Warrior Queen

Names in this category are swordswomen and shieldmaidens, onna-bugeisha and Amazons, viragos and valkyries; knights in less-than-shining armor who rescue themselves; badass queens of legend who lead their armies into battle, get their hands dirty, and fight alongside their soldiers on the frontlines. Colors and textures are iron and steel, blood and stone, leather and bone; well-used armor, bloodied and dented, but oiled against rust; dwarven-forged greatswords passed down through generations; trusted warhorses, powerful and courageous, pluming the air with their breath; medieval castles with towering stone walls; the devotion of a populace who knows their ruler is one of them, rather than set apart; a ceremonial crown, left untouched on a velvet pillow while its mistress rides off to war.
  1. Adela
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "noble"
    • Description:

      A vibrant variation of Adele, with a bit of extra flair from that "-a" ending. It could join the army of popular A girls' names, especially with its tie to the success of singer Adele.
  2. Adelaide
    • Origin:

      Variant of Adelheidis, German
    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility"
    • Description:

      Adelaide is now heading straight uphill on the coattails of such newly popular sisters as Ava, Ada, and Audrey, and in the company of Adeline and Amelia. It was chosen by actress Katherine Heigl for the name of her second daughter.
  3. Adeliza
    • Origin:

      Medieval English and Old Swedish form of Adelaide
    • Meaning:

      "noble, nobility"
    • Description:

      Adeliza is a unique member of the popular Adelaide-Adeline family. Different enough to distinguish it from all the others? Maybe, and it's definitely got an appealing sound that makes it sound a bit like a smoosh of Adele and Eliza.
  4. Adhira
    • Origin:

      Sanskrit
    • Meaning:

      "lightning; restless"
    • Description:

      A strong and pretty sounding name with a turbulent and weather related meaning.
  5. Adira
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "strong"
    • Description:

      Adira is one of those names that feels familiar without being overused. Simple but with subtle flair, Adira crosses different languages easily and could provide an alternative option tor the likes of Ava, Ariana, Adeline, and Anna.
  6. Aenea
    • Origin:

      Greek, female variation of Aeneas
    • Meaning:

      "the praised one"
    • Description:

      This name found in the fantasy series Endymion/Rise of Endymion has a slightly physiological feel to it.
  7. Aeronwy
    • Alder
      • Origin:

        English botanical name
      • Meaning:

        "alder tree; old; red, brown"
      • Description:

        Deriving from an old English surname or from the alder tree, whose wood is used to make electric guitars, Alder can mean "old" if considered a variation on the Germanic alter or "red, brown" when you follow the root of the tree name.
    • Alexandra
      • Origin:

        Greek, feminine form of Alexander
      • Meaning:

        "defending men"
      • Description:

        Alexandra fell out of the Top 100 for the first time since 1983 in 2015 but is still a popular choice. Strong, tasteful, and elegant, Alexandra remains a chic modern classic with a solid historic pedigree.
    • Alexandria
      • Origin:

        Variation of Alexandra, Greek
      • Meaning:

        "defending men"
      • Description:

        Alexandria turns classic Alexandra into a more distinctive place-name, in both Egypt and Virginia, while also giving it a touchy of frilliness. The name peaked in the 90s when it entered the US Top 100 for the first time, but has since been on decline.
    • Alexandrine
      • Origin:

        French and German variation of Alexandra
      • Meaning:

        "defending men"
      • Description:

        Alexandra is a name with many international variations, elaborations and short forms, and Alexandrine is one of the more unusual. Another, Alexandrina, was the first name of Queen Victoria.
    • Andromeda
      • Origin:

        Greek mythology name
      • Meaning:

        "advising like a man"
      • Description:

        One of the stellar unique baby names from mythology, Andromeda was the beautiful daughter of Cassiopeia who, like her mother, literally became a star--the constellation that bears her name.The Bohemian Andromeda makes a dramatic and adventurous choice in a time when four-syllable mythological names are gradually making their way into the mainstream.
    • Angharad
      • Origin:

        Welsh
      • Meaning:

        "much loved"
      • Description:

        This name dates back to Arthurian legend, in which Angharad was the lover of Percival, one of the Knights of the Round Table, and was used more recently for the name of the favorite wife of the warlord in Mad Max: Fury Road. It was quite popular in the Middle Ages and is still heard in Wales, but we doubt that even the glamorous Rosie Huntington-Whiteley could propel it to wider popularity.
    • Antigone
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "worthy of one's parents, in place of one's parents"
      • Description:

        In Greek mytholgy, Antigone was the noble and courageous daughter of Oedipus, who acts as his guide after he blinds himself. Antigone is also the eponymous heroine of a play by Jean Anouilh.
    • Antonia
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "from Antium"
      • Description:

        Antonia is stronger than most feminized boys’ names, reflecting the pioneer spirit of Willa Cather's classic novel My Antonia. Antonia is hovering near the bottom of the US popularity list, which may be an excellent reason for you to use it.
    • Apolline
      • Origin:

        French form of Apollonia
      • Description:

        Apolline is a luscious French name chic in Paris and ripe for the plucking in the English-speaking world. Derived from the mythological name Apollo, the name may mean strength; Apollo was the god of sun and light. Apolline is a perfect choice for those attracted to the name Apple who don't want to go quite that far.
    • Aquila
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "eagle"
      • Description:

        An evocative ancient word that's used as a first name in the New Testament, among other places. It's also the name of an eagle-shaped constellation.
    • Arcadia
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "region offering peace and contentment"
      • Description:

        Arcadia, a name for an unspoiled paradise, makes an attractive secular alternative to Nevaeh or Eden. For parents who want an unusual name with a friendlier nickname, Arcadia has the advantage of cute Cady.
    • Ariadne
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "most holy"
      • Description:

        This name of the Cretan goddess of fertility is most popular now as the more melodic Ariana, but Ariadne has possibilities of its own. It first entered the US Top 1000 in 2014. The renewed interest in the name falls in line with the revival of other mythological names like Apollo and Athena. The trendy nickname Ari doesn't hurt either.
    • Arsinoe
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "rise, lift"
      • Description:

        Also written Arsinoë, this name appears both in Ancient Egyptian mythology and history, belonging to several queens of the Ptolemaic dynasty. It derives from Greek arsis "rise, lift" and nous "mind, intellect".