Baby Name Meanings
Names That Mean Brave, Strong, or Powerful
Across 10 pages
of 10
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.
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.
Gabrina
Hebrew, variation of Gavriela
"God ismy strength"
Gabrina is a name sometimes heard in the Latino community, could make a distinctive alternative to Gabriela.
Gavi
Diminutive of Gabriel
Energetic nickname name.
Gavriel
Hebrew
"God is my strength"
An Israeli place-name as well as being the Hebrew form of Gabriel.
Imara
Kiswahili
"firm"
This could make a hauntingly evocative name for an American child, striking the perfect balance of the unusual and the familiar. Imara's meaning adds further appeal placing it among the special class…
Rainey
Word name or diminutive of Regina, Latin
"queen"
Has an old-time country feeling, perhaps due to Ma Rainey, considered the "Mother of the Blues". This is the most popular spelling of the name, given to about 50 girls last year, with half as many…
Gesine
German
"strength of a spear"
Clunky Gertrude is heading towards obscurity in the US, but here's a variation that might intrigue - Gesine, also spelled Gesina. Gesine comes from the same roots - Geretrudis - and shares the name's…
Imiza
Diminutive of Irmentrude
"universal strength"
This name was used by the royal House of Luxembourg in the Middle Ages, as a diminutive of Irmentrude. We definitely think this spunky shortening improves upon the heavy German original.
Imala
Native American
"strong-minded"
Distinctive Native-American choice with forceful meaning.
Hartman
German
"hard, strong man"
A viable choice that may be growing on your family tree. Hartman Turnbow was a part of Mississippi's "First Fourteen", the first group of African Americans who attempted to register to vote in the…
Imre
Hungarian, from German
"strength"
Commonly heard in its native country, and might get a boost here too, now that Alanis Morrissette has used it for her son Ever's middle name.
Kiah
Short form of Hezekiah, Hebrew
"God gives strength"
Drawn from old record books, Kiah is an antiquated nickname that feels perfectly appropriate for modern times -- maybe more so than father name Hezekiah.
Kiah
Kiah is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins and meanings. In Aboriginal Australian languages, it means "from the beautiful place" or is connected to meanings like "shadow place." It also…
Mandla
African
"strength"
This obscure Zulu name was chosen by Stevie Wonder.
Sosthenes
Greek
"safe strength"
The name of two Biblical figures, one a supporter of St. Paul and the other a Corinthian ruler. Virtually unknown in the U.S. but used in the form Sosthene in modern France.
Solveig
Norse
"the strong house; the way of the sun"
Currently popular in Norway where it ranks in the Top 50, Solveig is a sunny but strong choice, also familiar across Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Finland. It notably appears as the name of the…
Swithun
English
"strong bear cub"
Variously spelled as Swithun or Swithin, this distinctive sounding name is belonged to St. Swithun, an Anglo-Saxon bishop known as the patron saint of Winchester and of the weather — making him the…
Ulric
English variation of Ulrich and Wulfric, German
"rich and noble heritage; wolf power"
Also related to the word for wolf, this name has a first syllable that's not appealing to the American ear. Better ic-ending choices: Dominic, Frederic, Eric.
Emeric
French form of German Emmerich
"power"
A name popular both in France (where it's Number 405) and within the Cajun population, it's more substantial than Eric, and occurs twice in the Harry Potter series.