Baby Name Meanings
By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 10 pages
of 10
Variation of Rainer, German
"wise army"
Rayner was introduced to England by the Normans after the Conquest and has historical significance in medieval Europe. Though uncommon in modern usage, Rayner has seen occasional revivals as parents…
Latin
"famous warrior"
This name is a classic example of an underused golden oldie that ticks so many boxes - unusual yet traditional, heaps of cute nicknames, a statement name that exudes retro cool. Aloysius is the Latin…
German
"battle warrior"
When it's spelled with two dots over the ' u ' in German, Gunther is pronounced GUWN-ter, but it has a much softer sound when the 'h' is voiced by English-speakers, as it was, for example, for the…
Teutonic
"mighty warrior"
A rarely used last-name-first-name, never as popular as cousins Garrett or Derek.
Old Norse via Russian
"warrior"
Musical association with Igor Stravinsky, but also Dr. Frankenstein's right-hand man.
As heavy as a marble bust of Beethoven.
Norse
"mighty army"
Original and straightforward, but with little appeal.
Variation of Marcia, diminutive of Marcella
"warlike"
Marcia is the most common version of this group of names in the U. S., now found more often among moms and grandmas than babies. Marsha was a Top 100 name in the 1950s, when Marcy was its common…
English
"army guard"
With Yale and Brown in the mainstream, why not this upscale college name and surname as well.
Italian from German
"army man"
Army plus meaner equals an unappealing name.
Kikuyu
"quiet warrior"
Kamau is from the Kikuyu language native to Kenya. It is recognizable as the middle name of comedian W. Kamau Bell.
French variation of Marcel
"little warrior"
Mime Marcel Marceau actually had two versions of the same name. Marcel, Marceau, Marcella, Marcus, Mark -- all are variation of the Roman mythological name Mars, the god of war.
"protecting army"
Formal name lacking any sparkle or sheen.
Fish name; variation of Chad
Swam into style and quickly out again, on Chad's fish- er, coat-tails.
Breton
"battle"
Rarely heard, and all too likely to be confused with Kevin.
Greek
"aggressive, warlike"
Pronounced "TAHL-a-mee," this was the name of one of Alexander the Great's generals and several Greco-Egyptian rulers, as well as the name of a famous Greek astronomer. Actress Gretchen Mol brought…
Welsh
Cadell is a surname that is unlikely to win many supporters, except perhaps from parents looking for an alternative to Caden. But while Cadell is more distinctive, that L ending is weaker and less…
"warrior chief"
Now that Kimberly is no longer one of the top girl names, Kim or long form Kimball feel more gender neutral.
French
Sleek and sophisticated.
Irish
"battle man"
Cahir along with its traditional spelling Cathair is well-used in modern Ireland. Now it's finding a wider audience thanks to The Witcher , though Cahir is the main villain of the series. It was in…
