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Names That Mean Brave, Strong, or Powerful

  1. Gerda

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "enclosure, stronghold"

    • Description:

      Mythological goddess of fertility whose name seems, ironically, among the least attractive.
  2. Baldwin

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "brave friend"

    • Description:

      Writer James Baldwin could make this an inspirational choice for a child of either sex.
  3. Quillon

    • Origin:

      Latin or Greek

    • Meaning:

      "crossing swords; strong"

    • Description:

      Pronounced KILL-on, might lead a young boy astray--though that doesn't seem to have halted the progress of the popular Killian.
  4. Kaimana

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "the power of the ocean"

    • Description:

      This Hawaiian name gracefully celebrates the force of nature, paying tribute to the ocean. If you're looking for unique names that mean ocean, this should be on your short list.
  5. 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.
  6. 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).
  7. 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.
  8. Nerio

    • Origin:

      Latin from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "strength, valor"

    • Description:

      Nerio was one of the Roman goddesses of war and a wife of Mars. Her name is among the many intriguing names that mean strong.
  9. Alfreda

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "elf power,"

    • Description:

      With a meaning like "elf power," Alfreda could find some appeal among fantasy enthusiasts. "Freda" makes for a pleasant nickname.
  10. Mandla

    • Origin:

      African

    • Meaning:

      "strength"

    • Description:

      This obscure Zulu name was chosen by Stevie Wonder.
  11. Yaman

    • Origin:

      Turkish

    • Meaning:

      "strong, stalwart"

    • Description:

      Seen as both a first name and surname in Turkey.
  12. Abir

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "strong, mighty, courageous"

    • Description:

      Place-name of a settlement in Galilee in Israel.
  13. Chasin

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "strong, mighty"

    • Description:

      Old World Jewish name that could travel to the New.
  14. Gavi

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Gabriel

    • Description:

      Energetic nickname name.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.).
  17. Kiah

    • Description:

      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 appears in Hebrew, where it may be a variant of Kia, meaning "God's grace." Some sources suggest Kiah could be derived from an African word meaning "season's beginning." The name has gained modest popularity in English-speaking countries since the 1990s, appreciated for its brevity, melodic sound, and cross-cultural appeal. Kiah offers a simple yet distinctive two-syllable structure that's easy to pronounce across cultures. The name carries spiritual undertones in multiple traditions while maintaining a contemporary feel, making it appealing to parents seeking a name that's both meaningful and modern.

  18. Richmond

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "powerful protector"

    • Description:

      Richmond is a place-name — it's the capital of Virginia, US, and a town in London, UK — that makes a fresh way to honor an ancestral Richard.
  19. Bride

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "strength or exalted one"

    • Description:

      Technically a pet form of Brigid and very commonly heard in Ireland, but pronunciation problems complicate Bride as a name choice in America.
  20. Uziah

    • Origin:

      Hebrew, variant spelling of Uzziah, “Jehovah is my strength”

    • Description:

      One of the most unusual of the biblical iah-options, this was the name of a long-reigning king of Judea, and just might appeal to the parent looking for a quasi-unique Old Testament choice. And it avoids the negative Dickensian aura of the other New Testament U-name, Uriah.