Welsh kings.

Gwilym  (gwil-im) "Resolute Protector."  Welsh language version of William.

Ifan (I-van) or Ioan (yo-an) "God is gracious." Both are Welsh forms of John. 

Lewys (loo-is) "famous warrior." The Welsh version of Louis.

Meical (mye-cal) "Who is like God?" Welsh version of the Hebrew name Michael.  The diminutive is Meic (Mike).

Morgan (mor-gan) "sea-born" 

Myrddin (mir-thin) "sea fort." This is Merlin's actual (Welsh) name. Merlin is an anglicization.

Owain (oh-wine) “well-born” or “noble.”  It's believed to have its roots in the Latin name Eugenius. Owen is the anglicized version of the name.  Owen Tudor, a Welshman, was the grandfather of Henry VIII of England.

Pedr (ped-er) "a rock."  The Welsh version of Peter.

Pwyll (poo-uhl) "wisdom." Pwyll was a famous prince, later king in Welsh mythology. He married the enchantress, Rhiannon.

Rhisiart (rhish-art) "brave ruler." Welsh version of Richard.

Rhys (hrees) "ardor"

Sion (shon) The Welsh version of John. (See Ioan for meaning.) Sionyn (shon-in) is a diminutive.

Steffan (Stef-an) "a crown." Welsh version of Stephen.

Sulien (sil-yen) "sun-born"

Taliesin (tally-esh-in) "radiant brow."  Taliesin is the name of a renowned 6th century Welsh bard.

Trystan / Tristan (trist-in) "sad" or "sorrowful." Not the most positive meaning, but Tristan is famous in literature, first in Arthurian legend, then Shakespeare's take on the story of Tristan and Isolde.

GAEILGE (Irish)

Brian Boru, the legendary High King of Ireland, is the figure behind the popular boy's name Brian.

Aodhán (aid-on) “little fiery one.” The anglicized version is Aidan.

Brandon / Brennan “prince.”  From the Irish word brenhin.

Brian “high, noble, and strong”. A popular Irish name because of the legendary Brian Boru, High King of Ireland.

Caolan (keelin) from caol, this name means “slender.”

Cian (kee-an): ancient or enduring

Ciaran (keer-an) “dark little one.”

Colin “cub or puppy.”

Darren “little oak.” Oak trees were considered Nobles of the wood, and the name Darren implies nobility.

Diarmuid (deer-mid) “without an enemy.” The Anglicized version is Dermot. In Irish legend, this was the name of a warrior who became the lover of Grainne, the daughter of Irish king, Cormac mac Airt. Her father betrothed her to legendary Irish hero, Fionn mac Cumhail. But, when Grainne met her husband-to-be at the betrothal party, she was unhappy at how old he was. During the party, she fell for Diarmuid. They ran away together. Although they found love and happiness together—and even had children—as with most love stories from Irish myth, their story doesn’t end happily-ever-after.

Donal / Domhnal “ruler of the world.”

Eoghan / Eoin (ow-an) “young or born of the yew tree.” The yew, in Irish folklore, is associated with mystery, the Otherworld, longevity, and regeneration / rebirth. The anglicized version is Owen.

Fionn (finn or fee-in) “fair-headed” (blond). One of the most famous characters in Irish mythology is Fionn mac Cumhail (Finn MacCool). Alternate version: Finn.

Liam “determined warrior / protector.” This is a nickname for Uilliam, the Irish version of William.

Oisin (uh-sheen or o-sheen) little deer.

Oscar “deer friend”. You might be surprised to see this name on a list of Irish names, but it comes from two Irish words: os, meaning “deer” and cara, meaning “friend."

In Celtic folklore, deer are guides to the Otherworld. The Irish names Oisin and Oscar are both connected to the noble animals.

Padraig “nobly born.” Irish version of Patrick.

Rian (ree-an) “little king.”

Ruairi (Roar-ee) “red,” usually referring to a red head.  Anglicized Rory.

Tadhg (tige) “bard / poet.” For centuries in Ireland, a bard was on the same social level as a king.

GÁIDHLIG (Scots Gaelic)

Alasdair (al-las-dare) “defender of man.” The Scots Gaelic version of Alexander.

Aonghus (awn-gus) “one strength.”  From the Old Irish name Óengus.  Aengus was an Irish god of love and youth.

Artair (ar-tayr) “bear.” The Scots Gaelic version of Arthur.

Calum (cal-um) “peaceful” or “a dove.” A Scots Gaelic version of the Latin Columba.

Dàibhidh (dah-vid) "beloved.” The Scots Gaelic version of David.

Diarmaid (deer-mad) “without an enemy.” The Scots Gaelic version of Irish Diarmuid.

Dòmhnall (don-al) (don-al) “world ruler.” It is Proto-Celtic in origin and the Scots Gaelic version of Donald.

Èoghann (yah-gah-nin) “young or born of the yew tree.” See the Irish name Eoghan above for symbolism.

Iain (ee-in) "God is gracious."  The Scots Gaelic version of John.

Labhrann (lav-run) “laurel.” Derived from Latin, then French, it is the Scots Gaelic version of Laurence. The Romans gave laurel wreaths to winners, so you can take the name as a symbol for victorious.

Lachlann “lands of lakes.” It is the Old Irish name (Lochlann) for Scandinavia.

Peadar (pay-dare) “a rock.” The Scots Gaelic version of Peter.

Pòl (pawl) “small” or “humble.” The Scots Gaelic version of Paul.

Ruairi (roar-ee) “red-headed.” The anglicized version is Rory.

Sachairi (shek-kehr-ree) “the Lord remembers.” From the Hebrew Zacharias, it’s a Scots Gaelic version of Zachary.

Seac (sheck) a variant of John, it means "God is gracious." Jack is the English version.

Seòsaid (Sho-sath) “God will increase.” From the Hebrew name Joseph.

Seumas (shay-mus) “supplanter” with an implication of strength and victory. The English version is James.

Steaphan (stef-fen) “a crown.”  The Scottish version of Stephen.

Tòmas (toe-mis) “twin.” The Scots Gaelic version of Thomas.

Teàrlach (Ter-lock) “instigator." From the Old Irish name, Tairdelbach which, in turn, was derived from the O.I. word tairdelb meaning "prompting." The English version is Charles.

Uilleam (oo-lee-em) “a strong protector. The English version is William.

Uisdeam (Esh-dim) "goodness" and "fortune."

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this post and any of my others you check out. Please LIKE and SHARE.  To SUBSCRIBE for FREE, just click on the “Sign Up” button in the upper right of the page.

All artwork for this post (except for the Ukranian flag and the GIF) by Christine Dorman via Bing Image Creator.

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