Names That Mean Strong

On trend for boys but with plenty of unisex appeal too, the place name Cairo was put on the map for girls when model Beverly Peele chose it for her daughter. Given to around 50 girls each year, it hasn't caught on just yet but with its similar sounds to Kaia and Skyler, it might do in the future.

Pleasingly quaint and dainty New Testament possibility; the nickname Dru modernizes it.

This strong (literally) African name comes from the Chewa language of southern Africa.

A name most common among middle-aged Japanese men.

A saints name and a word name, this is a modern, original way to convey a powerful meaning, especially in the middle place.

Dark, woody name that's brings to mind rich panelling, beautiful colors and luxury.

An Anglo-Saxon name borne by the queen of Alfred the Great. American novelist Helen Ricker wrote under the pen-name Elswyth Thane. Variants include Elswith, Ealswith and Ealhswith.

Zuberi has separate origins as a Swahili given name meaning "strong," and an Arabic surname — primarily among Sunni Muslims in Pakistan — meaning "superior."

Last name occasionally used as a first, can be seen as a Lance Armstrong athlete-hero name.

Harv and Marv are out, and this difficult Dutch choice doesn't fare any better.

A venerable name closer to MELISSA than the original MILLICENT.

Long considered Mr. Hall's exclusive property, it's now ready to be adopted by others.

This name has considerable meaning in the Islamic world, as Hamzah the brave was the uncle and protector of the Prophet of Islam. A more contemporary Hamzah is the eldest son of the late King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan. More commonly encountered in English-speaking countries as Hamza.

The names from which Meja derived, including Meinhild and Magnhild, are long gone, but a Swedish singer called Meja (born Anna Pernilla Torndahl) has piqued interest in this modern derivative. Meja is now a Top 100 name in Sweden.

This Latinate form of Bernard hovered in the lower regions of the US Top 1000 from the late 1940s until 2006, possibly inspired by the character in West Side Story. It remains popular in Portugal and it does have a little more flair than the grandpa style Bernard.

Preferable to its parent name, Arnoud, in the Netherlands.

Tetsu is a female name with an unusually strong and powerful meaning. It sounds spunky and cute too.

Melisende, the mellifluous name of a 12th century queen of Jerusalem, gave rise to the more modern (but less lovely) Millicent. Other old forms include Melisent, Malasintha, and the French Melisande, a fairy tale heroine.

One of the more unusual word names used by Plymouth pilgrims for their children. Fear Brewster is an example of the usage of this name. Definitely one of the historic pilgrim names best left in the past.

Sometimes heard in the Latino community, has not crossed over into others.