Names That Mean Ruler

Haumea is the Hawaiian goddess of childbirth, said to have created a potion to allow humans to be able to give birth naturally. The meaning of the name is likely related to the blood shed in childbirth. A dwarf planet beyond Neptune's orbit is named in Haumea's honor.

Haumea

Frederikke

Rika is most common as a Japanese name, when it means "beautiful village" in one kanji combination. It is also seen as a nickname and given name in Scandinavia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands, where Rika originated as a nickname for names such as Fredrika and Henrika.

Rika

This elaborate German name was created for the main protagonist in the Middle High German heroic epic "Wolfdietrich" by combining Wolf + Dietrich. A real-life bearer of the name was author Wolfdietrich Schnurre.

Wolfdietrich

A spiky feminine form of Heinrich, Henry, and Henrik, Henrike is a German, Danish, and Austrian equivalent to English Henrietta. It has ranked in the German Top 500 during the 2020s, making it familiar but not overused. 

Henrike

An extremely rare name, used predominantly in the town of Bury in North Western England, Richmal is most notably borne by writer Richmal Crompton, known for her Just William novels. 
 
The exact origins of the name are unknown but one theory is that it's a blend of Richard and Mary (via the Medieval diminutive Malle), giving it meanings such as "dominant and beloved ruler". Alternatively, it could be a mix of Richard and Amalia ("vigorous ruler") or Richard and Michael ("dominant ruler who is like God").

Richmal

A little like Adrianne, this compound name blends classic Anne with modern Aubrey. 

Aubrianne

A sweet sounding choice with a strong meaning, Thiette is a diminutive of the 60s French favorite, Thierry. Appealing perhaps to fans of Miette, Liette, Colette, and similar, it may be said as TEE-EHT or TYEHT and is a very rare choice. 

Thiette

An Icelandic variant of Frederick, notably borne by film director Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, music artist Friðrik Dór Jónsson, and singer Friðrik Ómar.

Friðrik

An elaborate diminutive form of Enrica, Enrichetta has a bold and poetic feel to it. Ultimately derived from the Germanic Heinrich, it could be considered an Italian alternative to Henrietta, meaning and sound-wise.
 
The name has been notably borne by Italian writer Enrichetta Caracciolo, an 18th century princess of Parma, Enrichetta d'Este, and philanthropist, educator, and activist Enrichetta Chiaraviglio-Giolitti.

Enrichetta

Sweet and cosy but perfectly substantial too, Hennie  derives from the sturdy Hendrik and acts as both a stand-alone feminine form, and as a diminutive of Hendrika or Henriette. Occasionally spelled as Henny too, it is currently popular in Norway. 

Hennie

Sharing the sounds of Maverick, Averill, Avery, and Alaric, Averick is a rugged and unexpected name of Manx origin. It's a variant of the Irish names Aifric and Aithbhreac , both of which can come from the element breac meaning "speckled". 
 
When used as a surname, however, Averick could also be an anglicized form of the Germanic Alberich meaning "elf ruler".
 
Boyish yet with feminine roots, Averick could be an interesting way to get to nicknames Ava and Avi.

Averick

While Kendrix is predominantly used on boys — likely owing to its musical namesakes, Kendrick Lamar and Jimi Hendrix — the most noteworthy Kendrix (as yet) is in fact Kendrix Morgan, also known as the Pink Galaxy Ranger from the Power Rangers franchise.
 
A name with multiple origins, Kendrix derives from the Welsh Cynwrig meaning "champion", the Anglo-Saxon Cyneric, meaning "royal ruler", the Scottish surname, MacEanraig, meaning "son of Henry", and from Hendrik, a variation Henry meaning "home ruler".
 
Used very quietly on girls since the early 2010s, Kendrix might appeal to those looking for something unexpected but with the same feel as Phoenix, Collins, and Kennedy.

Kendrix

This lively short form of Rodrigo is most often associated with Spanish footballer Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, known mononymously as Rodri. While not traditionally used on its own, it could be a fresh and charming way to honour a Roderick or Rodrigo. It is pronounced with a rolled R in Spanish. 

Rodri

Predominantly used as a feminine name, Sarai is usually considered a variation of Sarah. In the Bible, it was the original name of the wife of Abraham, before God changed it. Given to nearly 700 girls in the US in a recent year, it has appeared just one in the charts for boys, back in 1996 when it was chosen for six babies.
 
More internationally, Sarai has been used as a boy name in Cambodia, India, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Pakistan, perhaps as a variation of Siri, meaning "secret" in Swahili and "splendor, glory, radiance" in a variety of languages, ultimately from Sanskrit element śrī. There's also the Biblical Seraiah meaning "Yahweh is ruler" which could be another source.

Sarai

Raja and Rajah are widely used Arabic and Indian names with different meanings. In the US and internationally, the names are used for both genders. Seven baby girls were named Rajah in the US last year and five named Raja.

Rajah

Poetic and intriguing, Iselota feels similar to choices like Isobel and Lotta, while also being extremely rare. While its exact etymology is unknown, it is conjected that it was used in Medieval England as a variation or diminutive of the Arthurian Isolde, perhaps inspired by the Latinized form, Iseldis. As such, it's a name with a wintry and pretty air. 

Iselota

Bold, handsome, and unusual, Amalric is an ancient feeling choice, borne by a 12th century ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Derived from Gothic, it has the strong meaning "brave ruler", but shares that gentler Am- beginning of Ambrose. 
 
More likely seen in its French form, Amaury, Amalric may also be one of the roots of modern favorite Emory (or Emery). This form may nevertheless appeal to those looking for a historical choice, with the vibe of Alec, Alaric, and Amias.

Amalric

Ali̇xan is a cool and contemporary looking name, and a recent addition to the Top 60 in Azerbaijan. It combines the Arabic Ali with the Turkic title, Khan, to give the name the powerful meaning of "supreme and exalted leader".
 
Alixan is also the name of a town in South East France, pronounced AH-leek-ohn, with a barely there 'n' in the final syllable. In this case, the name would mean "land of Alexius".

Alixan

Predominantly used for boys in France and beyond, Thierry has appeared in the US charts for girls sporadically since the 2000s, likely because of its -y ending and visual similarities to Kerry, Terry, Cherry, and similar. Derived from the Germanic Theodoric (not related to the familiar Theodore), it is pronounced as TYEH-REE in French, but sometimes as tee-air-ree in English. 

