Celtic City Name Generator

Gaelic, Welsh, Breton, and Gaulish city names

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Generate Celtic city names drawn from Irish and Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Cornish, Breton, Manx, and ancient Gaulish place-naming: hillforts, monastic towns, river-mouth ports, and legendary strongholds. Ideal for fantasy worldbuilding, historical fiction, and tabletop campaigns set in a Celtic-flavored land.

About Celtic city names

Celtic city names are almost always a landscape description fossilized into a word. The Celtic languages built settlement names from a small set of elements: Gaelic dún (fort), cill (church), baile (homestead), inbhir (river mouth), ard (height), ráth and lios (ringfort), carraig (rock); Welsh and Cornish caer (fort), llan (church enclosure), aber (estuary), pen (headland), tre (farmstead), pont (bridge); Breton ker (settlement) and plou (parish). Dunkeld is the fort of the Caledonians, Aberystwyth the mouth of the Ystwyth, Kilkenny the church of Cainnech. Stack an element with a saint, a chieftain, a river, or a color and you have a name that sounds like it has stood for a thousand years.

The oldest layer comes from Gaul and Roman Britain, where Latin writers recorded Celtic names ending in -dunum (fort), -magus (field or market), -briga (hill), and -durum (gate): Lugdunum, Noviomagus, Camulodunum, Durovernum. These suit an ancient or classical-era setting, while Gaelic and Welsh forms feel medieval and monastic. Legend adds a third layer of mythic capitals such as Emain Macha, Tara, Caer Sidi, and the drowned city of Ys.

This generator mixes real towns, reconstructed ancient cities, legendary seats, and invented names built the authentic way, so you can pick a dialect and keep your whole map consistent.

How to choose Celtic city names

  • Pick one branch and stay in it. A map that mixes Welsh Caer- and Llan- with Irish Bally- and Kil- reads as a jumble to anyone who knows the languages; a Gaelic map and a Brythonic map should feel different.
  • Use the ancient -dunum, -magus, and -briga forms for a classical or Roman-occupied setting, and the Gaelic or Welsh forms for a medieval, monastic, or high-fantasy one.
  • Let the element match the geography: Inver-/Aber- cities belong at river mouths, Dun-/Caer- cities on defensible hills, Kil-/Llan- towns around an old church or monastery.
  • Give your capital a legendary-style name (Emain Macha, Caer Sidi, Tara) and ordinary towns the plainer descriptive forms; the contrast makes the capital feel important.
  • Keep a few names in native spelling with accents (Dún na nGall, Béal Feirste) for documents and lore, and an anglicized form (Donegal, Belfast) for everyday use in dialogue.

Frequently asked questions

What do common Celtic place-name prefixes mean?

Dun and Caer mean fort; Kil and Llan mean church; Bally and Tre mean homestead or farm; Inver and Aber mean river mouth; Ard and Pen mean height or headland; Rath and Lis mean ringfort; Carrick means rock; Glen and Cwm mean valley; Ker and Plou are Breton for settlement and parish.

Are these real Celtic cities or made up?

Both. The list includes real towns from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, and the Isle of Man, ancient Gaulish and Romano-British cities recorded by classical writers, legendary sites from Irish and Welsh myth, and invented names assembled from genuine Celtic elements.

Which style fits a fantasy world best?

For a high-fantasy kingdom most writers use Gaelic or Welsh forms (Dunaverin, Caer Lludd) because they sound old and slightly magical to English ears. For a grittier Iron Age or Roman-frontier setting, the Gaulish -dunum and -magus names feel more historical.

Can I use these names in a published book or game?

Yes. Place names are not protected by copyright, and the invented names here are free to use. If you use a real town's name for a fictional city, consider altering it slightly so readers are not confused with the real place.

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All 500 Celtic city names

This is the complete list the generator above draws its random batches from, sorted A to Z and grouped by first letter.

Plain text, one name per line.

A: 47 names

  • Aberaeron
  • Aberdyfi
  • Aberfeldy
  • Aberffraw
  • Aberfoyle
  • Abergavenny
  • Abergwaun
  • Aberhonddu
  • Abertawe
  • Aberteifi
  • Aberystane
  • Achadh Fionn
  • Agedincum
  • Aird na Mara
  • Alauna
  • Alesia
  • Amlwch
  • An Clochán
  • An Daingean
  • An Uaimh
  • Anderitum
  • Annagry
  • Annascaul
  • Aquae Sulis
  • Aquincum
  • Arbroath
  • Ardara
  • Ardcarrow
  • Ardfert
  • Ardfinnan
  • Ardglass
  • Ardmore
  • Ardnaglass
  • Argentoratum
  • Athboy
  • Athenry
  • Athlone
  • Auchindrain
  • Auchinleck
  • Auchtermuchty
  • Augustodunum
  • Augustonemetum
  • Auray
  • Avallach
  • Avaricum
  • Aventicum
  • Aviemore

B: 41 names

  • Bagacum
  • Baile Átha Seanaidh
  • Bala
  • Ballabeg
  • Ballaghaderreen
  • Ballasalla
  • Ballaugh
  • Balley Chashtal
  • Ballinasloe
  • Ballinrua
  • Balloch
  • Ballycastle
  • Ballyheigue
  • Ballymote
  • Ballyshannon
  • Ballyvaughan
  • Balmacara
  • Balquhidder
  • Banff
  • Bannaventa
  • Béal an Átha
  • Béal Feirste
  • Belmullet
  • Betws-y-Coed
  • Bibracte
  • Blairgowrie
  • Bodmin
  • Boscastle
  • Bosigran
  • Brasparts
  • Brechin
  • Brecon
  • Bremenium
  • Brigantium
  • Brigetio
  • Brocomagus
  • Bryn Celli Ddu
  • Brynsiencyn
  • Bunclody
  • Buncrana
  • Burdigala

C: 77 names

  • Caer Brithon
  • Caer Celemion
  • Caer Ebrauc
  • Caer Gai
  • Caer Gwrygon
  • Caer Lerion
  • Caer Lludd
  • Caer Luel
  • Caer Meguaid
  • Caer Peris
  • Caer Sidi
  • Caer Urnach
  • Caer Went
  • Caerdydd
  • Caerfyrddin
  • Caergybi
  • Caerleon
  • Caernarfon
  • Caerphilly
  • Caerwent
  • Caesarodunum
  • Caherdaniel
  • Cahersiveen
  • Cahir
  • Caisleán Nua
  • Callander
  • Calleva Atrebatum
  • Camaret
  • Camborne
  • Camulodunum
  • Capel Curig
  • Caradon
  • Carbis
  • Carhaix
  • Carnac
  • Carndonagh
  • Carnuntum
  • Carraig Aonair

C, continued

  • Carrickbrannagh
  • Carrickfergus
  • Carrickmacross
  • Carrigaholt
  • Carrigtwohill
  • Cashel
  • Castlebar
  • Cathair Saidhbhín
  • Ceann Léime
  • Cenabum
  • Chyandour
  • Chysauster
  • Cill Dara Mór
  • Cille Chuimein
  • Clonakilty
  • Clonfert
  • Clonmacnoise
  • Clonmel
  • Cloyne
  • Cluainfada
  • Cnoc Meadha
  • Coleraine
  • Comrie
  • Concarneau
  • Condate
  • Conwy
  • Corcaigh
  • Coria
  • Corinium Dobunnorum
  • Corwen
  • Criccieth
  • Crickhowell
  • Crieff
  • Cronk ny Arrey Laa
  • Cronkbourne
  • Crozon
  • Cruachan
  • Cwm Idwal
  • Cwmystwyth

D: 52 names

  • Decetia
  • Denbigh
  • Deva Victrix
  • Din Eidyn
  • Dinas Emrys
  • Dinorwig
  • Divodurum
  • Doire
  • Dolgellau
  • Doolish
  • Douarnenez
  • Droichead Abhann
  • Droim Caoin
  • Dromahair
  • Drumcliff
  • Drumcondra
  • Drumshallow
  • Drumshanbo
  • Drymen
  • Dumbarton
  • Dun Aengus
  • Dun Ailinne
  • Dun Beag
  • Dun Briste
  • Dun Ceirí
  • Dun Conor
  • Dun Dealgan
  • Dùn Èideann
  • Dun Eochair
  • Dun Laoghaire
  • Dún na nGall
  • Dun na Sead
  • Dun Scaith
  • Dunadd
  • Dunaverin
  • Dunbeath
  • Dundurn
  • Dunfermline
  • Dungannon
  • Dungarvan
  • Dunkeld
  • Dunmorragh
  • Dunnottar
  • Dunollie
  • Dunravel
  • Dunrobin
  • Dunsinane
  • Dunstaffnage
  • Dunvegan
  • Durnovaria
  • Durocortorum
  • Durovernum

E: 8 names

  • Eburacum
  • Eburodunum
  • Elgin
  • Emain Macha
  • Ennis
  • Enniskillen
  • Ennistymon
  • Eochaill

F: 4 names

  • Fermoy
  • Forfar
  • Forres
  • Fowey

G: 19 names

  • Gaillimh
  • Gaoth Dobhair
  • Gergovia
  • Gesoriacum
  • Glaschu
  • Gleann Colm Cille
  • Glen Maye
  • Glenaraw
  • Glenarm
  • Glencolmcille
  • Glendalough
  • Glengarriff
  • Glevum
  • Gorey
  • Gorgobina
  • Gort
  • Guingamp
  • Gwened
  • Gwikar

H: 5 names

  • Harlech
  • Hayle
  • Helston
  • Hennebont
  • Huelgoat

I: 15 names

  • Inbhir Pheofharain
  • Inis Cealtra
  • Inis Córthaidh
  • Inishbofin
  • Inisheer
  • Inishmore
  • Inishowen
  • Inveraray
  • Inverayle
  • Inverdowan
  • Invergarry
  • Inverkeithing
  • Inverness
  • Isca Dumnoniorum
  • Iuliomagus

J: 1 name

  • Josselin

K: 31 names

  • Karesk
  • Kastell-Paol
  • Kemper
  • Kenmare
  • Ker-Ys
  • Kerantal
  • Kerfeunteun
  • Kerhuon
  • Kerlouan
  • Kilbeggan
  • Kilbrannock
  • Kildare
  • Kilfenora
  • Kilkenny
  • Killaloe
  • Killarney
  • Kilmacduagh
  • Kilmacrennan
  • Kilmallock
  • Kilmorrow
  • Kilrush
  • Kincardine
  • Kingussie
  • Kinlochleven
  • Kinross
  • Kinsale
  • Kinvara
  • Kirriemuir
  • Knockmealdown
  • Knocknarea
  • Knocktopher

L: 42 names

  • Landerneau
  • Lannilis
  • Lannion
  • Lannstefan
  • Lanreath
  • Lanyon
  • Lemonum
  • Letterkenny
  • Lindum Colonia
  • Lios Dubh
  • Lisburn
  • Liscannor
  • Lisdoonvarna
  • Liskeard
  • Lismore
  • Lisnaskea
  • Lisnaveagh
  • Listowel
  • Llanberis
  • Llandeilo
  • Llandovery
  • Llanelli
  • Llanfeirig
  • Llangollen
  • Llanidloes
  • Llanrhaeadr
  • Llanrwst
  • Llantrisant
  • Loch Garman
  • Lochgilphead
  • Locmariaquer
  • Locronan
  • Londinium
  • Looe
  • Lostwithiel
  • Loughrea
  • Lugdunum
  • Luguvalium
  • Luimneach
  • Luss
  • Lutetia
  • Lyonesse

M: 21 names

  • Machynlleth
  • Macroom
  • Maesteg
  • Magh Tuireadh
  • Mainistir Fhear Maí
  • Mallow
  • Marazion
  • Maughold
  • Maynooth
  • Mediolanum
  • Merthyr
  • Mevagissey
  • Molène
  • Montrose
  • Montroulez
  • Moridunum
  • Morlaix
  • Moville
  • Muileann Cearr
  • Mullingar
  • Muzillac

N: 9 names

  • Nairn
  • Nant Gwrtheyrn
  • Nantlle
  • Naoned
  • Nemetacum
  • Nenagh
  • Noviodunum
  • Noviomagus
  • Numantia

O: 5 names

  • Oban
  • Obar Dheathain
  • Octodurus
  • Ouessant
  • Oughterard

P: 35 names

  • Paimpol
  • Pengersick
  • Penmaenmawr
  • Penmarc'h
  • Pennarun
  • Penrhyndeudraeth
  • Pentreval
  • Penzance
  • Perranporth
  • Perros-Guirec
  • Pitlochry
  • Pitmedden
  • Pittenweem
  • Pleyben
  • Ploërmel
  • Ploudalmézeau
  • Plouescat
  • Plougastel
  • Ploumoran
  • Polperro
  • Polruan
  • Pontardulais
  • Pontivy
  • Pontrhydfendigaid
  • Port Láirge
  • Porth Ia
  • Porthaethwy
  • Porthcurno
  • Porthleven
  • Porthmadog
  • Portlaoise
  • Portree
  • Portumna
  • Purt ny h-Inshey
  • Pwllheli

Q: 3 names

  • Questembert
  • Quimper
  • Quimperlé

R: 24 names

  • Ratae Corieltauvorum
  • Rath Cruachain
  • Rathangan
  • Rathcoole
  • Rathcroghan
  • Rathdrum
  • Rathfarnham
  • Rathkeale
  • Rathlowen
  • Rathmullan
  • Rathvilly
  • Redruth
  • Rhoscolyn
  • Rhosneigr
  • Roazhon
  • Roscoff
  • Roscommon
  • Roscrea
  • Rosmuc
  • Rosnaree
  • Rosporden
  • Rosslare
  • Rotomagus
  • Ruthin

S: 16 names

  • Samarobriva
  • Sant-Brieg
  • Savaria
  • Scarbantia
  • Segodunum
  • Segontium
  • Singidunum
  • Skibbereen
  • Slane
  • Sliabh Lorcan
  • Slieve League
  • Slievenamon
  • Sligo
  • Strathaven
  • Strathcarron
  • Strathpeffer

T: 28 names

  • Tara of the Kings
  • Teach Dubh
  • Thurles
  • Tintagel
  • Tobar Padraig
  • Tobercurry
  • Tobermory
  • Tolosa
  • Toomevara
  • Tralee
  • Tredrizzick
  • Trefdraeth
  • Treffynnon
  • Trégastel
  • Tregony
  • Tréguier
  • Trevorrow
  • Trim
  • Trimontium
  • Truro
  • Tuam
  • Tulla
  • Tullamore
  • Tulloch Gorm
  • Tullow
  • Tyddewi
  • Tylis
  • Tywyn

U: 3 names

  • Uig
  • Usk
  • Uxellodunum

V: 10 names

  • Vannes
  • Vellaunodunum
  • Venta Belgarum
  • Verulamium
  • Vesontio
  • Vindinum
  • Vindobona
  • Vindolanda
  • Vindonissa
  • Viroconium

Y: 3 names

  • Youghal
  • Ystrad Fflur
  • Ystradgynlais

Z: 1 name

  • Zennor