Words for crow and raven in Celtic languages.
| Proto-Celtic | *branos = crow, raven |
|---|---|
| Gaulish | Branodūnon = place name |
| Primitive Irish | ᚁᚏᚐᚅᚐ brana = crow, raven |
| Old Irish (Goídelc) | bran [bran] = crow, raven |
| Irish (Gaeilge) | bran = raven |
| Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | bran [bran] = raven (corvus corax) |
| Proto-Brythonic | *bran = crow, raven |
| Welsh (Cymraeg) | brân [braːn] = crow, rook, raven; warrior; crowbar branos = little crows, young crows; warriors cigfran = raven |
| Cornish (Kernewek) | bran [bɹæːn] = crow branvras = raven |
| Breton (Brezhoneg) | bran = raven, crow |
Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *werneh₂- (crow), from *wer- (to burn) [source].
| Old Irish (Goídelc) | fennóc = a scald; royston crow (hooded crow) |
|---|---|
| Irish (Gaeilge) | feannóg = (hooded) crow (corvus cornix) |
| Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | feannag [fjan̪ˠag] = crow, rook |
| Manx (Gaelg) | fannag = crow, crake |
Etymology: unknown [source].
| Proto-Celtic | *wesākos = raven, grebe |
|---|---|
| Old Irish (Goídelc) | fiach, fíach [fʲi.əx] = raven |
| Irish (Gaeilge) | fiach [ˈfʲiəx] = raven |
| Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | fitheach [fi.əx] = raven |
| Manx (Gaelg) | feeagh = crake, raven |
| Welsh (Cymraeg) | gwyach [ɡʊɨ̯.aχ /ɡʊi̯.aχ] = grebe |
Etymology: possibly from the Proto-Celtic *wes- (to feed, feast) [source].
Words marked with a * are reconstructions.
Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau
In Gaelg (Manx Gaelic), the word craue, as a verb, does indeed mean ‘to crow’ or ‘to whine’. However, as a noun, it means ‘ bone’.