Welsh exonyms

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
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 Awstria
English name Welsh name Endonym Notes
Vienna Fienna Wien
 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>br>Dutch
Luxembourgish
Despite the name for the region being Walonia in Welsh, the name of the Walloon language is Walwneg.
 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 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 Denmarc
English name Welsh name Endonym Notes
Zealand Seland Sjáland
 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 Yr Ffindir
English name Welsh name Endonym Notes
Lapland Lapdir Lappi
Sápmi
Lappland
 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 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 Gwlad Groeg
English name Welsh name Endonym Notes
Athens Athen Athína (Αθήνα)
Crete Creta Kríti (Κρήτη)
Thessaloniki Thesaloníci
Thesaloníca
Thessaloníki (Θεσσαλονίκη)
 India
English name Welsh name Endonym Notes
New Delhi Delhi Newydd नई दिल्ली (Naī Dillī)
New Delhi

Indonesia

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 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 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
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 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 Japan, Siapan
English name Welsh name Endonym Notes
Tokyo Tocio 東京 (Tōkyō)
 Lebanon Libanus
English name Welsh name Endonym Notes
Tyre Tyrus صور (Ṣūr)
Tyr
𐤑𐤓 (Ṣūr)
Τύρος (Tyros)
 Libya Libia
English name Welsh name Endonym Notes
Benghazi Bengasi بنغازي
 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

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 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 Rwmania
English name Welsh name Endonym Notes
Bucharest Bwcarést Bucureşti
 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 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
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 Tiwnisia
English name Welsh name Endonym Notes
Tunis Tiwnis تونس (Tūnis)
 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

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 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 Wrwgwái
English name Welsh name Endonym Notes
Montevideo Montefideo Montevideo
  • Collins-Longman, Yr Atlas Cymraeg Newydd, ISBN 1-86085-377-3 (1999)
  • Book of Llandaff

References

[change | change source]
  1. Yr Atlas Cymraeg Newydd
  2. Geiriadur yr Academi, p. 382.
  3. Geiriadur yr Academi, p. 419.
  4. 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.