Names that mean brave turn up in every language, from Old Norse battle words to Arabic roots for strength. All 100 below come with a meaning, an origin, a pronunciation, and where the name currently stands in U.S. birth records (1).
Taylor Humphrey, a baby name consultant interviewed by HuffPost, says, “Baby names reflect the deepest-held values of the childbearing generation.” Choosing one built on courage is that idea at its most direct.
Four names here are still in the U.S. top 100: Ethan at #24, Andrew at #73, Everett at #77, and Audrey at #86 in 2025. The rest range from quietly uncommon to so rare that federal records will not print them, so there is room to pick a name nobody else is using.
Popularity at a Glance
The most popular names on this list in the United States, 1965 to 2025: Ethan, Andrew, Everett, Audrey and Valerie.
- Ethan
- Andrew
- Everett
- Audrey
- Valerie
100 Fearless Names Meaning Brave
Celebrate courage with the boldest names that mean brave for your heroic boy or girl.
Abir
Abir reads as strong and brave in Hebrew for boys, while the Arabic reading hands girls fragrance instead. That split gives one short name two very different moods, and parents can lean whichever way they like. It also names a settlement in Galilee, Israel, and the colored powders thrown during Hindu rituals.
- Origin: Hebrew, Arabic
- Meaning: Strong, brave
- Pronunciation: Aa-BIHR
- Variations: Abeer, Abhir
- Namesakes: Abir Har Even, the Israeli correspondence chess champion for the 1974 championships. Abir Al-Sahlani, an Iraqi-Swedish Member of the European Parliament since 2019.
- Popularity: Abir ranked #3,658 in the U.S. in 2025, with its best year at #2,157 in 2021.
Adila
Adila is the female counterpart of the Arabic Adil, built on the root adl, which gives it just, fair, upright, and lawful all at once. It sounds gentle out loud yet carries a spine, and it travels easily across Arabic-speaking countries. Its bearers include a founder of the Syrian Women’s Union and a Saudi royal, both women who put the meaning to work.
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: Righteous, fair
- Pronunciation: AA-Diy-laa
- Variations: Adilla, Adillah
- Namesakes: Adila Bayhum, a Syrian co-founder of the Syrian Women’s Union in 1924. Adila bint Abdullah Al Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family and daughter of King Abdullah.
- Popularity: Adila last appeared in U.S. data in 2023 at #10,323 and has not been recorded since.
Aila
Aila is the Finnish answer to Helga and Olga, and in Scottish Gaelic it points to the strong place. Say it once and it sounds like light rather than stone, which is exactly the contrast that makes it work. Some parents link it to the Turkish Ayla, meaning halo, and others to the Hebrew Eilah, meaning oak tree. A ski orienteering gold medalist and a member of the Finnish Parliament have carried it. For a name this soft, the underlying meaning is surprisingly sturdy.
- Origin: Finnish, Gaelic
- Meaning: Bringer of light
- Pronunciation: AY-Lah
- Variations: Ayla
- Namesakes: Aila Flöjt, a Finnish ski competitor and gold medalist at the 1975 World Ski Orienteering Championships. Aila Paloniemi, a member of the Parliament of Finland since 2003.
- Popularity: In 2025, Aila came in at #827 for U.S. births, well off the #752 it held in 2021.
Alaric
Alaric comes from the Old German Alaricus, where ala means all and ricja means rule, so the whole thing lands on all-powerful ruler. It is the kind of name that sounds like it belongs to somebody with a map and a plan. Parents who like Alan but want more weight behind it usually end up here. An English Reuters correspondent and a Singaporean actor have both worn it in the modern era.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: All-powerful ruler
- Pronunciation: AEL-ah-Rihk
- Variations: Alarick, Alarik, Allaric
- Namesakes: Alaric Jacob, an English writer and a Reuters correspondent during the 1930s. Alaric Tay, a Singaporean appearing in the TV film The Great Wall of China.
- Popularity: Alaric stands at #1,063 in the U.S. as of 2025, after peaking at #822 in 2020.
Alcina
Alcina traces back to the Greek Alkinoos and to a mythological sorceress who ruled her own island, which is a strong-willed pedigree by any measure. Handel later built an opera around a sorceress of the same name, drawn from the Orlando poems. The sound is soft and old-fashioned in the best way, close to Alina and Alicia without being either, and it suits a girl whose parents want something ornate that still fits on a form.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Strong-willed
- Pronunciation: Ael-SIY-naa
- Variations: Alceena, Alcinah
- Namesakes: Alcina Lubitch Domecq, an Israeli short story writer of The Mirror’s Mirror.
- Popularity: The most recent U.S. reading for Alcina is #12,245 in 2023, short of its best year, #9,304 in 1976.
Amaury
Amaury is the Latin route into Maurice, and it also carries dark-skinned in that line. Through the Old French Amalric it picks up work and labor, a plainer kind of strength than sword-and-shield names offer. The pronunciation looks harder than it is, and it settles quickly once you hear it.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Moorish
- Pronunciation: Ah-MAOW-riy
- Variations: Amary
- Namesakes: Amaury Filion, a Dominican basketball player for Mauricio Báez. Amaury Nolasco, a Puerto Rican actor in the series Prison Break.
- Popularity: Amaury sat at #4,403 for U.S. births in 2025, a long way from its high of #1,826 in 2009.
Amzi
Amzi comes from the Hebrew amtsi, meaning strong and mighty, and it is short enough to never need a nickname. Several biblical figures carried it, which gives it roots without making it feel dusty. The z in the middle keeps it modern next to Ezra and Ozzie. It is a real option for parents who want a name meaning brave that nobody else in the class will have.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: My strength
- Pronunciation: AEM-ziy
- Popularity: Amzi last appeared in U.S. data in 2024 at #12,466 and has not been recorded since.
Anders
Anders is the Scandinavian form of the Greek Andreas, the name that became Andrew in English, and it carries courage and manly with it. In Scandinavia it also served as a patronymic for a son of Anders. The sound is clipped and easy, and it ages well from toddler to adult. Bearers range from a Danish prime minister to an American ice hockey player. If Andrew feels overused, this is the same idea with a colder, cleaner edge.
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: Courageous
- Pronunciation: AAN-Derz
- Variations: Ander, Andar
- Namesakes: Anders Sandøe Ørsted, the Prime Minister of Denmark from 1853 to 1854. Anderson Bjork, an American ice hockey player for the Chicago Blackhawks.
- Popularity: U.S. records put Anders at #984 in 2025, and the name has been in the data since 1912.
Andrea
Andrea is the female form of Andrew, so warrior and protector come built in, and the Latin Andreas adds courageous. It is genuinely international, said one way in Italy and another in English-speaking countries, and in Italy it belongs to boys, which is exactly the flexibility that appeals to parents wanting a name that works in more than one language. An Olympic swimmer and an Italian football coach both answer to it.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Brave
- Pronunciation: Aen-DREY-ah (Italian), AEN-driy-Ah (English)
- Variations: Aindrea, Aondrea
- Namesakes: Andrea Murez, an Israeli-American swimmer who competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Andrea Pirlo, an Italian head football coach of Süper Lig club Fatih Karagümrük.
- Popularity: In 2025, Andrea came in at #235 for U.S. births, well off the #23 it held in 1978.
Andreas
Andreas comes to us through Greek, where the root behind it points to man, and from there to masculine and brave. It is the formal parent of Andrew, Anders, and Andre. So it sits at the head of a large family. The extra syllable makes it sound considered rather than casual. A chief admiral of the Greek navy and a founder of The Independent have used it.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Courageous
- Pronunciation: Ahn-DREH-ahs
- Variations: Andrea
- Namesakes: Andreas A. Miaoulis, a Greek navy’s chief admiral during the Greek War of Independence. Andreas W. Smith, an English journalist and one of the founders of The Independent newspaper.
- Popularity: Andreas stands at #1,276 in the U.S. as of 2025, after peaking at #734 in 1966.
Andrew
Andrew shares its root with the Greek Andreas and lands on strong and manly by way of anir, meaning man. Saint Andrew is patron saint of Greece, Russia, and Scotland, which is a reach few names can claim. It has never needed a trend to survive, and it gives you Drew or Andy without any effort.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Strong
- Pronunciation: AEN-Druw
- Variations: Andrews
- Namesakes: Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish-American 19th-century industrialist in the American steel industry. Andrew Fletcher, an English musician, and member of the band Depeche Mode.
- Popularity: American parents used Andrew enough for #73 in 2025; it first turned up in the records in 1880.
Angus
Angus comes from the Gaelic Aonghus, the Celtic god of love and youth, and it breaks down into the Irish oen, meaning one, and gus, meaning force. That gives you one strength, which reads more like a motto than a meaning. It is blunt, Scottish, and completely unbothered by fashion. The AC/DC guitarist and a British game show host have kept it in earshot for decades.
- Origin: Scottish, Gaelic
- Meaning: One strength
- Pronunciation: AENG-ahs
- Variations: Aengus, Aonghas
- Namesakes: Angus Young, an Australian musician, and co-founder of the hard rock band AC/DC. Angus Deayton, an English TV host for the game show Have I Got News for You.
- Popularity: Angus sat at #2,363 for U.S. births in 2025, a long way from its high of #659 in 1914.
Archie
Archie is the friendliest way into Archibald, which goes back to the Old German Ercanbald and genuinely bold. It sounds like a boy in a striped shirt, yet the meaning underneath is serious. Prince Harry’s son made it royal again, and it had already been popular with British parents. An Australian welterweight champion carried it in the ring. Few names manage cute and brave at the same time this easily.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Bold
- Pronunciation: AARCH-iy
- Variations: Archey, Archi, Archy
- Namesakes: Archie Bradley, an Australian boxer and the Australian Welterweight Champion from 1922 to 1924.
- Popularity: Archie ranked #301 in the U.S. in 2025, with its best year at #134 in 1913.
Arnold
Arnold puts together the Germanic arn, meaning eagle, and wald, meaning power, which is where strong as an eagle comes from. It is a vintage choice now, closer to grandfather than playground, and that is exactly why some parents are circling back. Arnold Schwarzenegger keeps the meaning very literal, an Atlanta Falcons player keeps it current, and Arnie is waiting whenever the full name feels like too much.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Strong as an eagle
- Pronunciation: AAR-Nahld
- Variations: Arnald, Arnhold
- Namesakes: Arnold Schwarzenegger, an Austrian-American actor and the 38th governor of California between 2003 and 2011. Arnold Ebiketie, a Cameroonian-American football player for the Atlanta Falcons.
- Popularity: U.S. records put Arnold at #1,477 in 2025, and the name has been in the data since 1880.
Asta
Asta means divine strength and works as a short form of Astrid, with love and star-like in its background too. In Latin it picks up holy, and some families use it for an Anastasia or an Augusta. Four letters, two syllables, no spelling debate at the doctor’s office. A Tasmanian singer-songwriter has carried it into music.
- Origin: Danish
- Meaning: Divine strength
- Pronunciation: AOS-Tah
- Variations: Astra
- Namesakes: Asta (born Asta Binnie-Ireland), a Tasmanian singer-songwriter whose song “My Heart Is On Fire” won Triple J’s Unearthed High in 2012.
- Popularity: Asta ranked #2,838 in the U.S. in 2025, the best showing it has had since first appearing in 2020.
Audrey
Audrey began as the Old English name of the seventh-century Saint Audrey, and it still carries noble strength without sounding stiff. Audrey Hepburn is the reason most people know it, and the association has been remarkably good to the name. It reads elegant on paper, plays easily on a playground, and counts an American screenwriter among its bearers.
- Origin: British
- Meaning: Noble strength
- Pronunciation: AO-Driy
- Variations: Audry, Audrie
- Namesakes: Audrey Wells, an American screenwriter who wrote the 1999 film, Guinevere. Audrey Hepburn, a British actress inducted into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame.
- Popularity: Audrey stands at #86 in the U.S. as of 2025, after peaking at #33 in 2013.
Aziel
Aziel means God is my strength, and in the Bible it belonged to a member of the tribe of Levi. The z gives it the sound modern parents keep reaching for, which is why it no longer feels like an obscure biblical pull. Star Wars fans may recognize Lord Aziel from the Galactic Empire. It fits neatly beside Ezra, Azariah, and Zaid without copying any of them.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God is my strength
- Pronunciation: AEZ-iy-Ehl
- Variations: Azaleah
- Popularity: Aziel ranked #186 in the U.S. in 2025, the best showing it has had since first appearing in 1991.
Baldwin
Baldwin comes from the Old German Baldavin, where balda means bold and vini means friend, so the whole name reads as a brave friend. The Old English Bealdwine backs that up with brave outright. It feels formal, a little literary, and completely usable if you like surnames as first names, and a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives has carried it.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Bold, brave friend
- Pronunciation: BAOLD-Wiyn
- Variations: Baldewin, Baldwyn
- Namesakes: Baldwin Domingo, a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 2004 to 2012.
- Popularity: Baldwin has not been listed in the U.S. since 2023, when it came in at #10,989.
Bali
Bali means strength in Sanskrit and soldier in Hindi, though most people hear the Indonesian island first. That double reading is not a problem so much as a gift, since it gives the name warmth alongside its meaning. In Hungary it works as a nickname for Balint or Balazs. A member of the Indian parliament and an award-winning children’s author have both used it.
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: Strength
- Pronunciation: BAA-Liy
- Namesakes: Bali Ram Bhagat, a member of the Indian parliament from 1984 to 1989. Bali Rai, an English children’s book author, and winner of the 2002 Angus Book Award.
- Popularity: Bali ranked #7,549 in the U.S. in 2025, with its best year at #5,110 in 2021.
Barrett
Barrett started as an Old English surname carrying strife, brought over by the Normans, and it also links to the Gaelic Baireid and warlike people. As a first name it sounds solid rather than aggressive, which is a hard balance to strike. American parents have used it steadily since the early 2000s. A journalist and a Broadway performer are among its bearers. Bear makes an obvious and very good nickname.
- Origin: English, Irish
- Meaning: Bear rule
- Pronunciation: BAA-Reht
- Variations: Barett, Barrete, Barrette
- Namesakes: Barrett Brown, an American journalist, and founder of Project PM in 2010. Barrett Foa, an American performer in the Broadway show Mamma Mia!
- Popularity: 2025 was Barrett’s strongest U.S. year on record at #171, having started in the data in 1886.
Bathilda
Bathilda comes from the Old English Bealdhild and means bold battle, a phrase that leaves nothing to interpretation. Saint Balthild gives it real history. Most readers will know it from Bathilda Bagshot in the Harry Potter books, which is either the draw or the dealbreaker.
- Origin: English, Greek
- Meaning: Woman warrior
- Pronunciation: Baa-TIHLD-ah
- Variations: Bathilde
- Popularity: Bathilda is too rare for U.S. birth records to publish, since names under five births a year are held back.
Bedelia
Bedelia is the Irish alternative to Bridget, carrying power and virtue along with its exalted one reading. It has a lilt that Bridget does not, and it sounds like something out of a story read aloud. Biddy is the traditional nickname, familiar to anyone who grew up with Amelia Bedelia, and the whole package reads vintage, warm, and almost never heard in a classroom.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Exalted one, strength
- Pronunciation: Beh-DIY-Lyaa
- Variations: Bedeelia, Bedelea, Bedeliah
- Popularity: Bedelia last appeared in U.S. data in 1968 at #5,683 and has not been recorded since.
Bernadette
Bernadette is the female form of Bernard, so brave bear and the German bear-hard idea come with it. Saint Bernadette of Lourdes gave it a devotional following that lasted generations. It sounds grown-up in a way few girls’ names do now, and Bernie or Etta soften it when needed. An American stage actress and a Canadian First Nations legislator both carry it.
- Origin: French, German
- Meaning: Brave bear
- Pronunciation: Ber-naa-DEHT
- Variations: Bernadet, Bernedette
- Namesakes: Bernadette Peters, an American actress known for performing the theatrical works of Stephen Sondhein. Bernadette Smith, a Canadian First Nations member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba since 2017.
- Popularity: American parents used Bernadette enough for #1,034 in 2025; it first turned up in the records in 1880.
Bernard
Bernard derives from the Old German Berinhard, built from berin, meaning bear, and hard, meaning stern. Put together it is a bear with resolve, which is a fair thing to wish on a son. The name held a place among common American boys’ names for decades before drifting toward vintage. A middleweight boxing champion and a Belgian governor have worn it. Bernie is the ready-made short form.
- Origin: German, English
- Meaning: Brave bear
- Pronunciation: BAHR-Nahrd
- Variations: Bernerd, Bernhard
- Namesakes: Bernard Hopkins, an American boxer and the Middleweight Champion from 2001 to 2005. Bernard Caprasse, the Belgian governor of Luxembourg from 1996 until 2016.
- Popularity: Bernard sat at #1,362 for U.S. births in 2025, a long way from its high of #45 in 1919.
Branko
Branko belongs to the South Slavic countries of the former Yugoslavia and reads as a glorious defender. It doubles as an affectionate short form for Bronislav and Branimir, so it is a full name and a pet name at once. The sound is punchy and unmistakably Slavic, carried by a Croatian producer behind Gladiator and a Serbian national team player.
- Origin: Slavic
- Meaning: Protection, glory
- Pronunciation: BRAEN-Kow
- Namesakes: Branko Lustig, a Croatian film producer known for Gladiator. Branko Cvetković, a Serbian basketball player for the Serbian national team.
- Popularity: Branko last appeared in U.S. data in 2024 at #8,407; its best year was #3,272 in 1975.
Bree
Bree draws on the Irish brigh, meaning exalted one, and lands on strength with noble and power beside it. It works as a short form of Brigid or entirely on its own, which is rare for a one-syllable name. The spelling is the friendliest of the Bri, Brie, and Bree trio.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Strength
- Pronunciation: BRIY
- Variations: Bri, Brie
- Namesakes: Bree Amer, an Australian TV contestant on Big Brother Australia 2004. Bree White, an Australian rules footballer for the Collingwood Football Club.
- Popularity: U.S. records put Bree at #2,826 in 2025, and the name has been in the data since 1971.
Bride
Bride comes from Brighid, like other Irish names meaning strong, and translates to the high one. Brighid, also known as Bridget and Bride, was both a beloved Irish saint and the Celtic goddess of fire and poetry, which is quite a resume for four letters. The English word it shares space with is the obvious hurdle, though Bridie sidesteps it neatly. For parents drawn to Irish heritage names, this is the oldest form on offer.
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: Strength
- Pronunciation: BRIEY-Dee
- Variations: Bridie
- Popularity: Bride is too rare for U.S. birth records to publish, since names under five births a year are held back.
Bridget
Bridget is the Anglo spelling of the Irish Brighid, from brigh, meaning strength and vigor. Saint Bridget is patron of scholars and poets. So the name carries brains alongside backbone. It has an Irish clarity to it that never tips into twee. Bridget Fonda and a BBC journalist are among the women who have carried it. Bridie and Biddy are both there if you want them.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Exalted one
- Pronunciation: BRIH-Jhaht
- Variations: Brigitte, Bridgette
- Namesakes: Bridget Fonda, an American actress appearing in Single White Female (1992). Bridget Kendall, an English journalist for the BBC.
- Popularity: Bridget stands at #724 in the U.S. as of 2025, after peaking at #112 in 1973.
Britta
Britta may be the simplest way into Bridget, arriving through the Scandinavian Britt and the Swedish Birgitta. Some read it as a short form of Brittany, meaning from Britain, which gives it a second origin story. The double t makes it crisp and easy to spell in most languages, and a German state education minister and a Swedish cross-country skier both answer to it.
- Origin: Scandinavian, English
- Meaning: Exalted one
- Pronunciation: BRIHT-aa
- Variations: Brita
- Namesakes: Britta Ernst, the German State Minister for Education and Youth of Brandenburg from 2017 to 2023. Britta Johansson Norgren, a Swedish cross-country skier and bronze medalist at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2009.
- Popularity: American parents used Britta enough for #7,558 in 2025; it first turned up in the records in 1916.
Bryan
Bryan is the modern spelling of Brian, taken from the Irish brigh and reading as strong and giving. Brian Boru, the eleventh-century king of Ireland, is the figure standing behind it. The y spelling has its own following and has never been a misspelling so much as a choice. Bryan Adams keeps it on the radio and a Calgary Stampeders player keeps it on the field.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Virtuous
- Pronunciation: BRY-Uhn
- Variations: Brian
- Namesakes: Bryan Adams, a Canadian musician and the most-played artist on Canadian radio in the 2010s. Bryan Engram, a Canadian football player for the Calgary Stampeders.
- Popularity: Bryan sat at #336 for U.S. births in 2025, a long way from its high of #42 in 1977.
Chasen
Chasen is a longer take on Chase, and it may simply be Chase and Jason folded together. Either way it reads as huntsman, which is where the confidence in it comes from. It sounds current without being invented yesterday.
- Origin: French, Hebrew
- Meaning: Huntsman
- Pronunciation: CHEY-Sahn
- Variations: Chayson
- Namesakes: Chasen Shreve, an American baseball player for the Detroit Tigers. Chasen Hines, an American football player for the New England Patriots.
- Popularity: Chasen ranked #4,273 in the U.S. in 2025, with its best year at #1,493 in 1995.
Conal
Conal means strong wolf, and the Irish hero Conall Cearnach, who avenged Cuchulainn, is the reason it reads as fearless. Kings and rulers across Ireland and Scotland used Conal and Conall for centuries. It is softer to say than it looks, closer to Connor than to Conan, and an Irish footballer and an American soap opera director both carry it.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Strong wolf
- Pronunciation: KOW-Nahl
- Variations: Connal, Connall
- Namesakes: Conal Keaney, an Irish footballer for Ballyboden St Enda’s. Conal O’Brien, an American TV director for the soap opera All My Children (1987 to 2010).
- Popularity: The most recent U.S. reading for Conal is #12,500 in 2021, short of its best year, #3,762 in 1968.
Cyrene
Cyrene is a respelling of the Greek Kyrene, meaning ruler and sovereign queen. In Greek mythology Cyrene was a nymph and a hunter whom Apollo loved, which is a rare combination of grace and grit in one figure. The name sounds like Serena and Irene without belonging to either. It suits a girl whose parents want something classical that has not been used up.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Lord
- Pronunciation: SAEY-Riyne
- Variations: Kyrene
- Popularity: In 2025, Cyrene came in at #12,196 for U.S. births, well off the #4,571 it held in 1916.
Decebal
Decebal means brave and powerful, and it belonged to an ancient ruler of Dacia who was eventually conquered by Rome. In Romania it has become a traditional boy’s name, though it has not traveled much beyond it. That makes it a genuine find for parents with Romanian roots or a taste for the unfamiliar, and a Romanian footballer and a former finance minister have both used it.
- Origin: Romanian
- Meaning: Brave
- Pronunciation: Deh-CHE-baal
- Namesakes: Decebal Gheară, a Romanian footballer for Farul Constanţa. Decebal Traian Remeș, the Romanian Finance Minister from 1998 to 2000.
- Popularity: Decebal falls below the U.S. publication line, which leaves out any name given to fewer than five babies in a year.
Djin
Djin comes from the Arabic jinn, meaning hidden from sight. In Islamic mythology the djinn are strong-willed supernatural beings, which is where the sense of spirit and force in the name comes from. It is one syllable, unisex, and unlike anything else on a class list. Spelling it will take a beat, and that is the trade you make for a name this unusual.
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: Spirits
- Pronunciation: JIHN
- Variations: Djinn
- Popularity: Fewer than five U.S. babies a year are named Djin, so the federal records do not list it at all.
Donnelly
Donnelly began as an Irish surname meaning world mighty or brown-haired fighter, and it comes from the Gaelic O Donnghaile, descendant of Donnghal. As a first name it has the easy rhythm that surname names need to work. Donny is right there when three syllables is two too many.
- Origin: Irish, Celtic
- Meaning: Brave, dark man
- Pronunciation: DAHN-eh-Liy
- Variations: Donelly
- Namesakes: Donnelly Rhodes, a Canadian actor appearing on the series Soap.
- Popularity: Donnelly has not been listed in the U.S. since 1986, when it came in at #7,018.
Drew
Drew is the short form of Andrew that became a name in its own right, and in Welsh it also carries wise. There are links to the Irish surname O Draoi, meaning descendant of the Druid, which adds a little mystery. It works for a boy or a girl with no adjustment at all, and Drew Barrymore and Drew Carey are proof of how comfortably it sits on both.
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: Manly
- Pronunciation: DRUW
- Variations: Dru, Druw
- Namesakes: Drew Carey, an American comedian and host of the game show The Price Is Right since 2007. Drew Barrymore, an American actress known for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
- Popularity: Drew ranked #553 in the U.S. in 2025, with its best year at #126 in 1985.
Ebba
Ebba works as a German short form of Eberhard and Everly, both of which carry strong, and the Old English Aebbe sits nearby. Ebbe is the male equivalent. It is a Scandinavian classic and reads as bright and bouncy rather than heavy, despite the meaning. A Swedish deputy prime minister and a high jumper both answer to it.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Brave bear
- Pronunciation: EHB-ah
- Variations: Eba, Ebah
- Namesakes: Ebba Busch, the Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden since 2022. Ebba Jungmark, a Swedish high jumper and bronze medalist at the 2007 European U23 Championships.
- Popularity: U.S. records put Ebba at #5,010 in 2025, and the name has been in the data since 1888.
Egemen
Egemen means dominant and comes from the Greek igemonas, meaning prince and sovereign, even though it is thoroughly Turkish in use. That mix of Greek roots and Turkish identity is common among names that mean powerful. It is confident without being loud, and a Turkish basketball player and an ambassador to the Czech Republic have carried it.
- Origin: Turkish, Greek
- Meaning: Dominant
- Pronunciation: EH-geh-Maan
- Namesakes: Egemen Güven, a Turkish basketball player for Beşiktaş Emlakjet. Egemen Bağış, the Turkish ambassador to the Czech Republic since 2019.
- Popularity: Egemen is too rare for U.S. birth records to publish, since names under five births a year are held back.
Egon
Egon means sword’s edge, and in German it also reads as strong with a sword. There is not much more documented about it, which somehow adds to the appeal. The sound is short, hard, and completely distinct from anything trending. Egon Schiele, the Austrian Expressionist painter, is the bearer most people will know.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Sword’s edge
- Pronunciation: IY-Gahn
- Variations: Egan
- Namesakes: Egon Schiele, an Austrian painter known for his Expressionist style.
- Popularity: Egon last appeared in U.S. data in 2023 at #12,750; its best year was #2,583 in 1935.
Emeric
Emeric is the cleaner spelling of the Old German Emmerich and reads as home ruler. German names ending in rik, meaning rule, were generally reserved for kings, so the name sits high in that family. It sounds French, looks vintage, and shortens to Emery or Ric.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Home ruler
- Pronunciation: EHM-eh-Rik
- Variations: Emerick, Emerich
- Namesakes: Emeric Partos, a Hungarian-American fashion designer for Bergdorf Goodman. Emeric Pressburger, a Hungarian-British filmmaker known for The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943).
- Popularity: Emeric ranked #1,574 in the U.S. in 2025, the best showing it has had since first appearing in 1924.
Enzi
Enzi means powerful in Swahili and picks up sovereignty in Italian, where it also works as a short form of Lorenzo. Alongside Heinz and Heinrich it connects back to Henry and home-ruler. Two syllables, an easy vowel ending, and a meaning that does real work make it charming and barely used.
- Origin: Swahilli, Italian
- Meaning: Powerful
- Pronunciation: EHN-Ziy
- Variations: Enzey, Enzie
- Popularity: Enzi sat at #5,935 for U.S. births in 2025, a long way from its high of #5,271 in 2022.
Ethan
Ethan is the English spelling of the Hebrew Eitan and carries strong, firm, and enduring. In the Bible, Ethan is credited with writing a psalm, which gives the name a quiet, scholarly weight. It has been a fixture on American birth certificates for a generation without ever feeling worn out. Ethan Hawke and a Vancouver Canucks player keep it visible.
- Origin: English, Hebrew
- Meaning: Strong, firm
- Pronunciation: EE-Thahn
- Variations: Ethen
- Namesakes: Ethan Bear, a Cree-Canadian ice hockey player for the Vancouver Canucks. Ethan Hawke, an American actor known for the Dead Poets Society (1989).
- Popularity: Ethan ranked #24 in the U.S. in 2025, with its best year at #2 in 2009.
Evander
Evander reads as brave and points to a good man by way of the Scottish Iomhar, with links to the Norse Ivor and bow warrior. In Roman mythology, Evander was a Trojan hero who founded Pallantium, the settlement that became Rome. Evander Holyfield gave it a very literal association with courage, and it is a big name that a boy grows into rather than out of.
- Origin: Greek, Gaelic
- Meaning: Brave
- Pronunciation: Eh-VAEND-er
- Namesakes: Evander Holyfield, an American boxer and the Heavyweight Champion in the 1990s. Evander M. Law, an American Confederate general in the American Civil War.
- Popularity: 2025 was Evander’s strongest U.S. year on record at #698, having started in the data in 1888.
Everett
Everett is one of the oldest English names meaning brave and traces to the German Eberhard, or the strength and courage of a wild boar. That image, a fierce and stubborn fighter, is more specific than most name meanings get. It has an easy formality that works on a resume and a lunchbox alike. A U.S. surgeon general and a drummer from The Beat have carried it.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Strong boar
- Pronunciation: EH-veh-Reht
- Variations: Everette, Everrett
- Namesakes: C. Everett Koop, the 13th Surgeon General of the U.S. from 1982 to 1989. Everett Morton, an English drummer for the rock band The Beat.
- Popularity: Everett ranked #77 in the U.S. in 2025, the best showing it has had since first appearing in 1880.
Fergus
Fergus comes from the Scottish Gaelic Fearghas, meaning highest choice, and it lands on man of force. Celtic mythology gave the name a Fergus of its own, which is where much of its character comes from. It is gruff, warm, and unmistakably Irish or Scottish. An editor of The Irish Times and a composer both carry it.
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: Man of force
- Pronunciation: FEHR-Gahs
- Variations: Feargus, Ferghus
- Namesakes: Fergus Pyle, an Irish journalist and editor of The Irish Times from 1974 to 1977. Fergus Johnston, an Irish composer, and member of Aosdána.
- Popularity: Fergus stands at #5,092 in the U.S. as of 2025, after peaking at #2,760 in 1918.
Garrett
Garrett is the Irish take on Gerard, built from gari, meaning spear, and hard, meaning bravery. That gives you a lord of the spear, which is about as direct as a brave meaning gets. It has an American ease to it that softens the sharp edges. An Olympic bobsled medalist and a producer on House share it. Gary is the fallback, though Garrett rarely needs one.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Spear brave
- Pronunciation: GEHR-Riht
- Variations: Garret
- Namesakes: Garrett Hines, an American bobsledder and silver medalist at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Garrett Lerner, an American producer on the Fox series House.
- Popularity: American parents used Garrett enough for #564 in 2025; it first turned up in the records in 1880.
Gertrude
Gertrude comes from the Old German Gertrud and means spear strength, a phrase that has not lost any of its force. Shakespeare gave the name to Hamlet’s doomed mother, and Gertrude Stein gave it a literary afterlife. It is deep vintage now, the kind of name that arrives with a great-grandmother attached, though Trudy and Gertie are both waiting.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Strong spear
- Pronunciation: GEHR-Truwd
- Variations: Gertraude, Gertrud
- Namesakes: Gertrude Stein, an American writer of the novel The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas. Gertrude Kleinová, a Czech table tennis player and winner of the 1936 World Championship.
- Popularity: Gertrude sat at #6,632 for U.S. births in 2025, a long way from its high of #32 in 1914.
Godric
Godric joins the Old English ric, meaning ruler, to the Old Norse root for God, so it reads as a ruler under God. A twelfth-century English steward carried it, and after that the record goes quiet until Harry Potter’s Godric Gryffindor. That fictional link is doing most of the work for parents who choose it now. The sound is sturdy and unfussy, closer to Cedric than to anything invented.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: God ruler
- Pronunciation: GAAD-rihk
- Variations: Goderic, Godrick
- Namesakes: Godric the Steward, a 12th-century English steward of the Earl of East Anglia, Ralph de Gael.
- Popularity: Godric’s U.S. rank sits at #10,033 in 2025, a fall from its #2,937 best in 2015.
Griffin
Griffin rests on the Welsh griff, meaning strong chief, and connects to the Irish Gaelic O Griobhtha. It is also a mythological creature with an eagle’s head and wings on a lion’s body, which is a lot of symbolism for one word. Boys named Griffin get Griff, one of the better short forms going, and the related Griffith has been carried by an Australian legislator and an American architect.
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: Lord, prince
- Pronunciation: GRIH-Fahn
- Variations: Griffyn, Gryffin, Gryffyn
- Namesakes: Griffith Evans, an Australian member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1941 to 1943. Griffith Thomas, an American architect called “the most fashionable architect of his generation” in 1908.
- Popularity: U.S. records put Griffin at #222 in 2025, and the name has been in the data since 1881.
Hanza
Hanza is documented so lightly that its own history is part of the appeal, which makes it genuinely unusual among brave names. It reads as strong and powerful, and it sits close to Hamza, which carries lion, strong, and steadfast. The z keeps it sharp, and two syllables keep it easy.
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: Strong, powerful
- Pronunciation: HAHN-Zah
- Variations: Hamsa
- Popularity: Hanza has never had enough U.S. births in a year to clear the SSA’s five-birth reporting floor.
Hardy
Hardy comes from the Old French hardi, meaning bold and courageous, with Frankish roots in hardjan, or to make hard. It is one of the few names on this list that is also an everyday English adjective, which makes the meaning impossible to miss. It sounds friendly rather than tough, a bit like Harry with more grip. A Swedish ice hockey player and a Danish film actor have carried it.
- Origin: English, French
- Meaning: Brave
- Pronunciation: HAAR-Diy
- Variations: Harde, Hardey
- Namesakes: Hardy Nilsson, a Swedish ice hockey player for Skellefteå AIK. Hardy Rafn, a Danish film actor appearing in Father of Four in the City (1956).
- Popularity: Hardy stands at #2,496 in the U.S. as of 2025, after peaking at #503 in 1921.
Harvey
Harvey comes from the Old German Harivig, built from harja, meaning host, and viga, meaning battle. Battle worthy is the short version, and it explains why the name keeps its edge despite sounding so approachable. It settled at #251 in the U.S. in 2025, well off the #85 it reached in 1919. Harvey Korman and a Liverpool footballer are the two bearers most people can name. Harv is there if you want it, though few bother.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Battle worthy
- Pronunciation: HAAR-Viy
- Variations: Harvee, Harvi, Harvie, Harvy
- Namesakes: Harvey Korman, an American comedian appearing on the sketch comedy series The Carol Burnett Show. Harvey Elliott, an English footballer for Liverpool.
- Popularity: American parents used Harvey enough for #251 in 2025; it first turned up in the records in 1880.
Howard
Howard traces to the Norman names Huard and Heward, with the Old Norse Havard in the mix, and it lands on heart-brave. That reading is warmer than most of the battle names here, which is worth noticing. It spent decades among the most familiar American boys’ names before slipping into vintage territory. Howard Stern and the historian Howard Zinn keep it in conversation. Howie is the nickname doing the heavy lifting.
- Origin: German, Scandinavian
- Meaning: Heart-brave
- Pronunciation: HHAOW-ehrd
- Variations: Howerd, Howyrd
- Namesakes: Howard Stern, an American radio host of The Howard Stern Show from 1986 to 2005. Howard Zinn, an American historian known for the book A People’s History of the United States (1980).
- Popularity: Howard’s U.S. standing is #1,004 as of 2025, far off the #24 it reached in 1919.
Imala
Imala reads as strong-minded, with disciplinarian and white also attached. It is used mainly in India and Sri Lanka and stays rare there too. The three open vowels make it soft to say and easy to spell once heard, which is why parents wanting a strong meaning in a gentle package find it an unusual and pretty option.
- Origin: Native American
- Meaning: Strong-minded
- Pronunciation: IY-Maa-laa
- Variations: Imalah, Immala
- Popularity: Imala has not shown up in U.S. birth data since it appeared at #16,255 in 2022.
Imre
Imre most likely comes from the German Emeric, meaning home-ruler, though its own trail is thin. It is a Hungarian staple that Estonia also uses, so it is common in its home countries and almost unknown outside them. Two syllables, no silent letters, and an ending that works for a boy or a girl.
- Origin: Hungarian, German
- Meaning: Innocent
- Pronunciation: IYM-Reh
- Variations: Imray, Imrey
- Namesakes: Imre Hollai, the Hungarian President of the UN General Assembly from 1982 to 1983. Imre Taveter, an Estonian sailor who competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
- Popularity: Imre has been part of U.S. birth data since 1958 and now sits at #10,074 as of 2025.
Isa
Isa reads as strong-willed in German and serves as the Arabic name for Jesus in the Quran. Turkey uses it widely, and it is one of the easiest names meaning strong to spell anywhere in the world. Three letters, two syllables, no room for confusion. An Azerbaijani president and a Turkish footballer both answer to it.
- Origin: German, Arabic
- Meaning: Strong-willed
- Pronunciation: IY-Saa
- Variations: Issa
- Namesakes: Isa Gambar, the Azerbaijani President from May 18 to June 17, 1992. İsa Kaykun, a Turkish footballer for SV Waldhof Mannheim.
- Popularity: Isa ranked #933 in the U.S. in 2025, the best showing it has had since first appearing in 1915.
Karma
Karma is a rare case where the concept and the name carry the same weight, since Buddhists and Hindus treat it as the inevitable effect of what a person does. That makes it less about force than about consequence, which is a quieter kind of strength. In Sanskrit it also points to destiny and fate, and a Bhutanese founder of a child protection division and a Bhutanese archer share the name.
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Meaning: Destiny, fate
- Pronunciation: KAAR-Maa
- Variations: Karmah, Kharma
- Namesakes: Karma Rigzin, the Bhutanese founder of the Woman and Child Protection Division. Karma, a Bhutanese recurve archer who competed at the 2015 World Archery Championships.
- Popularity: By 2025 Karma had settled at #1,706 in the U.S., well down from its #761 peak in 2009.
Kenzo
Kenzo joins ken, meaning wise, and zo, meaning three, and the whole reads as strong and healthy. Japanese names carrying several meanings at once are common, and Kenzo is a clean example. The o ending puts it in easy company with Enzo, Renzo, and Zeno. An Olympic handball player and one of the founders of Toei Animation have used it.
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: Strong and healthy
- Pronunciation: KEHN-Zow
- Variations: Kenzou
- Namesakes: Kenzo Seki, a Japanese handball player who competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Kenzō Masaoka, a Japanese anime creator who helped found Toei Animation.
- Popularity: Kenzo has been on record since 1920 and reached #630 among American births in 2025.
Keren
Keren carries ray and beam alongside strength and power, which is a lovely pairing for a girl’s name. It comes from the Hebrew Kerenhappuch, one of Job’s daughters, whose name reads as a ray of light. It looks like Karen but sounds and behaves nothing like it, and an Israeli actress and a founding member of Bananarama both carry it.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Glorious dignity
- Pronunciation: KEH-rehn
- Variations: Karen
- Namesakes: Keren Mor, an Israeli actress appearing in Abba Ganuv (1987). Keren Woodward, an English singer and founding member of the girl group Bananarama.
- Popularity: Keren sat at #2,632 for U.S. births in 2025, a long way from its high of #1,240 in 2019.
Loewy
Loewy is an older German form of the Jewish surname Levy, and in Switzerland it turns up as Lowy, a variant of Lowe, meaning lion. It was used as a byname for a brave person, which is about as direct as an origin story gets. As a first name it is antique, unexpected, and completely free of trend baggage.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Lion
- Pronunciation: LOH-iy
- Popularity: Loewy falls below the U.S. publication line, which leaves out any name given to fewer than five babies in a year.
Mahogany
Mahogany names a dark red wood known for how well it holds up, so rich and strong are earned rather than assigned. It also traces to the Yoruba oganwo, a related tree, and it has a strong following among African American families. It is a word name that sounds like music rather than a catalog. Hoagy and Mahi both work as nicknames if the full four syllables feel like a lot.
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: Rich, strong
- Pronunciation: Maa-HAH-gaa-Niy
- Variations: Mahoganey, Mahogney
- Popularity: Mahogany has been part of U.S. birth data since 1975 and now sits at #2,676 as of 2025.
Malin
Malin reads as little strong warrior and also draws on the Irish Malainn, meaning brae-face or hillbrow. In Sweden it is a familiar short form of Magdalene and turns up everywhere. The name is crisp, unisex to English ears, and easy on the tongue, and a Swedish actress and a member of the Riksdag both carry it.
- Origin: English, Irish
- Meaning: Little strong warrior
- Pronunciation: Maa-Lihyn
- Variations: Mallin, Malyn
- Namesakes: Malin Crépin, a Swedish actress appearing in A Case for Annika Bengtzon. Malin Larsson, a Swedish member of the Riksdag since 2018.
- Popularity: In 2025, Malin came in at #7,020 for U.S. births, well off the #2,700 it held in 2012.
Marcella
Marcella descends from the Roman Marcellus and reads as a young warrior, with Mars, the Roman god of war, standing behind it. It is the feminine counterpart to Mark, which makes it one of the oldest names on this list to still sound wearable. The rhythm is Italian and unhurried. An Italian actress and the food writer behind Marcella Cucina share it. Marcy is the American short form.
- Origin: Latin, Italian
- Meaning: War-like
- Pronunciation: Maar-SEHL-ah
- Variations: Marcelle
- Namesakes: Marcella Michelangeli, an Italian actress in the TV movie Panagulis Vive. Marcella Hazan, an Italian food writer of the 1997 cookbook Marcella Cucina.
- Popularity: Marcella stands at #948 in the U.S. as of 2025, after peaking at #155 in 1922.
Matilda
Matilda is the English spelling of the Old German Mahthildis, built from mahti, meaning might, and hildi, meaning strife, so mighty in battle is the honest translation. For all that warring, it is now attached in most people’s minds to a small girl with a library card, thanks to Roald Dahl. Tilly and Mattie make it playful, and Matilda keeps it formal. A French-Italian aristocrat and a British television presenter both carry it.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Mighty in battle
- Pronunciation: Mah-TIHL-dah
- Variations: Mathilda, Mathilde
- Namesakes: Mathilda Mélusine Ruspoli, the French-Italian daughter of Alessandro Ruspoli, 9th Prince of Cerveterii. Matilda Ramsay, an English TV presenter of the BBC show Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch.
- Popularity: Matilda has been on record since 1880 and reached #365 among American births in 2025.
Maude
Maude is the more polished form of Matilda and shows up in Welsh as Mawd. Some families connect it to Madeleine, meaning woman from Magdala. It has a clipped, no-nonsense sound that suits the battle-mighty meaning it inherits.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Battle mighty
- Pronunciation: MAOD
- Variations: Maud
- Namesakes: Maude Gillette Phillips, an American author of the Popular Manual of English Literature. Maude Andrews Ohl, an American journalist and the first woman reporter for The Atlanta Constitution.
- Popularity: Maude’s U.S. standing is #3,367 as of 2025, far off the #179 it reached in 1913.
Maynard
Maynard means hard strength and comes through the English and French Mainard, with the German Maganhard behind it. It is a surname name that never became fashionable, which is exactly why it still sounds like somebody specific. Musicians and executives have carried it in the modern era, including the singer of Tool, and May and Nardo are unexpected but usable short forms.
- Origin: German, English
- Meaning: Brave
- Pronunciation: MEY-Nerd
- Variations: Maynerd
- Namesakes: Maynard James Keenan, an American musician, and singer of the rock band Tool. Maynard G. Webb, an American chairman of the board of directors at Yahoo.
- Popularity: Maynard ranked #10,325 in the U.S. in 2025, with its best year at #279 in 1922.
Meiko
Meiko reads as powerful for boys through the Old German megin, meaning strength. It is far better known as a Japanese girl’s name meaning sprout or child, which gives it two very different lives depending on where you are standing. That makes it a genuinely unisex pick rather than a borrowed one. A Japanese wrestler and the actress from Stray Cat Rock both carry it.
- Origin: Japanese, German
- Meaning: Strong
- Pronunciation: MEIY-Kow
- Variations: Mei
- Namesakes: Meiko Satomura, a Japanese wrestler and the NXT UK Women’s Champion. Meiko Kaji, a Japanese actress appearing in the film Stray Cat Rock.
- Popularity: The most recent U.S. reading for Meiko is #10,557 in 2024, short of its best year, #5,270 in 2021.
Melisandre
Melisandre started out pointing to labor strength and determination, then faded before returning in the old-fashioned form Millicent. George R.R. Martin brought the original spelling back with Melisandre of Asshai in A Song of Ice and Fire. It is long, dramatic, and impossible to mistake for anything else. Mel, Melly, and Sandre are all available when four syllables is too many.
- Origin: French, German
- Meaning: Animal strength
- Pronunciation: MEH-liy-Saend
- Variations: Melisant
- Popularity: Melisandre has never had enough U.S. births in a year to clear the SSA’s five-birth reporting floor.
Merrick
Merrick began as an English and Welsh surname gathering up fame, power, and rule. In Scotland, The Merrick is a peak in a range called The Awful Hand, which is a good piece of trivia. It sounds current beside Merrit and Maverick without being either. A South African golfer and a U.S. attorney general share it.
- Origin: English, Welsh
- Meaning: Famous ruler
- Pronunciation: MEH-Rihk
- Variations: Merick, Merrik, Merryk
- Namesakes: Merrick Bremner, a South African golfer who competed at the 2019 U.S. Open. Merrick Garland, the 86th U.S. Attorney General since 2021.
- Popularity: By 2025 Merrick had reached #1,183 in the U.S., down from its #818 peak in 2018.
Mildred
Mildred comes from the Old English Mildthryth, joining mild to a root meaning power, so gentle strength is the literal reading. That combination is unusual and, frankly, more interesting than another battle name. It was everywhere in the early twentieth century and has been resting ever since, though a founder of the Omaha Star and an Irish politician both carried it.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Gentle strength
- Pronunciation: MIHL-Drehd
- Variations: Mildrid
- Namesakes: Mildred D. Brown, an African-American journalist who founded the Omaha Star newspaper. Mildred Fox, an Irish politician and a Teachta Dála from 1995 to 2007.
- Popularity: American parents used Mildred enough for #1,973 in 2025; it first turned up in the records in 1880.
Montgomery
Montgomery is best known as a French surname rooted in Saint-Germain-de-Montgommery in Normandy. It reads as a mountain belonging to the ruler in French and as huntsman in Latin, which is where manpower comes from. Four syllables is a commitment, but Monty is one of the friendliest nicknames in the book. Montgomery Clift and a Canadian Olympic figure skater have both carried it.
- Origin: French
- Meaning: Manpower
- Pronunciation: Mahnt-GAHM-riy
- Variations: Montgomary, Montgomerey
- Namesakes: Montgomery Clift, an American actor, and a four-time Academy Award nominee. Montgomery Wilson, a Canadian figure skater, and the 1932 Olympic bronze medallist.
- Popularity: Montgomery sat at #962 for U.S. births in 2025, a long way from its high of #893 in 1964.
Nerio
Nerio takes its strength and valor from a Roman goddess of war who was also the wife of Mars. Through that pairing it picks up war outright. The sound is warm and Italian, which softens the meaning considerably, and a Duke of Athens and a Baltimore Orioles player have both carried it.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Strength, valor
- Pronunciation: NEH-riy-Ow
- Variations: Nereo
- Namesakes: Nerio II Acciaioli, the Duke of Athens from 1435 to 1439 and 1441 to 1451. Nerio Rodríguez, a Dominican baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles.
- Popularity: Nerio falls below the U.S. publication line, which leaves out any name given to fewer than five babies in a year.
Osiris
Osiris is the Latin spelling of an ancient Egyptian name read as either a seeing eye or a mighty one, and either way it lands on mighty and powerful. He was god of the underworld and husband to Isis, which makes it heavily mythological. It is bold, and parents who choose it know exactly what they are choosing. Oz and Siri are the practical short forms.
- Origin: Egyptian, Latin
- Meaning: Mighty, powerful
- Pronunciation: Ow-SAEY-Rihs
- Popularity: Osiris has been part of U.S. birth data since 1970 and now sits at #1,077 as of 2025.
Oz
Oz means strength and heroism in Hebrew and works as an affectionate form of Ozni and Ozias. Written as Oz with an umlaut it becomes a Turkish name meaning pure and genuine. Two letters, one syllable, no ambiguity, and it stands up perfectly well on its own, worn by an Israeli footballer and a basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Strength, courage
- Pronunciation: AAZ
- Variations: Ozz, Ozzie
- Namesakes: Oz Ifrah, an Israeli footballer for Maccabi Sh’aarayim. Oz Blayzer, an Israeli basketball player for Hapoel Jerusalem.
- Popularity: In 2025, Oz came in at #3,490 for U.S. births, well off the #2,793 it held in 2019.
Philomena
Philomena goes back to the Greek Philomenes, built from phelein, meaning to love, and menos, meaning strength, so a lover of strength is the literal reading. It has a saintly, old-world quality that has kept it alive in Irish and Nigerian families. Phil, Mena, and Philly all work as short forms.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Courageous lover
- Pronunciation: Fihl-ah-MIYN-ah
- Variations: Philomeena, Phiomeana
- Namesakes: Philomena Begley, a Northern Irish country music singer and the first woman inducted into the ICMA Hall Of Fame in 2020. Philomena Mensah, a Canadian sprinter and bronze medalist at the 1999 IAAF World Indoor Championships.
- Popularity: By 2025 Philomena had fallen to #1,920 in the U.S., down from its #355 peak in 1915.
Pilar
Pilar means pillar, and the phrase pillar of strength is doing all the work here. It comes from the Catholic title Maria del Pilar, or Mary of the Pillar, so it carries devotion as well as sturdiness. It carries a strong Spanish-language heritage and elsewhere reads as elegant and unusual. A Miss International winner and a Spanish television host both carry it.
- Origin: Spanish, Latin
- Meaning: Pillar
- Pronunciation: Piy-LAAR
- Variations: Pilarre, Pyllar
- Namesakes: Pilar Medina, the first Spanish winner of the 1977 Miss International title. Pilar Rubio, a Spanish TV host of Operación Triunfo.
- Popularity: Pilar has been on record since 1896 and reached #3,336 among American births in 2025.
Qadir
Qadir comes from the Arabic qadir, meaning powerful, and it also carries capable and competent. Al-Qadir is used in connection with Allah as the all-powerful, while al-Qadir in its other form points to the capable one. The q gives it a striking look on paper, and it carries heritage usage in Pakistan.
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: Powerful
- Pronunciation: KAA-Dihr
- Variations: Qaadir
- Popularity: Qadir’s U.S. standing is #5,155 as of 2025, far off the #4,003 it reached in 1995.
Ragnar
Ragnar combines the Old Norse ragin, meaning counsel, with hari, meaning army, and it also carries judgment. Ragnar Lothbrok on the series Vikings is why most parents have heard it at all. It is heavy, Nordic, and completely unbothered by whether anyone else likes it. An Icelandic footballer and a Swedish education minister have both worn it.
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: Warrior
- Pronunciation: RAAG-Naar
- Variations: Ragnor
- Namesakes: Ragnar Sigurðsson, an Icelandic footballer for the Iceland national team. Ragnar Edenman, the Swedish Minister of Education and Ecclesiastical Affairs between 1957 and 1967.
- Popularity: Ragnar’s U.S. rank sits at #2,561 in 2025, a fall from its #1,723 best in 2023.
Rainey
Rainey is the Anglo form of the Gaelic O Raighne, which traces back to the Old Norse Rognvaldr, and it reads as queen with divine power attached. The spelling makes it sound like weather, which is part of why it feels so easygoing. Rain and Ray both work as short forms, and an American musician and an artist whose work hangs at the Museum of Modern Art have carried the name.
- Origin: Gaelic, Scandinavian
- Meaning: Queen
- Pronunciation: REY-Niy
- Variations: Rainie, Rainy, Raney
- Namesakes: Rainey Haynes, an American musician who sang the theme song to the TV series Dancing to the Hits. Rainey Bennett, an American artist with work at the Museum of Modern Art.
- Popularity: Rainey has been part of U.S. birth data since 1914 and now sits at #2,376 as of 2025.
Ranai
Ranai means protector and warrior in Sanskrit, so courageous man is well earned. Ranai Kota, meaning Ranai City, is the capital of an archipelago in Indonesia’s Riau Islands, which gives the name a place as well as a meaning. It is soft-sounding for something so martial.
- Origin: Indian
- Meaning: Courageous man
- Pronunciation: RAH-ney
- Popularity: Fewer than five U.S. babies a year have gotten Ranai, so it has never cleared the SSA’s publication threshold.
Richmond
Richmond reads as rich hill in English and connects to the Old French riche, meaning mighty, and munt, meaning mountain. That is where powerful protector comes from. It is also the capital of Virginia, so American ears hear a city first. In Ghana it also serves as a first name rather than only a place name. Rich and Richie are the obvious short forms.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Powerful protector
- Pronunciation: RICH-Mahnd
- Variations: Richmon, Richmonde, Richmound
- Namesakes: Richmond C. Beatty, an American writer awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1940.
- Popularity: By 2025 Richmond had slipped to #5,563 in the U.S., down from its #756 peak in 1913.
Rostam
Rostam has Persian roots reading as tall, strongly built, and brave. In Persian mythology, Rostam is the great hero whose mother Rudaba’s name points to the river water, which is where river strong comes from. It is a name with an epic attached, which few can claim. Tanzania’s first billionaire and the creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks have both carried it.
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: River strong
- Pronunciation: RAAS-Taam
- Variations: Rustam, Roustam
- Namesakes: Rostam Azizi, a Tanzanian businessman and the first Tanzanian billionaire in 2013. Rostam Bagdasarian (known as David Seville), the American creator of the cartoon band Alvin and the Chipmunks.
- Popularity: Rostam has been on record since 2015 and reached #10,471 among American births in 2025.
Shakti
Shakti is the female counterpart to Shiva in Hinduism and represents cosmic energy, along with effort, strength, and capability. That makes power less a description than a job title. It works for a boy or a girl, needs no nickname, and is carried today by an Indian filmmaker and a Nepalese environment minister.
- Origin: Indian, Sanskrit
- Meaning: Power
- Pronunciation: SHAHK-Tiy
- Variations: Shaktey, Shaktie
- Namesakes: Shakti Samanta, an Indian filmmaker known for Anand Ashram (1977). Shakti Bahadur Basnet, the Nepalese Minister of Forest and Environment from 2018 to 2020.
- Popularity: 2025 was Shakti’s strongest U.S. year on record at #5,687, having started in the data in 2000.
Solveig
Solveig joins the Old Norse sol, meaning sun, to veig, meaning strength, giving both strong house and daughter of the sun. Ibsen made Solveig the heart of Peer Gynt, which is why Scandinavians know it so well. The spelling asks a little of English speakers and rewards them for the effort. A French actress and a Swedish Olympic gymnast have carried it.
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: Strong house
- Pronunciation: SAAL-Veyhg
- Variations: Solveige, Solvig
- Namesakes: Solveig Dommartin, a French actress known for Wings of Desire (1987). Solveig Egman-Andersson, a Swedish artistic gymnast who competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
- Popularity: Solveig’s U.S. rank sits at #6,791 in 2025, a fall from its #1,860 best in 1916.
Takeo
Takeo means strong as bamboo, an image that says flexible and unbreakable at the same time. Bamboo bends through a storm and comes back up, which is a fair thing to wish on a child. It is one of the lesser-known Japanese names meaning brave outside Japan.
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: Strong as bamboo
- Pronunciation: Taa-KEY-ow
- Variations: Takeyo, Takio
- Namesakes: Takeo Sugawara, a Japanese hammer thrower who competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics. Takeo Arishima, a Japanese novelist known for A Certain Woman (1919).
- Popularity: Takeo’s latest U.S. rank is #10,796 in 2024, well behind the #1,107 it reached in 1913.
Tetsu
Tetsu means iron, and as a boy’s name it also carries philosophy and wisdom. Strong as iron works just as well for a girl, which is why it sits comfortably as unisex. Two syllables, no fuss, and a meaning nobody has to explain twice. A J1 League assistant manager and a founder of Japan’s science fiction writers group both carry it.
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: Iron
- Pronunciation: TEHT-suw
- Namesakes: Tetsu Nagasawa, a Japanese assistant manager of J1 League club Kyoto Sanga. Tetsu Yano, a Japanese writer who helped found Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan.
- Popularity: Tetsu has not turned up in U.S. birth data since its lone appearance at #11,141 in 1998.
Trudy
Trudy carries universal strength as a short form of the German Gertrude, and when it comes from Ermintrude it reads as wholly beloved instead. It has the bounce of a name from a black and white film, and it is more usable now than the full Gertrude. Spear of strength is the meaning underneath all that friendliness. A Commonwealth Games gymnast and an Australian actress both carry it.
- Origin: German
- Meaning: Spear of strength
- Pronunciation: TRUW-Diy
- Variations: Trudi, Trudie
- Namesakes: Trudy McIntosh, an Australian artistic gymnast and gold medalist at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Trudy Hellier, an Australian actress appearing on the program Frontline.
- Popularity: By 2025 Trudy had dropped to #5,225 in the U.S., down from its #238 peak in 1946.
Tybalt
Tybalt reads as coming from bold people in Old English and connects to the French Thibault, itself a form of Theobald. Shakespeare gave it to Juliet’s hot-headed cousin, which is the association nearly every reader brings. It sounds medieval in the best sense, closer to Theobald than to any modern Ty. Ty is the ready-made nickname for a boy who would rather not explain it.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Brave people
- Pronunciation: TIH-bowlt
- Variations: Tibalt
- Popularity: Fewer than five U.S. babies a year are named Tybalt, so the federal records do not list it at all.
Ulric
Ulric may be the fiercest name here, since it comes from the Old English Wulfric and joins wulf, meaning wolf, to ric, meaning rule. The power of the wolf is not a subtle claim to stake. It looks Germanic and sounds surprisingly gentle out loud. A British actor from EastEnders and a British writer on art have both carried it.
- Origin: English, German
- Meaning: Wolf rule
- Pronunciation: OHWL-Rihk
- Variations: Ullric, Ulrick, Ulrik
- Namesakes: Ulric Browne, a British actor known for the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Ulric Nisbet, a British writer of Thoughts on the Purpose of Art (1934).
- Popularity: Ulric’s U.S. standing is #10,595 as of 2025, far off the #2,425 it reached in 1925.
Uzi
Uzi comes from the Hebrew Uzzi, a biblical boy’s name meaning my strength, and it serves as a familiar short form for Uzza, Uzzia, and Uziel. It is traditional in Israel and reads as unmistakably modern everywhere else. Two letters do a lot of work here.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: Power, strength
- Pronunciation: UW-Ziy
- Variations: Uzzi
- Namesakes: Uzi Landau, an Israeli member of the Knesset between 1984 and 2006. Jian Zihao (known as Uzi), a Chinese League of Legends player for Bilibili Gaming.
- Popularity: Fewer than five U.S. babies a year have gotten Uzi, so it has never cleared the SSA’s publication threshold.
Valencia
Valencia stands for bravery through the Latin Valentia, meaning valor, and traces back to the Roman Valentinus. It is also the name of Spain’s third-largest city, which gives it sunshine as well as steel. Val and Lenci both work if the four syllables feel long. It sits close to Valerie and Valentina without being confused for either.
- Origin: Spanish, Latin
- Meaning: Strong, healthy
- Pronunciation: Vaa-LEHN-siy-Ah
- Variations: Valenciah, Valensia, Valyncia
- Popularity: Valencia has been part of U.S. birth data since 1919 and now sits at #1,731 as of 2025.
Valerie
Valerie comes from the Latin Valeria, the female form of Valerius, meaning brave and fierce. It has the rare quality of sounding both mid-century and completely current, which is why it has never really left. Val is the classic short form and Lolly turns up in some families. Valerie Bertinelli is the bearer most Americans picture first.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: Strong
- Pronunciation: VAA-leh-Riy
- Variations: Valeri, Valleri
- Namesakes: Valerie Solanas, an American feminist who attempted to murder Andy Warhol in 1968. Valerie Bertinelli, an American actress known for the sitcom One Day at a Time (1975 to 1984).
- Popularity: In 2025, Valerie came in at #127 for U.S. births, well off the #60 it held in 1959.
Warrick
Warrick began as a surname for a leader who defends, stemming from the medieval Warwick, so warrior king is not much of a stretch. The double r spelling gives it a modern look while keeping the history. It has an Australian heritage, and CSI put it in front of everyone else. An astronomer and a Chicago Bears player share it.
- Origin: German, English
- Meaning: Warrior king
- Pronunciation: WAOR-ihk
- Variations: Warric, Warick
- Namesakes: Warrick Couch, an Australian astronomer and the founding director of Astronomy Australia Limited. Warrick Holdman, an American football player for the Chicago Bears.
- Popularity: Warrick stands at #7,164 in the U.S. as of 2025, after peaking at #2,027 in 1967.
Willard
Willard descends from the Old English Wilheard, with the French Willard and German Willihard alongside, and it also connects to Withelard, meaning resolutely brave. Strong desire is the usual short reading, and it suits a name that sounds like it gets things done. Will is the obvious nickname and takes the formality right off. Willard Scott and a chief minister of the British Virgin Islands both carried it.
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Strong desire
- Pronunciation: WIHL-ahrd
- Variations: Wilhard
- Namesakes: Willard Scott, an American weather presenter on NBC’s Today Show. Willard Wheatley, the Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands from 1971 to 1979.
- Popularity: Willard has been on record since 1880 and reached #2,760 among American births in 2025.
Wulfric
Wulfric puts together the Old English wulf, meaning wolf, and ric, meaning power, giving a wolf chief. It is thought to connect to Ulric and to the Norse Rikiwulf. An eleventh-century English nobleman and patron of Burton Abbey carried it, and almost nobody has since.
- Origin: German, Norse
- Meaning: Wolf chief
- Pronunciation: WUHL-frik
- Namesakes: Wulfric Spot, an 11th-century English nobleman and patron of the Burton Abbey.
- Popularity: Wulfric’s U.S. standing is #13,805 as of 2025, far off the #7,234 it reached in 2022.
Yiğit
Yiğit means brave and is given to a person of exceptional bravery and strength, which is to say a hero. It has Greek roots but belongs to Turkey now, where it is a familiar boy’s name. The dotted i in the Turkish spelling is the only thing English speakers stumble over. A European Youth Olympic medalist swimmer and a senior presidential advisor both carry it.
- Origin: Turkish, Greek
- Meaning: Brave
- Pronunciation: YIH-Jhiht
- Namesakes: Yiğit Aslan, a Turkish swimmer, and bronze medalist at the 2019 European Youth Summer Olympic Festival. Yiğit Bulut, the Turkish senior advisor to President Erdoğan since 2013.
- Popularity: Fewer than five U.S. babies a year have gotten Yiğit, so it has never cleared the SSA’s publication threshold.
Zale
Zale means surge of the sea in Greek and points to a boy who is fond of strife, so sea-strength covers both halves. There is an unrelated Polish place name spelled Zale, which is a coincidence rather than an origin. One syllable, an unusual z opening, and no nickname required. A Canadian director known for The Hounds of Notre Dame carries it.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Sea-strength
- Pronunciation: ZEYL
- Variations: Zaele, Zaile
- Namesakes: Zale Dalen, a Canadian director known for the 1980 film The Hounds of Notre Dame.
- Popularity: Zale’s latest U.S. rank is #7,753 in 2024, well behind the #3,710 it reached in 1951.
Zeke
Zeke is the boyish short form of the biblical Hebrew Ezekiel, and it inherits God strengthens from it. The biblical prophet gives it depth; Sons of Anarchy gives it swagger. Plenty of parents now use Zeke on its own rather than as a nickname. A Houston Oilers player and an Olympic snowboarder both answer to it.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: God strengthens
- Pronunciation: ZIYK
- Variations: Zeak, Zeek
- Namesakes: Zeke Moore, an American football player for the Houston Oilers. Zeke Steggall, an Australian snowboarder who competed at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
- Popularity: Zeke’s 2025 U.S. rank is #803, down from the #610 it held in 2022.
Zenobia
Zenobia reads as the force of Zeus and also as the life of Zeus, and in Arabic it carries father’s ornament. Queen Zenobia, the ruler of Palmyra, is the figure who made it famous, and she is a genuinely formidable namesake. It is ornate without being fussy, and Zeni or Nobi soften it. A Queen of Armenia and a Namibian actress have also carried it.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Force of Zeus
- Pronunciation: Zeh-NOW-biy-Ah
- Variations: Zenobea, Zenobiah
- Namesakes: Zenobia of Armenia, the Queen of Armenia from 51 to 53 and 54 to 55 AD. Zenobia Kloppers, a Namibian actress appearing in the film Fiela se Kind (2019).
- Popularity: By 2025 Zenobia had fallen to #6,541 in the U.S., down from its #932 peak in 1919.
