Names That Mean Might

The name of Rip Van Winkle – and Rip (born Elmore) Torn – will probably never be ready for further consumption, if only because of the implications of R. I. P. The only thing that could save it is Rip Wheeler, the handsome ranch foreman on the soapy Western Yellowstone.

An obscure Old Testament name used by parents of 75 boys in 2016, Oziel could be a distinctive route to fashionable nickname Oz.

Rona ranked in the US Top 1000 in the mid-20th century but holds new meaning in the 2020s. "Rona" has become slang for coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, which gives the name a dark and somber edge. In 2020, Rona was given to 17 baby girls (a fall from 26 the previous year). In 2021, it dropped to just 5 — we expect it to drop off the list entirely in the years to come.

A Top 100 pick in Israel that feels simple and appealing enough to work in almost any language.

Nick Cannon and his partner Brittany named their daughter Powerful Queen in 2020, and time will tell if it will be an influential celebrity baby name. Strong word names are a trend among the stars — 2020 alone saw a Sovereign, Honor, Rumble, Epik, and Win — and the best of them filter out into the mainstream. Powerful certainly has potential, but it might do more for Power, which feels more wearable and name-like.

There are two Abihails in the Old Testament, but her similarity to Abigail is probably responsible for its being so little known or used.