Cerys first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Cerys has been for the last 26 years (from 1998 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Cerys

A feminine Welsh name derived from "Cyrisia", meaning "love" or "beloved".

Popularity of Cerys by gender

Based on the last 26 years of data, Cerys is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Cerys.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 8
2021 0 11
2020 0 8
2019 0 12
2018 0 11
2017 0 5
2015 0 12
2014 0 22
2013 0 6
2012 0 11
2011 0 9
2010 0 10
2009 0 13
2008 0 12
2007 0 11
2006 0 13
2004 0 6
2003 0 7
2002 0 8
2001 0 8
2000 0 5
1998 0 6

The history of the first name Cerys

The name Cerys has its origins in the Welsh language and culture. It is believed to be derived from the Welsh word "cerys," which means "love." The name dates back to the medieval period in Wales, where it was primarily used as a feminine given name.

In ancient Welsh mythology, there are references to characters with names similar to Cerys, such as Ceridwen, the goddess of inspiration and knowledge. However, the direct connection between these names and the modern name Cerys is unclear.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Cerys can be found in the Welsh literature of the 14th century. A poet named Dafydd ap Gwilym is said to have mentioned a woman named Cerys in one of his poems, suggesting that the name was in use during that time.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Cerys. One of the most famous was Cerys Griffiths (born in 1958), a Welsh singer-songwriter and television presenter known for her work with the band Catatonia.

Another notable figure was Cerys Morgan (1934-2018), a Welsh-born actress who appeared in various television shows and films throughout her career, including the popular British series "The Prisoner."

In the field of literature, Cerys Jones (1923-2009) was a Welsh writer and poet who published several collections of poetry and prose, celebrating the Welsh language and culture.

Cerys Matthews (born in 1969) is a contemporary Welsh singer-songwriter and broadcaster who has released several solo albums and has been recognized for her contributions to promoting Welsh music and culture.

Cerys Williams (born in 1985) is a Welsh rugby union player who has represented Wales at the international level and has played for various clubs in the United Kingdom.

While the name Cerys has maintained a presence in Wales and other parts of the United Kingdom, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly in English-speaking countries, as a unique and melodic given name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cerys was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cerys, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Cerys first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 4, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/cerys-meaning-and-history/.

"Cerys first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/cerys-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 4 June, 2025

Cerys first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/cerys-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.