Names That Mean Courageous
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- Riley
Origin:
English, IrishMeaning:
"rye clearing; courageous"Description:
Riley originated as both an English and an Irish surname. The former was derived from British place names that got their names from the Old English words for "rye clearing." Irish Riley is a variation of Reilly, a surname taken from the given name Raghailleach.
- Riley
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"courageous"Description:
Riley -- one of the most popular unisex names -- is rising faster now for girls than boys. Still, there are lots of athletes and other notable real-life namesakes for a boy named Riley, as well as fictional ones in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Twilight: Eclipse.
- Oz
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"strength, powerful, courageous"Description:
This may be a legitimate Hebrew name denoting power, but to any American kid, it will evoke ruby slippers and a yellow brick road. The full Hebrew name is Ozni, who was a grandson of Jacob in the Bible.
- Thibault
Origin:
French from GermanMeaning:
"courageous people"Description:
Pronounced TEE-bow, this version, which is also a very common surname in France, has a lot more charm than the name it derives from — Theobald. A variant spelling is Thibaut.
- Valora
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"courageous"
- Reilly
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"courageous"Description:
Riley is the spelling of this lively Irish name most often picked for girls, but this version is occasionally used.
- Reilly
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"courageous"Description:
This more elaborate but not unfamiliar spelling of Riley feels oddly more feminine. Designer and Beatle daughter Stella McCartney has a daughter named Reilley. Still, Reilly or more common Riley is one name that's remained popular for both boys and girls.
- Farrell
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"courageous"Description:
If you're looking for a pleasing namesake that's more modern than Darrell/Darryl, this would make an excellent choice. Farrell is an Anglicized form of the Irish Fergal, and was well used as a first name into the nineteenth century, before it faded to mostly surname use.
- Hartwig
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"courageous in battle"Description:
Baby-naming rule #984: forget any name that contains the syllable wig.
- Abir
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"strong, mighty, courageous"Description:
Place-name of a settlement in Galilee in Israel.
- Theobald
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"courageous people"Description:
This is one of the least known or used of the Theo names, quite possibly because of its last syllable. In Samuel Butler's 1903 novel The Way of All Flesh, there is a clergyman character named Theobald Pontifex.
- Harding
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"son of the courageous one"Description:
For fans of Warren G. All two of them.
- Tib
Origin:
English diminutive of Theobald, GermanMeaning:
"courageous people"Description:
Tib was a unisex nickname in the 13th century, used as a short form of Theobald and Isabel. As Theobald waned in popularity, it became far more associated with girls, so much so that Tib was a term for young girls by the 16th century.
- O'reilly
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"son of the courageous one"Description:
Reilly and Riley are hugely popular, but O'Reilly is still an up-and-comer.
- Farrell
Origin:
IrishMeaning:
"courageous"Description:
Farrell is usually considered a boy's name, though the soft sound of this Irish surname makes it perfectly appropriate for a girl, reminiscent of Farrah.
- Brainard
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"courageous raven"Description:
We can hear the kids teasing him from here.
- Braver
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"more courageous"Description:
If Brave isn't enough for you, you might try Braver, which has an even stronger meaning. Braver's -er ending gives it surname style.
- Kuvira
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"courageous woman"Description:
A strong Indian name used for a character in the series The Legend of Korra.
- Odeda
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"courageous"Description:
Virtually unknown in this country, has an interesting, rhythmic feel.
- Tibb
Origin:
Variation of Tib, EnglishMeaning:
"courageous people"Description:
In medieval times, Tibb and Tib were nicknames for Theobald, which also gave way to short forms Tebb and Tipp.