170+ Names That Mean 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.

Lova, a Louise relative virtually unknown in the US, is one of the top girl names in Sweden.

A feminine form of Clodoveo, this Spanish and Italian name ultimately derives from the Germanic Chlodwig, via the Latin Clodovæus or Chlodoveus and the French-Germanic Hlodwig. It could make a distinctive way to nicknames Cloe or Cleo.

Obscure form of an old-fashioned favorite that's poised to make a comeback. This version, which owes as much to Alison as to Louisa, has a stylish A beginning and a multi-syllabic feminine grace.

This genial Irish surname feels much more current than Donald.

Seventies comic-book-heroine-style name.

Hereswith is a rare name that comes to us from the dark ages. She was a Northumbrian saint, whose more famous sister, Hilda, was the Abbess at Whitby and patron of the first English poet, Caedmon. The name has a soft, lispy sound that is more wearable than its spelling would suggest.

From the land that brought us Viggo, we now have Villads. Not as punchy as the romantic sounding Viggo, but infinitely better than the name it derives from: Willehadus.

An unknown (outside Indonesia) name with an attractive, gentle sound.

Swam into style and quickly out again, on Chad's fish- er, coat-tails.

Malkin is medieval short form of Maud or Matilda, popular in the Middle Ages. The name later developed folkloric associations, sometimes referring to a female cat (particularly a green-eyed one) or a witch's familiar in English folklore. In Shakespeare's time, 'grimalkin' referred to an old female cat or a fiery woman.

This Dutch name derives from the old Germanic name, Farahild. It is quite common in the Netherlands.

Formal name lacking any sparkle or sheen.

Old-fashioned, conjuring up an ardent suitor in a bow tie and straw boater.

Kamau is from the Kikuyu language native to Kenya. It is recognizable as the middle name of comedian W. Kamau Bell.

This appealing name of a mythical king of Tara whose reign brough prosperity to his kingdom is strongly associated with actor Sean. The Irish form is Conaire.

Feeney is an Irish surname found mostly in northwest Ireland. It may rise in the US as a first name for girls along with such Irish surnames as Riley and Kennedy. Feeney might also be considered an out-of-the-box short form of Josephine.

A definite improvement over the English Humbert, Umberto has nevertheless been rarely heard outside the Italian community.

Italian classic Luigi, though it lacks the modern style of Nico, Enzo, and Rocco, does have some notable namesakes, such as Nobel Prize winning author Luigi Pirandello and composer Cherubini..

Rauno originated in Finland as a variation of Norse names beginning with Ragn-, most notably Ragnar. The name is also heard in neighboring Estonia.