Calls for Welsh-only place names could see Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney told to rename Wrexham AFC. A petition has been presented to the Senedd demanding some places are known only by the Welsh versions of their names.
Welsh Language Minister Jeremy Miles has said there was “a strong argument” for using just Welsh place names in some cases. But he warned minor changes can lead to “strong disagreements”and that solutions should be found that reflect a “wider range of perspectives”.
The Welsh equivalent of Wrexham is spelled Wrecsam. It’s one of a number of communities in Wales with names that are similar in both languages, such as Merthyr Tydfil (Merthyr Tudful) and Caerphilly (Caerffili).
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In its guidelines for standardising place names in Wales, the Welsh Language Commissioner recommends the Welsh form is used if there’s little difference between Welsh and English names. This applies to names that differ by “only one or two letters” - such as Wrexham/Wrecsam.
The Ordnance Survey and various highway authorities have recommended similar approaches. However, the Commissioner said “recognised variations” should continue to be “acknowledged”, including Biwmares (Beaumaris) and Y Fflint (Flint).
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The name of Wrexham AFC’s historic Racecourse Ground has been changed to STōK Cae Ras already, following a sponsorship deal with STōK Cold Brew Coffee. Significantly perhaps, the new name refers to the Welsh name for the world’s oldest international football stadium, Y Cae Ras.
A petition titled “Use only Welsh names for places in Wales” was last week presented to the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) by linguist Mihangel ap Rhisiart. It received 1,397 signatures before being closed last month after surpassing the 250-name threshold that merits consideration by the Senedd’s petitions committee.
![The name of the historic Racecourse Ground was changed in May this year](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/article28138472.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_International-Football-Wales-v-Gibraltar-The-Racecourse-Wrexham-Wales.jpg)
Mr ap Rhisiart said such a move would be “opportune” following names like Eryri (Snowdonia) and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) being reclaimed. He said it would show “respect for Wales as its own nation with its own history and culture.
He said it would also acknowledge concerns about "some of the cultural oppression that has historically been inflicted on Wales and her language and culture”. Mr ap Rhisiart added: “English names might initially continue to be used by some out of habit but in all official avenues and in both spoken and written media, the original Welsh names for places in Wales should be used.”
Should Wrexham AFC ever be compelled – or decide – to adopt “Wrecsam”, some fans have taken a relaxed approach. On an online forum, one supporter said: “It sounds the same and should not trouble our English-speaking friends too much.
“People would object to a change in the whole word, for example Swansea City to “Dinas Abertawe”. It's easy for our non Welsh-speaking friends to say but it falls foul of tradition. Names and shirt colours are staunchly defended by traditionalists.”
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Recent decades have seen the gradual disappearance of anglicised Welsh place names such as Caernarvon (Caernarfon), Conway (Conwy), Portmadoc (Porthmadog) and Aberdovey (Aberdyfi). But some communities have been opposed to change: fearing ridicule, villagers in Varteg, Torfaen, raised a petition opposing the adoption of "Y Farteg". The name was proposed as there is no letter ‘V’ in the Welsh alphabet.
Complicating the issue is the etymology of many place names in Wales. The original name for Biwmares was the Norman name Beaumaris. Other place names have their origins in the Latin, Irish, Norse and Brittonic languages.
Several communities have English names that were only later given Welsh versions. These include Flint (Y Fflint) and Wrexham (Wrecsam). Most efforts to standardise or reclaim Welsh names have focussed on restoring original Welsh spellings.
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