Welsh Mythology Dog Names

Introduction

Wales is a country with a storied and complex history, which stretches back many centuries, and is a place that has undergone many changes since it was first founded. We feel that the gods, monsters, and heroes of Welsh mythology have always served as a great means of reflecting the mindset of the Welsh people after so many years of change and adversity; more than most pantheons, the gods of the Welsh pantheon are more benevolent and keen on helping their people through hard times. The gods of the Welsh Pantheon also are more unified than most of the deities, possibly reflecting the Welsh people's desire to remain unified despite any external factors. This theme will provide plenty of tags to use as a way to identify your awesome pup!

Welsh Mythology Dog Names In Pop Culture

Featured Famous Welsh Mythology Dog

Gwyllgi

There are a number of prominent dogs that can be found in Welsh mythology who range from mortal canines who exhibited extraordinary character traits to supernatural dogs with otherworldly abilities. We'd like to focus on the latter category of Welsh mythological dogs as there have recently been a number of accounts that suggest possible runs ins with these creatures. One of the most famous and feared Welsh mythological dogs is a being that is known as Gwyllgi. Gwyllgi's name may not sound too threatening to the uninitiated, but this beast's name is actually a portmanteau that combines the Welsh words for twilight and dog (gwyll and ci).

As the story goes, Gwyllgi is something of a spectral hound that has terrorized the denizens of Wales for an innumerable number of years. Gwyllgi has often been described as physically looking like a massive black wolf or a Mastiff with a pitch black coat of fur, fiery red eyes, and teeth as sharp as swords. Gwyllgi is said to smell horrible and is also alleged to have breath so rancid that it can induce a headache and nausea in those who merely take a whiff of its odorous breath. These traits would be scary enough but the Gwyllgi's most terrifying features are its abilities that seemingly defy the laws of physics, and all reason, in tandem.

You see, the Gwyllgi earned its dreaded reputation by purportedly chasing after unsuspecting victims who just so happened to be travelling by themselves on a night where the Gwyllgi felt particularly ornery. Many reports of Gwyllgi sightings claim that the dog manifests either out of thin air or the darkness that often coats the roads of Wales. This is why the Gwyllgi is known as "The Dog of Darkness" or "The Black Hound of Destiny" to certain inhabitants of Wales; once the demon dog materializes from the darkness, one's destiny is all but sealed.

Many Gwyllgi sightings originate from Northern Wales, where the creature is said to be the most active. What's truly astonishing about the tale of the Gwyllgi is the fact that so many sightings have been reported over so many centuries; whether one believes in the Gwyllgi or not, its enduring prevalence in Welsh culture is truly remarkable. Some have theorized that Gwyllgi may be one of the Cŵn Annwn (spectral dogs from the Welsh high plain of Annwn,) who may have lost its way home and resolved itself to residing on Earth until it can find a way back.

Welsh Mythology Dog Name Considerations

We can think of a number of great reasons as to why you should give your dog a Welsh mythology name, so we'll go through a few of the more pertinent reasons one by one. First and foremost if you're a mythology buff, you should definitely consider naming your dog after a figure from the Welsh pantheon due to how pervasive these figures are; many of the beings from Welsh mythology are very closely tied to figures like King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The Welsh King Leodegrance, for example, served directly under Arthur's father Uther Pendragon and is the father of Lady Guinevere herself.

Another reason you may want to consider giving your dog a name inspired by a Welsh mythological figure is a simple matter of etymology; most of the names attributed to figures from Welsh mythology tend to literally translate to a word that represents the aspect of life they preside over; one of the most prominent Welsh gods of the wilderness goes by the name Myrddin Wyllt. As it happens, Myrddin's name quite literally translates to "Myrddin of the Wild." So if you're a big nature buff, or if you own a dog who is, consider naming your pet after Myrddin or another the other Welsh forest gods or goddesses.

Male Welsh Mythology Dog Names

Votes	Name	Vote
1	Aaron The Biblical name which may have inspired Arawn's
1	Gwyn Gwyn ap Nudd was another Welsh figure who ruled Annwn
1	Merlin Myrddin was also known as Merlin Sylvestris
1	Sylvester A name derived from Stlvestris
0	Arawn Chief deity of the Welsh pantheon and ruler of the Annwn
0	Nudd The last part of Gwyn's name
0	Dafydd Another Welsh figure tied to Gwyn
0	Ogyruan The Welsh god of bards
0	Ogyrvan Another way to spell Ogyruan's name
0	Gogyrfan Another name related to Ogyruan
0	Leodegrance Ogyruan's son and the king of Cameliard
0	Leondegrance An alternate spelling of Leodegrance's name
0	Leodogran A shorter way to spell Leodegrance's name
0	Myrddin The Welsh god of the forest
0	Wyllt Myrddin's last name, making his full name "Myrddin of the Wild"
0	Emrys Another name attributed to Myrddin
0	Merlinus Merlinus Caledonensis is another of Myrddin's names
0	Amaethon The Welsh god of agriculture
0	Ambaxtonos An ancient Celtic word that inspired Amaethon's name
0	Brân Brân the Blessed was a Giant and a ruler of Albion
0	Bendigeidfran Brân's Welsh name
0	Fendigaidd Brân's Welsh last name means blessed crow
0	Gwydion A prominent Welsh god of war
0	Gwyddien The way to spell Gwydion's name in modern Welsh
0	Guidgen The Old Welsh way to spell Gwydion's name
0	Fidgen The Old Irish version of Gwydion's name
0	Gofannon The Welsh god of smithing
0	Govannon Another version of Gofannon's name
0	Nisien A tranquil and kind Welsh figure
0	Efnysien Nisien's twin brother, who was the Cain to his Abel

Female Welsh Mythology Dog Names

Votes	Name	Vote
1	Maude A modern name that's based off of Modron's
1	Morgan In service to Morgan le Fay, the infamous witch from Arthurian legend
1	Morgana One of the many other names Morgan le Fay went by
1	Gwen Taken from Gwen Teirbron, a Holy woman of Breton origin
0	Dôn A chief Welsh female goddess and the mother of many other Welsh deities
0	Donah Another name derived from Dôn's name
0	Modron A Welsh deity whose name literally means mother
0	Morgain Another of Morgan's names
0	Breton Breton mythology refers to that originating in Brittany
0	Blanche Gwen's French name
0	Alba Alba Trimammis is one of Gwen's Latin names
0	Candida Another of Gwen's Latin names
0	Wite Another name attributed to Gwen, possibly of British origin
0	Creiddylad Considered by many to be the Welsh goddess of flowers and love
0	Creurdilad Another way Creiddylad's name was often spelled
0	Cordelia Queen Cordelia is said to be based on Creiddylad
0	Branwen One of King Lyr's daughters
0	Cymidei A Giantess know for her skill in battle
0	Cymeinfoll Cymidei's last name
0	Cigfa King Pryderi's wife
0	Glohoyw Cigfa's last name
0	Ciochba An Irish character who is connected with Cigfa
0	Nimue One of the first given names of the Lady of the Lake
0	Lady In honor of the Lady of the Lake from Arthurian lore
0	Viviane Another name attributed to the Lady of the Lake
0	Evienne Another name the Lady of the Lake went by
0	Agrona An ancient Welsh goddess of war
0	Creirwy Said to be one of the most beautiful women in Britain
0	Cyhyraeth The Welsh goddess of streams
-1	Morgue This version of Morgan's name evokes the grave