Celtic Female Names of Brittany
Alana — (ah-LAH-nah) Feminine form of Alan.
Andreva —
(ahn-DRA-vah) Feminine form of Andrev.
Annick — (AHN-eek) Breton form
of Anne. St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary, is the patron saint of
Brittany. In local legend, she was born there. Annaic, Annaig
(ah-NAH-eek).
Aouregan — (ow-RAY-gahn) Fr. Old Breton aour
"gold" + gwenn "shining, holy". Popular in Middle Ages, with 20+ spelling
variations, including: Aouregon, Auruguen, Aureguen, Oregon.
Argantlon — (ahr-GAHNT-lohn) Fr. Old Breton argant "silver,
shining" + lon "full".
Argantlowen — (ahr-gahnt-LOH-wen) Fr.
Old Breton argant "silver, shining" + lowen "joyful".
Arzhela — (ahr-ZAY-lah) Feminine form of Arzhel.
Avenie —
(ah-VAY-nee) Fr. Celtic aven, avon "river". Aven (AH-ven).
Azenor — (ah-ZAY-nor) Breton form of Elinor/Eleanor, popular
since the Middle Ages. 6th C. saint. As a young princess, Azenor took a vow of
chastity, but forced to marry Duke Hoel II. After false accusations by her
stepmother, the young bride was locked in a tower. Later, the pregnant Azenor
was thrown into the sea in a barrel. She floated to Ireland, giving birth along
the way to St. Budoc. Noric, Norig (NOH-reek).
Aziliz —
(ah-ZEE-leez) Breton form of Cecilia. St. Cecilia is the patron saint of
music.
Berc'hed Brec'hed — (BAYR-xed, BRAY-xed) Breton form of
the Irish saint's name, Brigid.
Bleuzenn — (BLOO-zen) Middle
Breton word for "flower". Probably cognate with Welsh name Blodwen,
derived from blodwyn "flower" + gwen "shining, holy". The Breton
St. Bleuzenn's feast day is Nov. 24.
Brendana — (brayn-DAH-nah)
Feminine form of Brendan.
Briaca — (bree-AHK-ah) Feminine form of
Briac. Briaga.
Deniela — (day-NYEL-ah) feminine form of Deniel/Denoel. Daneola (day-noh-EL-ah).
Ederna — (ay-DAYR-nah) Feminine form of Edern.
Elara —
(ay-LAH-rah) Feminine form of Alar.
Elen — (AY-len) Breton form of
Helen. Name of the sister of Konan Meriadeg, who led Britons into
Brittany in the 5th C. Lena (LAY-nah), Lenaic (lay-NAH-eek).
Enora — (ay-NOH-rah) St. Enora was the wife of St. Efflam; both took
vows of chastity after their marriage, yet remained together for the rest of
their lives.
Erwana — (ayr-WAH-nah) Feminine form of Erwan. Ivona,
Yvona (ee-VOH-nah).
Franseza — (frahn-SAY-zah) Breton form of French name Francoise. Seza (SAY-zah), Sezaic (say-ZAH-eek).
Gaela — (ga-EL-a) Feminine form of Gael. Gaelle (GA-el).
Gladez — (GLAH-des) Similar to Welsh name Gwladys (fr. Welsh
gwlad "land, nation, sovereignty"). 7th C. St. Gladez was the mother of
St. Kado.
Gwencalon — (gwayn-KAH-lohn) Old Breton name, fr.
gwenn "bright, shining" + calon "heart".
Gwenn —
(GWAYN) Old Breton word meaning "shining, holy". St. Gwenn Teirbron was the
mother of four saints.
Helori — (hay-LOH-ree) Old Breton name derived from hael
"generous".
Heodez — (hay-OH-days) 6th C. Breton princess and saint.
She was decapitated by her Brother Tangi on the basis of false rumors. However,
she put her head back on and was as good as new. Tangi then did penance and
became a saint as well. Heodez died for real in 545.
Isolde - (EE-zohld) Breton name for the heroine of the tale of Tristan and Islode. Hypothetically from Ancient British Adsilitia meaning "she who is gazed on". Izolde.
Jannet — (ZHAH-nayt) Breton form of Jeanne.
Kanna — (KAH-nah) Early saint whose feast day is March 10.
Katell — (KAH-tel) Breton form of C/Katherine. Katel, Katou
(KAH-too).
Klervi — (KLAYR-vee) Name of a 6th C. saint, sister of St.
Gwenole. Clervie.
Koulm — (KOOLM, KOOL-mah) Fr. Old Breton
koulm "dove". Koulma.
Kristen — (KRIS-ten) Breton form
of Christine. St. Kristen's Feast day is Nov. 12. Kristell
(KRIS-tel).
Lara — (LAH-rah) Feminine form of Alar.
Levenez —
(lay-VAY-nayz) Breton word for "happiness" and the name of an early saint whose
Feast day is Nov. 3.
Loeiza — (loh-AY-zah) Feminine form of Loeiz.
Madenn — (MAH-den) Fr. Old Breton mad "happy, lucky". Popular
in Middle Ages. Madina (ma-DEE-nah), Madezou (mah-DE-zoo).
Marc'harit — (mahr-XAHR-eed) Breton form of Margaret,
long popular in Brittany.
Mazheva — (mah-ZAY-vah) Feminine form of
Mazhe.
Melle — (MAY-lah) Irish-born saint venerated in Brittany. Fr.
Old Irish word for "lightning", mall.
Mikaela — (mee-KAEL-ah)
Feminine form of Mikael.
Morgana — (mohr-GAH-nah) Breton name for
King Arthur's sister, Morgan la Fay, who was once considered a saint in Brittany
and given a feast day. Morgane, Morgaine, Morganez (mohr-GAH-nes).
Morvana — (mohr-VAH-nah) Feminine form of Morvan. Vana
(VAH-nah).
Nedeleg — (nay-DE-lek) Breton word for Christmas, the equiv. of the
French or English name Noel(le).
Nevena — (nay-VE-nah)
Feminine form of Neven.
Nolwenn — (NOHL-ven) Fr. Welsh noyal,
a place name + gwenn "shining, holy" St. Nolwenn, daughter of a 6th C.
prince of Cornwall, consecrated herself to God when young, and chose a life of
solitude in the area of Vannes.
Nonn — (NOHN) St. Nonn was the mother
of St. David of Wales. A hill, chapel, altar and fountain all bear her name.
Nonna (NOH-nah), Nonnita (noh-NEE-tah).
Oanez — (WAH-nes) Breton form of Agnes.
Padriga — (pah-DREE-gah) Feminine form of Padrig.
Paola —
(PAOH-lah) Feminine forms of Paol. Pola (POH-lah).
Rivanon — (ree-WAH-nohn) Possibly related to the Welsh
Rhiannon. In Brittany, Rivanon is revered as the mother of St. Herve.
Riwanon.
Ronana — (roh-NAH-nah) Feminine form of Ronan.
Rozenn — (ROH-zen) Breton word for "rose".
Seva — (SAY-vah) 6th C. saint, sister of St. Tugdual. The parish of
Sainte-Seve is dedicated to her.
Sterenn — (STAY-ren) Breton word for
"star".
Sulgwenn — (SOOL-gwen) Old Breton name, from sul "sun"
+ gwen "bright, shining".
Trifin — (TREE-feen, tree-FEE-nah) St. Trifine was the daughter of
Weroc, 6th C. count of Vannes. In legend, she married the tyrant Conomor and was
put to death when she refused to turn over her land to him. She was then
resuscitated by St. Gweltas. Trifine.
Tristana —
(tree-STAH-nah) Feminine form of Tristan.