Strong male names have always appealed to parents, with many hoping to imbue their sons with qualities such as strength, courage, and leadership from an early age. Strong male names have existed throughout history, from ancient mythology to modern pop culture.
We have compiled a list of some of the strongest male names, exploring their meanings, origins, variations, and notable namesakes. We have also used data from the Social Security Administration, which has been collecting data on baby names since the 1880s, to determine their popularity.
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100 Powerful and Popular Boy Names
Here are some of the most uncommon strong boy names that show strength.
Adrian
Adrian is a popular name in many countries, with its roots in Latin. The name has been used by several famous people, including actors and sports stars. Pope Adrian IV was the only Englishman ever to become Pope.
Alexander
Alexander is a strong and classic name with a rich history. It has been borne by many notable figures throughout history, including ancient kings, founding fathers, and inventors.
Alfred
Alfred is an Old English name with a meaning related to elves. It has been used by several notable people throughout history, including a famous filmmaker, an inventor of dynamite, and a prominent poet.
Andrew
Andrew is a classic and timeless name with Greek roots. It has been used by many notable people throughout history, including US presidents, industrialists, and composers.
Anthony
Anthony is a popular name with Latin origins. It has been borne by several famous people throughout history, including actors, chefs, and saints.
Arthur
Arthur is a classic name with Celtic origins. It has been borne by many notable figures throughout history, including an author, a tennis player, and a legendary king of Britain.
Benjamin
Benjamin is a popular name with Hebrew origins. It has been borne by several famous people throughout history, including a founding father, a British prime minister, and an Israeli prime minister.
Brandon
Brandon is an Old English name with a meaning related to a type of plant. It has been used by several notable people throughout history, including an actor, an author, and a basketball player.
Brian
Brian is a Celtic name with a meaning related to high nobility. It has been borne by several famous people throughout history, including musicians and athletes.
Caleb
Caleb is a Hebrew name with a meaning related to faithfulness and devotion. It has been used by several notable people throughout history, including musicians, authors, and cinematographers.
Cameron
Cameron is a Scottish name that means crooked nose. It was traditionally a surname, but has become a popular first name for both boys and girls. Famous bearers include actress Cameron Diaz and football player Cameron Newton.
Charles
Charles is a Germanic name that means free man. It has been a popular name for European royalty throughout history, and has been borne by many famous figures in literature, science, and politics.
Christopher
Christopher is a Greek name that means bearer of Christ. It has been a popular name in Christian cultures throughout history, and has been borne by many notable figures in art, science, and entertainment.
Connor
Connor is an Irish name that means lover of hounds. It has become a popular first name in English-speaking countries in recent decades, and is often spelled Conor or Konnor.
Damien
Damien is a Greek name that means to tame. It has been borne by many famous figures in the arts, including musician Damien Rice and artist Damien Hirst.
Daniel
Daniel is a biblical name that has been consistently popular throughout history. In the Bible, Daniel was a prophet who was able to interpret dreams and received divine revelations.
David
David is a name that has been used for thousands of years. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and was known for his bravery and musical talent. It has been a popular name for monarchs and celebrities alike.
Derek
Derek is an English name that has become popular in the last century. It is a variant of the name Derrick, which comes from the Germanic name Theodoric. It has been a popular name for athletes and performers.
Donovan
Donovan is an Irish name that has become popular in recent years. It is a variant of the name Donnabhain, which means "descendant of Donnabhain."
Dylan
Dylan is a Welsh name that has become popular in recent years. It is a variant of the name Dillon, which comes from the Welsh word for "like a lion."
Edward
Edward is a classic name with a strong, regal feel. It has been used by many royals throughout history and has a timeless appeal.
Elijah
Elijah is a popular biblical name with a strong spiritual association. It has a modern feel and is often shortened to the trendy nickname Eli.
Elliot
Elliot is a sophisticated and charming name that has gained popularity in recent years. It has literary associations, being the surname of the protagonist in George Eliot's Middlemarch.
Eric
Eric is a strong and timeless name with Nordic roots. It has been used by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of Denmark and Sweden.
Ethan
Ethan is a popular and modern name with a strong and solid feel. It has been used in various religious texts and has a timeless appeal.
Evan
The name Evan has been used since the Middle Ages and was borne by several Welsh saints. It became popular in the English-speaking world during the 20th century.
Felix
The name Felix was common among early Christians, and several saints bore this name. It has also been used by many rulers and artists throughout history.
Franklin
The name Franklin was originally an occupational name meaning "free landowner." It has been used as a first name since the 16th century and has been borne by several notable figures throughout history.
Gabriel
Gabriel is a biblical name borne by an angel who appears to Daniel in the Old Testament and to Mary in the New Testament. It has been used as a first name since the Middle Ages and has been popular among Christians throughout history.
Garrett
The name Garrett is derived from the Old English words "gar," meaning "spear," and "rēad," meaning "counsel" or "strength." It has been used as a first name since the Middle Ages and has been borne by several notable figures throughout history.
George
The name George has been borne by many notable figures throughout history, including several kings of England. It is also a popular name for fictional characters, such as George Costanza from the TV show Seinfeld.
Gregory
The name Gregory has roots in Greek mythology, as one of the Titans was named Gregory. It is also the name of several saints and popes in the Catholic Church.
Harrison
The name Harrison gained popularity in the USA in the late 20th century, likely due to the success of the movie Star Wars, which starred Harrison Ford as the character Han Solo.
Henry
The name Henry has been borne by several English kings and has a long history of use in Europe. It is also a popular name for fictional characters, such as Henry Higgins from the musical My Fair Lady.
Isaac
The name Isaac has roots in the Old Testament, as Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah. It is also a popular name for fictional characters, such as the protagonist of the novel The Fault in Our Stars.
Isaiah
Isaiah is a biblical name, and the prophet Isaiah is one of the major figures in the Old Testament. The name has been in use since the 16th century.
Jack
Jack is a short form of the name John, and has been used as an independent given name since the Middle Ages. It has been a consistently popular choice for boys in English-speaking countries for centuries.
Jacob
Jacob is a biblical name, and the patriarch Jacob is one of the major figures in the Old Testament. The name has been in use since ancient times.
James
James is a biblical name, and two of the apostles in the New Testament are named James. The name has been in use since ancient times, and has been a consistently popular choice for boys in many different cultures.
Jason
Jason is a name from Greek mythology, and was borne by the hero who led the Argonauts on their quest for the Golden Fleece.
Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is derived from the Germanic name Godfrey, which means "god-peace." The name has been used in England since the Middle Ages and became popular in America in the 20th century.
Jeremy
The name Jeremy is derived from the Hebrew name Yirmeyahu, which means "appointed by God." The name appears in the Bible as the name of a prophet, and it was first used as a given name in England during the Middle Ages.
Jesse
The name Jesse is derived from the Hebrew name Yishai, which means "gift." In the Bible, Jesse was the father of King David. The name became popular in America in the 19th century.
Joel
The name Joel is derived from the Hebrew name Yoel, which means "Yahweh is God." The name appears in the Bible as the name of a prophet, and it was first used as a given name in England during the Middle Ages.
John
The name John is derived from the Hebrew name Yochanan, which means "Yahweh is gracious." The name appears in the Bible as the name of several important figures, including John the Baptist and John the Apostle. The name has been used as a given name in England since the Middle Ages.
Jonathan
In the Bible, Jonathan was the son of King Saul and best friend of David. The name has been popular in English-speaking countries for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in literature, politics, and other fields.
Jordan
The name is derived from the River Jordan, which flows through the Middle East and is an important religious site in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The name gained popularity in the late 20th century and has been used for both boys and girls.
Joseph
Joseph is a classic name with biblical origins. In the Old Testament, Joseph was the son of Jacob and Rachel, and became a powerful figure in Egypt.
Joshua
Joshua is a popular biblical name, and was the name of Moses' successor in the Old Testament.
Justin
Justin is a name of Latin origin that means "just" or "fair." The name was popularized by early Christian saints.
Keith
Keith is a name with Scottish and Celtic origins, meaning wood or forest. It is a name that is associated with strength and resilience.
Kenneth
Kenneth is a name with Scottish and Gaelic origins, meaning "born of fire". It is a name that is associated with warmth, passion, and creativity, and has been borne by a number of notable figures in the arts and entertainment industries.
Kevin
Kevin is a name with Irish and Gaelic origins, meaning handsome or gentle birth. It is a name that is associated with kindness, compassion, and intelligence.
Kyle
Kyle is a name with Scottish and Gaelic origins, meaning narrow or strait. It is a name that is associated with strength, determination, and independence.
Lawrence
Lawrence is a name with Latin origins, meaning "laurel-crowned". It is a name that is associated with success, achievement, and honor.
Leo
Leo is a classic name that has been used since ancient Rome. It has been a popular name among royalty and has been used in literature and popular culture.
Levi
Levi is a biblical name that is associated with the tribe of Levi in the Old Testament. It has been used as a first name since the 19th century and has gained popularity in recent years.
Liam
Liam is a shortened form of the name William and has been used as a first name since the 19th century. It has gained popularity in recent years, possibly due to its use by celebrities.
Logan
Logan is a Scottish surname that has been used as a first name since the 20th century. It gained popularity in the 1990s and has remained a top name ever since.
Louis
Louis is a classic name that has been used by royalty and nobility throughout history. It has been used as a first name since the Middle Ages and has remained a popular name ever since.
Lucas
Lucas is a name with Greek and Latin origins meaning "bringer of light" or "from Lucania". It has been a popular name throughout history and has been used for many notable individuals, including artists and actors.
Luke
Luke is a name with Greek origins meaning "from Lucania". It has been a popular name throughout history and has been used for many notable individuals, including fictional characters and actors.
Marcus
Marcus is a name with Latin origins meaning "of Mars" or "warlike". It has been a popular name throughout history and has been used for many notable individuals, including Roman emperors and political leaders.
Mark
Mark is a name with Latin origins meaning "of Mars" or "warlike". It has been a popular name throughout history and has been used for many notable individuals, including authors and entrepreneurs.
Martin
Martin is a name with Latin origins meaning "of Mars" or "warlike". It has been a popular name throughout history and has been used for many notable individuals, including civil rights leaders and filmmakers.
Mason
The name Mason has been used as both a first and last name, and has been popularized by celebrities such as Kourtney Kardashian and Tracy Morgan.
Matthew
The name Matthew appears in the New Testament of the Bible, as one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ.
Max
The name Max can be a short form of several names, such as Maximilian and Maxwell.
Michael
The name Michael appears in the Bible, and is the name of one of the archangels in Jewish and Christian tradition.
Miles
The name Miles can be traced back to the Latin word "miles", meaning soldier or mercenary.
Nathan
Nathan is a timeless name that has been in use for centuries. In the Bible, Nathan was a prophet who advised King David, and the name has been popular among Christians and Jews ever since.
Nathaniel
Nathaniel is a classic name with a rich history. It has been in use for centuries and has been popular among Christians and Jews alike. Famous bearers of the name include author Nathaniel Hawthorne and mathematician Nathaniel Bowditch.
Nicholas
Nicholas is a name that has been used for centuries in many different cultures. It has been particularly popular among Christians, thanks to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children. The name has been borne by many famous people throughout history, including the last Emperor of Russia, Nicholas II.
Noah
Noah is a name with biblical origins, and it has been in use for centuries. It is particularly popular among Christians and Jews, and it has been a top name for boys in the United States in recent years.
Oliver
Oliver is a classic name that has been in use for centuries. It is derived from the Latin word for "olive tree," which was considered a symbol of peace and prosperity in ancient times.
Oscar
The name Oscar was originally a Gaelic name, and has been popular in Ireland since the Middle Ages. It gained worldwide popularity thanks in part to Oscar Wilde, the famous Irish writer and poet.
Patrick
The name Patrick is associated with Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century. Saint Patrick's Day, celebrated on March 17, is a major holiday in Ireland and is observed around the world.
Paul
The name Paul is derived from the Latin name Paulus, which means "small." Despite its meaning, the name has been borne by many influential people throughout history, including several saints and apostles.
Peter
The name Peter is derived from the Greek name Petros, which means "rock." Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, is considered the first pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Philip
The name Philip is derived from the Greek name Philippos, which means "lover of horses." The name has been borne by several kings of Macedon, as well as numerous saints and other notable figures throughout history.
Preston
Preston is a surname-turned-given name that originated from Old English. It was originally used to describe someone who came from a town with a priest.
Quinn
Quinn is an Irish name meaning "descendant of Conn." It was originally used as a surname, but has become increasingly popular as a given name.
Rafael
Rafael is a name of Spanish and Portuguese origin that means "God has healed." It is derived from the Hebrew name Raphael, which appears in the Bible as an archangel.
Raymond
Raymond is a name of Germanic origin that means "protector" or "wise protector." It was commonly used in medieval England and later became popular in the United States.
Richard
Richard is a name of Germanic origin that means "brave ruler." It has been used by many rulers throughout history and has remained popular for centuries.
Robert
Robert is a classic name that has been popular for centuries. It was the name of many famous kings and rulers throughout history.
Roman
Roman is a name with strong ties to the ancient city of Rome. It is a popular name in many European countries and has been gaining popularity in the USA in recent years.
Ryan
Ryan is a popular Irish name that has been widely used in the USA since the 1970s. It has become a popular name for boys due to its strong and regal meaning.
Samuel
Samuel is a classic biblical name that has been popular for centuries. It is a popular name for boys due to its strong and positive meaning.
Scott
Scott is a popular Scottish name that has been used in the USA since the early 20th century. It is a simple and straightforward name that has a strong connection to Scottish heritage.
Sean
Sean is a traditional Irish name that has gained popularity all over the world. In Irish legend, Saint Seánán was a noted scholar who founded many churches and monasteries. The name has been popularized by many famous people, including actor Sean Connery.
Simon
Simon is a name with biblical origins, as Simon was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. The name has been popularized by many famous people throughout history, including Simon Bolivar, who played a key role in the liberation of many South American countries from Spanish rule.
Stephen
Stephen is a classic name with biblical origins, as Stephen was one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles to minister to the needs of the early Christian community. The name has been popularized by many famous people throughout history, including physicist Stephen Hawking.
Tanner
Tanner is a name with English origins that was traditionally used to describe someone who tans hides. The name has become increasingly popular in recent years, and has been popularized by many famous people, including YouTuber Tanner Fox.
Theodore
Theodore is a classic name with Greek origins that means "gift of God." The name has been popularized by many famous people throughout history, including US president Theodore Roosevelt. In recent years, the nickname Theo has become increasingly popular as a standalone name.
Thomas
Thomas is a classic name that has been used for centuries. The name is often associated with intelligence and creativity, thanks to the many accomplished people who have borne the name throughout history.
Timothy
Timothy is a biblical name that has been used for centuries. It has a classic, timeless feel and is often associated with kindness and intelligence.
Tyler
Tyler is a modern name that has only been in use since the 20th century. It has a strong, confident feel and is often associated with creativity and success.
Victor
Victor is a strong, classic name that has been used for centuries. It has a powerful meaning and is often associated with success and victory.
William
William is a timeless, classic name that has been used for centuries. It has a strong, traditional feel and is often associated with leadership and success.