Welsh Girl Names That Mean the Sea
This collection of Welsh girl names that mean the sea draws on old words for waves, tides, and open water, from Morgan to Dylan.
Names106
OriginWelsh
Meaningthe Sea
GenderGirl
Wales is a coastline as much as a country, and its old naming stock reflects that. Morgan comes straight from mor, the Welsh word for sea, paired with a root meaning circle or bright, literally a name shaped like the horizon. Dylan goes further still, naming a mythic figure born of the sea itself.
Other names on this list carry water more quietly. Jennifer and Jenna trace to Guinevere and mean white wave, while Winnie softens into a white stream. Even the modern -lyn names, like Braelynn, Emmalyn, and Maelyn, borrow the Welsh word for lake.
Why Welsh girl names that mean the sea keep surfacing
Welsh mythology treats the sea as a character in its own right, which is why the language produced names built directly from it. Morgan ties back to Morgan le Fay, the Arthurian enchantress, carrying the mor- sea root beneath the legend. Dylan, meaning son of the ocean, started as a boy's name and now crosses freely into girls' use.
From waves to lakes: the softer side of Welsh water names
Jennifer and Jenna both descend from Guinevere and mean white wave, a gentler cousin to Morgan's open sea. Winnie, short for Winifred, means white stream, and the -lyn suffix on Braelynn, Emmalyn, and Maelyn borrows straight from the Welsh word for lake. Together they show how one small language built an entire vocabulary of moving water.
Names List
Morgan#312 in the U.S.Sea circle; great brightness; from Welsh mor (sea, great) + cant (circle, completion)Pronounced MOR-gun▶Gwendolyn#360 in the U.S.From the Welsh elements 'gwen' (white, fair, blessed) and 'dolen' (ring, loop, link) or 'dwyn' (white, waPronounced GWEN-doh-lin▶Meredith#469 in the U.S.From the Welsh name Maredudd or Meredydd, composed of 'mawr' (great) and 'udd' (lord, ruler), meaning 'grPronounced MAIR-uh-dith▶Winnie#475 in the U.S.Short form of Winifred, from the Welsh Gwenfrewi composed of 'gwen' (white, fair, blessed) and 'ffrwd' (sPronounced WIN-ee▶Raelyn#502 in the U.S.Modern American blend of Rae (a short form of Rachel, from Hebrew meaning 'ewe,' or a variant meaning 'bePronounced RAY-lin▶Jennifer#586 in the U.S.Cornish form of Guinevere, from Old Welsh Gwenhwyfar, composed of gwen ('white,' 'fair,' 'blessed') and hPronounced JEN-ih-fer▶Jenna#679 in the U.S.Diminutive form of Jennifer or an independent form from the Cornish and Welsh Guinevere or Gwenhwyfar, mePronounced JEN-uh▶Dylan#808 in the U.S.Born of the ocean or son of the sea; from the Welsh Dylan Eil Ton, composed of Welsh elements meaning grePronounced DIL-un▶Braelynn#837 in the U.S.American compound name combining the Scottish Gaelic brae (hillside, slope) with the Welsh element Lynn (Pronounced BRAY-lin▶Kendra#849 in the U.S.Possibly a feminine form of Kendrick, from Old English Cyneric meaning 'royal power' or 'greatest champioPronounced KEN-druh▶Emmalyn#1122 in the U.S.Whole or universal (Emma) combined with lake or peaceful (-lyn from Welsh llyn); a compound of Emma and tPronounced EM-uh-lin▶Maelyn#1185 in the U.S.Single-n variant of Maelynn; compound of Mae/Maël (Breton: prince, chief) and -lyn (Welsh: lake)Pronounced MAY-lin▶Maylin#1193 in the U.S.Modern compound of May (the month, from Latin Maia) and -lin (short form of -lynn: Welsh lake); or a formPronounced MAY-lin▶Raylynn#1201 in the U.S.Ray of light combined with -lynn (Welsh: lake); modern American compound namePronounced RAY-lin▶Emberlyn#1251 in the U.S.Modern compound of Ember (a glowing fragment of fire) and -lyn (Welsh: lake, or English feminine suffix)Pronounced EM-ber-lin▶Mari#1510 in the U.S.A short form or variant of Mary/Maria, used in Welsh, Scandinavian, and other traditions; the underlying Pronounced MAH-ree▶Lynnlee#2333 in the U.S.lake meadow or waterside clearingPronounced LIN-lee▶Dillon#3228 in the U.S.Irish surname from the Norman given name Dillon, possibly from de Leon, 'of the lion'Pronounced DIL-ən▶Rynn#4262 in the U.S.Modern one-syllable name echoing Wren (the bird) and -ryn endings (Welsh 'ruler/water' lines); routes layPronounced RIN▶Aelyn#5287 in the U.S.Modern coinage joining an Ae- opening (echoing Aelin/Aria) to the -lyn ending (echoing Lynn, 'lake'); no Pronounced AY-lin▶Angelyn#5617 in the U.S.Blend of Angel ('a messenger of God', Greek angelos) with the -lyn ending ('lake'); also echoes Angeline;Pronounced AN-jə-lin▶Meryle#5703 in the U.S.Meryle is a variant spelling of Meryl, itself a short form of Muriel, from the Celtic muir 'sea' and gheaPronounced MEH-ril▶Lynnie#5878 in the U.S.A pet form of Lynn/Lynne — from Welsh llyn, 'a lake, a pool'; also a pet of Carolyn, Evelyn, and other -lPronounced LIN-ee▶Lynelle#6279 in the U.S.A modern name joining Lynn ('a lake', Welsh) with the French -elle ending; 'a little lake'; routes layerePronounced lih-NEL▶Cai#6415 in the U.S.A Welsh form of Kai — variously 'rejoice' (Welsh) and 'the sea' (Hawaiian kai); used for both sexes; herePronounced KY▶Morgana#6542 in the U.S.A feminine of Morgan — from Welsh, variously 'a sea-circle; bright sea' (mor, 'sea', plus cant, 'circle',Pronounced mor-GAH-nah▶Breelynn#6654 in the U.S.A modern blend of Bree (variously 'a hill; strength; noble', a short form of Brianna/Brigid) with Lynn ('Pronounced BREE-lin▶Faelyn#6707 in the U.S.A modern blend of Fae ('a fairy', from Latin fata) with the -lyn ending ('a lake', from Welsh llyn); routPronounced FAY-lin▶Faithlynn#6708 in the U.S.A compound of Faith (the virtue, from Latin fides, 'faith; trust') with Lynn ('a lake', from Welsh llyn);Pronounced FAYTH-lin▶Fayelynn#6711 in the U.S.A modern blend of Faye ('a fairy', from Latin fata) with the -lynn ending ('a lake', from Welsh llyn); roPronounced FAY-lin▶Rayelynn#6845 in the U.S.A modern blend joining Rae (a pet of Rachel, 'a ewe', also read as 'a ray of light') with the -lynn endinPronounced RAY-uh-lin▶Rhaelynn#6848 in the U.S.A modern blend joining Rhae/Rae (a pet of Rachel, 'a ewe', also read as 'a ray of light') with the -lynn Pronounced RAY-lin▶Skyelynn#6866 in the U.S.A modern blend joining Skye (the word sky, and the Isle of Skye) with the -lynn ending ('a lake', from WePronounced SKY-lin▶Tylynn#6885 in the U.S.A modern blend joining a Ty- element (a short form of names like Tyler) with the -lynn ending ('a lake', Pronounced TY-lin▶Dylann#6990 in the U.S.A spelling of Dylan — from Welsh, 'son/child of the sea; the sea; the tide'; mostly a boys' name; here usPronounced DIL-an▶Gracelynne#7015 in the U.S.A blend of Grace ('grace; favor; God's grace') and Lynn ('a lake; a waterfall; a pool'); routes layeredPronounced GRAYS-lin▶Graylynn#7017 in the U.S.A modern blend of Gray (a color/surname) and Lynn ('a lake; a waterfall; a pool'); routes layeredPronounced GRAY-lin▶Natalynn#7133 in the U.S.A modern blend of Natalie ('Christmas; born on Christmas Day', from Latin natalis) and Lynn ('a lake; a wPronounced NAT-uh-lin▶Lear#7135 in the U.S.Lear is best known as a surname and as the name of Shakespeare's King Lear, a character drawn from BritisPronounced LEER▶Quinlynn#7152 in the U.S.A modern blend of Quinn ('descendant of Conn; chief; wisdom', Irish) and Lynn ('a lake; a waterfall'); roPronounced KWIN-lin▶Raelin#7154 in the U.S.A modern blend of Rae (a short form of Rachel, 'a ewe', or of Rae/Ray, 'grace') and Lynn ('a lake; a watePronounced RAY-lin▶Reighlyn#7160 in the U.S.An ornate spelling of Raylyn — a blend of Rae ('a ewe; grace') and Lynn ('a lake; a waterfall'); routes lPronounced RAY-lin▶Starlynn#7195 in the U.S.A modern blend of Star (the word, 'a star') and Lynn ('a lake; a waterfall'); routes layeredPronounced STAR-lin▶Merrin#7447 in the U.S.A Cornish/Welsh name, variously linked to Morwenna, 'maiden; sea-(born)', and to the saint Merryn; routesPronounced MER-in▶Marvine#7749 in the U.S.Marvine is a feminine form of Marvin, a name usually traced to the Welsh Merfyn, of uncertain first elemePronounced mar-VEEN▶Arlynn#7988 in the U.S.A modern name, joining an Ar- element (echoing Arlene) with Lynn ('a lake; a pool', from Welsh llyn); no Pronounced AR-lin▶Brecklynn#8011 in the U.S.A modern name, joining Breck (a Scottish/Irish element, 'speckled; freckled') with Lynn ('a lake; a pool'Pronounced BREK-lin▶Klynn#8176 in the U.S.A modern name, joining the initial K with Lynn ('a lake; a pool', from Welsh llyn); no single fixed root;Pronounced KLIN▶Macklynn#8218 in the U.S.A modern name, joining Mack (a Scottish/Irish element, 'son of') with Lynn ('a lake; a pool', Welsh); no Pronounced MAK-lin▶Merlin#8241 in the U.S.From the Welsh Myrddin, variously 'a sea fortress' and 'a falcon (the merlin)' — the wizard of Arthurian Pronounced MUR-lin▶Analynn#8456 in the U.S.A compound of Ana ('grace; favour', Hebrew) and Lynn ('a lake; a waterfall', Welsh); a compound; we note Pronounced AN-ah-lin▶Lynnette#8719 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Lynette — from the Welsh Eluned, variously 'an idol; an image' and 'a little lake' (liPronounced lih-NET▶Marylynn#9313 in the U.S.A compound name — Mary (variously 'star of the sea; beloved; bitter') joined with Lynn ('a lake/pool', frPronounced MAIR-ee-lin▶Noralynn#9364 in the U.S.A compound name — Nora (from Eleanor/Honora, variously 'light; honor') joined with Lynn ('a lake/pool', fPronounced NOR-uh-lin▶Adda#9531 in the U.S.A short form of Adela/Adelaide — from the Germanic adal, 'noble'; also a Welsh name (linked to a river/'aPronounced AH-dah▶Brynlynn#9644 in the U.S.A compound name — Bryn ('a hill', Welsh) joined with Lynn ('a lake/pool', Welsh); we note the compoundPronounced BRIN-lin▶Danilynn#9674 in the U.S.A compound name — Dani (a short form of Daniela, 'God is my judge') joined with Lynn ('a lake', Welsh); wPronounced DAN-uh-lin▶Dillan#9699 in the U.S.A spelling of Dylan — from the Welsh, 'son of the sea; a great tide/flow'; more often a boys' name; here Pronounced DIL-un▶Emilynn#9731 in the U.S.A compound name — Emily ('rival; industrious', Latin) joined with a -lynn ending ('a pool/lake', Welsh)Pronounced EM-ih-lin▶Greylynn#9773 in the U.S.A modern name, joining Grey (the color/a grey-haired one, English) with a -lynn ending ('a pool/lake', WePronounced GRAY-lin▶Heartlynn#9786 in the U.S.A modern name, joining Heart (the English word, a symbol of love) with a -lynn ending ('a pool/lake', WelPronounced HART-lin▶Karalynn#9855 in the U.S.A compound name — Kara ('beloved; dear', Latin/Italian cara) joined with a -lynn ending ('a pool/lake', WPronounced KAR-ah-lin▶Meryn#9983 in the U.S.A spelling of Merryn/Merrin — a Cornish saint's name of uncertain meaning, variously linked to 'of the sePronounced MER-in▶Rosselyn#10092 in the U.S.A spelling of Roselyn/Rosalyn — blending Rose ('a rose', Latin) with the -lyn suffix (from Lynn, 'a lake/Pronounced ROZ-eh-lin▶Skilynn#10147 in the U.S.A modern blend of Sky/Skye ('the sky', or the Scottish isle) with the -lynn suffix (from Lynn, 'a lake/poPronounced SKY-lin▶Yennifer#10207 in the U.S.A Latina spelling of Jennifer — from the Welsh Gwenhwyfar, 'a fair/white wave; the fair/smooth one' (the Pronounced YEN-ih-fur▶Graclynn#10524 in the U.S.A modern blend of Grace ('grace; favor') with the fashionable -lynn ending (from Welsh, 'lake; pool'). A Pronounced GRAY-lin▶Hopelynn#10548 in the U.S.A modern blend of the virtue word Hope ('hope; trust; expectation') with the fashionable -lynn ending ('lPronounced HOHP-lin▶Veralynn#11009 in the U.S.A modern compound of Vera (Latin 'true,' or Slavic 'faith') and Lynn (Welsh 'lake; pool'). A sweet, vintaPronounced VAIR-uh-lin▶Brinlynn#11255 in the U.S.A modern blend of a Brin- prefix (Welsh Bryn, 'hill') with the popular -lynn ending (from Lynn, 'lake; poPronounced BRIN-lin▶Gwenevieve#11567 in the U.S.A blended form of Guinevere (Welsh Gwenhwyfar, 'white; fair; smooth') and Genevieve (French, 'tribe womanPronounced GWEN-uh-veev▶Lyn#11697 in the U.S.A spelling of Lynn, from the Welsh llyn, 'lake; pool,' also read as a short form of Linda ('pretty') or nPronounced LIN▶Morgen#11854 in the U.S.A spelling of Morgan, a Welsh name linked to 'sea-born; bright sea; sea-circle' (as with Morgan le Fay); Pronounced MOR-gen▶Rhonda#11903 in the U.S.A Welsh-rooted name linked to the Rhondda valley and river (from rhon, 'spear,' and da, 'good' — 'good spPronounced RON-dah▶Zylynn#12119 in the U.S.A modern coinage pairing a stylish Zy- opening with the -lynn ending (from Welsh lyn, 'lake; pool'). It hPronounced ZY-lin▶Brynlyn#12375 in the U.S.A modern American coinage. Bryn is a genuine Welsh word for a hill, used as a name in Wales; -lyn traces Pronounced BRIN-lin▶Lynna#12890 in the U.S.An elaboration of Lynn, from Welsh llyn, 'lake', with a soft -a ending; also read as a short form of namePronounced LIN-uh▶Lynnlea#12891 in the U.S.A modern blend of Lynn (Welsh llyn, 'lake') with the English element lea/leigh, 'meadow, clearing', givinPronounced LIN-lee▶Morgyn#13003 in the U.S.Morgyn is a modern respelling of Morgan, from Welsh mor ('sea') plus a second element usually read as canPronounced MOR-gin▶Morwenna#13007 in the U.S.A Cornish and Welsh name usually glossed 'maiden', from a root related to Welsh morwyn; some readings tiePronounced mor-WEN-uh▶Rubylynn#13159 in the U.S.Rubylynn joins Ruby (Latin rubeus, 'red,' via the gemstone) with Lynn (Welsh llyn, 'lake'), following thePronounced ROO-bee-lin▶Rylynne#13169 in the U.S.Rylynne is a modern American blend: the fashionable Ry- opening (from Riley, Ryan or Rylee) joined to LynPronounced RY-lin▶Shailyn#13213 in the U.S.Shailyn joins the Shay- opening (from Irish Shea/Shay) to the suffix -lyn, from Welsh llyn, 'lake,' by waPronounced SHAY-lin▶Sherilyn#13227 in the U.S.Sherilyn blends Cheryl — itself likely from French cherie, 'darling; beloved,' or a form of Charlotte — wPronounced SHER-ih-lin▶Morgaine#13307 in the U.S.Morgaine is a literary form of Morgan, a name that goes back to the Old Welsh Morcant. The first element Pronounced mor-GAYN▶Morgane#13385 in the U.S.Morgane is the French feminine form of Morgan, a Welsh name usually explained from mor, the sea, with a sPronounced mor-GAHN▶Alyn#13532 in the U.S.Alyn is the name of a river in north-east Wales (Afon Alun) and of the district around it; as a given namPronounced AL-in▶Brynnlyn#13734 in the U.S.A modern American blend joining Brynn (Welsh bryn, 'hill') to the fashionable -lyn ending (from Welsh llyPronounced BRIN-lin▶Dilyn#13893 in the U.S.Dilyn is a modern American respelling in the Dylan family; Welsh Dylan is usually read 'great tide' or 'sPronounced DIL-in▶Dyllan#13904 in the U.S.A respelled form of Dylan, a Welsh name usually read as 'great tide' or 'born of the sea' (Welsh dy, an iPronounced DIL-un▶Eleri#13918 in the U.S.A Welsh name borne by a river in Ceredigion and by an early Welsh saint said to be a daughter of Brychan Pronounced eh-LEH-ree▶Jennalyn#14190 in the U.S.Jennalyn joins Jenna — from Jennifer, whose root is Welsh Gwenhwyfar, 'white, fair, smooth' — with the ubPronounced JEN-uh-lin▶Jerilynn#14192 in the U.S.Jerilynn joins Jeri — a pet form of Geraldine, from Germanic elements meaning 'spear' and 'rule' — with LPronounced JAIR-ih-lin▶Dylin#14286 in the U.S.A respelling of Dylan, from the Welsh, traditionally 'son of the sea; great tide.' Long a boys' name, it Pronounced DIL-in▶Lauralynn#14430 in the U.S.A twentieth-century American double name joining Laura (Latin laurus, 'laurel') to Lynn (from Welsh llyn,Pronounced LAWR-uh-lin▶Lynne#14507 in the U.S.From the Welsh llyn, 'lake; pool' — the same word behind place names across Wales. Lynne is the -e spelliPronounced LIN▶Lynni#14508 in the U.S.A diminutive spelling of Lynnie, from Lynn — the Welsh llyn, 'lake; pool'. The -i ending is a modern, affPronounced LIN-ee▶Maelynne#14520 in the U.S.A contemporary blend of Mae (pet form of Mary or Margaret) and Lynn, from the Welsh llyn, 'lake'. Both paPronounced MAY-lin▶Dylana#15008 in the U.S.Dylana adds a feminine -a ending to Dylan, a Welsh name usually read as great tide or son of the sea and Pronounced dih-LAN-uh▶Morganne#15941 in the U.S.Morganne is a feminized spelling of Morgan, an old Welsh name generally read as 'sea-born' or 'sea-circlePronounced MOR-gan▶Marvina#16662 in the U.S.Marvina is the feminine form of Marvin, whose usual source is the Welsh Merfyn, later reshaped in EnglishPronounced mar-VEE-nuh▶Marva#16741 in the U.S.A feminine form of Marvin, from the Welsh Merfyn or Old English Merewine, generally read as 'sea friend.'Pronounced MAR-vuh▶Morgann#16866 in the U.S.Morgann is a doubled-n spelling of Morgan, a Welsh name usually given as 'sea-born' or 'sea-circle.' MorgPronounced MOR-gun▶Morghan#16902 in the U.S.Morghan is a respelling of Morgan, an old Welsh name usually derived from mor 'sea' plus a second elementPronounced MOR-gun▶Morganna#18303 in the U.S.Morganna is a doubled-n variant of Morgana, the feminine, Latinate form of Morgan used in Arthurian legenPronounced mor-GAN-uh▶Merri#18652 in the U.S.Merri is a bright spelling of the English word merry ('joyful, cheerful'), and it can also serve as a shoPronounced MAIR-ee▶
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Morgan mean in Welsh?
Morgan comes from Welsh roots meaning sea circle or great brightness. It's best known through Morgan le Fay, the Arthurian enchantress, and has become a popular gender-neutral choice that in the U.S. leans mostly female.
Is Dylan a Welsh name for girls?
Dylan was originally a Welsh boy's name meaning born of the sea, tied to a mythic figure who returned to the ocean at birth. In the U.S. it has crossed over and is now used for girls too.
Why do so many -lyn names show up on a Welsh sea-names list?
The suffix -lyn comes from the Welsh word for lake, seen in Braelynn, Emmalyn, and Maelyn. It's a modern American invention, not a historic Welsh name, but it keeps the same watery instinct alive.