Category Archives: name

Ifor


Meaning and Origin of the Boys name Ifor

Ifor is a mighty Welsh boy’s name, but you’ve probably more acquainted to the anglicised version, Ivor, being more well-known.

The history of the name Ifor comes from its Welsh background but can be traced back to the medieval Scandinavian name Ivarr. The meaning of Ifor translates to “saint” or “leader.”

The meaning of Ifor comes from a leader or a saint
The meaning of Ifor comes from a leader or a saint

Popularity

Ifor wasn’t particularly popular in Wales during the last name survey in 2020 by the ONS and the name failed to reach the top 100 baby boys’ names in Wales.

Favour People with the name Ifor

The name’s popularity in Wales comes from the infamous Ifor Bach, a 12th-century leader in Southern Wales. Bach was noted as a conqueror who once kidnapped the Earl of Gloucester.

Other well-known Ifors include; Ifor Davies (1910-1982), a Welsh labour politician, who was a Speaker for the Welsh government, and Ifor Williams (1881-1965), a well-known Welsh academic who began the formal study of old Welsh poetry. With its historical background and strong meaning, the popularity of Ifor has the potential to rise again as a popular book series hosting several Welsh names begins filming in Hollywood. If you are considering a solid but unique boy name, Ifor is an excellent option.

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Idris

Meaning and Origin of the name Idris

So what exactly is the meaning of Idris? Well, it is believed that the name translates to interpreter or fiery leader. The name has its roots both in Welsh & Arabic.

In Welsh, Idris likely stems from the elements “udd” (lord, prince) and “ris” (ardent, enthusiastic, impulsive). This etymology paints a picture of an ardent lord, a leader brimming with passion and drive. The name is further linked to the legendary Idris Gawr (Idris the Giant), a figure associated with astronomy, and the mountain Cadair Idris (“Idris’s Chair”).

However, Idris also has roots in Arabic, where it carries the meaning of “studious” or “to learn.” This meaning aligns with the Islamic prophet Idris, mentioned in the Quran and often identified with the biblical Enoch.

This duality adds depth to the name Idris. It evokes both the image of a passionate leader and a figure dedicated to knowledge and wisdom. The name’s versatility is further reinforced by its presence in Welsh place names like Cadair Idris, solidifying its connection to Welsh history and landscape.

Famous People and Things Named Idris

Cadair Idris (Idris’ chair) is a mountain in North Wales and is the highest mountain in southern Snowdonia. The mountain is popular with walkers and forms part of the Welsh Three Peaks challenge along with Yr Wyddfa and Pen y fan.

Cadair Idris in Meirionnydd
Cadair Idris in Meirionnydd

As a name, it seems to date as far back as 560 when Idris Gawr (Idris the giant), the Welsh King, was first born.

There are also contemporary uses of the name such as the renowned Welsh poet, Idris Davies from Rhymney. His most famous work was Bells of Rhymney.

There is also another by the name of Idris Jones who is an up-and-coming musician from Wales and has had such hits as Jonesy, bts, and Dance into the Night.

Popularity

According to ONS, the name Idris is one of their more popular names and was the 85th most popular name in Wales with 38 babies being given the name in 2021. On a global view, the name has become more popular due in no small part to the movie star Idris Elba.

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Idwal

Meaning of Idwal

Idwal is Welsh for Lord of the Wall. It’s derived from the Welsh words udd “lord, prince” combined with the word gwal “wall, rampart.”

Idwal means Lord of the Wall
Idwal means Lord of the Wall

History of the name Idwal

Idwal has very early origins and is seen most commonly in early royal lineages in Wales and surrounding regions.

Famous Uses of the Name Idwal

  • Idwal Foel – 10th century King of Gwynned in Wales
  • Idwal Rees – Welsh rugby union centre that played for Camridge University
  • Idwal Iwrch – an early King of Gwynned with a disputed lineage history
  • Cwm Idwal – a corrie in the Glyderau mountains in northern Snowdonia
  • Idwal Jones – a Welsh writer most known for poetry and novels and non-fiction

Popularity of Idwal

Idwal was not in the 100 most popular baby boys’ names as of 2019 data.

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.

Huwcyn

Meaning and Origin of Huwcyn

The name Huwcyn is a Welsh name of a boy. The history and the origin of the name Huwcyn is fascinating. The meaning of Huwcyn has its origin from the German-based element “hugiz.” Hugiz means mind, spirit, and heart.

Huwcyn means mind, sprit and heart
Huwcyn means mind, sprit and heart

If you name your baby Huwcyn, they are considered to have a bright mind, an understanding heart, highly spirited, and sensible.

Popularity

The popularity of Huwcyn became eminent in England after the Norman conquest. Its popularity has decreased since then. According to the 2019 government statistics in Wales, Huwcyn did not appear on the top 100 baby boys’ names.

Pronunciation

The pronunciation of Huwcyn is “HYOO-kin.” Huwcyn is the diminutive of Huw. Huw is pronounced as “HYOO.” If you can’t pronounce Huwcyn, you can use the name Huw instead as a short form.

Famous Books and TV Series Called Huwcyn

Arwr Huwcyn: A cartoon television series that features a duck, pig, and a bull.
Huwcyn Puwcyn: It’s a children’s book which contains 24 songs.

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Hopcyn

Meaning and Origin of the Name Of Hopcyn

The name Hopcyn is a Welsh masculine name. The meaning of Hopcyn is “renowned fame,” “Son of Hob” or “Son of Robert”.

There are variant forms of the name Hopcyn which are: Popkyn, Hupkens, Hopkins, and Hopkin.

Popularity

Hopcyn was not in the 100 most popular boys names in Wales in 2020.

Traits of People with the Name

According to the analysis of this name, those who have it are considered leaders, are gentle, witty, zany, protective, and happy. The colour of this name is blue. There is also a letter analysis:
P: Trade are prone.
C: Sombre
Y: Innovative
N: Witty.
H: Successful and smart.
O: Zany.


There is also numerology on this name:
H: 8
O: 15
P: 16
C: 3
Y: 25.
N: 14.
This totals 81 and from this it is concluded that a person with this name is patriotic, rich, humble, hardworking, and kind.

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.

Heini

Meaning and Origin of the Name Heini

The name Heini is for the most part a boy’s name and sometimes a girl’s name.

It is either Old German or Welsh and the meaning of Heini is “Home Leader”.

It is pronounced “HH-a-ni”. It is a variation of the name “Henry”.

Popularity

Heini was not in the top 100 baby boys’ names in Wales in 2019.

Famous People with the Name Heini

There are some famous people with the name Heini: Heini Gruffudd and Heini Adams.

Heini Gruffudd is a writer and a teacher helping students learn the Welsh language.

Heini Adams is a Rugby Union Player for the Union Bordeaux Begles. He was born May 29, 1980 in Worcester, South Africa.

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.

Maelon

Meaning and Origin of the Name Maelon

The name Maelon has its origin in Wales. The literal significance of the name is “Prince.” It is a lovely name for a young boy.

In Welsh, the word “Mael” means “Prince.”

Maelon is strongly linked to the word Prince
Maelon is strongly linked to the word Prince

Popularity

The popularity of Maelon is not so notable. It is an often overlooked name, not among the top 1,000 names in Wales.

Maelon’s History

The Welsh Saint of lovers is Santes Dwynwen. She falls in love with Maelon Dafodrill. Her Father then forbids her marriage to Maelon, so she runs to the forest in despair.

She is visited there by an angel in her sleep, who gives her a potion to erase her memory of Maelon. God then grants her three wishes – that Maelon live, that God grants the wishes of lovers and that she never marry. She lives the remainder of her life in servitude to God.

The meaning of Maelon is a reminder of a tale of true love. The name should be just as popular as any other, considering the lovely talr from which it is derived. It harkens to a tale of love and signifies royalty at that.

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.

Gwaun

Meaning and Origin of the Boy’s name Gwaun

The name Gwaun was not among the top 1000 names for boys though it is a popular Welsh name.

The meaning of Gwaun is heath and though current popularity of Gwaun as a boy’s name is not high it is popular otherwise, as River Gwaun in Pembrokeshire which runs for 9 miles through the national Welsh park down to the sea through the Gwaun Valley.

Gwaun means a heath in Welsh
Gwaun means a heath

Photos of the area show picturesque scenes worthy of a vacation with an old time bar and aged shops.

Gwaun Cae Gurwen

The village of Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen the name refers to white hemlock heath is 5 miles from Ammanford village and twenty miles from Swansea.


Famous people from the area were Dame Sian Phillips, an actress, Sir Gareth Edwards, a Lions player, and Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales.
A number of variants to the Welsh name are both as boys and otherwise.

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.

Gwenallt

Origin of the name Gwenallt

The name Gwenallt is a Welsh origin masculine name.

Meaning of the name

The meaning of Gwenallt is white, fair, and blessed in the Gwen part of Gwenallt.
The allt part of Gwenallt means wood, small, and forest.

Popularity of Gwenallt

From 1700, when the name first came into being, to the present day Gwenallt has not been a very popular name.

Gwenallt Jones

Gwenallt was a poet, a scholar, and a critic. Mr. Jones was born on May 18, 1899, to Thomas Ehedyd Jones and his wife. Jones was born in Pontardawe, UK, Gwenallt Jones is perhaps one of the most important literary scholars of the 20th century. Born David James Jones, Jones used the name Gwenallt as a bardic name.

Gwenallt was derived from the village of Alltwen
Gwenallt was derived from the village of Alltwen

The poet transposed the name Alltwen (Gwen allt). Jones was educated at Prifysgol Aberystwyth University at the Penglais Campus. Jones also attended the Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera. Jones died on December 24, 1968, in Aberystwyth UK.

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.

Niclas

Meaning and Origin of the Name Niclas

The name Niclas is a Welsh variant of the name Nicholas based on the Greek name Nickolaos. The meaning of Niclas in Greek is Victory of the People, and later in history was associated with the words stone and rock in Greek mythology.

Popularity

Niclas was not in the top 100 baby boys’ names in Wales in 2020. The Worldwide estimated popularity of Niclas peaked in 1998 and then dropped radically to below the top thousand boy’s names.

Famous People Called Niclas

Among the famous having the name, Niclas is

  • Thomas Evans Nicholas (Niclas Y Glais) who was a Welsh poet and protester supporting society’s disadvantaged.
  • Niclas Alexandersson was born in1971 and is a blond, blue-eyed Swedish football player.
  • Niclas Parry is a Welsh judge, who defended persons charged in a famous case of sex abuse.
  • Sain Nicolas is a Welsh village in the Vale of Glamorgan, 7 miles from the Capital City Cardiff.
Saint Nicholas (Nicolas Sant) was Christian Bishop who is said to have performed numerus miracles. The origins of Santa Claus.
Saint Nicholas (Nicolas Sant) was Christian Bishop who is said to have performed numerus miracles. The origins of today’s Santa Claus.

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Discover the meaning and popularity of other Welsh boys’ names.