Them Are Fighting Names

by Pamela Redmond Satran

We’re always spotlighting baby names that have appealing meanings: nature and intelligence, peace and love.

But the fact is that many ancient names have meanings that relate to fighting and war and victory, undoubtedly desirable qualities to parents who feared that their babies might be kidnapped by Huns or eaten by wolves.

In the modern world, parents tend to choose one of these battle-related name despite rather than because of a meaning like “renowned warrior” or “elf spear”. And those who want a fierce-sounding name may opt for something more explicit like Wilder or Gunner, Hunter or Blade.

But a user-created list we recently spotlighted by @nidorina reminded us just how many fighting, war, soldier, protector, and guardian names there are from deep in the traditional naming lexicon. And there are many more than listed there. An overview:

POPULAR NAMES

Fighting names are not all masculine, though many of the girls’ names with war-related meanings stem from male choices. Here is a collection of the most familiar for both sexes, with their meanings.

Alexandra and Alexander — defending men

Barry — spear

Brenda — blade of a sword

Duncan — dark warrior

Edward — wealthy guardian

Gary — spearman

Geraldine and Gerald –– ruler with the spear

Liam and William — resolute protection

Louise and Louis — renowned warrior

Mark — warlike

Martin — warlike

Oscar — God spear or champion warrior

Owen — young warrior

Peyton — fighting man’s estate

Ramona and Raymond — wise protector

Roger — famous warrior

Rosamond — horse protection

Sloane or Sloan — raider

Willa — resolute protection

Wyatt — brave in war

Zelda — grey fighting maid

UNUSUAL NAMES

Here are some of the more unusual names with warlike meanings.

Aminta — defender

Boris — to fight

Caddock — eagerness for war

Clancy — red-haired warrior

Corin — spear

Destry — war horse

Hera — protectress

Koa — warrior

Ludovica — famous in war

Mordecai — warrior

Ptolemy — aggressive, warlike

Thurman — defended by Thor

Viggo — war

Do you care about these ancient meanings of names? Would you give your baby a war or fighting-related name?