Strong Girl Names

Conceivable middle name choice for admirers of flyer Amelia.

Israeli-born singer Keren Ann introduced this traditional Hebrew name to the US, where it could well be mistaken for Karen. Nevertheless, 100 girls were given the name in a recent year.

Evokes picture-postcard image of colorful Indonesia. Bali Barret is a Paris fashion insider who oversees women's style for Hermes. Bali rhymes with tally or galley.

Popular in Kazakhstan, Tomiris is the Kazakh form of Tomyris, the name of a Persian warrior-queen noted for defeating Persian ruler Cyrus the Great when he tried to invade her country. With its appealing meaning, strong namesake, and distinctive, yet familiar sound, Tomiris could be an interesting route to nickname Tommy.

Mythological goddess of fertility whose name seems, ironically, among the least attractive.

This Hawaiian name gracefully celebrates the force of nature, paying tribute to the ocean. If you're looking for unique names that mean ocean, this should be on your short list.

Familiar in Brazil where it might also be spelled as Tamiris, Tamyris or Thamires, this name was borne by a Persian warrior-queen noted for defeating Persian ruler Cyrus the Great when he tried to invade her country. Notable bearers of the name include professional footballer Tamires Cássia Dias de Britto, mixed martial artist Tamires Vidal, singer Tamyris Moiane, and musician Thamires Garcia.

Sibry or Sibree were used as personal names in medieval times and are also surnames. Obscure but accessible, this name has real modern possibilities.

Romy lovers, here's a new one for you! Romary is a surname with French and Scottish roots and has historically been a masculine given name in France. It would be a great choice on either sex, but feels slightly more feminine with the -mary ending and Romy nickname.

A mighty lion in sheep's clothing. Though Amandla looks, to the untrained eye, like a variant of milquetoast Amanda, it actually derives from the word for "power" in the Zulu and Xhosa languages, two of the major languages of South Africa. Anti-Apartheid activists often used the phrase "Amandla Awethu!", meaning "power to the people," as a rallying cry at protests. There was also a 2002 documentary about the role of music in the downfall of Apartheid called "Amandla."

Writer James Baldwin could make this an inspirational choice for a child of either sex.

Makes Donna into a cool twenty-first-century unisex Irish surname.

Uncommon choice too reminiscent of "bidet". Try Bridie instead.

Shakti is the female equivalent of the god Shiva in Hinduism. A sacred name sometimes used in a secular way.

Girlish for Ethan: attractive and unusual.

Beren is a gender-neutral name that's rare in the US, given last year to 20 baby boys and only five baby girls. But it's simple, distinctive, and yes, strong, plus it comes with an amazing nickname -- Berry.

Bridget variation that's the root of the unattractive nickname Biddy. Bedelia is another spelling.

With a meaning like "elf power," Alfreda could find some appeal among fantasy enthusiasts. "Freda" makes for a pleasant nickname.

A sophisticated girls' name for those attracted to Leona, Leonie and Leonore.

In the Bible, Elim is an oasis where the Israelites stopped during their Exodus from Egypt. It is a place of plenty representing the natural blessings of God, with twelve springs of fresh water and seventy date palm trees to provide food and shade.