Welsh exonyms
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The modern Welsh language contains names for many towns and other geographical features in Great Britain and elsewhere. Names for places outside of Welsh-speaking regions are exonyms, not including spelling or pronunciation adaptions and translations of non-proper nouns.
Names in italics are dated or obsolete.
Algeria
[change | change source] Algeria | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Algiers | Alger | الجزائر (al Jazā'ir) Dzayer Alger |
Borrowed from the French name. |
Argentina
[change | change source] Argentina Yr Ariannin | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Arroyo Pescado | Nant y Pysgod | Arroyo Pescado | |
| Chubut | Camwy | Chubut | |
| Colonia 16 de Octubre | Cwm Hyfryd, Bro Hydref | Colonia 16 de Octubre | |
| Fuerte Aventura | Caer Antur | Fuerte Aventura | |
| Dolavon | Dol Afon | Dolavon | |
| La Angostura | Lle Cul | La Angostura | |
| Las Plumas | Dôl y Plu | Las Plumas | |
| Paso de Indios | Rhyd yr Indiaid | Paso de Indios | |
| Puerto Madryn | Porth Madryn | Puerto Madryn | |
| Rawson | Trerawson | Rawson | |
| Río Corrintos | Aber Gyrants | Río Corrintos | |
| Trelew | Tre Lew(is) | Trelew | |
| Trevelin | Tre Felin | Trevelin | |
| Valle de los Mártires | Dyffryn y Merthyron | Valle de los Mártires | |
| Valle Frío | Dyffryn Oer | Valle Frío | |
Australia
[change | change source] Australia Awstralia | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
 Australian Capital Territory |
Tiriogaeth Prifddinas Awstralia | Australian Capital Territory | |
| Great Barrier Reef | Barrif Mawr | Great Barrier Reef | |
| Kangaroo Island | Ynys Cangarŵ | Kangaroo Island | |
| Karta Pintingga | |||
 New South Wales |
De Cymru Newydd | New South Wales | |
 Northern Territory |
Tiriogaeth Gogledd | Northern Territory | |
 South Australia |
De Awstralia | South Australia | |
 Western Australia |
Awstralia Gorwellin | Western Australia | |
Austria
[change | change source] Austria Awstria | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Vienna | Fienna | Wien | |
Belgium
[change | change source] Belgium Gwlad Belg | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
 Brussels |
Brwsel | Brussel Bruxelles |
Dutch French |
|
 Flanders |
Fflandrys | Vlaanderen | Dutch | |
 Wallonia |
Walonia | Wallonie Waloneye Wallonien Wallonië Wallounien |
French Walloon German Dutch Luxembourgish |
Despite the name for the region being Walonia in Welsh, the name of the Walloon language is Walwneg. |
Canada
[change | change source] Canada | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
 British Columbia |
Columbia Brydeinig | British Columbia Colombie-Britannique |
|
 Newfoundland |
Tir Newydd | Newfoundland Terre-Neuve Ktaqmkuk |
|
| Newfoundland and Labrador |
Tir Newydd a Labrador | Newfoundland and Labrador Terre-Neuve et Labrador |
|
 Nova Scotia |
Yr Alban Newydd | Nova Scotia Nouvelle-Écosse Nopa Sko'sia Alba Nuadh |
|
 Prince Edward Island |
Ynys y Tywysog Edward | Prince Edward Island Île-du-Prince-Édouard |
|
China
[change | change source] China Tsieina | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Shanghai | Sianghai | 上海市 | Some atlases use the English term. |
Czech Republic
[change | change source] Czech Republic Gweriniaeth Tsiec | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Prague | Prag | Praha Prag |
Borrowed from the German name. |
Denmark
[change | change source] Denmark Denmarc | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Zealand | Seland | Sjáland | |
Egypt
[change | change source] Egypt Yr Aifft | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Alexandria | Alecsandria | الإسكندريه (Al-Iskandariya) اسكندريه (Eskendereyya) ⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ (Rakotī) Aλεξάνδρεια (Alexándria) |
|
| Nile River | Afon Nîl | النيل (an-Nīl) ⲫⲓⲁⲣⲟ Kiira Áman Dawū |
Runs through most of Africa. |
Finland
[change | change source] Finland Yr Ffindir | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Lapland | Lapdir | Lappi Sápmi Lappland |
|
France
[change | change source] France Ffrainc | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Alps | Alpau, Myndd Mynnau | Alpes | French | |
| Bordeaux | Bwrdiaws | Bordeaux | ||
 Brittany |
Llydaw | Breizh | Breton | |
| Bretagne | French | |||
| Bertaèyn | Gallo | |||
| Burgundy | Bwrgwyn | Bourgogne | French | |
| Gascony | Gwasgwyn | Gascogne | French | |
| Gasconha | Gascon | |||
| Gaskoinia | Basque | |||
| Nantes | Naoned | Nantes | French | |
| Naoned | Breton | |||
| Naunnt, Nantt | Gallo | |||
 Normandy |
Normandi, Norddmandi | Normandie | French | |
| Normaundie | Norman | |||
| Saint-Malo | Sant-Maloù | Saint-Malo | French | |
| Sant-Maloù | Breton | |||
| Strasbourg | Strasbwrg | Strasbourg | French | |
| Straßburg | German | |||
Germany
[change | change source] Germany Almaen | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
 Bavaria |
Bafaria | Bayern | Bavarian, German | |
| Cologne | Cwlen | Kölle | Colognian | |
| Köln | German | |||
| Hamburg | Hambwrg | Hamburg | German | |
Greece
[change | change source] Greece Gwlad Groeg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Athens | Athen | Athína (Αθήνα) | |
| Crete | Creta | Kríti (Κρήτη) | |
| Thessaloniki | Thesaloníci Thesaloníca |
Thessaloníki (Θεσσαλονίκη) | |
India
[change | change source] India | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| New Delhi | Delhi Newydd | नई दिल्ली (Naī Dillī) New Delhi |
|
Indonesia
[change | change source] Indonesia Indonesia | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Java | Jawa | Jawa | Despite the Welsh name for Java being "Jawa",[1] the Javanese language is called "Jafaneg" |
| Sunda Islands | Ynysoedd Swnda | Kepulauan Sunda | |
Ireland
[change | change source] Ireland Iwerddon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Belfast | Belffast | Béal Feirste | |
| Cork | Corc | Corcaigh | |
| Dublin | Dulyn | Baile Átha Cliath | Welsh name derives from the older Irish name ‘Duibhlinn’. |
| Ulster | Wlster; Wlaidd, Wledd, Wleth | Ulaidh | |
Israel
[change | change source] Israel | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Galilee | Galilea | HaGalil (הגליל) | Hebrew | |
| Jerusalem | Jeriwsalem, Caersalem | Yerushalayim (ירושלים) | Hebrew | |
| Nazareth | Nasareth | النَّاصِرَة (an-Nāṣira) נָצְרַת (Nāṣəraṯ) ܢܨܪܬ (Naṣrath) |
||
Italy
[change | change source] Italy Yr Eidal | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Florence | Fflorens | Firenze | Italian | |
| Rome | Rhufain | Roma | Italian | |
| Sicily | Sisili | Sicilia | Italian, Sicilian | |
| Venice | Fenis | Venesia | Venetian | |
| Venezia | Italian | |||
Japan
[change | change source] Japan Japan, Siapan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Tokyo | Tocio | 東京 (Tōkyō) | |
Lebanon
[change | change source] Lebanon Libanus | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Tyre | Tyrus | صور (Ṣūr) Tyr 𐤑𐤓 (Ṣūr) Τύρος (Tyros) |
|
Libya
[change | change source] Libya Libia | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Benghazi | Bengasi | بنغازي | |
Mexico
[change | change source] Mexico Mecsico | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
 Baja California |
Califfornia Isaf | Baja California | |
 Baja California Sur |
De Califfornia Isaf | Baja California Sur | |
| Mexico City | Dinas Mecsico | Ciudad de México Altepetl Mexico |
|
Netherlands
[change | change source] Netherlands Yr Iseldiroedd | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| The Hague | Yr Hâg | Den Haag | |
| Zeeland | Seland | Zeeland | |
New Caledonia
[change | change source] New Caledonia Caledonia Newydd | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Isle of Pines | Ynys y Pinwydd | Île des Pins Kunyié |
|
| Loyalty Islands | Ynysoedd Teyrngarwch | Îles Loyauté | |
| Loyalty Islands Province | Talaith Ynysoedd Teryngarwch | Province des Îles Loyauté | |
| North Province | Talaith y Gogledd | Province Nord | |
| South Province | Talaith y De | Province Sud | |
New Zealand
[change | change source] New Zealand Seland Newydd | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| North Island | Ynys y Gogledd | North Island Te Ika-a-Māui |
|
| South Island | Ynys y De | South Island Te Waipounamu |
|
Palestine
[change | change source] Palestine Palesteina | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Gaza Strip |
Llain Gasa | قِطَاعُ غَزَّةَ (Qiṭāʿu Ġazzah) | |
| West Bank |
Y Lan Orllewinol | الضفة الغربية (aḍ-Ḍiffah al-Ġarbiyyah) הגדה המערבית (HaGadah HaMa'aravit) |
|
Papua New Guinea
[change | change source] Papua New Guinea Papwa Gini Newydd, Papua Gini Newydd | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| New Britain | Prydain Newydd | Niu Briten New Britain |
|
| New Ireland | Iwerddon Newydd | Niu Aialan Latangai New Ireland Neu Irland |
|
| New Ireland Province | Talaith Iwerddon Newydd | Niu Aialan Provins New Ireland Province |
|
Romania
[change | change source] Romania Rwmania | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Bucharest | Bwcarést | Bucureşti | |
Russia
[change | change source] Russia Rwsia | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Moscow | Moscfa | Москвá (Moskva) | |
South Africa
[change | change source] South Africa De Affrica | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Cape Town | Tref y Penhryn | Cape Town Kaapstad iKapa //Hui !Gaeb |
|
Spain
[change | change source] Spain Sbaen | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Barcelona | Barselona | Barcelona | Catalan, Spanish | |
 Basque Country |
Gwlad Basg | Euskadi País Vasco Pays Basque |
Basque Spanish French |
|
 Canary Islands |
Yr Ynysoedd Dedwydd, Ynysoedd y Cŵn | Islas Canarias | Spanish | |
 Catalonia |
Catalwnia | Catalunya Cataluña |
Catalan Spanish |
|
 Community of Madrid |
Cymuned Madrid | Comunidad de Madrid | ||
 Galicia |
Galisia | Galicia Galicia Galiza |
Galician Spanish Portuguese |
|
Switzerland
[change | change source] Switzerland Y Swistir | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
 Geneva |
Genefa | Genève Genèva Genf Ginevra Genevra |
|
Taiwan
[change | change source] Taiwan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Taipei | Taibei | 臺北市 (Táiběi) Tâi-pak Taipeh |
|
Tanzania
[change | change source] Tanzania Tansanïa | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
 Zanzibar |
Sansibar | Zanzibar زِنْجِبَار (Zinijibār) |
|
| Zanzibar City | Dinas Sansibar | Jiji la Zanzibar مدينة زنجبار Zanzibar City |
|
Tunisia
[change | change source] Tunisia Tiwnisia | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Tunis | Tiwnis | تونس (Tūnis) | |
Turkey
[change | change source] Turkey Twrci | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Ankara | Ancara | Ankara | |
| Istanbul | Istanbwl | İstanbul | |
United Kingdom
[change | change source] United Kingdom Y Deyrnas Unedig | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes | |
| Name | Language | |||
| Archenfield | Ergyng | Archenfield | English | |
| Ayr | Aeron | Inbhir Àir | Scottish Gaelic | |
| Ballingham | Llanbugnal | Ballingham | English | |
| Bath | Caerfaddon | Bath | English | |
| Belfast | Belffast | Belfast | English | |
| Béal Feirste | Irish | |||
| Birkenhead | Penbedw | Birkenhead | English | |
| Bishop's Castle | Trefesgob | Bishop's Castle | English | |
| Bolton | Trefanedd | Bolton | English | |
| Bridstow | Llansaffraid | Bridstow | English | |
| Bristol | Bryste; Caerodor | Bristol | English | |
| Brough | Tref | Brough | English | |
| Brougham | Drefgaerog | Brougham | English | |
| Cambridge | Caergrawnt | Cambridge | English | |
| Canterbury | Caergaint | Canterbury | English | |
| Carlisle | Caerliwelydd | Carlisle | English | |
| Catterick | Catraeth | Catterick | English | |
| Channel Islands | Ynysoedd y Sianal | Îles Normandes | French | |
| Cheltenham | Treffynnon | Cheltenham | English | |
| Cheshire | Swydd Gaerlleon | Cheshire | English | |
| Chester | Caer(llion Fawr) | Chester | English | |
| Chichester | Caerfuddai | Chichester | English | |
| Chirbury | Llanffynhonwen | Chirbury | English | |
| Clitheroe | Bryncreigiog | Clitheroe | English | |
| Clyde | Clud | Cluaidh | Scottish Gaelic | |
| Clyde | English, Scots | |||
| Colchester | Caercolyn | Colchester | English | |
 Cornwall |
Cernyw | Cornwall Kernow |
English Cornish |
|
| Crewe | Cryw, Criw | Crewe | English | |
| Devon | Dyfnaint | Devon | English | |
| Dewsbury | Twmpyn Glori[2] | Dewsbury | English | |
| Dover | Dofr[3] | Dover | English | |
| Edinburgh | Caeredin; Dinas Eidyn | Dùn Èideann | Scottish Gaelic | |
| Edinburgh | English, Scots | |||
 England |
Lloegr | England Pow Sows |
English Cornish |
|
| English Channel | Môr Udd | English Channel | English | |
| La Manche | French | |||
| Mor Bretannek | Cornish | |||
| Exeter | Caerwysg | Exeter | English | |
| Falmouth | Aberfal | Aberfala | Cornish | |
| Firth of Forth | Moryd Gweryd, Aber Gweryd | Linne Foirthe | Scottish Gaelic | |
| Foy | Llantiuoi | Foy | English | |
| Forth river | Afon Gweryd[4] | Abhainn Dubh, Uisge For | Scottish Gaelic | |
| Furness | Penrhyn | Furness | English | |
| Gisburn | Gwersyllbom | Gisburn | English | |
| Glastonbury | Ynys Gwydrin, Ynys Wydrin | Glastonbury | English | |
| Gloucester | Caerloyw | Gloucester | English | |
| Guernsey | Ynys y Garn | Guernèsi | Guernésiais | |
| Hebrides | Ynysoedd Heledd | Innse Gall | Scottish Gaelic | |
| Hentland | Henlland | Hentland | English | |
| Hereford | Henffordd | Hereford | English | |
| Humber | Hwmbr | Humber | English | |
| Isle of Skye | Yr Ynys Hir | Eilean Sgitheanach | Scottish Gaelic | |
| Isle of Wight | Ynys Wyth | Isle of Wight | English | |
| Kendal | Caintafon | Kendal | English | |
| Kenderchurch | Llancrug | Kenderchurch | English | |
| Kent | Caint | Kent | English | |
| Kentchurch | Llancein | Kentchurch | English | |
| Kilpeck | Llandegui, Cil Pedec | Kilpeck | English | |
| Kington | Ceintun | Kington | English | |
| Kirkby | Pentrefeglwys | Kirkby | English | |
| Lancaster | Caerhirfryn | Lancaster | Englsih | |
| Leeds | Lloed | Leeds | English | |
| Leicester | Caerlŷr | Leicester | English | |
| Leominster | Llanllieni | Leominster | English | |
| Lichfield | Caerlwytgoed | Lichfield | English | |
| Liverpool | Lerpwl, Llynlleifiad | Liverpool | English | |
| Loch Lomond | Llyn Llumonwy | Loch Laomainn | Scottish Gaelic | |
| London | Llundain, Caerludd | London | English | |
| Lothian | Lleuddiniawn | Lodainn | Scottish Gaelic | |
| Lowden | Scots | |||
| Ludlow | Llwydlo | Ludlow | English | |
| Lundy | Ynys Wair | Lundy | English | |
| Manchester | Manceinion | Manchester | English | |
| Marstow | Llanmartin | Marstow | English | |
| Mersey | Merswy | Mersey | English | |
| Michaelchurch | Llanmihangel | Michaelchurch | English | |
| Much Dewchurch | Llandewi | Much Dewchurch | English | |
| Much Wenlock | Gwenlloc | Much Wenlock | English | |
| Nantwich | Yr Heledd Wen | Nantwich | English | |
 Northern Ireland |
Iwerddon Gogledd | Northern Ireland Tuaisceart Éireann Norlin Airlann |
English Irish Ulster Scots |
|
| Northwich | Yr Heledd Ddu | Northwich | English | |
| Orkney | Ynysoedd Erch | Arcaibh | Scottish Gaelic | |
| Oswestry | Croesoswallt | Oswestry | English | |
| Oxford | Rhydychen | Oxford | English | |
| Pennines | Penwynion | Pennines | English | |
| Penkridge | Pencrug | Penkridge | English | |
| Penrith | Penrhudd | Penrith | English | |
| Ross-on-Wye | Rhosan-ar-Wy | Ross-on-Wye | English | |
| Saint Helens | Sain Helen | Saint Helens | English | |
| Saint Weonards | Llansangwenardd | Saint Weonards | English | |
| Salisbury | Caersallog; Caercaradog, Caergradwg | Salisbury | English | |
| Sark | Sarc | Cerq, Sèr | ||
| Scotland | Yr Alban | Alba | Scottish Gaelic | |
 Scotland |
Yr Alban | Scotland Alba |
English, Scots Scots Gaelic |
|
| Sellack | Llansulac | Sellack | English | |
| Somerset | Gwlad-yr-haf | Somerset | English | |
| Shap | Hep | Shap | English | |
| Shrewsbury | Amwythig | Shrewsbury | English | |
| Solway Firth | Merin Rheged | Tràchd Romhra | Scottish Gaelic | |
| Stonehenge | Côr y Cewri | Stonehenge | English | |
| Strathclyde | Ystrad Clud | Srath Chluaidh | Scottish Gaelic | |
| Thames | Tafwys | Thames | English | |
| The Chevin | Y Cevin | The Chevin | English | |
| Welsh Bicknor | Llangystennin Garth Brenni | Welsh Bicknor | English | |
| Westminster | San Steffan | Westminster | English | |
| Whitchurch | Yr Eglwys Wen | Whitchurch | English | |
| Winchester | Caerwynt, Caerguint | Winchester | English | |
| Wirral | Cilgwri | Wirral | English | |
| Worcester | Caerwrangon | Worcester | English | |
| Wroxeter | Caerwrygion | Wroxeter | English | |
| York | Efrog | York | English | |
United States
[change | change source] United States Unol Daleithiau | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
 Alaska |
Alasca | Alaska Alax̂sxax̂ Alaasikaq Alaskaq Anáaski Alas'kaaq |
|
 Arizona |
Arisona | Arizona | |
 California |
Califfonia | California | |
 Florida |
Fflorida | Florida | |
 Hawaii |
Hawaï | Hawaii Hawai‘i |
|
 New Hampshire |
Hampshire Newydd | New Hampshire | |
 New Jersey |
Jersi Newydd | New Jersey | |
 New Mexico |
Mecsico Newydd | Nueva México New Mexico Yootó Hahoodzo |
|
 New York |
Efrog Newydd | New York | |
| New York City | Dinas Efrog Newydd | New York City | |
 North Carolina |
Carolina Gogledd | North Carolina | |
 Pennsylvania |
Pennsylfania | Pennsylvania Pensilfaani |
|
 Rhode Island |
Ynys Rhode | Rhode Island | |
 South Carolina |
De Carolina | South Carolina | |
 Tennessee |
Tenesî | Tennessee | |
 Texas |
Tecsas | Texas | |
Uruguay
[change | change source] Uruguay Wrwgwái | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English name | Welsh name | Endonym | Notes |
| Montevideo | Montefideo | Montevideo | |
Sources
[change | change source]- Collins-Longman, Yr Atlas Cymraeg Newydd, ISBN 1-86085-377-3 (1999)
- Book of Llandaff
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Yr Atlas Cymraeg Newydd
- ↑ Geiriadur yr Academi, p. 382.
- ↑ Geiriadur yr Academi, p. 419.
- ↑ Crawford, O. G. S. (2011). Topography of Roman Scotland: North of the Antonine Wall. Cambridge University Press. p. 20. ISBN 978-1107684737. Retrieved 18 July 2021.