Character Name
Efnisien
Efnisien Efnisien is the name of the necessary chaos-bringer — a character whose capacity for destruction is real and terrible, yet whose story does not end in simple villainy. The mythology gives the name to characters who are profoundly difficult to contain within normal social structures, whose internal discord erupts outward with devastating consequences. The redemptive arc makes it suitable for antiheroes who find meaning only in the most extreme self-abnegation.
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Efnisien
The Mabinogion — Traditional Welsh Mythology
The chaotic half-brother of Brân whose gratuitous cruelty starts a devastating war and who redeems himself only through the total sacrifice of his own life.
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Taliesin
Welsh · “Derived from the Welsh elements "tal" meaning "brow" or "head" and "iesin" meaning "shining" or "radiant" — together meaning "shining brow". This was the name of the great semi-legendary 6th-century Welsh bard who is credited with the earliest surviving Welsh poetry. Taliesin appears in Welsh legend as a shape-shifting prophet born of the enchantress Ceridwen's cauldron after consuming drops of her potion of wisdom.”
Bran
Welsh · “Derived from the Old Welsh and Old Irish word "bran" meaning "raven". In Welsh mythology, Bran the Blessed (Bendigeidfran) is a giant king of Britain who possesses a magical cauldron capable of restoring the dead to life. In Irish mythology, Bran mac Febail is the hero of an early voyage tale, sailing to the otherworldly islands of the west. The raven was a bird of prophecy and the battlefield in Celtic tradition.”
Gethin
Welsh · “Derived from the Welsh word "cethin" or "gethin" meaning "dark" or "dusky", often applied to complexion or colouring. The name was used in medieval Wales and is associated with Rhys Gethin (Rhys "the Dark"), a 15th-century Welsh military commander who served under Owain Glyndŵr in the Welsh rebellion against English rule. The name projects a brooding, intense quality.”
Gwydion
Welsh · “Probably derived from the Old Welsh "gwyd" meaning "knowledge" or "science" — suggesting the meaning "born of trees" or "one of knowledge/magic". Gwydion fab Dôn is one of the most powerful magicians in Welsh mythology, appearing in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi as the trickster-wizard who creates a wife from flowers for his nephew Lleu and consistently uses his magical gifts in morally ambiguous ways.”
Pryderi
Welsh · “Derived from the Welsh word "pryder" meaning "care", "worry", or "anxiety" — his mother Rhiannon named him thus because she had been sorrowed and worried (pryder) through his mysterious disappearance at birth. Pryderi is a central figure of the Mabinogi, appearing in all four branches, making him one of the most significant characters in Welsh mythological tradition.”
More Welsh names
Cecil
“Cecil is a masculine name of Welsh and Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Caecilius, itself from the Latin caecus meaning "blind." The name became prominent in England through the powerful Elizabethan Cecil family — particularly William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth I.”
Emrys
“Welsh form of the Late Latin "Ambrosius", from the Greek "ambrosios" meaning "immortal" or "divine", from "ambrotos" (immortal). Emrys is most famous as the Welsh name of the legendary wizard Merlin, who appears as "Myrddin Emrys" in Welsh tradition — the prophetic magician who serves as counsellor to Uther Pendragon and Arthur. The name carries associations with prophecy, hidden knowledge, and sacred power.”
Gawain
“Derived from the Welsh name "Gwalchmei", meaning "hawk of May" or "hawk of the plain", from "gwalch" (hawk) and "mei" (May) or "mei" (field). Alternatively derived from a Brythonic form meaning "white hawk". Sir Gawain is one of the most important knights of the Round Table in Arthurian legend, nephew to King Arthur and known for his legendary courtesy, honour, and prowess in arms.”
Creirwy
“Welsh name meaning "jewel of the egg" or "dear token", from "crair" (relic, jewel, dear thing) and "wy" (egg or water). In Welsh mythology, Creirwy is the daughter of Ceridwen and Tegid Foel — described as the most beautiful girl in the world, in deliberate contrast to her brother Morfran, who was the ugliest boy. She appears in the Hanes Taliesin as one of the few named children of the enchantress Ceridwen.”
Esyllt
“Welsh form of Iseult/Isolde, from a Brythonic Celtic name possibly derived from elements meaning "ice rule" or "she who is gazed upon" — the Welsh form preserves an older spelling closer to the Cornish and Breton forms of the name. Esyllt is the Irish princess of the Tristan and Iseult legend in her Welsh guise, appearing in Welsh references to the Matter of Britain.”
Arvel
“Arvel is a Welsh masculine name derived from the Welsh arvel or arfol, related to words meaning "wept over" or "greatly lamented," with associations to mourning and memory in Welsh tradition. It is a rare name found primarily in Wales and among Welsh diaspora communities.”
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