Names That Mean Brave, Strong, or Powerful

This strong (literally) African name comes from the Chewa language of southern Africa.

A viable choice only if it's growing on your family tree.

A distinctive English surname name that also carries the slightly ominous sense of the verb batten, as in "batten down the hatches." Batten was also a medieval first name related to Bartholomew.

Gabrina is a name sometimes heard in the Latino community, could make a distinctive alternative to Gabriela.

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.

Serious surname choices, the latter form known via award-winning author Reynolds Price.

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.

Fairly rare Spanish name, found as a character in one of the Oz books. One of those

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.

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

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

A Turkish word name on the rise in its native country.