AHEAD: The ultimate list of strong masculine names for baby boys.

If you’re looking for a solid male name for your little warrior, you’re in the right place.

Below, you’ll find a huge list of over 300 strong boy names along with their meanings and current popularity.

Some have a masculine vibe just based on their look and sound. Others are strong because of their meanings related to strength, bravery, and power.

Whether you’re looking for a trendy name like Liam, a classic name like Theo, a powerful name like Evander, or an unusual strong name like Raiden, you’ll find a huge variety of manly names to choose from.

Feel free to use the Table of Contents to navigate—or just keep scrolling!

​Strong boy names that sound cool

We’re kicking off our list with a bunch of names with strength-related meanings.

The source for popularity data is SSA.

Aiden or Aden

• Name meaning: Little fire.
• Popularity: Aiden ranks #26, Ayden ranks #143, Aidan is #286, Aden is #681, and Aydin is #894.

Related: Middle Names for Aden

Archer

• Name meaning: Bowman.
• Popularity: #138

Brennan

• Name meaning: Brave, raven, sorrow, or drop.
• Popularity: #871

Caden

• Name meaning: Battle. Round.
• Popularity: Caden ranks #230 and Caiden is #419.

Ethan

• Name meaning: Strong, firm, long-lived.
• Popularity: Ethan ranks #20 and Eithan is #847.

Everett

• Name meaning: Strong and brave. Wild boar.
• Popularity: #82

Gavin

• Name meaning: White hawk.
• Popularity: #173

Kane

• Name meaning: Warrior.
• Popularity: Kane ranks #329. Kain and Kaine aren’t ranking. Cain ranks #956.

Liam

• Name meaning: Will. Resolution. Helmet. Protector.
• Popularity: #1

Related: Middle Names for Liam

Miles

• Name meaning: Soldier.
• Popularity: Miles ranks #54 and Myles is #119.

Owen

• Name meaning: Noble or young warrior.
• Popularity: #22

Rhys or Reece or Reese

• Name meaning: Fiery, enthusiastic, and passionate.
• Popularity: For boys, Rhys ranks #413, Reece is #579, and Reese is #701. For girls, Reese ranks #147 and the other spellings aren’t ranking.

Related: Middle Names or Reese

Ryder

• Name meaning: Horseman.
• Popularity: Ryder ranks #111 for boys and #993 for girls.

Troy

• Name meaning: Foot soldier. An ancient city in modern-day Turkey.
• Popularity: #418

If you like the first batch of strong names for boys you might also like this list of short boy names.

​Strong unusual boy names

The following strong boy names are unique without being too far out there.

Alpha

• Name meaning: First letter of the Greek alphabet. Socially dominant.
• Popularity: This strong unusual boy’s name isn’t ranking.

Arrow

• Name meaning: Object shot from a bow.
• Popularity: This powerful (but cute) baby name isn’t ranking.

Conan

• Name meaning: Little wolf.
• Popularity: This unusual C name isn’t ranking.

Draco

• Name meaning: A constellation meaning ‘dragon’.
• Popularity: This strong D name isn’t ranking.

Falcon

• Name meaning: Bird.
• Popularity: This unusual F name isn’t ranking.

Knight

• Name meaning: Honored soldier.
• Popularity: This masculine K name isn’t ranking.

Ledger

• Name meaning: Tribe + spear.
• Popularity: #574

Magnus

• Name meaning: Great.
• Popularity: #728

Mayer or Meyer

• Name meaning: Superior.
• Popularity: This dominant M name isn’t ranking.

Merrick

• Name meaning: Fame and power.
• Popularity: This strong unusual boy name isn’t ranking.

Odin or Oden

• Name meaning: A god in Germanic mythology.
• Popularity: Odin ranks #327 and Oden isn’t ranking.

Orson

• Name meaning: Bear.
• Popularity: This powerful O name isn’t ranking.

Patton

• Name meaning: Fighter’s town
• Popularity: This boy’s name isn’t ranking.

Raiden or Rayden

• Name meaning: Thunder and lightning.
• Popularity: Raiden ranks #383 and Rayden is #700.

Thor

• Name meaning: God of strength, thunder, and rain.
• Popularity: This unique strong boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Triton

• Name meaning: God of the Sea. King Triton is a character in The Little Mermaid.
• Popularity: This T name isn’t ranking.

If you like these strong unusual boy names you might also like this list of space names.

​Strong masculine names for baby boys

These names are masculine in both their sound and meaning.

Abbott

• Name meaning: Father.
• Popularity: This strong A name isn’t ranking.

Abner

• Name meaning: Father of light, creator of the sun and stars.
• Popularity: #974

Abraham

• Name meaning: Father of many.
• Popularity: #202

Anderson

• Name meaning: Son of Anders.
• Popularity: #328

Atlas

• Name meaning: From Greek mythology: a Titan who was forced to support the heavens on his shoulders. Also a collection of maps.
• Popularity: #149

Austin or Austen

• Name meaning: Magnificent. The state capital of Texas.
• Popularity: Austin ranks #96 and Austen hasn’t ranked since 2006.

Axel or Axl

• Name meaning: Father of peace.
• Popularity: Axel ranks #76 and Axl is #845.

Benjamin or Ben

• Name meaning: Son of my right hand.
• Popularity: Benjamin ranks #7 and Ben is #763.

Bryson or Brycen

• Name meaning: Son of Brice.
• Popularity: Bryson ranks #122 and Brycen is #667.

Cannon

• Name meaning: Artillery.
• Popularity: #504

Carson

• Name meaning: Son of marsh dwellers.
• Popularity: #98

Chase

• Name meaning: To hunt.
• Popularity: #125

Diego

• Name meaning: One who takes the place of another. Spanish version of James.
• Popularity: #126

Donovan

• Name meaning: Brown-haired man.
• Popularity: #423

Dorian

• Name meaning: Several possible meanings: From Dorus, a legendary Greek hero. From Doris, a district of Ancient Greece. Child of the sea.
• Popularity: #567

Edgar

• Name meaning: Rich. Spear.
• Popularity: #409

Edison

• Name meaning: Son of Edward.
• Popularity: #615

Evander

• Name meaning: Good man. Also a South African town.
• Popularity: This masculine baby name isn’t ranking.

Fielder

• Name meaning: Dweller in open land.
• Popularity: This strong male name isn’t ranking.

Gideon

• Name meaning: One who cuts down.
• Popularity: #310

Grant

• Name meaning: Tall.
• Popularity: #212

Grayson

• Name meaning: Son of the steward.
• Popularity: Grayson ranks #35, Greyson is #83, and Graysen is #928

Related: Middle Names for Grayson

Griffin

• Name meaning: A fierce or dangerous person.
• Popularity: #232

Harrison

• Name meaning: Son of Harry.
• Popularity: #120

Jackson

• Name meaning: Son of Jack.
• Popularity: #14

Related: Middle Names for Jackson

Jefferson

• Name meaning: Son of Jeffrey.
• Popularity: #723

Luke

• Name meaning: Man from Lucania, a historical region of Southern Italy.
• Popularity: #32

Major

• Name meaning: Significant. A high-ranking army officer. A key in music.
• Popularity: #412

Mario or Marius

• Name meaning: Might mean Roman war god Mars, male, or sea.
• Popularity: Mario ranks #348 and Marius isn’t ranking.

Maximo

• Name meaning: Greatest.
• Popularity: #731

Orion

• Name meaning: A giant in Greek mythology. A constellation of a hunter.
• Popularity: #314

Ranger

• Name meaning: Forest guardian.
• Popularity: This strong masculine name isn’t ranking.

Roman

• Name meaning: Citizen of Rome.
• Popularity: #75

Ruben or Reuben

• Name meaning: Behold, a son.
• Popularity: Ruben ranks #460 and Reuben is #883.

Silas or Sylas

• Name meaning: Man of the forest.
• Popularity: Silas ranks #91 and Sylas is #536.

Related: Middle Names for Silas

Solomon

• Name meaning: Man of peace. A biblical name.
• Popularity: #422

Thiago or Tiago

• Name meaning: Portuguese version of Jacob and James, meaning one who takes the place of another.
• Popularity: Thiago ranks #141 and Tiago isn’t ranking.

Titan

• Name meaning: The largest moon of the planet Saturn. In Greek mythology, the Titans were the children of deities Uranus (heaven) and Gaea (​earth).
• Popularity: #741

Zeus

• Name meaning: The sky and thunder god in ancient Greek mythology.
• Popularity: This masculine Z name isn’t ranking.

If you like these strong masculine baby names you’ll also like this list of modern boy names.

Strong-sounding male names

The following boys’ names are strong in their sound or appearance, rather than their meanings.

Abel

• Name meaning: Breath.
• Popularity: #196

Adam

• Name meaning: Son of the red earth.
• Popularity: #104

Atticus

• Name meaning: Person from Athens.
• Popularity: #266

Bennett

• Name meaning: Blessed.
• Popularity: #90

Boden

• Name meaning: Hill.
• Popularity: Boden ranks #827. Bowden and Beauden aren’t ranking.

Brooks

• Name meaning: Small stream.
• Popularity: #77

Cade

• Name meaning: Barrel.
• Popularity: #340

Caleb

• Name meaning: Devotion.
• Popularity: #51

Callum

• Name meaning: Dove.
• Popularity: Callum ranks #273 and Calum is #838.

Cameron

• Name meaning: Crooked nose.
• Popularity: #62

Dane

• Name meaning: God is my judge. Person from Denmark.
• Popularity: #846

Dylan

• Name meaning: Son of the sea.
• Popularity: Dylan ranks #44, Dillon ranks #669, and Dilan is #869. Dylan ranks #567 for girls.

Hamilton

• Name meaning: Treeless hill or crooked hill.
• Popularity: This strong Scottish name isn’t ranking.

Holt

• Name meaning: Grove of trees.
• Popularity: This strong-sounding tree baby name isn’t ranking.

Hudson

• Name meaning: Son of Hudd or Hugh. A huge river that flows through New York.
• Popularity: #34

James

• Name meaning: One who follows.
• Popularity: James ranks #5 and Jimmy is #758.

Landon

• Name meaning: Long hill.
• Popularity: Landon ranks #73, Landen is #622, and Landyn is #690.

Lincoln

• Name meaning: Town by the pool or settler by the lake.
• Popularity: #45

Logan

• Name meaning: Little hollow.
• Popularity: This strong baby name ranks #21 for boys and #310 for girls.

Merritt

• Name meaning: Boundary gate.
• Popularity: This fancy boy name isn’t ranking.

Nathaniel

• Name meaning: He has given.
• Popularity: Nathaniel ranks #133 and Nathanael is #780.

Noah

• Name meaning: Motion. Or rest.
• Popularity: For boys, Noah ranks #2. For girls, Noah ranks #692 and Noa is #330.

Rowan

• Name meaning: Reddish-brown tree known for its scarlet berries and mystical history.
• Popularity: For boys, Rowan ranks #106 and Rowen is #539. For girls, Rowan ranks #241 and Rowen isn’t ranking.

Shane

• Name meaning: Graced by God.
• Popularity: #493

Theodore or Theo

• Name meaning: God-given. Divine gift.
• Popularity: Theodore ranks #10 and Theo is #142.

Related: Middle Names for Theo

Walker

• Name meaning: Inspector of the forest.
• Popularity: #129

If you liked this batch of strong male names you’ll also like this list of southern names for boys.

Boy names that mean strong

If you’re looking for a tough boys’ name that literally means “strong” (or “strength”) this next batch is for you!

Aaron or Aron

• Name meaning: Strong. Mountain of strength. Teacher. Exalted.
• Popularity: Aaron ranks #65 and Aron is #734.

Ander or Anders

• Name meaning: Scandinavian version of Andrew, meaning strong and manly.
• Popularity: Ander ranks #645 and Anders is #884.

Andrew

• Name meaning: Strong and manly.
• Popularity: #57

Barrett

• Name meaning: Bear strength.
• Popularity: #192

Bryan or Brian

• Name meaning: Strong, noble, virtuous.
• Popularity: Bryan ranks #285 and Brian is #288.

Bryant

• Name meaning: Strong, noble, virtuous.
• Popularity: #795

Conall

• Name meaning: Strong wolf.
• Popularity: This powerful baby name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but is #101 in Ireland.

Drew

• Name meaning: Strong and manly.
• Popularity: This tough name ranks #509 for boys and #815 for girls.

Eitan

• Name meaning: Hebrew version of Ethan, meaning strong, long-lived, or firm.
• Popularity: This masculine name isn’t ranking.

Ezekiel or Ezequiel

• Name meaning: God will strengthen.
• Popularity: Ezekiel ranks #53 and Ezequiel ranks #334.

Gabriel

• Name meaning: God is my strength.
• Popularity: #38

Garrett

• Name meaning: Irish version of Gerard, meaning spear strength.
• Popularity: #402

Hezekiah

• Name meaning: Biblical name meaning God strengthens.
• Popularity: #571

Kenji

• Name meaning: Strong and vigorous. Intelligent second son.
• Popularity: #849

Leonard

• Name meaning: Brave or strong lion.
• Popularity: #649

Valentino or Valentin

• Name meaning: Strength.
• Popularity: Valentino ranks #561 and Valentin is #821.

Zeke

• Name meaning: God will strengthen.
• Popularity: #619

If you like these boy names that mean strong you might also like this list of Irish names.

Uncommon strong boy names

The following masculine names aren’t ones you hear every day.

Brant

• Name meaning: Sword.
• Popularity: This strong B name hasn’t ranked since 2001.

Carden

• Name meaning: Wood carder (one who prepares fibers for processing).
• Popularity: This uncommon boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Chasen

• Name meaning: Hunter.
• Popularity: This masculine baby name isn’t ranking.

Chester

• Name meaning: Fortress.
• Popularity: This strong boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Conway

• Name meaning: Might mean chief of the water.
• Popularity: This dominant boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Denzel

• Name meaning: Might mean tall fortress.
• Popularity: This powerful name last ranked in 2013.

Everest

• Name meaning: The world’s tallest mountain.
• Popularity: #903

Farrell

• Name meaning: Man of valor.
• Popularity: This uncommon boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Farrow

• Name meaning: Iron worker.
• Popularity: This strong boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Forrester

• Name meaning: Woodsman.
• Popularity: This rare boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Garrison

• Name meaning: Son of Garret.
• Popularity: This masculine G name last ranked in 2014.

Gibson

• Name meaning: Son of Gilbert. Also a famous guitar company.
• Popularity: This manly name last ranked in 2018.

Griffith

• Name meaning: A fierce or dangerous person.
• Popularity: This uncommon boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Hanson or Hansen or Hensen

• Name meaning: Son of Hans or Henry.
• Popularity: This male H name isn’t ranking.

Harris

• Name meaning: Son of Harry.
• Popularity: #996

Jeter

• Name meaning: To throw.
• Popularity: This unusual J name isn’t ranking.

Kano

• Name meaning: Might mean masculine power, god of the waters, or capability. The second largest city in Nigeria.
• Popularity: This city baby name isn’t ranking.

Lorcan

• Name meaning: Little fierce one.
• Popularity: This tough L name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but is #137 in Ireland.

Maxton

• Name meaning: Greatest or greatest town.
• Popularity: #994

Mckinley

• Name meaning: Child of the fair hero. Presidential name.
• Popularity: This heroic nonbinary name isn’t ranking for boys but ranks #543 for girls.

Radigan

• Name meaning: To uproot. Someone who lives on a patch of cleared land.
• Popularity: This strong and unusual R name isn’t ranking.

Storm

• Name meaning: Weather event.
• Popularity: This powerful S name isn’t ranking.

Thaddeus

• Name meaning: Might mean courageous heart, one who praises, or gift of God.
• Popularity: #820

If you like these uncommon strong boy names you might also like this list of badass names.

​Boy names that mean warrior

These strong boy names meaning warrior are perfect for your brave little fighter.

Alonzo or Alonso

• Name meaning: Noble. Ready for battle.
• Popularity: Alonzo ranks #471 and Alonso is #777.

Armando

• Name meaning: Soldier.
• Popularity: #552

Chad

• Name meaning: Warrior or battle leader.
• Popularity: This one-syllable boys’ name hasn’t ranked since 2018.

Duncan

• Name meaning: Dark warrior.
• Popularity: #983

Gunner or Gunnar

• Name meaning: Battle fighter.
• Popularity: Gunner ranks #324 and Gunnar is #540.

Gunther

• Name meaning: Battle fighter.
• Popularity: This powerful boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Hogan

• Name meaning: Young warrior.
• Popularity: This tough baby name isn’t ranking.

Igor

• Name meaning: Warrior.
• Popularity: This masculine I name isn’t ranking.

Kayden or Kaiden or Kaden

• Name meaning: Battle.
• Popularity: Kayden ranks #108, Kaiden is #162, and Kaden is #260. Caden ranks #230, Cayden is #289, and Caiden is #419.

Kennedy

• Name meaning: Helmeted chief.
• Popularity: This strong presidential name hasn’t ranked for boys since 2005. It currently ranks #70 for girls.

Kinley

• Name meaning: Warrior.
• Popularity: This baby name isn’t ranking for boys. For girls, Kinley ranks #503 and Kynlee is #921.

Koa

• Name meaning: Warrior.
• Popularity: #546

Louie

• Name meaning: Warrior or knight.
• Popularity: #699

Luis or Louis or Lewis

• Name meaning: Warrior or knight.
• Popularity: Luis ranks #137, Louis is #251, and Lewis ranks #487.

Marcel or Marcellus or Marcelo

• Name meaning: Young warrior.
• Popularity: Marcel ranks #685, Marcellus is #730, and Marcelo is #583.

Milo or Mylo

• Name meaning: Soldier. Dear or beloved.
• Popularity: Milo ranks #127 and Mylo is #745.

Murphy

• Name meaning: Sea warrior.
• Popularity: For boys, this water baby name last ranked in 2020. It currently ranks #716 for girls.

Peyton

• Name meaning: Fighter’s estate.
• Popularity: This strong P name ranks #471 for boys and #99 for girls.

Trace

• Name meaning: Fighter. Superior. Also a location name.
• Popularity: This strong male name ranks #738 for boys and isn’t ranking for girls.

Vicente

• Name meaning: Conquering.
• Popularity: #759

Victor

• Name meaning: Conquerer. Winner.
• Popularity: #209

Vincent

• Name meaning: Conquering.
• Popularity: #117

Vincenzo

• Name meaning: Conquering.
• Popularity: #748

Walter

• Name meaning: Powerful warrior, bright warrior, forest warrior.
• Popularity: #271

Werner

• Name meaning: The defending warrior. The defender.
• Popularity: This strong W name isn’t ranking.

If you like these boy names that mean warrior you might also like this list of Italian names.

Boy names that mean protector

It’s hard to imagine now, but one day your tiny little son might grow up to be your greatest protector.

Alec

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: #682

Alessio

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: This powerful boys’ name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but currently ranks #32 in Italy.

Alexander or Alex

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: Alexander ranks #13. Alex ranks #194 for boys and hasn’t ranked for girls since 2004.

Related: Middle Names for Alex

Alistair or Allister

• Name meaning: Defender. (Scottish version of Alexander).
• Popularity: Alistair ranks #898 and Allister isn’t ranking.

Edmond or Edmund

• Name meaning: Guardian or protector. Wealth or fortune. Prosperous.
• Popularity: This powerful boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Edward or Eddie

• Name meaning: Wealth or fortune. Prosperous. Guardian or protector.
• Popularity: Edward ranks #217 and Eddie is #774.

Raymond or Ramon

• Name meaning: Counseling protector or famous protector.
• Popularity: Raymond ranks #330 and Ramon is #768.

Sergio

• Name meaning: Protector. Servant of the law.
• Popularity: #384

William

• Name meaning: Vehement protector.
• Popularity: #6

Wilson

• Name meaning: Desire, helmet, protection. Son of Will.
• Popularity: #714

Xander or Zander

• Name meaning: Protector.
• Popularity: Xander ranks #187 and Zander is #293.

If you like this batch of strong male names you might also like this list of Greek boy names.

​Names that mean brave

These strong boy names are perfect for a courageous little guy.

Archie

• Name meaning: Truly brave.
• Popularity: #399

Atreus

• Name meaning: Fearless. (Greek mythology name).
• Popularity: #633

Brayden or Braden

• Name meaning: Brave. Wide valley.
• Popularity: Brayden ranks #131 and Braden is #907.

Casey or Case or Kasey

• Name meaning: Vigilant or brave.
• Popularity: Casey ranks #446 for boys and hasn’t ranked for girls since 2019. Case ranks #632. Kasey isn’t ranking for either gender.

Emery or Emory

• Name meaning: Brave or industrious.
• Popularity: Emery ranks #764 and Emory is #817. For girls, Emery ranks #89, Emory ranks #477, and Emerie ranks #628.

Hubble or Hubbell

• Name meaning: Brave heart.
• Popularity: This courageous boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Jabari

• Name meaning: Brave or fearless.
• Popularity: #934

Leonardo

• Name meaning: Italian and Spanish variation of Leonard, meaning brave lion.
• Popularity: #87

Leopold

• Name meaning: Brave people.
• Popularity: This strong boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Lyon

• Name meaning: Lion or brave.
• Popularity: This fierce French name isn’t ranking.

Riley

• Name meaning: Courageous or wood clearing.
• Popularity: This tough baby name ranks #246 for boys and #37 for girls.

Valor

• Name meaning: Courage.
• Popularity: This strong V name isn’t ranking.

Wyatt

• Name meaning: Brave in war.
• Popularity: #29

If you like these boy names that mean brave you might also like this list of German names.

Strong boy names meaning fiery, passionate, and rebellious

The following masculine names are perfect for a little maverick who challenges the status quo and blazes his own trail in life.

Blaze

• Name meaning: Fiery.
• Popularity: #775

Brenner

• Name meaning: Charcoal burner.
• Popularity: This B name isn’t ranking.

Cole

• Name meaning: Charcoal.
• Popularity: #132

Creed

• Name meaning: Set of beliefs. (This name reminds me of the Office)
• Popularity: #678

Diesel or Diezel

• Name meaning: Fuel.
• Popularity: Neither spelling of this powerful boys’ name is ranking.

Eagan

• Name meaning: Fiery or son of fire.
• Popularity: This strong E name isn’t ranking.

Keegan or Kegan

• Name meaning: Son of Aodhagán, meaning fire.
• Popularity: Keegan ranks #494 and Kegan isn’t ranking.

Kenneth

• Name meaning: Fire-born. Handsome.
• Popularity: #258

Maverick

• Name meaning: Independent-minded person. An unbranded animal.
• Popularity: #47

Related: Middle Names for Maverick

Mccoy

• Name meaning: Fire.
• Popularity: #818

Tyson

• Name meaning: Nickname for someone with a fiery personality.
• Popularity: #353

Wilder or Wylder

• Name meaning: Untamed.
• Popularity: Wilder ranks #368 and Wylder is #976.

If you like these fiery strong names for boys you may also like this list of edgy baby names.

​Strong boy names inspired by winning

These strong boy names for babies are perfect for a little champion with a competitive spirit!

Ace

• Name meaning: One, unity, or expert.
• Popularity: #156

Cairo or Kairo or Kyro

• Name meaning: Victorious. The capital of Egypt.
• Popularity: Cairo ranks #323. Kairo ranks #755 and Kyro is #755.

Carlin

• Name meaning: Little champion.
• Popularity: This unusual C name isn’t ranking.

Colin or Collin

• Name meaning: Cub (baby animal) or victory of the people.
• Popularity: Colin ranks #269 and Collin is #421.

Darren

• Name meaning: Little great one.
• Popularity: #804

Kamal

• Name meaning: Perfection, superiority, accomplishment, beauty. Lotus. Pale red.
• Popularity: This exotic boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Kendrick

• Name meaning: Greatest champion. Family ruler.
• Popularity: #429

Max

• Name meaning: The greatest.
• Popularity: Max ranks #159 and Maximus is #263.

Nicholas or Nicolas or Nikolas

• Name meaning: People of victory.
• Popularity: Nicholas ranks #92, Nicolas is #188, and Nikolas is #587.

Nico or Niko

• Name meaning: People of victory.
• Popularity: Nico ranks #259 and Niko is #291.

Nile or Niall or Niles

• Name meaning: Champion. The longest river in Africa.
• Popularity: None of these powerful N names are ranking.

Sterling

• Name meaning: Excellent. First-rate. Type of silver.
• Popularity: #382

If you like these winning-inspired strong boy names you might also like this list of two-syllable names.

Strong regal names for boys

These strong boy names mean royalty, ruler, and nobility.

Avery

• Name meaning: King of elves.
• Popularity: Avery ranks #19 for boys and #19 for girls.

Related: Middle Names for Avery

Baron or Barron

• Name meaning: A member of the British nobility, also known as a lord. (This is the name of Donald Trump’s youngest son).
• Popularity: Neither spelling of this strong name is ranking. Baron last ranked in 2008.

Brendan or Brendon

• Name meaning: Prince.
• Popularity: Brendan ranks #761 and Brendon hasn’t ranked since 2013.

Darian or Darien or Darion

• Name meaning: Possessing goodness. Rich and kingly.
• Popularity: Darian ranks #972. Darien last ranked in 2014 and Darion last ranked in 2008.

Darius

• Name meaning: Possessing goodness. Rich and kingly.
• Popularity: #636

Derek or Derrick

• Name meaning: From Theodoric, meaning ruler of the people.
• Popularity: Derek ranks #301 and Derrick is #611. Derick last ranked in 2012. Deric and Derrek aren’t ranking.

Duke

• Name meaning: Leader. English nobility.
• Popularity: #651

Enzo

• Name meaning: Italian version of Henry, meaning estate ruler.
• Popularity: #139

Fallon

• Name meaning: Descended from a ruler.
• Popularity: This mighty F name isn’t ranking for boys and ranks #725 for girls.

Henry

• Name meaning: Estate ruler.
• Popularity: #9

Kaiser or Kaizer or Kyzer or Kyser

• Name meaning: Emperor.
• Popularity: Kaiser ranks #793. Kaizer, Kyzer, and Kyser aren’t ranking.

Kyron

• Name meaning: Might mean hand, little dark one, ruler, or leader.
• Popularity: This powerful K name last ranked in 2011.

Landry

• Name meaning: Powerful land ruler.
• Popularity: This strong baby name ranks #962 for boys and #962 for girls.

Nolan

• Name meaning: Noble or famous.
• Popularity: #60

Patrick

• Name meaning: Nobleman or ruler.
• Popularity: #214

Reagan

• Name meaning: Little king.
• Popularity: This presidential R name hasn’t ranked for boys since 2017. It currently ranks #126 for girls.

Rex

• Name meaning: King. (Also reminiscent of the dinosaur, Tyrannosaurus rex).
• Popularity: #696

Ryan

• Name meaning: Little king.
• Popularity: This mighty baby name ranks #66 for boys and #495 for girls.

If you like these regal strong names for boys you’ll also like this huge list of royal boy names.

​Strong boy names inspired by animals

Here are some fierce baby name ideas for your wild one.

Adler

• Name meaning: Eagle.
• Popularity: #910

Ari

• Name meaning: Lion.
• Popularity: This strong 3-letter name ranks #342 for boys and #478 for girls.

Arthur or Arturo

• Name meaning: Bear-like.
• Popularity: Arthur ranks #155 and Arturo is #642.

Bear

• Name meaning: Animal.
• Popularity: #826

Channing

• Name meaning: Young wolf or church official.
• Popularity: This masculine name hasn’t ranked since 2017.

Connor

• Name meaning: Lover of hounds.
• Popularity: Connor ranks #97, Conor is #462, and Conner is #514.

Drake

• Name meaning: Dragon. Also a male duck.
• Popularity: #568

Falkner

• Name meaning: Falcon trainer
• Popularity: This strong boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Fowler

• Name meaning: Falcon trainer
• Popularity: This masculine name isn’t ranking.

Fox

• Name meaning: Wild animal.
• Popularity: #939

Hawk

• Name meaning: Bird of prey.
• Popularity: This strong baby name isn’t ranking.

Keaton

• Name meaning: Place of hawks.
• Popularity: #735

Leander

• Name meaning: Lion man.
• Popularity: This powerful boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Leandro

• Name meaning: Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian version of Leander, meaning lion man.
• Popularity: #605

Leo

• Name meaning: Lion.
• Popularity: #31

Leon

• Name meaning: Greek version of Leo, meaning Lion.
• Popularity: #177

Leonel or Lionel

• Name meaning: Young lion.
• Popularity: Leonel ranks #374 and Lionel is #663.

Leonidas

• Name meaning: Lion-like or son of a lion.
• Popularity: #448

Lynx

• Name meaning: A wild cat with a short tail and tufted ears. A constellation.
• Popularity: This fierce baby name isn’t ranking.

Madden

• Name meaning: Little dog.
• Popularity: #824

Osborn

• Name meaning: Bear of God.
• Popularity: This strong boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Talon

• Name meaning: Claw of a bird of prey.
• Popularity: #796

Taurus

• Name meaning: A constellation of a bull. From ancient Greek mythology.
• Popularity: This tough boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Tiger

• Name meaning: The largest member of the cat family.
• Popularity: This strong baby name isn’t ranking.

Todd

• Name meaning: Fox.
• Popularity: This fierce name last ranked in 2015.

Wolf

• Name meaning: A large canine.
• Popularity: This powerful name isn’t ranking.

Zev

• Name meaning: Wolf.
• Popularity: #996

If you like these animal-inspired strong boy names you’ll also like this list of bird baby names and these hippie names.

Strong boy names that are solid as a rock

All of these strong names have meanings related to… you guessed it… rocks (or stone)!

Axton

• Name meaning: Swordsman’s stone.
• Popularity: #602

Calloway or Callaway

• Name meaning: Place of pebbles.
• Popularity: This strong unusual boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Cliff

• Name meaning: A steep rock face.
• Popularity: This masculine baby name isn’t ranking.

Craig

• Name meaning: Rock.
• Popularity: This strong male name hasn’t ranked since 2017.

Dustin

• Name meaning: Thor’s stone.
• Popularity: #623

Graham

• Name meaning: Gravel.
• Popularity: #161

Harlan

• Name meaning: Rocky land.
• Popularity: #637

Jasper

• Name meaning: Treasurer. Also a gemstone.
• Popularity: #128

Langston

• Name meaning: Tall stone. Long town.
• Popularity: #750

Mason or Maison

• Name meaning: One who works with stone.
• Popularity: Mason ranks #18 and Maison last ranked in 2020.

Onyx

• Name meaning: A layered black stone.
• Popularity: #406

Perrin

• Name meaning: Rock or pear tree.
• Popularity: This baby name isn’t ranking for either gender.

Peter

• Name meaning: Rock.
• Popularity: #215

Pierce

• Name meaning: Rock. Son of Piers.
• Popularity: #499

Slate

• Name meaning: Grayish rock.
• Popularity: This strong male name isn’t ranking.

Stone

• Name meaning: Rock.
• Popularity: This solid name last ranked in 2019.

If you like these stone-inspired strong boy names you’ll also like this list of earthy names and these plant-inspired baby names.

Strong baby names inspired by fiction

All of the names below come from strong characters in movies and television.

Bond

• Name meaning: Peasant farmer. Bond. James Bond.
• Popularity: This super badass boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Dexter

• Name meaning: Skillful. Right-handed. One of my all-time favorite shows!
• Popularity: #533

Dominic

• Name meaning: Belonging to God. “Dom” Toretto is played by Vin Diesel in the Fast and the Furious movies.
• Popularity: Dominic ranks #99, Dominick is #483, and Dominik is #933.

Dutch

• Name meaning: From the Netherlands. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays this badass character in the movie Predator.
• Popularity: This strong male name isn’t ranking.

Jack

• Name meaning: God is gracious. There are so many badass characters with this name: Jack Ryan, Jack Sparrow, Jack Reacher, Jack Traven, and more.
• Popularity: #11

Jones

• Name meaning: Graced by God. Indiana Jones was most famously portrayed by Harrison Ford.
• Popularity: #913

Maximus

• Name meaning: The greatest. Russell Crowe plays this absolute badass in the movie Gladiator.
• Popularity: #263

Neo

• Name meaning: New. This amazing character is played by Keanu Reeves in the Matrix.
• Popularity: #980

Renley

• Name meaning: Invented name. Renley Baratheon is a character in Game of Thrones.
• Popularity: This mighty boys’ name isn’t ranking.

If you like these fiction-inspired strong boy names you might also like this list of 3-syllable names.

​Strong boy names that are past their prime

Even though most of the following male names are ranking in the top 1000, I personally think they’ve seen better days.

I’ll let you decide that for yourself!

For the sake of a complete list of boy names meaning strong, here is one last batch of names!

Alexis

• Name meaning: Defender.
• Popularity: This strength-related baby name ranks #341 for boys and #341 for girls.

Andres or Andre

• Name meaning: Spanish/French version of Andrew, meaning strong and manly.
• Popularity: Andres ranks #218 and Andre is #290.

Andrea

• Name meaning: Italian version of Andrew, meaning strong and masculine.
• Popularity: This baby name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but currently ranks #8 in Italy. (For American girls, Andrea ranks #173).

Andy

• Name meaning: Short for Andrew, meaning strong and manly.
• Popularity: #468

Ariel

• Name meaning: Lion.
• Popularity: This strength-related baby name ranks #560 for boys and #222 for girls.

Barnaby

• Name meaning: Young warrior. Settlement. Son of consolation.
• Popularity: This strong boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Bernard or Bernardo

• Name meaning: Brave bear.
• Popularity: Bernard last ranked in 2008 and Bernardo last ranked in 2007.

Bjorn

• Name meaning: Bear.
• Popularity: #766

Boris

• Name meaning: Many possible meanings including wolf, short, bars, snow leopard, battle, glory, and fame.
• Popularity: This tough-sounding winter boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Clovis

• Name meaning: Famous warrior.
• Popularity: This powerful boys’ name isn’t ranking.

Constantine

• Name meaning: Constant or steadfast. (A Roman emperor and the name of several Scottish kings).
• Popularity: This strong male name isn’t ranking.

Gerardo

• Name meaning: Spanish version of Gerard, meaning spear strength.
• Popularity: #565

Harold

• Name meaning: Military power or army ruler.
• Popularity: #962

Harvey

• Name meaning: Battle worthy or blazing iron.
• Popularity: #420

Kevin

• Name meaning: Of noble birth. Handsome.
• Popularity: #182

Ludwig

• Name meaning: Famous warrior.
• Popularity: This powerful male name isn’t ranking in the U.S. but is popular in Germany.

Neil

• Name meaning: Several possible meanings such as cloud, passionate, victory, honour, or champion.
• Popularity: #719

Raul

• Name meaning: Spanish version of Ralph, meaning counsel wolf or famous wolf.
• Popularity: #606

Ricardo or Riccardo

• Name meaning: Powerful, brave, or strong.
• Popularity: Ricardo ranks #346. Riccardo isn’t ranking in the U.S. but currently ranks #9 in Italy.

Richard or Ricky

• Name meaning: Powerful, brave, strong.
• Popularity: Richard ranks #216 and Ricky is #770.

Roy

• Name meaning: King or red.
• Popularity: #551

Steven

• Name meaning: Wreath, crown, honor, reward, royalty, fame.
• Popularity: Steven ranks #235 and Stephen is #341.

If you still haven’t found the perfect strong baby name for your son, check out the lists below…

​More baby name ideas:

• 250 Southern Boy Names: The Coolest Baby Names for 2023
• 135 Short Boy Names for Modern Babies
• 3 Syllable Boy Names that are Modern & Masculine

​Final thoughts on strong masculine names for babies

Hopefully, you’ve found a few lead contenders on this list of strong male names, or at least come away with some baby name inspiration.

Now, the tricky part is narrowing down your list of favorites!

My best advice to you is to save them all on a list on your phone. Read the list over every day. One by one, erase any name that doesn’t seem sufficiently badass. If you do this enough times, eventually you’ll get to ‘the one’!

Congratulations and good luck choosing the perfect strong name for your son!

Strong Boy Names