Irish, Scottish and Welsh names are the staples of Celtic naming, and so far here on BBN I have also profiled the less widely known Cornish and Manx names. But one of the main Celtic languages is left -- Breton.
Breton is one of the three Brythonic Celtic languages, making it closer to Welsh and Cornish than the other three Goidelic languages. It originates from Brittany, the large peninsular in North West France. As with Cornish and Manx, Breton names are gaining in usage in recent decades.
For pronunciation the stress usually falls on the penultimate syllable in the Brythonic languages i.e. Corentin = cor-REN-tin, Judicael = zhoo-dee-KAY-el.
Argant - From the Breton word for "silver." The name was borne by an 8th century king of Brittany.
Armel - Modern Breton form of Arthmael derived from arth "bear" and mael "prince."
Bleiz - From the Breton bleid "wolf".
Bran, Branoc - Derives from the Breton bran "raven."
Briac - A 6th century Breton saint. From the Old Celtic brig "high, mighty"
Budoc, Budog - St Budoc was bishop of Dol, who was venerated as a saint in both Brittany and Devon. The modern Breton from is Beuzec. It derives from the Breton bud "victory."
Cadoc, Cadog, Kado - St Cadoc was a Welsh saint who is said to have established churches across Wales, Cornwall and Brittany. It is also found as Cadec in Breton, and derives from the Brythonic cad "battle." Kado is the modern form.
Corentin - St Corentin was the first bishop of Quimper. The Cornish form is Corentyn, and can be found commemorated in the parish of Cury. The latinised form was Corentinus, whereas Kaourent / Kaourantin is the Breton. There is a popular belief that the name comes from the Breton word for "hurricane." The Welsh word for hurricane is corwynt, and the Cornish is korwez. Daniel Giraudon lists korventenn as one of the Breton words for whirlwind and mentions the prevalent folk beliefs that connected whirlwinds with sorcery and the clergy. According to G.D.German, the Cor element is also found in other early Breton names including Coruueten in 867 and Coriou in 1084. Ultimately this may derive from the Proto-Celtic element *kor meaning "army, troop" which is also proposed to be the origin of the term for whirlwind (as Koroll is the Breton name for a group circle dance -- much like a whirlwind).
Erwan - Breton equivalent of Yves or Ivo. St Ivo of Kermartin was a patron saint of Brittany.
Gaël - Possibly a contraction of either Judicael or Gwenhael. The element hael means "generous."
Gwenaël, Guénhaël - From gwen, uuin "white, fair, blessed" and either hael "generous" or mael "prince."
Gwendall - The name of a Breton saint. From gwen, uuin "white, fair, blessed" and tal "brow."
Gwenneg - Patron saint of Plouhinec. From gwen, uuin "white, fair, blessed"
Gwenolé, Guénolé - French forms of Winwaloe (Uuinuualoe), a 6th century abbott and saint. Derived from gwen and uualon "valour."
Jagu - The Breton form of James/Jacob.
Judoc - From the Breton iud "lord." The name was used by 8th century Breton royalty.
Judicael, Judikael - The name of a Breton king. From the Old Breton Iedechael "generous lord."
Maël - The Breton word for "prince." Maeloc and Maelan derive from the same source.
Menguy - From maen "powerful" and ki "hound."
Meriadoc, Meriadec - Conan Meriadoc was the legendary founder of Brittany. It was also borne by a 4th century Breton saint who appears in Cornish as Meriasek.
Morvan - A 9th century king of Brittany. Possibly from mor "sea" or mawr "great" and uuan "assault."
Neven - Borne by the first Duke of Brittany. It is also found as Nominoe, Nomenoe and Nevenou. G.D.German derives it from nimed "sacred, venerated."
Ronec - From roen "of (royal) lineage." There is also Roenhael/Ronhel "generous, noble lineage."
Tanguy - From tan "fire, frenzy" and ki "hound."
Argantel - From the Old Breton Arganthael -- argant "silver" and hael "generous" -- borne by the wife of the first duke of Brittany.
Argantlowen - From argant "silver" and louuen "joyful, happy."
Armelle - Feminine form of Armel.
Aouregan, Auregan - From the Breton aour "gold" and gwen, uuin "white, fair, blessed".
Aziliz - The Breton form of Cecilia.
Bleuzen - Breton form of the Welsh Blodwen.
Briaca - Feminine form of Briac.
Enora - Breton form of Honora. St Enora was the wife of St Eflam.
Gaëlle - Feminine form of Gaël.
Gwenaëlle - Feminine form of Gwenaël.
Gwenlowen, Gwenlaouen, Guenlouen - From gwen, uuin "white, fair, blessed" and louuen "joyful, happy."
Katell - The Breton form of Katherine.
Maëlle, Maëlys, Maëliss - Feminine forms of Maël.
Marzhina - breton form of Martina.
Nolwenn - St Nolwenn was a daughter of a 6th century Cornish prince. From Noyal and gwen, "holy one from Noyal."
Rozenn - From the Breton word for "rose."
