Wanna Raise A Fighter? Give These Warrior Names A Try

Naming a baby, pet, or character is quite the task. Names hold so much meaning — not just from their etymology, but also from people who’ve held those names in the past. The name Beatrice, for instance, means “bringer of joy.” But to you, it’s just the name of that one grumpy aunt who’s mean to your friends. Can a name really impact a child’s personality? Probably not. But you can bet the owners of the precocious doodle named Eloise feel differently. So, what name do you use when you’re hoping your child turns out tough and strong? What name packs a punch for your preemie babe who needs to fight just to survive? A warrior name might be the way to go.

If you do choose this route, you have a few paths you could go down. You could pick a name that literally means “warrior” or “ fighter.” Or, if you’re naming a sure-to-be older sibling, you could consider a moniker that means “protector” to hopefully guarantee you’ll raise a kid who looks after others. Or you could go the route of naming your child after a famous warrior or notoriously badass person.

Take the name “Geronimo.” It sounds wild and fun, right? You bellow “Geronimo!” before you cannonball into the pool or careen down a slide. But do you know the story of the Apache medicine man and leader Geronimo? During the extended and bloody Apache-United States conflict, Geronimo led multiple raids. He often commanded groups of Apache warriors that numbered anywhere from 30 to 50 fighters. At at least one point in his life, he was a prisoner of war. And yet he still lived to almost 80 years old and fathered two children. He’s so widely storied in American history that there are rumors of his skull being taken from his grave. Requests for its return even made it to Former President George W. Bush when he was still in office. Was he a perfect role model? That depends largely on who you ask. He was certainly a famously fierce warrior, though.

Another “warrior” possibly worthy of namesake? Joan of Arc. The name Joan simply means “God is gracious,” which doesn’t exactly put up much of a fight. Joan of Arc, however, was quite the military asset. Joan claimed she received visions from God and the archangel Michael that could help France win the Hundred Years’ War. Charles VII sent her along with a relief army to the Siege of Orleans, where her arrival seemed to help lift the siege less than two weeks later. After that, Charles VII continued to utilize her as a wartime asset. She was eventually tried for heresy and burnt at the stake. Posthumously, though, her charges were proven politically charged and unfounded. Bottom line: She was on the battlefield in a time when few other women held a place there, and she did it of her own free will. She’s been canonized, too — St. Joan, a true warrior and devout Catholic.

Want more warrior names? We love all of these.

Famous Warrior Names

Warrior Boys Names

• Alexander (The Great)
• Richard (I of England)
• Leonidas (I)
• Julius (Caesar)
• Geronimo
• William (Wallace)
• Sun (Tzu)

Warrior Girls Names

• Joan (of Arc)
• Artemisia (I of Caria)
• Khutulun
• Matilda (of Tuscany)
• Rani (Lakshmibai)
• Jeanne (Hachette)
• Hua (Mulan)
• Ethelfleda

Names That Mean “Warrior,” “Strength,” “Fighter” and “Protector”

Boys Names

• Alex
• Ansel
• Armando
• Armani
• Callan
• Casey
• Duncan
• Dustin
• Ethan
• Gunther
• Harold
• Kane
• Lewis
• Liam
• Milo
• Murphy
• Nakoa
• Oscar
• Rainer
• Raymond
• Roger
• Warner

Girls Names

• Aadya
• Adira
• Aine
• Alessia
• Alexandra
• Alexandria
• Alexia
• Althea
• Alvilda
• Amira
• Andrea
• Annemarie
• Aoife
• Artemis
• Athena
• Audelia
• Audrey
• Bellatrix
• Bellona
• Bernadette
• Brenda
• Brenna
• Bria
• Briana
• Bridget
• Brielle
• Bryndis
• Camilla
• Carla
• Cassandra
• Chasina
• Dealla

• Diana
• Dusty
• Ebba
• Edme

• Edrei
• Elaheh
• Elda

• Enyo
• Fairuza
• Fallon
• Fianna
• Finley
• Gabriella
• Gertrude
• Gesa
• Harlow
• Hilda

• Jaiyana
• June

• Karleen
• Kelly
• Kennedy
• Keren
• Louella
• Louisa
• Lulu
• Maajida
• Maeve
• Maia
• Marcella
• Marcheline
• Malin
• Martina
• Mathilda
• Maude
• Malou

• Melisende
• Meredith
• Mia
• Mina
• Minka
• Mildred
• Morgan
• Moxie
• Mukta
• Myla
• Neilina
• Nicole
• Nikita
• Nirupama
• Nirvana
• Olesia
• Oma
• Philomena
• Qadira
• Reika
• Sasha
• Sandra

Warrior Gods Names

• Agastya: This Semitic war goddess is also known as the shrieker.
• Ah Chuy Kak: This Mayan deity is the god of war and destruction. He is also called the fire destroyer.
• Ah Cun Can: This Mayan god is also known as the serpent charmer.
• Ah Hulneb: Ah Hulneb is a solar god who controls disease and drought. He is also called “he the spear-thrower.”
• Ahulane: This Mayan god controls the path of arrows.
• Anahita: In addition to war, this Persian goddess is associated with healing and fertility. Persian soldiers would pray to her for safety during the war.