Alis is the Welsh form of Alice. As a name popular in Wales, it reflects the adaptation of the Continental name Alice into the Welsh linguistic tradition. The root Alice itself derives from the Old French Aalis, a short form of Adelais, which in turn comes from the Germanic Adalheidis (see Adelaide), composed of elements meaning 'noble' and 'kind, type'. This name gained significant popularity in France and England during the 12th century, becoming one of the most common names in England until the 16th century before declining and later reviving in the 19th century. The name Alice was famously used by Lewis Carroll for the heroine of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking Glass (1871), which contributed to its widespread recognition and renewed popularity in the English-speaking world. In the Welsh context, Alis represents a localized variant that follows Welsh phonetic and orthographic patterns, maintaining the melodic softness of the original while integrating into Welsh naming conventions. Notable Bearers Individuals named Alis include a range of figures from various fields, reflecting the name's cross-cultural presence. Among them are: Alis (singer), an Albanian singer Alis Boçi (born 1991), an Albanian footballer Alis Guggenheim (1903–1982), a Swiss painterborn as Alice Anna Guggenheim, she later adopted the Welsh spelling Alis Kaplandjyan, an Armenian actress Alis Lesley (born 1938), an American rockabilly singer Alis Vidūnas (born 1934), a Lithuanian politician Alis Landale, a fictional character in the video game Phantasy Star Alis Wen (c. 1520–?), a 16th-century Welsh poet, whose work contributed to Welsh literary tradition It's important to note that while many bearers are of Albanian, Armenian, or Lithuanian origin, the name both as Alis and Alice may have entered these cultures through different paths; however, for Welsh usage, the name maintains its connection to the root Alice, as seen in the historical bearer Alis Wen. The name Alis also appears as a variant in several other language traditions, such as Basque (Alize), Ukrainian (Alisa), Portuguese (Alícia), and Swedish (Alice, Heidi, among others). This widespread adaptation demonstrates the global reach of the name Alice and its local forms across Europe. Etymologically, names like Ada, a Spanish diminutive, also share a distant common root in the Germanic adal (noble), further connecting the name family. The popularity of Alice continues in modern times, ensuring that Welsh Alis remains both traditional and relevant. Meaning: 'noble' or 'of noble kind' (via Alice from Arabic / direct Welsh derivation?) Origin: Germanic via Gallo-Romana traditions, adapted in Wales Type: First name / Slender birth? Usage Regions: Wales, possibly also Albania, Lithuania, others Cultural Significance In Wales, given name