What Did the Celts Call Britain?

The naming of Britain has a rich and varied history, rooted deeply in the languages and cultures of its early inhabitants. From the time of the ancient Greek explorer Pitheas in the 4th century BC to the Roman conquest and beyond, the names used to describe the island have evolved and transformed, leaving a fascinating trail of linguistic archaeology.

The Origins of “Britain”

According to historical records, when the Greek explorer Pitheas visited Britain in the 4th century BC, the natives called the island “Pritain.” The modern Welsh name for the whole island is “Pridein.” It is widely believed that the Romans misinterpreted, misheard, or mispronounced this to “Britannia,” which then became the adopted name in Latin and eventually in English.

Identifying Celtic and Welsh Origins

The term “Briton” is often mistakenly used to refer to Celtic Britons, a misconception that distinguishes Welsh and Celtic identities. Wales, and the Welsh people, are not Celts, and it is noteworthy that the term “Celt” is an umbrella term for a broad group of ancient peoples, not a singular identity. Saying “Celtic Briton” is as inaccurate as saying a “meat-eating vegan.”

The Welsh, referred to as “Britons,” actually called the land “Prydain.” This term is the origin of the English name “Britain.” The Welsh language, one of the many early Brythonic and Goidelic languages prevalent in the land, carries its history in the names used for the island.

Language and Naming Practices

The early Britons spoke a variety of languages across numerous tribes. These languages later evolved into Welsh, Cornish, Breton, Cumbric, Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Manx, and likely Pictish. Each regions' terms for the island could have been unique due to distinct dialects.

The Latin-speaking Greeks and Romans were responsible for many of the routes and names that transformed into modern 'Britain.' However, these were often interpretations or romanizations of the local Brythonic names, reflecting the cultural and linguistic evolution of the region.

Strong Contendees for Original Titles

While the name "Britain" is now standard, several contenders for the original names of the island remain. Of these, two stand out:

Albion

Albion, a term that may have come from a Celticization of a pre-Celtic name for the islands, likely derives from the Indo-European root word "alb-," meaning "white." This could refer to the chalk cliffs on Britain's southern shore, which may have been an early geographical identifier. Even though many classical writers used Albion to describe Britain, its origin and specificity are somewhat questionable.

Pretannike

Pytheas of Massalia, a Greek explorer who visited Britain around 325 BC, recorded the local names of the places he visited, including "Pretannike." Through the Classical Greek and Latin languages, this name later became the more familiar "Britannia." The original "P" spelling reflects a local Celtic name, possibly meaning "the painted people," likely referring to the Picti in the north who dyed their skin blue with woad.

From the time of the Roman conquest in 43 CE, the province was named Britannia. Over centuries, while the language evolved, the names used to describe the island were a testament to the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region. It is intriguing to think that the name 'Britannia' or its Celtic form 'Pretannike' may have been derived from a local Celtic name recorded by a Greek explorer some 350 years before the Roman conquest.

Bonus Insights

Understanding these historical names and their evolution provides a rich context for the linguistic development of Britain. It highlights the importance of regional languages and the influence of early explorers in shaping our current understanding of the country's nomenclature.