Baby Name Meanings
Names That Mean Brave, Strong, or Powerful
Across 10 pages
of 10
Keren
Hebrew
"ram's horn, ray of light"
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.
Zaila
Variation of Zayla, invented name
Zayla is a modern invention that's ranked on the US Top 1000 for the past few years. Variation Zaila is still far from that milestone, but however you spell it, this is a name that's rising.
Pilar
Spanish
"pillar"
The fact that this Spanish classic, which honors the Virgin Mary, does not end in the conventional letter 'a' gives it a special sense of strength, elegance, and style, making it a worthy choice. The…
Bernadette
German
"brave as a bear"
Although feminizations ending in "ette" are not particularly popular now, Bernadette is a pleasant, feminine, but strong name that doesn't feel prohibitively dated. And though strongly associated…
Archibald
Scottish from German
"truly brave"
The short form Archie is so open and friendly --and very trendy in the British Isles--that some parents are now beginning to consider the formerly fusty Archibald as well. SNL comedians Amy Poehler…
Bernard
German
"strong, brave as a bear"
Bernard is obviously a saint's name, but how did it get to the big, benevolent dog? The eleventh century monk, patron saint of mountain climbers, who lived in the Alps, was famed for setting up safe…
Donnelly
Irish
"dark, brave one"
Donnelly is among the more appealing Irish surname names, less well used than Donovan. Related options include the place name Donegal and the mythological god name Donegan.
Hardy
German
"bold, brave"
Hardy is a spirited and durable un-Germanic German surname that is starting to be used in this country. British fashion designer Hardy Amies (born Edwin) is its best known bearer, and Thomas Hardy…
Decebal
Romanian
"powerful, brave"
Decebal was the name of an ancient ruler of Dacia who resisted but was eventually conquered by the Roman military leader Traianus. Both Decebal and Traian are names used in modern Romania.
Evardo
Spanish
"well pleasing + wealthy guardian"
A rare yet familiar sounding Spanish compound name, blending Evaristo and Eduardo together. It also appears in the Oz novels by L. Frank Braum (the source of the musical Wicked ).
Howard
German, English
"high guardian; brave heart"
Howard, once hugely popular in the Top 50 from the 1870s to early 1950s, hitting Number 24 in 1920 -- has been stuck in Dad-Grandad limbo for decades, but is showing some signs of stirring back to…
Warrick
English
"fortress; strong leader who defends."
Warrick has recently come into the spotlight as the character Warrick Brown on the TV show CSI . The more conventional spelling is Warwick, a medieval English noble name.