109 Baby Names that Mean Warrior
Looking for a name that will inspire your little one to live up to their full potential? Check out these 109 warrior baby names. From Irish to Norse, American Indian to other cultures, there is sure to be a perfect name for your child here.
Finding the perfect name for you baby can be difficult. You want to give them a name with meaning behind it. A name that will be with them for their whole life. Wanting a strong warrior baby name can stem from your own struggles in life. Perhaps you have dealt with adversity in becoming a parent, or maybe your baby struggled hard to come into the world.
Giving your child the name of a strong fighter, protector or guardian is a great way to set them up for success in life.
Here is a list of 109 baby names that mean warrior.
Boys Names That Mean Warrior
Achilles
This Greek name comes from the warrior of legend – a central character in Homer’s Iliad. He was known as the bravest of heroes in the Trojan war, and he was killed by an arrow to the heel.
Agnar
This name comes from the Old Norse name Agnarr, derived from agi “awe, terror.” It means “edge of a sword” combined with “warrior”.
Alf
In Norse legend, there was a warrior called Alf who tried to woo a maiden by the name of Alfhild. She tried to avoid marrying him by disguising herself as a warrior, but when they fought one another, she was so impressed by his strength and cunning that she changed her mind.
Alfher
This Germanic name is composed of two words meaning “elf” and “army, warrior.”
Alfonso
This Spanish and Italian name means “noble, battle ready.”
Alvar
Like Alfher, this name is Old Norse for “elf” and “warrior.”
Arnar
An Icelandic name that comes from the Old Norse words for “eagle,” “army,” and “warrior.”
Bahadır
This is the Turkish form of the Persian word for “hero, warrior.”
Bahador
This Persian name of Turkish origin means “hero, warrior.”
Bahadur
As with the above two names, this comes from the Persian name meaning “hero, warrior.” This was the name of the rulers of the Mughal Empire.
Batraz
This Turkish name meaning “hero, warrior, brave” was the name of the leader of the superhuman Narts in Caucasian mythology.
Beornræd
An Anglo-Saxon name, this is derived from the Old English words for “warrior, man” and “counsel.”
Bhima
This Sanskrit name means “terrible, formidable.” In the Hindu epic the Mahabharata, Bhima was the second son of Pandu and one of the five Pandavas. He was known for his strength and skill.
Bjørnar
A Norwegian name, this one comes from the Old Norse words for “bear,” “army,” and “warrior.”
Brynjar
Another Old Norse name, this one means “armor” and “warrior.”
Cáel
In Irish legend, Cáel was a Fianna warrior and the lover of Créd. The name means “slender.”
Charles
This name comes from the Germanic name Karl, which means “man.” It has alternate meanings, including “warrior.”
Connla
There are several characters in Irish legend with this name. The son of Cúchulainn and Aoife was slain when he met his father, as he would not identify himself. They fought, and Connla died.
Diarmaid
This is the name of several ancient Irish kings, and it means “without envy.” Diarmaid was the name of a warrior in Irish legend, who became the lover of Gráinne.
Dieter
A common German name, this means “warrior of the people.”
Drusus
This name was first used by a Roman warrior who killed a Gallic chieftain in single combat. He took the chieftain’s name, Drausus, for his own. It comes from the Celtic word for “strong.” It is also a common Roman surname.
Earl
This has been a given name since the 19th century, and it comes from the aristocratic title. It means “nobleman, warrior.”
Edmund
This Old English name means “rich protector.”
Einar
Meaning “lone warrior,” this name shares its roots with an Old Norse word for the slain warriors of Valhalla.
Ellanher
This name is Germanic and comes from the words meaning “army, warrior” and “strength, power.”
Evander
This cool Old Norse name means “bow warrior.” Evander Holyfield is a famous boxer and a good example of this name.
Fionnlagh
This name comes from the earlier version, Findláech, the father of Scottish king, Macbeth. It means “white warrior.”
Gunnar
A similar name to Günther, this Old Norse name means “war.” Gunnar was the husband of Brynhildr, and he had his wife’s brother, Sigurd, murdered when Brynhildr falsely accused him of taking her virginity.
Günther
This name has the same meaning as Gunnar. He was a legendary 5th-century Burgundian king. He appeared in the saga the Nibelungenlied, which shows him courting the Icelandic queen Brünhild. With the help of the hero Siegfried, he won her hand in marriage. Eventually he betrayed Siegfried, but Siegfried’s wido Kriemhild (Günther’s sister) has her revenge.
Haidar
This Arabic name means “lion, warrior.” It is the title of Ali, Fatimah’s husband, who was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.
Harvey
Harvey is the English form of the Breton name Haerviu which means battle-worthy.
Heilyn
In Welsh, this name means “winebearer.” In the Second Branch of the Mabinogi, he was one of only seven warriors to return from Brân’s invasion of Ireland.
Herod
Those familiar with the Bible will recognize this name. It comes from the Greek word meaning “song of the hero.” Several rulers of Judea when it was part of the Roman empire held this name. Two appear in the Old Testament: Herod the Great, who ordered the slaughter of children, and his son, Herod Antipas, who beheaded John the Baptist.
Hjalmar
A name meaning “helmeted warrior,” this one comes from Old Norse.
Howard
This name is from the ancient Scandinavian word meaning “high guardian.” In ancient Germanic language, Howard comes from the words for “hug, heart, brave, hardy.”
Humbert
Derived from the Germanic words for “warrior, bear cub” and “bright,” this name was brought to England by the Normans. Two kings of Italy from the 19th and 20th centuries used a form of this name (Umberto).
Humphrey
This old-fashioned name means “peaceful warrior.” The Normans brought this name to England and was regularly used in the Middle Ages. Humphrey Bogart is a famous example of this name.
Ingvar
This name comes from the Germanic god Yngvi, and it’s combined with arr to mean “warrior.”
Ivor
In the Middle Ages, this name meaning “warrior” was brought to Britain by Scandinavian settlers and invaders. It became popular in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, though spelled slightly differently.
Jarek
This Slavik name means “fierce, strong.”
Jarl
In Old Norse, this name means “chieftain, nobleman.” It is from the English word “earl.” Jarl is the son of the god Ríg and the founder of the race of warriors in the Norse poem Rígsþula.
Means “chieftain, nobleman” in Old Norse (a cognate of the English word earl). In the Norse poem Rígsþula Jarl is the son of the god Ríg and the founder of the race of warriors.
Jimmu
This name means “divine warrior.” In Japanese legend, the founder of Japan and first emperor from the 7th century BCE was named Jimmu.
Karna
Karna is the son of the Hindu sun god Surya and the goddess Kunti. Kunti gave birth to him through her ear. He was a great warrior and fought against his half-brothers, the Pandavas. He eventually became king of Anga.
Kemp
A common surname meaning “champion, athlete, warrior,” this is a cool name for a cool kid.
Lehi
This is a popular Mormon name, deriving from the Old Testament place name. It was the site where Samson defeated 1,000 warriors using only the jawbone of a donkey to defend himself. It is also the name of a prophet in the Book of Mormon.
Louis
This confusing name comes from the French word for “famous battle.” Be prepared for constantly correcting people about the pronunciation! In France, it is pronounced LWEE. In Dutch, it is “loo-EE.” And in English, it can be either “LOO-ee” or “LOO-iss.”
Mabon
From the Welsh tale Culhwch and Olwen, Mabon was a prisoner freed by Arthur’s men to help hunt the great boar Trwyth.
Madoc
This Old Welsh name comes from the word meaning “good, fortunate.” It was the name of a warrior from the 7th-century poem, Y Gododdin. Several medieval rulers also had this name, including 12th-century Madoc ap Maredudd, the last prince of Powys. In folklore, Madoc was the son of Owain the Great who sailed to the Americas.
Manawydan
According to the Mabinogi, Manawydan was the son of Llŷr and the brother of Brân and Branwen. He participated in the invasion of Ireland and one of the seven warriors to return home. Eventually, he became a friend to Pryderi and married his mother, Rhiannon.
Manpal
This is an Indian name meaning “protector of the spirit”. It comes from the Punjab region of India.
Modu
Modu Chanyu was a 3rd-century BCE ruler of the Xiongnu in Mongolia. The name derives from a Middle Chinese form of the Turkish honorific meaning “hero, warrior.”
Murdock
This Gaelic name means “sea warrior.” It is anglicized from Murchadh. It evolved from Marduk, which was the name of a Mesopotamian god and the patron of Babylon. If you were a fan of the A-Team, you probably recognize this name.
Odin
Many will recognize the name Odin as the father of Thor and Loki in the Marvel movies. There are many tales told of Odin and his wily ways. The name comes from the Old Norse meaning “inspiration, rage, frenzy.” Odin was battle-hardened and a great hero.
Oisín
In Irish legend, Oisín was a hero and poet. He was the son of Fionn mac Cumhaill and narrated many of his tales. The name comes from words meaning “little deer.”
Oliver
This name evolved from the Germanic name Alfer. It means “elf warrior.”
Olve
This Old Norse name comes from the words for “defense, protection, luck” as well as “holy man” or “warrior.”
Pryderi
Pryderi appeared in all four branches of the Welsh legend the Mabinogion. He was the son of Pwyll and Rhiannon, and later he became king of Dyfed after his father. He was one of only seven warriors to return from Bran’s invasion of Ireland. Later, he had many adventures with Manawydan. Eventually he was killed in single combat with Gwydion in the war between Dyfed and Gwynedd.
Rainer
This name comes from an ancient Germanic name meaning “deciding warrior.”
Reidar
This name comes from the Old Norse name Hreiðarr, which comes from the words for “nest, home” and “warrior.”
Rostam
Rostam was a Persian warrior hero of legend. He appeared in the 10th-century Shahnameh by the poet Ferdowsi. The name meaning is unknown, though it is possibly from the words for “strong, brave, valiant.”
Runar
This name comes from Old Norse, though it did not exist then. It was created in the modern era from Old Norse words for “secret lore” and “warrior.”
Sarpedon
In Greek legend, Sarpedon was the son of Zeus and Laodamia. He was the king of the Lycians and a chief warrior fighting against the Greeks to defend Troy. He was killed by Patroclus. There was a second Sarpedon, as well, who was the son of Zeus and Europa.
Shaka
Shaka was a Zulu warrior king. The name comes from a word for a stomach cramp that is caused by an intestinal parasite. When Shaka’s unmarried mother Nandi was pregnant, his father Senzangakhona blamed her symptoms on the parasite. When the baby was born, they named him after the symptoms.
Steinar
An Old Norse name, this comes from the words for “stone” and “warrior.”
Tamatoa
A name meaning “child warrior,” this name is of Maori origin.
Uriah
This Biblical name comes from the Hebrew name meaning “Yahweh is my light” referring to the Hebrew god. In the Old Testament, it was the name of a Hittite warrior in King David’s army. He was the first husband of Bathsheba. David wanted Bathsheba for himself, so he sent Uriah to to the frontlines of battle so that he would be killed.
Vercingetorix
This name requires very brave parents to bestow it upon their child. It’s quite a mouthful! The name is very regal, meaning “king over warriors.” It was the name of a 1st-century BCE chieftain of the Gaulish tribe of Arverni. He led an uprising against Julius Caesar’s attempts to conquer Gaul. However, he was defeated, taken to Rome and executed.
Vidar
This name derives from the Old Norse Víðarr, which means “warrior.” In Norse mythology, Víðarr was the son of Odin and Grid. When Ragnarök comes, it is foretold that he will avenge his father’s death by killing the wolf Fenrir.
Vojislav
This Serbian name comes from the Slavic words for “warrior, soldier” and “glory, fame.”
Ward
Ward is an Old English name that means guard. Like many names, it is an occupational surname given to keepers of the watch.
Wojciech
Saint Wojciech was a Bohemian missionary for Poland, Hungary and Prussia. He was martyred in the 10th century. The name comes from the Slavic words for “warrior, soldier” and “solace, comfort, joy.”
Zal
This Persian name means “albino.” In the 10th-century epic The Shahnameh, it was the name of a white-haired warrior.
Girls Names That Mean Warrior
Aella
In Greek myth, Aella was an Amazon warrior killed by Hercules during his quest for Hippolyta’s girdle. The name means “whirlwind.”
Bellatrix
Fans of Harry Potter may recognize this name as one of the most evil characters in the series, but she was aptly named. It means “female warrior” in Latin. It is also the name of the star that is the left shoulder of the constellation Orion.
Bellona
In Roman mythology, Bellona was the Roman goddess of war. She is depicted wearing a military helmet and holding a flaming torch while riding into battle in a chariot. The name means “to fight.”
Camilla
The legendary warrior maiden of the Volsci appeared in Virgil’s Aeneid. It is the feminine from of Camillus. The Fanny Burney novel Camilla from 1796 made the name more popular in the English-speaking world.
Claremond
This archaic French name means “bright protector.” It evolved during the Middle Ages and became used as a surname. Eventually it gave us the surnames Clermont and Clermond.
Editha
Similar to Edith, this old French name means “older sister or protector.” It is pretty and unusual and perfect for an oldest daughter.
Fianna
This Irish name comes from fiann, which means “band of warriors.”
Furiosa
From the Latin word meaning “full of rage, furious,” this name is familiar to those who saw Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015. This road warrior turned against the evil Immortan Joe in the film. She was played by Charlize Theron.
Góyąń
In Chiricahua Apache, this name means “wise.” It was the name of a 19th-century warrior woman in the Apache tribe.
Griselda
This name from Spanish literature means “grey battle.”
Hera
Like her name would suggest, this comes from the Greek word meaning “hero, warrior.” Hera was the queen of the gods, as well as the wife of Zeus. She presided over marriage and childbirth. She was very jealous and vengeful.
Hildegard
This fun name is Germanic and means “battlefield.” A great nickname could be Hildy or Hilda.
Isolde
This name comes from Arthurian romance, and it means “ice battle.” Opera fans will recognize the name from Tristan und Isolde, by Richard Wagner.
Kelsey
An Old English name, Kelsey means “fierce island.” It was originally a surname used for people from Lincolnshire, England.
Kumari
In the Hindu epic The Mahabharata, Kumari was the wife of the warrior Bhima. This is also the alternate name of the Hindu goddess Durga.
Maeve
This is the Anglicized form of the Irish name that means “intoxicating.” In Irish legend, it was the name of the Warrior Queen of Connacht. She, along with her husband, fought against the Ulster king Conchobar and his hero Cúchulainn in the Irish epic The Cattle Raid of Cooley.
Marisa
This western European name means “rebel famous for war.” It is pronouced ma-REE-sa, rhyming with Teresa. It is often mispronounced to rhyme with Clarissa.
Matilda
This name means “strength in battle.” Roald Dahl wrote the book Matilda about a little girl with unique powers. She certainly lived up to her name.
Mulan
Most Disney fans will recognize this Chinese name as the legendary female warrior who disguised herself as a man to take her father’s place as an Army conscript. The name itself means “magnolia.”
Nanabah
This Navajo name means “returning warrior.” It comes from the words meaning “heroine, raid, battle.”
Scáthach
In Irish, this name means “shadowy.” Irish legend tells of a great warrior woman with this name. She was taught by Cúchulainn in how to fight, and he helped her to defeat her rival Aoife.
Sigrid
This popular Norwegian name means “beautiful victory.”
Tahmina
A name meaning “strong, brave, valiant,” this was the name of a character in a 10th-century Persian epic called Shahnameh.
Xena
This pop culture name was the name of the main protagonist from the 1990s television series Xena: Warrior Princess.
Gender Neutral Warrior Names
Ailbhe
This Old Irish name comes from the Celtic word for “world, light, white” and the Old Irish “rock.” There was a great warrior of Irish legend called Ailbe, part of the Fianna (a group of 12 warriors).
Akicita
This Indigenous American name comes from the Lakota or Dakota word for “warrior.”
Alfhild
In Norse legend, there was a warrior called King Alf who tried to woo a maiden by the name of Alfhild. She tried to avoid marrying him by disguising herself as a warrior, but when they fought one another, she was so impressed by his strength and cunning that she changed her mind. Her story was possibly based on a 9th-century Viking pirate.
Blair
This one comes from the Gaelic word blár, meaning “battlefield.” It started as a surname taken by anyone who became famous for feats on the battlefield. The female version often adds a “e” on the end.
Catahecassa
In Shawnee, this name means “black hoof.” In the 18th century, Catahecassa was a Shawnee warrior chief.
Clancy
This Irish surname is derived from the given name Flannchadh meaning “red warrior”. It is Anglicized.
Clovis
This French name means “glorious in battle.”
Durga
In Sanskrit, this name means “unattainable.” Durga was the Hindu warrior godess. She had twelve arms, three eyes, and was the wife of Shiva. She is considered an incarnation of Parvati.
Gwynedd
This name comes from the kingdom of Gwynedd in 5th century northern Wales. It’s now a county name in that country. It is related to the Old Irish word meaning “Irish people,” which is rooted in the Celtic word meaning “band of warriors.”
Indra
This beautiful Sanskrit name means “possessing drops of rain.” Indra was the name of the Hindu warrior god of sky and rain.
Koa
A Hawaiian name, Koa comes from the koa tree, and it means “warrior.”
Madison
Madison means “son of Maud.” Maud means “mighty in battle.” This name used to be used exclusively as a surname before the 1980s when the movie Splash premiered. In the film, Daryl Hannah adopts the name Madison after seeing it on a street sign.
Ryder
This is an English occupational name derived from an Old English word meaning “mounted warrior” or “messenger.” It has grown in popularity in the last two decades, and it is a cool alternative to Ryan or Riley.
Giving your baby a warrior name is a way to honor their toughness and strength, as well as pass on the legacy of legendary warriors. Whether you choose an Irish, Norse, American Indian, or other name, these names are sure to inspire your little one to live up to their full potential.
Katie Reed is a passionate writer and mother of four vivacious boys from Salt Lake City, Utah. Drawing from her own journey through TTC, pregnancy, and the joys of raising children, she offers a wealth of insight into the world of motherhood. Beyond her heartfelt tales, Katie delights her readers with family-friendly recipes, engaging crafts, and a curated library of printables for both kids and adults. When she’s not penning her experiences, you’ll find her crafting memories with her husband and sons—Dexter, Daniel, Chester, and Wilder.