cymry

Cymry is the Welsh term for the Welsh people. It is the plural form of Cymro, and in Welsh usage designates the inhabitants of Wales and, historically, the Brythonic-speaking communities that inhabited western Great Britain. The term is closely linked to Cymru, the Welsh name for Wales, and to Cymraeg, the Welsh language.

Etymology: The origin of Cymry is debated. It is generally regarded as a native Brythonic ethnonym, reflecting a sense of shared homeland among speakers of Brythonic languages, sometimes interpreted as “fellow-countrymen” or “compatriots.” The form is attested in early Welsh literature and has given its name to the land and to the language.

Historical usage: In late antiquity and the early medieval period, Cymry referred to the Brittonic-speaking inhabitants of what is now Wales and adjacent areas. In Latin and English sources the region was often called Cambria; by the high medieval period Cymry became the conventional designation for the Welsh as a people and for Cymru as their homeland. The English exonym “Welsh” derives from a Germanic word meaning foreign.

Culture and identity: In contemporary Wales, Cymry denotes the Welsh people and, culturally, the Welsh language and national identity. The concept encompasses linguistic heritage, regional traditions, and modern political life tied to the nation of Wales. Welsh diaspora communities abroad, including those in North America and Patagonia, maintain Welsh identity as Cymry.

Related terms include Cymru (the country), Cymraeg (the language), and Brittonic or Brythonic peoples; the term contrasts with English exonyms used for the same groups.