Ygerne: a female name of Celtic origin meaning "In Arthurian legends, Igraine is the mother of King Arthur".It derives from the Celtic word "Eigyr > Igraine".
Ygerne has maintained its appeal as a feminine name in modern times while preserving its Celtic roots. Today, parents are drawn to its meaningful essence of "In Arthurian legends, Igraine is the mother of King Arthur" and its cultural richness. This name bridges traditional heritage with contemporary naming trends.
Quick Facts About Ygerne
Quick facts about Ygerne
Origin
Celtic, Gaelic
Gender
Girl name
Popularity
Moderately popular
Researched by Name Doctor Linguistics Team
Our names are verified by professional linguists with expertise in etymology and cultural naming traditions.
Last reviewed: November 2025
Meaning
In Arthurian legends, Igraine is the mother of King Arthur. She is also known by the Latin name Igerna, Welsh Eigyr, ancient French Ygerne, or Igerne and modern French Ygraine. In Thomas Malory's The Death of Arthur, she appears as Ygrayne and in Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival as Arnive. She was the wife of Uther Pendragon, from whom she had Arthur, while her first husband, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, had three daughters: Elaine, Morgause, and Morgana.
Etymology & Details
Name Root
Eigyr > Igraine
How to Pronounce Ygerne
Ygerne is pronounced /ˈaɪɡərn/
Step-by-step pronunciation guide:
Break it into syllables: Yge-rne
Say it like: "YGE-RNE"
Practice saying it naturally a few times
✓Pronunciation verified by linguistic sources
Usage & Popularity
Ygerne is predominantly used in old french speaking communities, where it maintains strong cultural connections and traditional significance.
old french
Frequently Asked Questions About Ygerne
What does the name Ygerne mean?
Ygerne means "In Arthurian legends, Igraine is the mother of King Arthur. She is also known by the Latin name Igerna, Welsh Eigyr, ancient French Ygerne, or Igerne and modern French Ygraine. In Thomas Malory's The Death of Arthur, she appears as Ygrayne and in Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival as Arnive. She was the wife of Uther Pendragon, from whom she had Arthur, while her first husband, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, had three daughters: Elaine, Morgause, and Morgana.". The name comes from Eigyr > Igraine. This celtic name has been passed down through generations, carrying its meaning across different cultures and time periods. Parents who choose Ygerne for girls often connect with the name's meaning of "In Arthurian legends, Igraine is the mother of King Arthur. She is also known by the Latin name Igerna, Welsh Eigyr, ancient French Ygerne, or Igerne and modern French Ygraine. In Thomas Malory's The Death of Arthur, she appears as Ygrayne and in Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival as Arnive. She was the wife of Uther Pendragon, from whom she had Arthur, while her first husband, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, had three daughters: Elaine, Morgause, and Morgana." as a quality they hope to see in their child. While not the most common choice, Ygerne's meaningful roots have given it staying power among parents looking for a name with substance. The name is associated with qualities like WELSH MYTHOLOGY, reflecting its meaning in how people perceive those who carry it.
What is the origin of the name Ygerne?
Ygerne has celtic and gaelic origins. The name traces back to Eigyr > Igraine. The name remains closely tied to old french naming traditions while occasionally appearing in other cultures. The celtic meaning "In Arthurian legends, Igraine is the mother of King Arthur. She is also known by the Latin name Igerna, Welsh Eigyr, ancient French Ygerne, or Igerne and modern French Ygraine. In Thomas Malory's The Death of Arthur, she appears as Ygrayne and in Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival as Arnive. She was the wife of Uther Pendragon, from whom she had Arthur, while her first husband, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, had three daughters: Elaine, Morgause, and Morgana." reflects values important in the culture where this name first appeared.
Is Ygerne a boy or girl name?
Ygerne is a girl's name. This traditionally feminine name has been chosen by parents for daughters across many cultures and time periods. In celtic tradition, Ygerne has historically been given to girls. The meaning "In Arthurian legends, Igraine is the mother of King Arthur. She is also known by the Latin name Igerna, Welsh Eigyr, ancient French Ygerne, or Igerne and modern French Ygraine. In Thomas Malory's The Death of Arthur, she appears as Ygrayne and in Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival as Arnive. She was the wife of Uther Pendragon, from whom she had Arthur, while her first husband, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, had three daughters: Elaine, Morgause, and Morgana." carries well for a daughter, giving the name lasting appeal.
How do you pronounce Ygerne?
Ygerne is pronounced "/ˈaɪɡərn/". This pronunciation follows cy language patterns. As a single-syllable name, Ygerne is quick to say and easy to call out. If you're unfamiliar with celtic names, listening to a native speaker say Ygerne can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis.
How popular is the name Ygerne?
Ygerne is somewhat common, familiar to most people. With moderate popularity, Ygerne offers familiarity without being everywhere. It's the kind of name people recognize but don't hear every day. Ygerne's popularity may vary between celtic communities and the broader population, where naming trends differ. The name's meaning of "In Arthurian legends, Igraine is the mother of King Arthur. She is also known by the Latin name Igerna, Welsh Eigyr, ancient French Ygerne, or Igerne and modern French Ygraine. In Thomas Malory's The Death of Arthur, she appears as Ygrayne and in Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival as Arnive. She was the wife of Uther Pendragon, from whom she had Arthur, while her first husband, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, had three daughters: Elaine, Morgause, and Morgana." likely influences its appeal, as parents often choose names that express values or hopes for their children. Among girls' names, Ygerne holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name Ygerne commonly used?
Ygerne is used primarily in old french naming traditions. Though celtic in origin, Ygerne found a home in other cultures where it resonated with local naming preferences. The meaning "In Arthurian legends, Igraine is the mother of King Arthur. She is also known by the Latin name Igerna, Welsh Eigyr, ancient French Ygerne, or Igerne and modern French Ygraine. In Thomas Malory's The Death of Arthur, she appears as Ygrayne and in Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival as Arnive. She was the wife of Uther Pendragon, from whom she had Arthur, while her first husband, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, had three daughters: Elaine, Morgause, and Morgana." carries universal appeal, helping explain why different cultures adopted Ygerne into their naming traditions. A child named Ygerne will likely find their name recognized in multiple countries, which can be an advantage for families with international connections or who value global accessibility. Across these cultures, Ygerne is given to girls, maintaining consistent gender association.
What is the cultural significance of Ygerne?
Ygerne carries associations with WELSH MYTHOLOGY. These qualities shape how people perceive the name and those who carry it, creating expectations and first impressions. The name's meaning of "In Arthurian legends, Igraine is the mother of King Arthur. She is also known by the Latin name Igerna, Welsh Eigyr, ancient French Ygerne, or Igerne and modern French Ygraine. In Thomas Malory's The Death of Arthur, she appears as Ygrayne and in Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parzival as Arnive. She was the wife of Uther Pendragon, from whom she had Arthur, while her first husband, Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, had three daughters: Elaine, Morgause, and Morgana." reinforces these associations, connecting the literal translation to the character traits people expect. In celtic culture, where Ygerne originates, these qualities held particular value, making the name a way to express hopes for a child's character. Research shows that names do influence perceptions. People form impressions based on names before meeting someone, which means choosing Ygerne sets certain expectations. Parents choosing Ygerne often connect with one or more of these associations, selecting the name because it represents qualities they value or wish for their child. In old french communities, these associations may carry extra weight, as naming traditions often reinforce cultural values.
Sources: Etymology verified through linguistic research including Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name, and academic etymology databases.