Skip to content

Name meaning & originCarys

/KA-ris/

WelshGirl
Make a name keepsake

Carys is a Welsh girl's name pronounced /KA-ris/. A popular Welsh name derived from the word for love, signifying a beloved child.

Share this name

WhatsAppPinterest

Meaning of Carys

A popular Welsh name derived from the word for love, signifying a beloved child.

Carys is derived from the Welsh word 'caru', which means 'to love'. It emerged as a formal given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during a period of renewed interest in Welsh heritage and linguistic identity.

Origin
Welsh
Pronunciation
/KA-ris/

Cultural background

The name remains a staple in Wales and among the Welsh diaspora, consistently appearing in the top name rankings in the United Kingdom during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Variations & nicknames

  • Cerys
  • Carys
  • Cari
  • Cez
  • Cazza

Famous people named Carys

Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.

  • Carys Zeta Douglas

    Public figure and daughter of actors Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas

    Media · 2000s-present

  • Carys Davina Grey-Thompson

    Known as Tanni Grey-Thompson, a highly decorated British wheelchair racer and parliamentarian

    Sport · 1980s-present

  • Carys Hawkins

    Professional association footballer who played for Fylkir and the Welsh national team

    Sport · 2000s-2010s

  • Carys Parry

    Welsh hammer thrower and silver medalist at the Commonwealth Games

    Sport · 2000s-2010s

  • Carys Bray

    Award-winning British author of 'A Song for Issy Bradley'

    Literature · 2010s-present

Frequently asked about Carys

What does Carys mean?
Carys is a Welsh name meaning 'love' or 'beloved', derived from the Welsh root word 'caru'.
How do you pronounce Carys?
It is typically pronounced 'KA-ris', rhyming with the English word 'harris'.
Is Carys a boy or girl name?
Carys is traditionally and almost exclusively used as a feminine given name in Wales and other English-speaking countries.
Is Carys the same as Cerys?
While they share the same root meaning of 'love', Cerys is a distinct Welsh name pronounced 'KEH-ris'.

Love Carys? Get more names like it

We'll email you 5 fresh Welsh names each week — free, no spam.

By signing up you agree to get these name emails. We use your email only for them; unsubscribe any time from privacy requests. See our privacy policy. 18+ only.

Compare Carys with…

Side-by-side meaning, sound and popularity.

More Welsh names

See all Welsh names
Find more names like Carys