45 Rare Cornish Boys Names That Stand Out

The Cornish language, despite being spoken by just 1% of the population now, is a big part of the county’s identity. Cornwall is well-known for its beautiful beaches, wild coastline and summer staycations, but it’s also the perfect place to draw inspiration for baby names! We’ve gathered a list of some of the best Cornish boys’ names for you to choose from, with the meaning of each name and how to pronounce.So whether it’s the Cornish form of popular British names, such as James or George, or names derived from Cornish places, landmarks and saints, there are lots of brilliant names to choose from.Inspired by the rugged, breathtaking scenery of Cornwall? We’ve also got the perfect list of nature related names for boys to inspire you.1. ArthekPronunciation: Ardth-ekThis is an old Cornish name that comes from ‘Arto’, which means bear. 2. ArthyenPronunciation: Arth-yenSimilarly, this means ‘bear born’ and is the Cornish version of the Welsh ‘Arthen’. 3. AustolPronunciation: Os-talAustol was a Breton saint who visited Cornwall and is where the town of Saint Austell was named in his honour. 4. BenesekPronunciation: Ben-eseckMeaning ‘blessed’, this name is the Cornish equivalent of the Latin ‘Benedict’. The etymology of ‘Benedict’ can be broken down as ‘bene’ - meaning ‘good’ - and ‘dicte’ - meaning ‘speak’, and as such, the name is thought to mean ‘well-spoken’. 5. BoultPronunciation: Boo-ltA Cornish mans name that was inspired by ‘Pericles’, the Shakespearian play. 6. BraePronunciation: BrayCornish for ‘hill’ or ‘borderland’, Brae or Bray was popular in parts of France in addition to Cornwall. 7. BranokPronunciation: Bran-okMeaning ‘crow’ or ‘raven’ this name is the Cornish form of the Celtic word ‘brano’. 8. BreockPronunciation: Bree-ohkA prince known for his bravery and strength, St. Breock is also a civil parish and village located in the Cornish countryside. Breock is thought to be Cornish for ‘Brioc’, which is Celtic for ‘mighty’. 9. CadanPronunciation: Cade-enComing from the words ‘Cadell’ and ‘Kaden’, this is Cornish for battle or companion.10. CadorPronunciation: Kahd-ohrThe meaning of this name is ‘Cornish King’, coming from the much-loved Duke of Cornwall - also a direct relative of King Arthur. The origin of the name is from the British word ‘cad’ - meaning ‘battle’ - and ‘wur’ - meaning ‘man’. 11. CarantokPronunciation: Ka-ran-tohkComing from the Celtic ‘Karant’, Carantok is Cornish for friend. 12. CareyPronunciation: Kare-yCornish for ‘The Beloved One’. 13. CasworonPronunciation: Kas-wo-renThis is an ancient Cornish word means ‘battle hero’. 14. ClemoPronunciation: Clem-oA shortening of Clement, this Cornish men’s name translates as ‘mild’ or ‘merciful’. 15. ConanPronunciation: Co-nanConan was a legendary King of Cornwall - and a Bishop of Truro - and the name comes from the Celtic for ‘high’ or ‘great’. 16. CostentynPronunciation: Cos-tent-inThe Cornish equivalent of the name Constantin, the names comes from the words for ‘steady’ or ‘constant’. 17. Cumow or CurnowPronunciation: Cu-mowPerhaps the ultimate Cornish boy’s name, both variations mean ‘from Cornwall’. 18. Denzil or DenzelPronunciation: Denz-ilA popular name derived from a place in Cornwall near Watergate Bay. 19. DiggoryPronunciation: Digg-oryAn unusual Cornish boy’s name meaning ‘strayed’ or ’lost’. 20. EdernPronunciation: Ed-ernThe Cornish version of the Latin for ’eternal’, which was a popular name across Wales, Cornwall, and Breton. 21. EnyonPronunciation: En-yenA respected Cornish ruler, Enyon derives from the Latin ‘Annianus’, which means belonging to - or decended from - Annius.22. GoronPronunciation: Gore-onThe Cornish form of the Celtic ‘Kawaro’, this name means ‘hero’ in the Cornish vocabulary. 23. HedrekPronunciation: Hedr-eckComes from the Celtic word meaning ‘bold’. 24. JagoPronunciation: Jay-gohThis is the Cornish equivalent of ‘James’, which means ’the supplanter’. 25. JoryPronunciation: Jor-yThe Cornish form of ‘George’. 26. JowanPronunciation: Joh-wannA Cornish boy’s name meaning ‘God is gracious’ or ‘God has given’. This is the Cornish version of ‘John’ - a popular name with strong biblical connections. 27. KenverPronunciation: Ken-verThis name translates as ‘a great leader’. 28. KenwynPronunciation: Ken-winIn Cornish vocabulary, Kenwyn means ‘splendid chief’, and it is the name of a village near Truro.29. KittoPronunciation: Kit-toMeaning ‘bearer of Christ’ this is the Cornish equivalent of Christopher. Saint Christopher is thought of as the patron saint of travellers. 30. LanyonPronunciation: Lan-yenA name meaning a ’lake’ or ‘cold pool’, the name has been derived from a place in the Madron parish, located near Penzance. The etymology of this name is ’lyn’ - meaning ‘pool’ - and ‘yeyn’ - meaning ‘cold’. 31. LowenPronunciation: Low-enThis Cornish boy’s name derives from the word ‘joyful’. 32. MabanPronunciation: Mah-bannIn the Cornish vocabulary, Maban means simply ‘boy’. 33. MassenPronunciation: Mass-enThis name is the Cornish equivalent of Maximus, which means ‘greatest’. 34. MerrynPronunciation: Mer-rynA Cornish Saint, St Merryn is also a Cornish place name, which is located on the north coast, near Padstow. 35. OpiePronunciation: O-peeThis name translates as being similar to ‘God Almighty’. 36. PenrosePronunciation: Pen-roseAn old Cornish name meaning either ’the end’ or ’the top’. Coming from the Celtic language, ‘pen’ means ’top’ and ‘ros’ means either ‘heath’ or ‘moorland’. This name can be shortened to ‘Penn’ for an unusual nickname 37. Pascoe or PascowPronunciation: Pask-oA Cornish name derived from ‘Pascal’, both variations relate to Easter or Passover, and it was a popular choice of first name until the mid-1700s.38. PeranPronunciation: Pe-ranBaby name meaning ’little dark one’. 39. PiranPronunciation: Pier-anAn old Cornish name inspired by St. Piran, the patron saint of Cornwall.40. RowsePronunciation: Row-seCornish name meaning ‘from the heathland’ 41. RuanPronunciation: Roo-anMeaning to come from Ruan Lanihorne - a Cornish village and civil parish. In Gaelic, Ruan means ’little red one’, making it the perfect choice for a redhead. 42. SantoPronunciation: Sahn-towA lovely, Cornish diminutive of the ever-popular Alexander. 43. Tremaine or TremaynePronunciation: Tri-may-neCornish name for a ‘rock settlement’. 44. TrystanPronunciation: Tri-stanA Cornish name meaning ’the noisy one’. 45. ZennorPronunciation: Zen-orA place name, named after a remote and wild Cornish village located in West Cornwall, and the place of origin for the legend of the Mermaid of Zennor. Zennor is one of the Cornish baby names that is unisex.