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The aim of this site is to provide a convenient resource for checking whether English place-names in Wales have a corresponding Welsh form.
The site is based on an easily searchable interactive database. When relevant entries are available, a definition, information regarding location (parish, county, unitary authority) and a grid reference are provided.
Liability and copyright
The Enwau Cymru website does not come with a warranty or even the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. In addition Bangor University will not be liable to you for special, financial, consequential, incidental or indirect damages.
Bangor Univeristy owns the IP on the Welsh placenames database used by the website.
The Welsh Government owns the copyright on the Place-Name Standardization Guidelines.
A word about the forms
The forms of place-names offered here are recommendations. The intention of this website isn’t to lay down the law regarding the correctness or otherwise of forms.
At present, cities, towns, villages and parishes are included in the database. It isn’t yet fully comprehensive; further entries are constantly being added to the database. The names of rivers, mountains and other topographical features will be added soon. A collection of the coastal names of Wales was added on the 31st of March 2009. Information about this work, including the methodology and background, can be found on the Names of Welsh Coastal Features page.
While putting the list together, several different sources were referred to and, because these sources weren’t always consistent with regard to the forms offered, a choice had to be made between them. Consequently, when choosing recommended forms, the guidelines of the Welsh Language Board’s Place-Names Standardization Team were followed whenever possible (see below):
Place-Name Standardization Guidelines
1. Standard orthography
The current principles of standard Welsh language orthography should be followed. The Place-names Standardization Team acknowledges the authority of Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru (The University of Wales Dictionary of the Welsh Language) in matters pertaining to the orthography of the Welsh language, and the forms given in the Dictionary should be followed as far as possible. However, the Team has recommended using a circumflex in some names – contrary to the rules of orthography – in order to avoid ambiguity and ensure correct pronunciation (Yr Hôb, Aberbîg).
2. A Gazetteer of Welsh Place-Names
As a starting point, forms recommended in Elwyn Davies, Rhestr o Enwau Lleoedd/A Gazetteer of Welsh Place-Names (University of Wales Press, 1967) should be acknowledged, alongside the previous recommendations of the Welsh Language Board’s Place-Names Standardization Team. The Gazetteer is the standard reference work for Welsh place-names. Consequently one should not deviate from its recommendations without good reason. However, as many settlements, suburbs and towns have developed since 1967, and the linguistic situation in Wales has changed, the Team must interpret the forms given in the Gazetteer. The remainder of this document is an attempt to formalize and interpret the conventions used in the Gazetteer.
3. The hyphen
- The main stress in Welsh words normally falls on the penultimate syllable (the last syllable but one). It should be assumed that the stress falls on the penultimate syllable of a Welsh place-name (Rhymni, Tyddewi, Rhydyclafdy, Rhosllannerchrugog, Penyberth, Moelyci).
- The hyphen is used in Welsh compound words when the stress does not fall on the penultimate syllable. Therefore, if the stress falls on the final syllable the hyphen is used to show this clearly to the reader (Aber-erch, Aber-cuch).
- The hyphen is also used when the Welsh definite article (y/yr) occurs before a final monosyllabic element in a place-name. In such names hyphens are used before and after the definite article in order to highlight the individual elements and aid pronunciation (Betws-y-coed, Porth-y-rhyd). Note that hyphens are used only after the definite article where the ’r form of the definite article that occurs before a final monosyllabic element (Troedrhiw'r-clawdd, Islaw’r-dref).
- There are exceptions however, i.e. those names which have become well established and recognized nationally (Llandaf, Caerdydd, Llanrug, Llanrwst, Penarth, Torfaen, Pontypridd).
- Similarly, it is unnecessary to use a hyphen to show that the stress is on the final syllable if another diacritic already demonstrates this (Llandygái, Caersŵs, Aberdâr, Pentredŵr). However hyphens are necessary in such names when the definite article occurs before a final monosyllabic element (Llannerch-y-môr).
4. One word or more?
- The names of settlements are normally written as one word (Nantperis) in order to differentiate between them and topographical features (Nant Peris).
- If the name of a settlement contains two or more stresses, its elements are combined retaining the double -n- and double -r- of the original elements (Ffynnon+groyw = Ffynnongroyw, Rhos+llannerch+rugog = Rhosllannerchrugog (not Ffynongroyw, Rhosllanerchrugog)).
- Names which contain the element pentre(f) are usually written as one word (Pentrefelin). However, they may be written as two words if the second element refers to a recognized site or a proper noun (Pentre Saron, Pentre Tafarnyfedw).
- This convention also applies to some ecclesiastical features (Betws Garmon, Eglwys Gymyn, Capel Bangor).
- Names of areas, settlements or geographical features should be capitalized if they appear as place-name elements (Llanfihangel-y-Pennant, Betws-yn-Rhos).
5. Personal names
The forms of personal names should be taken into consideration since they can have a bearing on orthography (Llan-non, Pochin, Cei Connah). The exception Morriston/Treforys should be noted however.
6. Dialect
Pedantic or revived antiquarian forms and literal or whimsical translations should be avoided unless there is sound evidence that they are in common use both locally and nationally (Brychdyn, Cei Connah, Cil-y-coed).
7. Standard orthography
Dialectal or local evidence should be taken into consideration with regard to orthography, pronunciation or stress, especially if a local form has been adopted nationally (Dole, Pencader, Cwm Cou, Froncysyllte). However standard orthography should be used as far as possible, since it should be borne in mind that place-names belong to the whole of Wales and that the name, or an element of that name, may also appear in many parts of Wales: (Cadair [Idris], Blaenau [Gwent], Y Waun).
8. Dual forms
If the difference between the Welsh form and the ‘English’ form consists of only one or two letters, the use of a single form is recommended, with preference being given to the Welsh form. This accords with the recommendations of the Ordnance Survey and the Highway Authorities. However, recognized variations should be acknowledged (Caeriw/Carew, Biwmares/Beaumaris, Y Fflint/Flint, Wrecsam/Wrexham).
9. The Welsh definite article (y/yr/’r)
- The definite article is an integral part of several Welsh place-names (Yr Wyddgrug, Y Drenewydd).
- This practice is in a state of flux and the definite article is no longer considered to be an integral part of some place-names, and it may not be used in every context (y Tymbl, y Gaerwen). However, in these cases the definite article is still usually used as part of a phrase (mynd i'r Borth).
- It is difficult to decide whether the definite article is an integral part of a name or only occurs as part of a phrase. The Team favours conservatism in this matter, including the definite article as an integral part of the name if only to offer guidance (i'r Bala rather than i Fala). This may be especially valuable to Welsh learners.
10. The dieresis on penultimate stressed 'i'
Where the last element is disyllabic, no dieresis is required (Caerllion, Llanrhian, Llwynypia) unless the pronunciation is ambiguous (Gïas, Llangïan (cf. gïau)); if the final element is longer than a disyllable, a dieresis is required (Cwmsyfïog, Llandybïe).