Celtic onomastics

Onomastics is an important source of information on the early Celts, as Greco-Roman historiography recorded Celtic names before substantial written information becomes available in any Celtic language.

Like Germanic names, early Celtic names are often dithematic.

• suffix -rix "ruler"
  • Vercingetorix
  • Orgetorix
  • Dumnorix
  • Cingetorix
• suffix -maris / -marus "great"
  • Britomaris
  • Indutiomarus
  • Viridomarus

Some information on prehistoric Celtic polytheism can be drawn from names in Irish and Welsh mythology, which often continue older theonyms:

• Gwenhwyfar, from *Uindā Seibrā "White Phantom"
• Brigid, from *Brigantia "the High one"
• Lugh and Lleu, cognate with Gaulish Lugus

See also

• Celtic toponymy
• Irish name
• Irish toponymy
• Germanic onomastics
• Scottish Gaelic personal naming system
• Scottish toponymy
• Welsh surnames
• Welsh toponymy

External links

• Ancient Celtic names (behindthename.com)
• Name Constructions in Gaulish