170+ Names That Mean Warrior

Seventies comic-book-heroine-style name.

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

This genial Irish surname feels much more current than Donald.

This name, more often spelled Ottoline, is curiously appealing, in a hoop-skirted, wasp-waisted way; heard more often in novels than real life, though that is showing some signs of change.

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.

Haitian writer Edwidge Danticat highlighted this sophisticated, chignon-wearing choice for literate parents.

Marcellina is one feminine form of the names derived from the ancient Roman Marcellus. There was a Saint Marcellina who was a 4th century virgin and the only sister of Saint Ambrose.

One of the designer baby names -- Chanel and Gucci are others -- that have appeared in this era of branding everything from your purse to your offspring. It helps that the name is similar to more established choices, such as Amani, Marnie, Amy, and Aria.

An adolescent boy might have problems with the first syllable.

Now that Kimberly is no longer one of the top girl names, Kim or long form Kimball feel more gender neutral.

The word Invictus is best known via the Invictus Games, a multinational sporting event for wounded, injured, and sick armed service personnel. It's most famous as the venue for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's romance.

Chadwick Boseman, the late charismatic star of Marvel's blockbuster Black Panther, brought this name to the spotlight for the first time. Though we long considered it an overwrought way to get to the nickname Chad, his celebrity gives it new luster, and we wouldn't be surprised to see it grow in popularity going forward.

The M and the R add welcome strength.

Wears long blonde braids, carries a spear, and sings duets with Brunhild. But variations Ottilie, Ottiline, or Ottoline are both unusual and chic.

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.

To most Australians and New Zealanders, using the name Anzac might feel sacrilegious now, as the ANZAC story has become interwoven with national identity. But Anzac was used as a name for both boys and girls on both sides of the Tasman Sea in the aftermath of the First World War. It was often used in combination with other names associated with battles or military leaders - for example Dardanella Anzac and Verdun Anzac (both girls) and Winston Anzac and Anzac Kitchener (boys).

Although practically unheard of in the US, Lovi is a name you should consider borrowing from its native Sweden. It follows the on-trend formula of traveling lite names — four letters, ending in I — and could easily cross cultures. The visual similarity to the word "love" doesn't hurt either.

Baby-naming rule #984: forget any name that contains the syllable wig.

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

A Cherokee warrior rank that was borne by those who earned it, not given as a baby name.