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.

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