Baby Name Meanings
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 9 pages
of 9
Scandinavian
"god's rune; secret battle"
Difficult name familiar here mainly via D. H. Lawrence's Women in Love .
Swedish
"battle maiden"
This popular old Swedish name is not one that would appeal to many modern American parents, though shortening it to Nilla helps.
German
"courageous in battle"
Baby-naming rule #984: forget any name that contains the syllable wig.
Diminutive of Louisa
"renowned warrior"
Wheezy short form of lovely name, featured in the movie "Steel Magnolias", spelled as Ouiser. Similar, literary Ouida is less breathy, while Lou, Lulu, Lula, Lissy or Whizz might appeal instead.
French
"warrior"
Marcheline was the first name of Angelina Jolie's late mother, who was part French-Canadian, which Jolie and Brad Pitt used as the middle name for their twin daughter Vivienne. The name is related to…
French variation of German Otthild
"prospers in battle"
Odette's evil Swan Lake twin -- gives the name a sinuous, sensuous appeal. It was a popular choice in France in the 20th century and made the Top 40 back in 1952, however, it has since fallen out of…
French and English, diminutive of Ottolie
Curiously appealing, in a hoop-skirted, wasp-waisted way, Ottoline has recently entered the realm of modern possibility, especially since Sienna Miller chose it as the middle name of her daughter…
Arabic
"ready for battle"
The M and the R add welcome strength.
Saxon
"battle swan"
An ancient name belonging to "the most beautiful of all women" in Germanic mythology, whose tragic story features in many northern European legends. The daughter of Sigurd and Gudrun, her jealous…
Combination of Mary and Lou
"bitter; renowned warrior"
This charming name, popular in France and the Netherlands, has not traveled to the U.S. yet but would make a modern way to honor grandma Mary or Louise, or as a perfect short form of Mary Louise. Or,…
Turkish
"naval soldier"
Levent is a common name in Turkey, derived from Ottoman Turkish levend — a soldier in the Ottoman navy. The name also has connections to the Venetian navy in renaissance times.
English and Scottish variation of Ludwig
"famous warrior"
Euro-cool. Heard more in Scotland than in England or the US, Ludovic Lesly is a character in the Sir Walter Scott novel Quentin Durward and Sir Ludovic Kennedy was a noted Scottish broadcaster and…
Nigerian, Yoruban
"he fights for his desires"
Rhythmic name sometimes associated with calypso singer King Ajamu.
"famous fighter"
Inventive female form of Aloysius.
"warrior fighting with a spear"
Last-name-first-name with a romantic but dangerous edge.
Irish
"dark fighter"
This genial Irish surname feels much more current than Donald.
A name with two strong literary associations, one overwhelmingly negative -- Lolita 's pedophilic narrator Humbert Humbert -- and one positive, in the preferable European version: Italian author…
"battle heroine"
Seventies comic-book-heroine-style name.
Dutch
"travel to battle"
This Dutch name derives from the old Germanic name, Farahild. It is quite common in the Netherlands.
