Llyr

I've heard that Shakespeare derived the name for his character King Lear from this name. He changed the spelling of some names, like Imogen, in his plays, and the new names became far more famous than the old ones.

It does not mean the sea in modern Welsh, but may have done in Old Welsh. Also, it is generally spelt with a circumflex [to bach, to or roof] above the y, as it is an elongated vowel. In the Gaelic variant of this name, the I is accentuated. Can't remember the name for it now [it is late].

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Also, Llyr was the name of the Great Sea God in Welsh mythology [the father of Bran-, Branwen, Nisien- and Efnisien ap Llyr]. Possibly Mabinogion [I think, again, it is late.]

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Llyr is one of my favourite names of all time. Rarely used as a first name [although common as a middle name or second half of a hyphenated name] it is a truly strong, masculine, beautiful, handsome, powerful, proud, traditional and flavoursome name, that is rich in quality and has an element of mystery and sparkle that we Welsh tend to invest in names. Also, this name hides a mysterious side to any lad, a sparkle-in-the-eye kind of thing, and allows the bearer to be ever-changing and as deep and mysterious of the sea itself. Love it.