Cymru ([ˈkəm.rɨ] ⓘ)[1] is the Welsh language name for Wales, a country of the United Kingdom, on the island of Great Britain.
|
See also: Etymology of Wales and Wales § Etymology |
The modern Welsh name Cymru is the Welsh name for Wales, while the name for the Welsh people is Cymry. These words (both of which are pronounced [ˈkəm.rɨ]) are descended from the Brythonic word combrogi, meaning "fellow-countrymen" or a "compatriot".[2][3] The use of the word Cymry as a self-designation derives from the location in the post-Roman Era (after the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons) of the Welsh (Brythonic-speaking) people in modern Wales as well as in northern England and southern Scotland (Yr Hen Ogledd) (English: The Old North). It emphasised that the Welsh in modern Wales and in the Hen Ogledd were one people, different from other peoples.[4] In particular, the term was not applied to the Cornish or the Breton peoples, who are of similar heritage, culture, and language to the Welsh. The word came into use as a self-description probably before the 7th century.[5] It is attested in a praise poem to Cadwallon ap Cadfan (Moliant Cadwallon, by Afan Ferddig) c. 633.[6][7] In Welsh literature, the word Cymry was used throughout the Middle Ages to describe the Welsh, though the older, more generic term Brythoniaid continued to be used to describe any of the Britonnic peoples (including the Welsh) and was the more common literary term until c. 1200. Thereafter Cymry prevailed as a reference to the Welsh. Until c. 1560 the word was spelt Kymry or Cymry, regardless of whether it referred to the people or their homeland,[2] including as Kymry, in the Armes Prydein, in the 10th century.[8]
"Wales" on the other hand, is derived from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning "foreigner", specifically those who were under Roman rule (specifically a "Romanised foreigner").[3][9] Cambria is a medieval Latin name also historically used to refer to Wales, and is a latinisation of Cymru.[10]
In recent history, in particular following Welsh devolution, calls to rename places in Wales to their Welsh names, and prohibiting use of their English names, have been increasing. Including calls for renames into English to be stopped,[11] or for all non-Welsh names to be removed,[12] receiving criticism from London-based Daily Mail and UK Government.[13] The controversial origin of the meaning of "Wales", which derives from a term meaning "foreigner", and that it is an "imposed" non-Welsh name, is used as a reason to stop the use of "Wales",[14] or at least prefer Cymru.[15]
Proponents for the change compare it to other countries which changed their name, such as Ceylon to Sri Lanka, Persia to Iran, and in 2022, Turkey to Türkiye.[16]
In 2019, during discussions on renaming the then National Assembly for Wales. Senedd Cymru was considered as the body's sole potential name, however, it was rejected by Assembly Members in November 2019.[17] Simply "Senedd" was also proposed,[18] but rejected by the first minister Carwyn Jones, fearing it would be not understood.[19][20] The parliament instead chose two names Senedd Cymru and the "Welsh Parliament", with "Senedd" being a short name used in both English and Welsh.[19] Although the legal preferred name, used in all post-2020 legislation, is just Senedd Cymru in both languages.[21]
In 2022, the Football Association of Wales, considered changing references to the national football team (including women's)[22] to use Cymru rather than "Wales". The association already uses the name Cymru in their internal and external communications, and by all their staff.[23][24][25] The consideration was compared to the team's overall shift to become more Welsh nationalist and pro-independence.[26] The association has been increasing its use of Cymru and Welsh words in general since UEFA Euro 2016.[27]
In 2024, a petition called for the prohibition of the name "Wales", for the Welsh name Cymru to be the only name. The petition gained 5,400 signatures by 4 January 2024,[28][14] and over 10,000 by 15 January, meeting the threshold for a Senedd debate.[29][30] A counter-petition was launched after.[31]
The petition follows other removals of English names in Wales in 2023, such as the removal of the English names "Snowdonia" and "Snowdon" for Eryri and Yr Wyddfa, their Welsh names respectively, and removing "Brecon Beacons" for Bannau Brycheiniog.[32]
While Cymru is also used by pro-independence organisations such as YesCymru and AUOBCymru, it is also used by various non-political charities and organisations.
