Welsh Boy Names That Mean Royalty
Welsh boy names that mean royalty draw on a language built around words for ruler, prince, and champion, and this list of 39 names shows exactly how.
Names50
OriginWelsh
MeaningRoyalty
GenderBoy
Wales has more than one word for 'ruler,' and that shows up again and again on this list. Kendrick, Kendrix, and Kendric are three spellings of the same Old Welsh name, Cynwrig, meaning royal power — proof that one strong root can travel a long way.
Other names tell a family story. Roderick means 'famous ruler,' and Broderick literally means 'son of Roderick' — a Welsh patronymic surname passed down through generations. Merrick carries a related idea, 'ruler of the sea,' while Mael, worn by a 5th-century Breton saint, simply means 'prince.'
What Makes Welsh Boy Names That Mean Royalty Different
Some names on this list reach for royalty through symbol rather than a direct word for 'king.' Griffin means 'strong lord' but also calls up the griffin of legend, the eagle-lion guardian that stood watch over treasure. Llewelyn means 'leader, lion-like' and was carried by Wales's own princes, so the name still echoes real history rather than just myth.
Choosing Between Bold and Quiet Royal Names
Not every name on this list shouts. Rhys means 'enthusiasm,' a short, quiet syllable that still carries centuries of Welsh royal heritage, and Arian means 'silver,' a cool, quiet shade rather than a ruler's title. Parents drawn to this meaning aren't always after something loud — sometimes a single soft syllable is enough to carry the weight.
Names List
Gael#86 in the U.S.A Gaelic-speaking person; of the Gaels — from Old Breton or Welsh, referring to the Celtic peoplesPronounced GYE-el▶Griffin#222 in the U.S.Strong lord; from Welsh Gruffudd: griff (strong, grip) + udd (lord, prince)Pronounced GRIF-in▶Rhys#412 in the U.S.From Welsh Rhys meaning ardor, enthusiasm, or passion; a historic Welsh royal and warrior namePronounced REESE▶Lewis#433 in the U.S.English and Welsh form of Louis, from Old High German Hludwig meaning renowned warrior, combining hlud (fPronounced LOO-is▶Reece#460 in the U.S.Welsh name from 'Rhys,' meaning 'ardor,' 'enthusiasm,' or 'fiery spirit'; Reece is an Anglicized spellingPronounced REES▶Kendrick#535 in the U.S.From the Welsh name Cynwrig, a compound of cyn ('chief, champion') and rig ('ruler, king'), meaning 'greaPronounced KEN-drik▶Arian#965 in the U.S.From Welsh arian meaning silver or money, a classic Welsh name; also related to Persian and Sanskrit aryaPronounced AIR-ee-un▶Mael#1057 in the U.S.Prince; chief; leader; from Breton/Welsh mael (prince, chief, leader)Pronounced MAL▶Merrick#1219 in the U.S.Ruler of the sea; Moorish personPronounced MAIR-ik▶Kendrix#1325 in the U.S.Royal ruler; son of the royal powerPronounced KEN-driks▶Roderick#1909 in the U.S.Famous rulerPronounced RAHD-uh-rihk▶Broderick#2391 in the U.S.Son of Roderick; from Welsh ap Rhydderch (son of Rhydderch — whose name means famous ruler, from Old WelsPronounced BROD-uh-rik▶Kendric#3728 in the U.S.K-less-c spelling of Kendrick — from Old English/Welsh roots read 'royal power' or 'chief hero'Pronounced KEN-drik▶Owyn#4278 in the U.S.Y-spelling of Owen — Welsh, 'young warrior' or 'well-born, noble' (linked to Eugene)Pronounced OH-win▶Llewelyn#4495 in the U.S.From Welsh Llywelyn — possibly 'leader, lion-like' or linked to 'bright'; the great medieval Welsh princePronounced loo-EL-in▶Brison#4713 in the U.S.Spelling of Bryson — 'son of Brice' (Brice possibly 'speckled' or 'noble'); routes layeredPronounced BRY-sən▶Emyr#4734 in the U.S.From Welsh emyr, 'king, lord, ruler' (also linked to Latin 'commander')Pronounced EM-ir▶Bowyn#5073 in the U.S.-yn spelling of Bowen — from Welsh ap Owain, 'son of Owen (the young/noble one)'; routes layeredPronounced BOH-win▶Griffen#5727 in the U.S.-en spelling of Griffin — from the Welsh Gruffudd, 'a strong lord/prince', and the mythical griffin (the Pronounced GRIF-ən▶Kenrick#6308 in the U.S.From Old English/Welsh, variously 'a royal ruler' (cyne, 'royal', plus ric, 'ruler') and 'a bold chief; aPronounced KEN-rik▶Llewellyn#6663 in the U.S.A spelling of Llywelyn — from Welsh, variously 'like a lion' (llew, 'a lion') and 'a leader; a ruler'; roPronounced loo-EL-in▶Kedrick#7026 in the U.S.A spelling echoing Cedric (variously 'bounty; loved; a chief') and Kendrick ('bold ruler; royal power; chPronounced KED-rik▶Kendrixx#7486 in the U.S.A stylized spelling of Kendrick — variously from Old English Cyneric, 'royal ruler; bold power', and WelsPronounced KEN-driks▶Merrik#7543 in the U.S.A spelling of Merrick — variously from the Welsh Meurig (a form of Maurice) and Old Norse, 'fame and powePronounced MEH-rik▶Kendrik#8010 in the U.S.A spelling of Kendrick — from the Old English/Welsh, variously 'a royal/bold ruler' (cyne, 'royal', + ricPronounced KEN-drik▶Alwyn#8319 in the U.S.From the Old English Aethelwine/Aelfwine, variously 'a noble friend' and 'an elf friend' (aelf, 'elf', + Pronounced AL-win▶Bron#8389 in the U.S.From the Welsh bron, 'a hill; a breast/slope'; also a short form of Auberon ('noble bear', Germanic) and Pronounced BRON▶Owens#8769 in the U.S.A patronymic surname — 'the son of Owen' (Owen, variously 'a young warrior; well-born; noble', Welsh); wePronounced OH-inz▶Owin#8805 in the U.S.A spelling of the Welsh Owen (Owain), generally read as 'young warrior' or 'well-born; noble', and linkedPronounced OH-win▶Kendryck#9417 in the U.S.A spelling of Kendrick — variously from the Welsh Cynwrig ('chief hero; royal ruler') and the English 'boPronounced KEN-drik▶Maelan#9504 in the U.S.From the Welsh/Breton — variously from mael, 'a prince/chief', hence 'little prince'; also read as a formPronounced MY-lun▶Brenin#9711 in the U.S.From the Welsh 'brenin', 'king' — a bold, regal word used as a given name. A striking, meaning-rich WelshPronounced BREH-nin▶Madoc#10492 in the U.S.From the Welsh Madog/Madoc, likely from mad, 'fortunate; good; benevolent.' A legendary Welsh name, bornePronounced MAD-uk▶Steffan#10652 in the U.S.A Welsh and German spelling of Stephen, from the Greek Stephanos, 'crown, garland, wreath' — the victor'sPronounced STEF-un▶Kenderick#11327 in the U.S.Kenderick is a spelling variant of Kendrick, an English surname from Old English or Welsh roots meaning 'Pronounced KEN-der-ik▶Rulon#12032 in the U.S.A name found especially in Welsh and Latter-day Saint (Mormon) heritage, sometimes linked to 'wheel' or rPronounced ROO-lun▶Urian#12198 in the U.S.Urian may be a form of the Welsh Urien, a legendary sixth-century king of Rheged in Arthurian tradition, Pronounced YOOR-ee-an▶Cadel#12575 in the U.S.Cadel comes from the Welsh cad, 'battle,' combined with a diminutive ending, giving a sense close to 'batPronounced kuh-DEL▶Cadell#12585 in the U.S.Cadell is a Welsh name from cad ('battle') plus a diminutive or intensive element, giving a sense of 'batPronounced kuh-DEL▶Gavinn#12710 in the U.S.Gavinn is a doubled-n spelling of Gavin, the modern form of Gawain - the name of King Arthur's loyal nephPronounced GAV-in▶Ewens#12836 in the U.S.Ewens reads as a form of Evan or Owen, Welsh names generally linked to 'young warrior' or 'well-born; nobPronounced YOO-enz▶Galahad#12877 in the U.S.Galahad is the name of the noblest knight of King Arthur's Round Table, the achiever of the Holy Grail. IPronounced GAL-uh-had▶Garreth#12902 in the U.S.Garreth is a spelling variant of Gareth, a Welsh name borne by a noble knight of King Arthurs Round TablePronounced GAIR-eth▶Maddoc#13428 in the U.S.Maddoc is a spelling of Madog, an old Welsh name usually explained from mad, 'good, fortunate' — so 'fortPronounced MAD-uk▶Owain#13536 in the U.S.A classic Welsh name, linked to the sense 'well-born; young warrior' (often connected to the Latin EugeniPronounced OH-wine▶Mervyn#13538 in the U.S.Mervyn is the anglicized form of the old Welsh name Merfyn, borne by a ninth-century king of Gwynedd. ItsPronounced MUR-vin▶Owynn#13674 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Owen, from Welsh Owain — usually glossed 'noble; well-born,' and sometimes connectPronounced OH-win▶Rhodri#13763 in the U.S.From Welsh rhod ('wheel; circle') plus rhi ('ruler; king'), giving 'wheel ruler'. It was borne by Rhodri Pronounced ROD-ree▶Stevens#13929 in the U.S.A patronymic English and Welsh surname, 'son of Steven', ultimately from Greek Stephanos, 'crown'. Used aPronounced STEE-vunz▶Tudor#14008 in the U.S.The Welsh Tudur, anglicized as Tudor — a form connected to Theodore, 'gift of God' — and the name of the Pronounced TOO-dur▶
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Frequently Asked
What is the most popular Welsh name on this list that means royalty?
Griffin is the most popular, currently ranked around #222 in the US. It means 'strong lord' and also nods to the mythical griffin, a guardian creature long associated with treasure and kings.