What does rianon mean in Welsh?

Answer 1

Rhianon (less correctly Rhiannon) from rhian, a form of rhiain (maiden). Related to Latin Regina (queen).

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Try a different spelling: "Rhiannon."

'What does the name Rhiannon mean?' and 'Who was Rhiannon?' are two distinct questions. Unfortunately, many websites devoted to babies' names seem to confuses the two issues: Rhiannon was not a nymph and was not a witch; and the name certainly does not mean 'nymph' or 'witch'.

The name appears to be derived from the Proto-Celtic root *rīganī meaning 'queen' in combination with the augmentive suffix -on.[1] The Romano-British form of this name, if it had existed at that stage, would likely have been *Rīgantonā. This is supported by a number of academic authors.

According to Professor Proinsias Mac Cana of University College Dublin and Visiting Professor of Celtic Studies at Harvard University Rhiannon derives 'from *Rīgantonā Divine Queen'[2]. Dr Anne Ross gives Rhiannon's derivation as, 'Welsh Riannon from Rigantona, great queen' [3]. Professor Miranda Green of the University of Wales gives two meanings, combining the above derivations: 'Her name may derive from that of a pagan goddess Rigantona ("Great - or Sacred - Queen")'[4].