Rhiannon

Meaning: (Derived from the old Celtic name Rigantona meaning "Great Queen". In Welsh mythology Rhiannon was the goddess of fertility and the moon. This name is also borne by a princess in Welsh legends, the wife of Pwyll. As an English name, it became popular due to the Fleetwood Mac song 'Rhiannon' (1976). Mythology: the title Rigantona "great queen" is borne by a Celtic goddess of fertility. The Welsh horse goddess is described in legend as dressed in shining gold and riding a pale horse. The name was not used as a given name before the 20th century.)

Origin: (Welsh, Celtic, Celtic Mythology)

Pronunciation: (hri-AN-ahn (Welsh), ree-AN-ən (English), REE-ən-ən (English), ree-AH-nən, ree-ANN-on)

Gender: Female

When I was looking up information on Arianrhod *see on list of posts* I saw that some had suggested sibling names and Rhiannon was among them. I have decided to name a deceased Queen this in one of the novels I am currently writing. It has a pretty look to but just like the name above the mythology is interesting but I do not like the relation of this name to pagan religions and often Wicca rites. But like I said the mythology is quite interesting.

Ceridwen / Ceridwyn

Meaning: (Blessed Song, Blessed Poetry, White, Fair, Fair Poetry, From “Cerdd Gwen”. Celtic Mythology: Name of the Goddess of Poetic Inspiration. Also supposedly the name of the mother of the legendary Sixth Century Welsh Hero Taliesin.

In Welsh Medieval legend, Ceridwen was an enchantress. She is the mother of a hideous son, Morfran, and a beautiful daughter, Creirwy. Her husband was Tegid Foel, and they lived near Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid) in North Wales. Medieval Welsh Poetry refers to her as possessing the cauldron of Poetic Inspiration (Awen) and the Tale of Taliesin recounts her swallowing her servant Gwion Bach who is then reborn through her as the poet Taliesin. In 19^th Century literature and etymology the name Ket, Ked and variants were assumed to relate to the Goddess Ceridwen. The earliest documented permutation of the name KERDWIN is Cyrridven, which occurs in the Black Book of Carmarthen. It was rarely used in the medieval period, but saw a revival in the 19^th Century.)

Origin: (Welsh, Welsh Mythology, Celtic Mythology)

Pronunciation: (ke-RID-wen, Keh-RIHDWehN)

Gender: Female

I was researching the Welsh name Ceri *see on list of posts* and this name came up. So you could either use Ceri as a full name or have a character named either Ceridwen or Ceridwyn (my favorite spelling) and be nicknamed Ceri. I love the meanings and the mythology is interesting. I think it is a beautiful name with a wonderful look. I could see the pronunciation tripping up a reader but if maybe there is a pronunciation guide with the book people would be fine.