Discover Danebury Self Guided Session
Name of Session: Naming Activity
Background Information:
The Iron Age people or Celts had no written language so historians do not know what their language
actually sounded like when it was spoken. However it is generally believed that the language was similar
to Welsh or Irish which still survives today. This game can be completed at school before a visit.
Alternatively it could be prepared at school and then carried out at the hill fort in a “naming ceremony”.
Learning Objectives:
 To understand that the Iron Age people spoke a different language.
 To understand that some the Iron Age people had very different names to modern ones and
some of them had very similar ones.
 To help get into role for other Iron Age activities.
Equipments Used:
 Cardboard discs, wooden discs or labels.
 String.
 Laminated sheet with Celtic names and their meanings on it – see following pages
 Blue face paint
Method:
 This activity can be carried out in a number of different ways depending on time and resources.
The children can choose/or have chosen for them a name from the list of Celtic boys and girls
names on the list. Each of the names has a meaning written on the laminated cards. The
children can then make a badge, with either a wooden or cardboard disc (which would have a
hole put in it and can be worn around their neck on a string) or even a sticker of their Celtic name.
As an alternative a selection of names can be pre-prepared and put into cloth bags (one for girls
and one for boys) and names can be selected from the bag at the Hill Fort in a naming ceremony.
The meanings of the names can be shared.
 Use blue face paint (woad) to put some simple designs such as spirals or lines on the children’s
faces to divide them into tribes in preparation for other activities.
Learning outcomes
To understand that Celtic people spoke in a different way to us but also that some of their culture has
filtered down into our society over the last 2000 years.
Risk Assessment carried out: we advise carrying out a risk assessment prior to doing this activity
Pre-Visit Check carried out: we advise visiting the site prior to making a school visit
Celtic Girls Names
Ailis
Alane
Artina
Aurina
Bree
Brenna
Brianna
Brice
Carey
Darcy
Davina
Deidra
Donella
Edana
Ena
Engl
Etain
Fianna
Finola
Galena
Glenys
Isolda
Kassidy
Keelan
Keena
Keitha
Kella
Kennis
Kyna
Leane
Mab
Maeve
Marilla
Myrna
Mor
Nia
Nola
Nareen
Rhona
Rhoswen
Rona
Ronal
Sheehan
Skyla
Vevila
Yulla
kind
fair
bear, rock
golden lady
strong one
dark haired
strong
swift
the dark one
dark
beloved
wanderer
dark haired elfin girl
fiery / tiny flame
bright and shining
light
a fairy
legendary tale
white haired
calm
beautiful and holy
the fair
clever
little and slender
brave
female worrier
worrier
beautiful
wise
graceful willow
happy
a mythical queen
shining sea
beloved tender
exceptional
champion
noble or famous
contented
powerful, mighty
white rose
sea
seal
peacemaker
learned one
woman with melodious voice
jewel of the sea
Celtic Boys Names
Albion
Bardon
Branden
Colm
Canice
Carbry
Conan
Crevan
Curran
Darrion
Druce
Duane
Ea
Edan
Elvin
Farrel
Ferris
Finian
Galen
Galvin
Garvey
Hal
Hearn
Kael
Leary
Manus
Mervin
Morfran
Nealon
Nels
Niall
Oran
Ossian
Phelan
Quinn
Regan
Roy
Seoras
Shay
Sloan
Struan
Terran
Teague
Tiernan
Turi
mountain
singer-poet, minstrel
little raven
dove
handsome
charioteer
wise
fox
hero
great
druid – wise man
wagon maker
fire
full of fire
friend of the Elves
brave
iron worker
handsome
calm
sparrow
peace
chief
horse – lord
mighty worrier
cattle-keeper
great
loves the sea
mythical ugly demon
champion
chief
champion
green
fawn
wolf
wise
royal
king
farmer
a gift
worrier
stream
earth
a poet
lordly
bear