Welsh has developed separately from the other Celtic languages and many names are unique to it despite a general similarity towards Scottish and Irish Gaelic. After the Reformation, biblical names became common and as surnames had not yet become settled, contributed to these as well.
By the C16th, names of English origin accounted for around 80% of women mentioned in documents. The most popular were Catherine, Elizabeth, Elen, Jane, Margaret, and Mary but others occurred.
Children were traditionally named after members of the family but the order could be varied, particularly if someone had recently died.
| Eldest son | paternal grandfather |
| Eldest daughter | maternal grandmother |
| Second son | maternal grandfather |
| Second daughter | paternal grandmother |
| Third son | father |
| Third daughter | mother |
| Additional children | uncles and aunts |
This collection of names was compiled by Kate Monk and is ©1997, Kate Monk.
Copies may be made for personal use only.