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16 English names

Names that mean strong or brave

English names whose meaning is about strength, bravery or power, for boys and girls.

Names

  1. AlexanderBoyal-ig-ZAN-der · GreekMeans “defender of men”Alexander comes from Greek words meaning “to defend” and “man”. It was made famous by Alexander the Great, the king of Macedon who built a huge empire. It has been used across Europe for centuries, including by several kings of Scotland.
  2. AndrewBoyAN-droo · GreekMeans “manly”Andrew comes from the Greek name Andreas, based on the word for “man”. Saint Andrew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, and he is the patron saint of Scotland. The name has been common in Britain for many centuries.
  3. ArchieBoyAR-chee · GermanicMeans “genuine and bold”Archie began as a short form of Archibald, a Germanic name that became especially common in Scotland. Today Archie is usually given as a name on its own. It has been one of the most popular boys’ names in England and Wales in recent years.
  4. AudreyGirlAW-dree · Old EnglishMeans “noble strength”Audrey is a later form of the Old English name Æthelthryth, which was borne by a 7th-century princess and saint who founded a church at Ely. Cheap lace sold at her fair was called “St Audrey’s lace”, which gave English the word “tawdry”. The actress Audrey Hepburn made the name feel elegant again in the 20th century.
  5. DrewUnisexDROO · GreekMeans “manly, brave”Drew began as a short form of Andrew, from a Greek word for “man” and “brave”. It is also an English surname, and that is how many girls got it. It is mostly a boy’s name, though the actress Drew Barrymore made it familiar for girls.
  6. EthanBoyEE-thun · HebrewMeans “firm, enduring”In the Bible, Ethan the Ezrahite is a wise man mentioned in the books of Kings and Psalms. The name was rare for a long time but became very popular in the US and UK from the late 20th century. It is still a common choice today.
  7. FinleyUnisexFIN-lee · ScottishMeans “fair warrior”Finley comes from the Scottish Gaelic name Fionnlagh, made from words for “white, fair” and “warrior”. It is a popular boy’s name in the UK. In the US it is used for both genders and in recent years more often for girls.
  8. GabrielBoyGAY-bree-ul · HebrewMeans “God is my strength”In the Bible, Gabriel is the archangel who tells Mary that she will have a son, Jesus. The name is used in Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions. It has become very popular in many countries, including the US, in recent years.
  9. HaroldBoyHARR-uld · Old EnglishMeans “army ruler”Harold comes from Old English words for “army” and “power”; the Old Norse name Haraldr has the same parts. King Harold II was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, and he died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The name was rare for centuries but came back in the 19th century.
  10. LeonardBoyLEN-erd · GermanicMeans “brave lion”Leonard comes from a Germanic name made of words for “lion” and “brave” or “hardy”. Saint Leonard was a popular saint in the Middle Ages, and the Normans brought the name to England. It was very common in the early 20th century.
  11. MatildaGirlmuh-TIL-duh · GermanicMeans “mighty in battle”Matilda comes from old Germanic words for strength and battle. The Normans brought it to England: Matilda of Flanders was the wife of William the Conqueror, and Empress Matilda fought for the English throne in the 12th century. Roald Dahl’s children’s book Matilda helped make it popular again.
  12. NicholasBoyNIK-uh-lus · GreekMeans “victory of the people”Nicholas comes from the Greek name Nikolaos, made of words for “victory” and “people”. Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for giving gifts, is the origin of Santa Claus. The name has been used in England since the Middle Ages.
  13. RichardBoyRICH-erd · GermanicMeans “brave ruler”Richard comes from Germanic words for “power” and “brave, hardy”. The Normans brought it to England, and three English kings had the name, including Richard the Lionheart. It has been a common English name ever since.
  14. VictorBoyVIK-ter · LatinMeans “conqueror”Victor is a Latin word and was a Roman name. It was borne by several early saints and popes, which kept it in use in Christian Europe. The French writer Victor Hugo is one of its most famous bearers.
  15. VincentBoyVIN-sunt · LatinMeans “conquering”Vincent comes from the Roman name Vincentius, from the Latin verb vincere, “to conquer”. Saint Vincent de Paul, a 17th-century priest who helped the poor, made it popular among Catholics. The Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh is its best-known bearer.
  16. WyattBoyWY-ut · Old EnglishMeans “brave in war”Wyatt began as an English surname that came from the medieval name Wyot, from the Old English Wigheard, made of words for “war” and “brave, hardy”. It is linked to the American Old West through the lawman Wyatt Earp. It has become popular in the US in recent years.