Geiriau'r Chwedlau · Welsh Names of the Legends
Welsh Folklore Names — Meanings & Pronunciation
Say Welsh legend names with confidence: Ceffyl Dŵr, Cŵn Annwn, Bryn Celli Ddu and more — simple pronunciation, literal meanings and the stories behind them.
Llythrennau anodd · Tricky Welsh letters
- ll — Put your tongue behind your top teeth as for 'l', then breathe out — a soft hiss, written 'hl' here. e.g. Llanddwyn, Gwyllgi
- dd — Like 'th' in 'this'. e.g. Bryn Celli Ddu, Blaidd
- f — Like English 'v'. A double ff is the English 'f'. e.g. Afanc, Aberffraw
- w — Often a vowel, like 'oo' in 'moon'. e.g. Cŵn Annwn, Twrch Trwyth
- y — 'uh' in short words like 'y' (the), often 'i' or 'u' elsewhere. e.g. Ynys Môn, Y Tylwyth Teg
- ch — Like the Scottish 'loch', never 'church'. e.g. Twrch Trwyth, Traeth Coch
- ŵ — The roof (to bach) makes the vowel long: 'oo' held a little longer. e.g. Ceffyl Dŵr, Cŵn Annwn
- Draig
- Mythôn · Dragon · Say it: DRY-g · Literally: “dragon”
Legend: Mythôn — Draig, the Dragon - Blaidd
- Mythôn · Wolf · Say it: BLYTHE (th as in 'this') · Literally: “wolf”
Legend: Mythôn — Blaidd, the Wolf - Ungorn
- Mythôn · Unicorn · Say it: IN-gorn · Literally: “one horn”
Legend: Mythôn — Ungorn, the Unicorn - Eirgawr
- Mythôn · Yeti · Say it: AYR-gowr
Legend: Mythôn — Eirgawr, the Yeti - Ceffyl Dŵr
- Mythôn · Water Horse · Say it: KEF-il DOOR · Literally: “horse of water”
Legend: Mythôn — Ceffyl Dŵr, the Water Horse · Legend: Ceffyl Dŵr — The Welsh Water Horse - Y Ddraig Goch
- Creatures · The Red Dragon · Say it: uh THRY-g GOKH (th as in 'this') · Literally: “the red dragon”
Legend: The Red Dragon of Dinas Emrys - Cŵn Annwn
- Creatures · Hounds of the Otherworld · Say it: KOON AN-oon · Literally: “hounds of Annwn”
Legend: Cŵn Annwn — The Wild Hunt of Welsh Myth - Afanc
- Creatures · The Lake Monster · Say it: AV-ank · Literally: “beaver (in modern Welsh)”
Legend: Afanc — The Beast Beneath Welsh Waters · Legend: The Afanc of Llyn Coron · See on the Myth Map - Gwyllgi
- Creatures · Dog of Darkness · Say it: GWIHLL-gee · Literally: “dusk dog”
Legend: Gwyllgi — The Dog of Darkness - Y Tylwyth Teg
- Creatures · The Fair Folk · Say it: uh TUL-with TEG · Literally: “the fair family”
Legend: Y Tylwyth Teg — The Welsh Fair Folk · Legend: The Tylwyth Teg of Menai · See on the Myth Map - Coblynau
- Creatures · Mine Knockers · Say it: kob-LUN-eye · Literally: “goblins”
Legend: Coblynau — Knockers of the Welsh Mines - Gwiber
- Creatures · Winged Serpent · Say it: GWEE-ber · Literally: “viper, adder”
Legend: The Gwiber of Penmynydd - Cath Palug
- Creatures · The Monster Cat of Môn · Say it: KATH PAL-ig · Literally: “Palug's cat”
Legend: Cath Palug — The Monster Cat of Môn - Aderyn Llwch Gwin
- Creatures · The Dust Bird · Say it: AD-er-in HLOOKH GWIN
Legend: Aderyn Llwch Gwin — The Dust Bird - Twrch Trwyth
- Creatures · The Enchanted Boar · Say it: TOORKH TROO-ith · Literally: “the boar Trwyth”
Legend: Twrch Trwyth — The Enchanted Boar - Gwrach y Rhibyn
- Creatures · Hag of the Mist · Say it: GWRAKH uh HRIB-in
Legend: Gwrach y Rhibyn — Hag of the Mist - Llamhigyn y Dŵr
- Creatures · The Water Leaper · Say it: hlam-HIG-in uh DOOR · Literally: “leaper of the water”
Legend: Llamhigyn Y Dŵr — The Water Leaper - Pwca
- Creatures · The Trickster · Say it: POO-ka
Legend: Pwca — The Trickster of the Welsh Lanes - Gwyllion
- Creatures · Hags of the Mountain Mist · Say it: GWIHLL-yon
Legend: The Gwyllion — Hags of the Welsh Mountain Mist - Gwragedd Annwn
- Creatures · Lake Maidens · Say it: GWRAG-eth AN-oon (th as in 'this') · Literally: “women of Annwn”
Legend: Gwragedd Annwn — The Lake Maidens of Wales - Y Ladi Wen
- Creatures · The White Lady · Say it: uh LA-dee WEN · Literally: “the white lady”
Legend: Y Ladi Wen — The White Lady of Wales - Mari Lwyd
- Creatures · The Grey Mare · Say it: MA-ree LOO-id
Legend: Mari Lwyd — The Grey Mare at the Door - Derwen
- Creatures · The Tree of Life · Say it: DER-wen · Literally: “oak tree”
Legend: Derwen — The Veiled Tree of Life - Branwen
- People & gods · The Heartbroken Queen · Say it: BRAN-wen
Legend: Branwen — The Heartbroken Queen of the Mabinogi · Legend: Bedd Branwen — The Heart-Mound by the Alaw · See on the Myth Map - Blodeuwedd
- People & gods · The Woman of Flowers · Say it: blod-AY-weth (th as in 'this') · Literally: “flower face”
Legend: Blodeuwedd — The Woman Made of Flowers - Santes Dwynwen
- People & gods · Saint Dwynwen · Say it: SAN-tes DOO-in-wen
Legend: Santes Dwynwen of Llanddwyn · Place: Llanddwyn Island · See on the Myth Map - Seiriol
- People & gods · Saint Seiriol · Say it: SAY-ree-ol
Legend: Saint Seiriol the Fair — The Penmon Hermit · Place: Penmon Priory · See on the Myth Map - Cybi
- People & gods · Saint Cybi · Say it: KUB-ee
Legend: Saint Cybi the Tanned — Caer Gybi at Holyhead · See on the Myth Map - Dewi Sant
- People & gods · Saint David · Say it: DEH-wee SANT · Literally: “Saint David”
Legend: Saint David — Dewi Sant, Patron of Wales - Arawn
- People & gods · King of Annwn · Say it: AR-own
Legend: Arawn — King of Annwn - Llŷr
- People & gods · The Sea God · Say it: HLEER
Legend: Llŷr — The Welsh Sea God - Dylan Ail Don
- People & gods · Son of the Wave · Say it: DUL-an ILE DON
Legend: Dylan Ail Don — The Welsh Son of the Wave - Math fab Mathonwy
- People & gods · The Magician-King · Say it: MATH vab math-ON-wee · Literally: “Math son of Mathonwy”
Legend: Math fab Mathonwy — The Magician-King of Gwynedd - Gwydion
- People & gods · The Trickster Magician · Say it: GWID-yon
Legend: Gwydion — Trickster-Magician of the Mabinogi - Llew Llaw Gyffes
- People & gods · The Bright One · Say it: HLEH-oo HLOW GUF-es
Legend: Llew Llaw Gyffes — The Bright One of the Mabinogi - Taliesin
- People & gods · The Veiled Bard · Say it: tal-YES-in · Literally: “shining brow”
Legend: Taliesin — The Veiled Bard - Manawydan fab Llŷr
- People & gods · The Patient Enchanter · Say it: man-a-WUD-an vab HLEER · Literally: “Manawydan son of Llŷr”
Legend: Manawydan fab Llŷr — The Patient Enchanter - Lludd a Llefelys
- People & gods · Lludd and Llefelys · Say it: HLEETH a hle-VEL-is (th as in 'this')
Legend: Lludd and Llefelys — The Three Plagues of Britain - Rhita Gawr
- People & gods · The Giant of Yr Wyddfa · Say it: HREE-ta GOWR · Literally: “Rhita the giant”
Legend: Rhita Gawr — The Giant of Yr Wyddfa - Culhwch ac Olwen
- People & gods · Culhwch and Olwen · Say it: KIL-hookh ak OL-wen
Legend: Culhwch and Olwen — The Flower-Footed Maiden - Ynys Môn
- Places · Anglesey · Say it: UN-is MAWN · Literally: “the island of Môn”
Legend: Ynys Môn — Mother of Wales · Legend: The Druids of Ynys Môn — The Last Stand on Mona - Bryn Celli Ddu
- Places · The Mound in the Dark Grove · Say it: brin KEH-hlee THEE (th as in 'this') · Literally: “the hill of the dark grove”
Legend: Bryn Celli Ddu — The Mound in the Dark Grove · Place: Bryn Celli Ddu · See on the Myth Map - Barclodiad y Gawres
- Places · The Giantess's Apronful · Say it: bar-KLOD-yad uh GOW-res · Literally: “the giantess's apronful”
Legend: Barclodiad y Gawres — The Giantess's Apronful · Place: Barclodiad y Gawres · See on the Myth Map - Ynys Llanddwyn
- Places · Llanddwyn Island · Say it: UN-is HLAN-thoo-in (th as in 'this') · Literally: “island of Dwynwen's church”
Legend: Santes Dwynwen of Llanddwyn · Place: Llanddwyn Island · See on the Myth Map - Bedd Branwen
- Places · Branwen's Grave · Say it: BETH BRAN-wen (th as in 'this') · Literally: “Branwen's grave”
Legend: Bedd Branwen — The Heart-Mound by the Alaw · See on the Myth Map - Llyn Cerrig Bach
- Places · Lake of the Little Stones · Say it: HLIN KER-ig BAKH · Literally: “lake of the little stones”
Legend: Llyn Cerrig Bach — The Druids' Drowned Hoard · See on the Myth Map - Din Dryfol
- Places · Din Dryfol Burial Chamber · Say it: DIN DRUV-ol
Legend: Din Dryfol — The Red Wyrm Beneath the Cromlech · Place: Din Dryfol Burial Chamber · See on the Myth Map - Ynys Seiriol
- Places · Puffin Island · Say it: UN-is SAY-ree-ol · Literally: “Seiriol's island”
Legend: Ynys Seiriol — The Ghost Monks of Puffin Island · Place: Ynys Seiriol · See on the Myth Map - Caer Gybi
- Places · Holyhead · Say it: KYRE GUB-ee · Literally: “Cybi's fort”
Legend: Saint Cybi the Tanned — Caer Gybi at Holyhead · Place: Caer Gybi · See on the Myth Map - Ynys Lawd
- Places · South Stack · Say it: UN-is LOWD
Legend: The Sirens of South Stack · Place: South Stack · See on the Myth Map - Mynydd Tŵr
- Places · Holyhead Mountain · Say it: MUN-ith TOOR (th as in 'this') · Literally: “tower mountain”
Place: Holyhead Mountain · See on the Myth Map - Caer y Tŵr
- Places · Caer y Tŵr hillfort · Say it: KYRE uh TOOR · Literally: “fort of the tower”
Place: Caer y Tŵr · See on the Myth Map - Mynydd Parys
- Places · Parys Mountain · Say it: MUN-ith PA-ris (th as in 'this') · Literally: “Parys mountain”
Legend: Coblynau — Knockers of the Welsh Mines · Place: Parys Mountain · See on the Myth Map - Porthaethwy
- Places · Menai Bridge · Say it: porth-EYE-thwee
Place: Menai Bridge · See on the Myth Map - Pont Britannia
- Places · Britannia Bridge · Say it: PONT bri-TAN-ya · Literally: “Britannia bridge”
Place: Britannia Bridge · See on the Myth Map - Aberffraw
- Places · Aberffraw · Say it: ab-ER-frow · Literally: “mouth of the Ffraw”
Legend: Aberffraw — Court of the Princes of Gwynedd · Place: Aberffraw · See on the Myth Map - Llys Rhosyr
- Places · The Court of Rhosyr · Say it: HLEES HROS-ir · Literally: “court of Rhosyr”
Place: Llys Rhosyr · See on the Myth Map - Castell Biwmares
- Places · Beaumaris Castle · Say it: KAS-tehhl byoo-MAR-es · Literally: “Beaumaris castle”
Place: Beaumaris Castle · See on the Myth Map - Coedwig Niwbwrch
- Places · Newborough Forest · Say it: KOYD-wig NEW-boorkh · Literally: “Newborough forest”
Place: Newborough Forest · See on the Myth Map - Trwyn Du
- Places · Penmon Point · Say it: TROO-in DEE · Literally: “black point”
Place: Penmon Point · See on the Myth Map - Priordy Penmon
- Places · Penmon Priory · Say it: PREE-or-dee PEN-mon · Literally: “Penmon priory”
Legend: Saint Seiriol the Fair — The Penmon Hermit · Place: Penmon Priory · See on the Myth Map - Traeth Coch
- Places · Red Wharf Bay · Say it: TRYTH KOKH · Literally: “red beach”
Place: Red Wharf Bay · See on the Myth Map - Porth Swtan
- Places · Church Bay · Say it: PORTH SOOT-an
Place: Church Bay · See on the Myth Map - Eglwys Cwyfan
- Places · St Cwyfan's Church · Say it: EG-loo-is KOO-ee-van · Literally: “Cwyfan's church”
Place: St Cwyfan’s Church · See on the Myth Map - Plas Newydd
- Places · Plas Newydd · Say it: PLAS NEW-ith (th as in 'this') · Literally: “new mansion”
Place: Plas Newydd · See on the Myth Map - Tŵr Marcwis
- Places · Marquess of Anglesey's Column · Say it: TOOR MARK-wis · Literally: “the marquess's tower”
Place: Marquess of Anglesey’s Column · See on the Myth Map - Din Lligwy
- Places · Din Lligwy · Say it: DIN HLIG-wee
Place: Din Lligwy · See on the Myth Map - Cromlech Lligwy
- Places · Lligwy Burial Chamber · Say it: KROM-lekh HLIG-wee · Literally: “Lligwy cromlech”
Legend: The Giant of Lligwy Cromlech · Place: Lligwy Burial Chamber · See on the Myth Map - Hen Gapel Lligwy
- Places · Lligwy Old Chapel · Say it: HEN GAP-el HLIG-wee · Literally: “old chapel of Lligwy”
Place: Hen Gapel Lligwy · See on the Myth Map - Cytiau'r Gwyddelod
- Places · Tŷ Mawr Hut Circles · Say it: KUT-yire GWITH-el-od (th as in 'this') · Literally: “the Irishmen's huts”
Place: Tŷ Mawr Hut Circles · See on the Myth Map - Meini Hirion Penrhos Feilw
- Places · Penrhos Feilw Standing Stones · Say it: MAY-nee HIR-yon PEN-hros VILE-oo · Literally: “long stones of Penrhos Feilw”
Place: Penrhos Feilw Standing Stones · See on the Myth Map - Siambr Gladdu Trefignath
- Places · Trefignath Burial Chamber · Say it: tre-VIG-nath
Legend: Trefignath — The Three Sisters of Stone · Place: Trefignath Burial Chamber · See on the Myth Map - Siambr Gladdu Presaddfed
- Places · Presaddfed Burial Chamber · Say it: pre-SATH-ved (th as in 'this')
Place: Presaddfed Burial Chamber · See on the Myth Map - Siambr Gladdu Bodowyr
- Places · Bodowyr Burial Chamber · Say it: bod-OW-ir
Place: Bodowyr Burial Chamber · See on the Myth Map - Siambr Gladdu Tŷ Newydd
- Places · Tŷ Newydd Burial Chamber · Say it: TEE NEW-ith (th as in 'this') · Literally: “new house”
Place: Tŷ Newydd Burial Chamber · See on the Myth Map - Siambr Gladdu Pant y Saer
- Places · Pant y Saer Burial Chamber · Say it: PANT uh SIRE · Literally: “the carpenter's hollow”
Place: Pant y Saer Burial Chamber · See on the Myth Map - Castell Bryn Gwyn
- Places · Castell Bryn Gwyn · Say it: KAS-tehhl brin GWIN · Literally: “castle of the white hill”
Place: Castell Bryn Gwyn · See on the Myth Map - Caer Leb
- Places · Caer Leb · Say it: KYRE LEB
Place: Caer Leb · See on the Myth Map - Bwrdd Arthur
- Places · Arthur's Table (Din Sylwy) · Say it: BOORTH AR-thir (th as in 'this', then as in 'thin') · Literally: “Arthur's table”
Legend: Bwrdd Arthur — Arthur's Table on Ynys Môn · Place: Din Sylwy · See on the Myth Map - Llanddona
- Places · Llanddona · Say it: hlan-THON-a (th as in 'this') · Literally: “Dona's church”
Legend: The Witches of Llanddona - Dinas Emrys
- Places · Dinas Emrys · Say it: DEE-nas EM-ris · Literally: “fort of Emrys”
Legend: The Red Dragon of Dinas Emrys