Names That Mean Brave, Strong, or Powerful

  1. Reynold
    • Origin:

      English from German
    • Meaning:

      "powerful counsel"
    • Description:

      Serious surname choices, the latter form known via award-winning author Reynolds Price.
  2. Isley
    • Origin:

      English variation of Eisele, German
    • Meaning:

      "iron"
    • Description:

      Isley is used more often for girls, thanks to the similar name Isla, but actor Glenn Howerton chose it for his son, born in 2014. The musical connection via the Isley Brothers puts it in the same category as more common unisex musician names such as Lennon, Hendrix, and Bowie.
  3. Tetsu
    • Origin:

      Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "strong as iron"
    • Description:

      Tetsu is a female name with an unusually strong and powerful meaning. It sounds spunky and cute too.
  4. Bheem
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "terrible, formidable"
    • Description:

      Bheem, the name of the second of the five sons of Pandu in the Hindu epic the Mahabharata, was renowned as a strong warrior. Bheem is the name of one of the two heroes of the Bollywood film RRR.
  5. Britta
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, variation of Birgit or Britt
    • Meaning:

      "strength or exalted one"
    • Description:

      If you want a pan-Scandinavian name with energy and style that could have been a winner, if not for the sound-alike water filtration company Brita.
  6. Abir
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "strong, mighty, courageous"
    • Description:

      Place-name of a settlement in Galilee in Israel.
  7. Donnelly
    • Origin:

      Irish
    • Meaning:

      "dark, brave one"
    • Description:

      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.
  8. Rostam
    • Origin:

      Persian
    • Meaning:

      "tall, strongly-built, brave"
    • Description:

      Used in Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, this strong-sounding name belonged to a hero in Persian legend. Its derivation is unclear, but the consensus seems to be that it relates to the hero’s great size and strength, possibly from Avestan raodha "to grow" and takhma "strong, brave, valiant".
  9. Yaman
    • Origin:

      Turkish
    • Meaning:

      "strong, stalwart"
    • Description:

      Seen as both a first name and surname in Turkey.
  10. Gerda
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "enclosure, stronghold"
    • Description:

      Mythological goddess of fertility whose name seems, ironically, among the least attractive.
  11. Aziz
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "powerful and beloved"
    • Description:

      This traditional Arabic name, found throughout several other Middle Eastern and African languages and cultures, is one of the 99 names of Allah. Colorful and energetic, it was brought into the realm of crossover possibility via the lively personality of Aziz Ansari, stand-up comic and star of "Master of None" as well as a featured actor on "Parks and Recreation," playing cocky Tom Haverford (born Darwish Sabir Ismael Gani).
  12. Aimilios
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "strength"
    • Description:

      This male relative of the Emily family was borne by two Greek saints, one a fourth century martyr who destroyed pagan images and the other a ninth century bishop. Variations include Emilios and Aemilios. The Latin Aemilius, from the ancient family name, may be unrelated.
  13. Jabbar
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "powerful, mighty"
    • Description:

      One of the names of Allah, this name is also associated with basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr.).
  14. Loewy
    • Origin:

      Swiss and German nickname for brave person
    • Description:

      Enigmatic choice of enigmatic John Malkovich.
  15. Abelardo
    • Origin:

      Spanish version of French Adelard
    • Meaning:

      "noble and strong"
    • Description:

      Sometimes heard in the Latino community, has not crossed over into others.
  16. Ermentrude
    • Origin:

      French version of Germanic Ermendrud
    • Meaning:

      "universal strength"
    • Description:

      Ermentrude was the name of two medieval queens of France. Despite these distinguished beginnings, this antique name is unlikely to catch on with contemporary parents, perhaps because the first syllable may sound unattractive to the modern ear and the last two syllables are the equivalent of intrude. Then there's that rude final syllable. English variant Ermintrude is equally unlikely to find favor.
  17. Egemen
    • Origin:

      Turkish word name
    • Meaning:

      "dominant"
    • Description:

      A Turkish word name on the rise in its native country.
  18. Narve
    • Origin:

      Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "healthy, strong"
    • Description:

      Harv and Marv are out, and this difficult Dutch choice doesn't fare any better.
  19. Alcie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alcina, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "strong-willed"
    • Description:

      Alcie and Alsie are antiquated short forms that feel more baby-ready now that names such as Elsie, Elsa, and Isla are becoming popular again. Mother name Alcina was an operatic sorceress who turned men into trees and animals.
  20. Gesine
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "strength of a spear"
    • Description:

      Clunky Gertrude is heading towards obscurity in the US, but here's a variation that might intrigue - Gesine, also spelled Gesina.