Why do people call wales 'Welsh wales'?

Answer 1

This generally means "Welsh-speaking Wales" -- a reference to those areas of the country where the Welsh language is commonly spoken, although sometimes people say "Welsh Wales" when they simply mean those parts of the country which look and feel "very Welsh".

It's a translation of the Welsh phrase Cymru Cymraeg. But note that Welsh has two words for "Welsh".

Cymraeg means Welsh by language (Welsh-speaking, written in Welsh, etc.).

Cymreig means Welsh by nature (Welsh-born or descended, made in Wales, etc.)

Thus:

-- llyfr Cymraeg : a Welsh book (i.e. a book in Welsh)

-- caws Cymreig : Welsh cheese (because cheese cannot speak any language!)

Answer 2

The word Wales derives from old German and means 'stranger' or 'foreign.' Derivatives of the word were applied by Anglo Saxons to the Celtic inhabitants of Britain.

Interestingly enough the French and Spanish names for Wales are very similar to the old Roman word for France - 'Gaul'. In Spanish is it 'Gales' and in French it is 'Pays de Galles'.

Answer 3

It's name originates from the Anglo-Saxon word wealas, meaning "foreigners"