Strong female names work exceptionally well and grow with your child from the playroom to the boardroom. These appellations come from a variety of naming traditions but all share mighty meanings that convey strength, command attention, and sound absolutely amazing. After all, choosing baby names that are meaningful to you and your family’s values will always be a wise decision.
We wanted to discover all of the best strong female names out there so we searched a variety of baby-naming databases to deliver some truly remarkable and resolute baby names for girls. We avoided names that read as “cute” or “pretty” and instead searched for solid names that convey a subtle strength. Let’s take a look at some of these options for baby name inspiration!
Check Out These Strong Female Names & Their Mighty Meanings
Strong Female Names That Start with A
- Althea – A name from Greek mythology, meaning “with healing power.” This queen name belonged to the mythic ruler of Calydon whose son Meleager caused her plenty of heartache. Despite the sad story, Althea is an excellent name.
- Alvilda – One of the most offbeat strong female names, Alvilda comes from Norse origins and means “elf battle.” We do not know what an elf battle looks like but we do know Alvilda seems ready for a fight!
- Amira – The handsome appellation Amira comes from Arabic and means “commander.” A perfect name for a little girl who knows she’s in charge.
- Artemis – Another name from Greek mythology, Artemis is the goddess of the moon and the hunt. Curiously, this name has been trending for boys when it was so clearly associated with the female deity.
- Athena – Athena, who was birthed from a headache in Greek mythology, has a potent and powerful name. The name shares the same root as Athens but due to its mythological association most scholars agree that the meaning of this name is “goddess of wisdom and war.”
Strong Female Names That Start with B
- Bernadette – Bernadette feels like a vintage treasure that new parents should dust off and put to good use. The name has German origins and means “strong” and “brave as a bear.”
- Brenna – A fresh alternative to Brenda, Brenna comes from Norse and likely shares the same root as its more well-known friend, Brenda. The name means “sword.”
- Bria – A brisk and light appellation, Bria comes from Irish tradition and means “power” and “strength” and “vigor.”
- Bridget – A name from Irish tradition, meaning “exalted one.” The name is closely associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid who holds dominion over agriculture, fire, poetry, and healing.
- Bryndis – An alluring option from Scandinavia, Bryndis means “of strong armor.” Today, the name is most popular in Iceland, but hopefully, this name will get adopted by American parents.
Strong Female Names That Start with C
- Chasina – An ancient name you likely have never encountered, Chasina comes from Aramaic and means “powerful and strong” and “a protection.”
- Cahira – Cahira obscure baby name from Irish tradition that means “warrior.” The name also shares some Latin elements with Justus, meaning “just.”
- Clothilde – Here is one of our favorite strong female names that’s a French form of a German name meaning “famous in battle.” It’s pronounced klo-TEELD.
- Casey – A fabulous gender-neutral name from Irish tradition, Casey means “brave in battle.” The name has been extremely popular for both boys and girls since the 1980s.
- Channing – Channing is a remarkable surname-name that works extremely well when given to girls. The name can be traced to English and Irish origins, meaning “people of Cana” or “wolf cub.”
Strong Female Names Starting with D
- Diana – A Roman goddess of the hunt, forests, and birth, Diana means “divine.” Cults formed for the goddess in ancient times and she is still revered in modern neopagan religions.
- Danica – Danica comes from Slavic origin and is associated with Diana or Venus. The name means “morning star.” We love that this name sounds balanced, both feminine and straightforward.
- Delta – Delta was last popular for babies in the US in the 1930s. We so desperately want this appellation to make a comeback. Delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and it sounds distinct. However, we understand that one of this country’s major airlines has the name so we get the hesitance. Be bold, folks!
- Drew – A diminutive form of Andrew, Drew works surprisingly well as a name for girls. The name comes from Greek origin and means “strong.”
- Decima – A Latin name that means “tenth,” Decima also names a Roman goddess of prophecy. A perfect option for a girl born in October.
Strong Female Names Starting with E
- Ebba – A name with both Germanic and English origins, Ebba is an untapped gem of a name. It can mean “strong as a boar” or “fortress of treasure.”
- Edrei – A biblical name from Hebrew, meaning “strong” or “a cloud” or “a very great mass.” This name would sound very chic for a girl born today.
- Elaheh – A rare name in the US but a popular choice in Iran, Elaheh has Persian origins and means “like a goddess.” This is one of the best strong female names on this list that many people have never heard before.
- Enyo – Enyo comes from Greek mythology and means “warrior goddess” She was said to have inflicted terror during the fall of Troy.
- Evangeline – Evangeline is a more popular name today than ever before. The appellation comes from Greek and means “bringing good news.” If you can think of a name that sounds more fitting for a superhero, please let us know.
Strong Female Names Starting with F
- Fairuza – A name of Persian origin, Fairuza means “woman of triumph.” It’s the perfect name for your little champion.
- Fallon – A handsome Irish name that we feel works well as a given name for baby girls, Fallon means “superiority” and “a descendent of a ruler.”
- Fianna – Bot to be confused with another Irish name, Fiona, Fianna means “band of warriors.” An excellent option that sounds soft but means business.
- Finley – How cute does Finley sound as a given name for girls? Finley comes from Irish origin and means “fair warrior.”
- Farah – You can spell the name Farah or Farrah, it’s your call. The name comes from Arabic and means “happiness.”
Strong Female Names Beginning with G
- Gesa – A Dutch variant of Gertrude, Gesa certainly sounds less blunt than Gertrude. The name also means “spear of strength.”
- Gemini – A perfect name for lovers of space, Gemini has Latin origins and means “twin.” If you’re looking for an offbeat alternative to Gemma, this would be ideal.
- Greta – Greta has German origins and is a diminutive form of Margaret, meaning “pearl.” Actor and director Greta Gerwig proves a contemporary, admirable namesake.
- Gesine – Pronounced geh-SEE-nah, this German name means “strength of the spear.”
- Gerda – A Scandinavian name that gets right to the point, Gerda means “enclosure” and “stronghold.”
Strong Female Names Starting with H
- Harley – A name that once would have seemed too biker-adjacent, Harley has emerged as one of the newest strong female names to trend. Harley has English origins and means “from the long field.”
- Hunter – Hunter is an English occupational name that means exactly what you think it does. Rising model and actor Hunter Schafer is showcasing this name and shining a bright light on just how beautiful and strong it sounds.
- Hilda – From German, Hilda means “battle woman.”
- Harriet – An English name from French and German, Harriet means “estate ruler.”
- Hera – A name belonging to the queen of the Greek gods, Hera makes for a notable and evocative appellation today. Her name means “protectress.”
Strong Names That Start with I
- Imala – A Native American name with a winning meaning, Imala sounds incredible. The name means “strong-minded.”
- Imiza – Imiza is a diminutive form of Irmentrude, a Germanic name, meaning “universal strength.”
- Imara – A name of Kiswahili origin, Imara means “firm.”
- Irie – A Jamaican, Rasta name that means “positive and powerful.”
- Isa – Isa is one of the strong female names that can be found in a couple of languages: German and Persian. The appellation means “of strong will.”
Strong Female Names That Start with J
- Jaiyana – A name from Urdu, meaning “strength.” A name not heard often in the US, we think it would be most welcome on playgrounds and in classrooms.
- Justice – One of the most straightforward strong female names is Justice. It’s a virtue name without any religious connotations which should appeal to secular families. This name has been mildly popular since the 1990s and we expect it to keep going strong for years to come.
- Juno – Meaning “queen of the heavens,” Juno is the patron goddess of Rome and protector of women and marriage.
- Jayla – A modern Hebrew name, meaning “to ascend,” Jayla feels fresher than Kayla.
- Justine – A French female form of Justin, Justine means “righteous.”
Strong Female Names That Start with K
- Karleen – A name from Old German, Karleen means “womanly strength.” This appellation is the perfect alternative to Karly or Kathleen.
- Kivah – Kivah is a Hebrew name and form of Akiva, meaning “to protect.” Not only does this name have great meaning, but it also sounds crisp and modern.
- Kaimana – One of the stunning strong female names from Hawaii, Kaimana means “with the strength of the ocean.”
- Keren – A girl’s name of Hebrew origin meaning “strength,” however, the name sounds very close to Karen so be prepared to correct others at first.
- Kelly – A fantastic-sounding name with a polarizing meaning, Kelly comes from Irish origin and means “war.”
Strong Female Names That Start with L
- Leya – Strong female names Leya or Leia can be found in both Hindi and Spanish tradition, meaning “lion” or “the law.” The Star Wars spelling of the name, Leia, is currently the most popular but we are partial to Leya.
- Lilith – A name that can be traced way, way back to Assyrian and Sumerian, Lilith means “of the night.” The name was adopted into Jewish folklore as a name for a “night monster.” We think no list of strong female names is complete without a little night demon on it.
- Louisa – This dusty jewel of a name comes from Latin and means “renowned warrior.”
- Liv – A name of Norse origin, Liv means “life.”
- Leona – A classic name from Latin, meaning “lioness.”
Strong Female Names Beginning with M
- Maeve – A name belonging to the warrior Queen of Connacht in Irish mythology, Maeve means “she who intoxicates.” Unheard in the US before the 1980s, Maeve is now one of the most popular names for baby girls born today.
- Maia – From Maori, Maia means “brave warrior.” You will also encounter the name in Greek, meaning “mother.” This name is mildly popular today but we would love to hear it more often!
- Malin – An English name that is likely related to Magdalene, Malin means “little warrior” in its English context.
- Meredith – A Welsh name that originally was given exclusively to baby boys, Meredith means “great ruler” or “great chief.” Today, the name is much more popular for girls.
- Minka – A pretty name and the perfect choice for parents with Polish heritage, Minka means “strong-willed warrior.” Doesn’t it sound fun?
- Morgan – Morgan is a Welsh name that means “sea-born.” In Arthurian legend, the name belonged to a famed sorceress. It’s a well-known and liked name today!
Strong Female Names That Start with N
- Neala – A female form of Neal, Neala has Irish roots and is now more popular there than Neal! The name means “champion” and “cloud.” If you’re looking for something even sweeter, Nealina has emerged as a great diminutive form of this appellation.
- Nikita – A Russian name from the Greek name Aniketos, meaning “unconquered” and “victor.” The name is more popular in Europe today than in the US but it was a popular choice here in the 1980s.
- Navi – Navi is a name from Hebrew that means “to name.” This straightforward yet charming name makes it a favorite among other badass girl names.
- Neema – Neema is a handsome name from Swahili that means “born in good times.” This name is not too popular in the US today, but we can absolutely see favor change for this attractive appellation.
- Nerio – Nerio is one of the Roman goddesses of war and a wife of Mars. The name means “strength” and “valor.”
RELATED: 101 Tough Female Warrior Names
Strong Female Names That Start with O
- Olesia – A name from Polish tradition, Olesia is a diminutive form of Aleksandra, meaning “defending men.” This appellation would be a smart alternative to Alicia or Alexandra.
- Ocean – Is there anything more powerful than the ocean? Ocean has recently emerged as a nature-name possibility over the last few years. Oceane, spelled with an E, is currently one of the hottest names in France.
- Octavia – A name that’s more popular today in the US than ever before, Octavia has Latin origins and means “eighth.”
- Oz – We feel like the Hebrew name Oz has crossover potential. Traditionally, it has been reserved for boys but we think it works well for all babies. Oz means “powerful” and “courageous.”
- Olympia – An evocative Greek name, Olympia means “of Mount Olympus.” It’s one of the best strong female names on this list!
Strong Female Names Starting with P
- Philomena – Meaning “lover of strength,” Philomena proves one of the most complex strong female names. This name from Greek mythology refers to an Athenian princess who was transformed into a nightingale.
- Phoenix – A name from Greek mythology, Phoenix means “dark red.” The phoenix is a symbol of rebirth likened to the setting and rising sun. This is one of the most popular strong female names today.
- Pepper – A spicy name that American parents should turn to more often, Pepper is far more popular in the UK today than it is here. The name means “berry.”
- Pilar – This name originated in the retelling of the miracle of the Virgin Mary’s appearance over a marble pillar. This name originated in Spanish and indeed means “pillar.”
- Petra – A Greek name and female form of Peter, Petra means “stone.”
Strong Female Names Starting with Q
- Qadira – An absolute stunner, Qadira comes from Arabic roots that mean “full of power.” We’re into it.
- Quinta – Quinta is an ancient name from Latin that, thanks to years of disuse, feels fresh and viable for new parents today. This name means “fifth.”
- Queralt – Queralt, pronounced kah-RAL, has been a top 200 name in Catalonia, Spain since 2004. The name means “white rock” and “high rock.” There are several Catalan villages with the name today!
- Quest – A name from Latin, meaning “mission.”
- Queen – An undeniable option among these strong female names, Queen would make for a brilliant choice.
Strong Female Names That Start with R
- Reika – An evocative name from German, Reika means “power of the wolf.” If you’re looking for a fierce name, Reika would definitely be an excellent fit.
- Rena – Rena comes from Hebrew and means “joyous melody.” The name has not widely appealed to parents since the 1980s despite the name being prevalent in Hebrew, Greek, and Russian traditions. Bring her back!
- Roxana – Roxanne has been the favored form of this name, but Roxana offers a more direct vehicle for the Persian root that means “dawn.” This name just rox.
- Regina – An old standard from Latin, meaning “queen.”
- Rhiannon – A mythical Welsh name, meaning “divine queen.” We’ve discovered many good queen options!
Strong Female Names Starting with S
- Shamra – A warm name from Arabic origins, Shamra means “ready for battle.”
- Sloan – Sloan can be spelled Sloane, but both are perfectly acceptable. Sloan comes from Irish tradition and means “raider.”
- Shakti – A Hindu name of Sanskrit origin, Shakti means “power.”
- Sybil – A classic Greek name that should be experiencing a renaissance today, Sybil means “prophetess.”
- Sia – This name comes from Old Norse and means “victory.”
Strong Female Names Starting with T
- Thora – A name related to the Norse god, Thor, Thora means “Thor’s struggle” and “thunder goddess.” You will find the name across Scandinavia but it has not been widely popular in the US since the 1920s! Bring her back, parents!
- Tyra – A name with origins in Old Norse and Germanic mythology, Tyra is a form of the name Tyr, who predates the Greek and Roman mythology that many of us are more familiar with. Little survives about the god’s narrative but the Romans referred to the deity as Mars. Tyra means “the god.”
- Trinity – A popular name today, Trinity comes from Latin and means “triad.” The name carries religious undertones for some, but it’s a secular name unless told otherwise.
- Tetsu – A Japanese name that can mean “strong as a lion.”
- Theia – A Greek titan of sight, Theia is one of the strong female names that means “goddess” or “godly.”
Strong Female Names Starting with U
- Ursa – A short form of Ursula, from Latin roots that mean “little bear,” Ursa could prove one of the badass girl names just over the horizon. We expect new parents to start using this name more and more in years to come as it is trending on baby name databases like Nameberry and BabyNames.com today.
- Ulla – Not just a name used in The Producers, Ulla is a Scandinavian classic that means “will” and “determination.”
- Ulima – A strong Arabic name you may have never encountered before, Ulima means “astute” and “wise.”
- Ultima – Add a “T” and you’ve got another option! Ultima comes from Latin and Italian and though it’s uncommon, we think parents should consider it. This name means “last.”
- Umay – In Turkish mythology, Umay is the mother goddess of the Earth, protecting women, fertility, and children. The name means “placenta” or “mother.”
Strong Female Names Beginning with V
- Valerie – A name found in English, Czech, and German, Valerie means “strength” and “health” and is related to Valentina.
- Valentina – Speaking of, Valentina is another one of the beloved, strong female names around the world. It means “strength” and “health” as well.
- Vada – One of the names that’s making a comeback today (after spending 70 years off the US top 1000 list), Vada was once considered too retro-sounding. Now, she sounds fresh and full of life. The name claims English, German, and Sanskrit origins and can means “knowledge” and “rule.” We’ll take it!
- Vita – Not too far from Vada, Vita is another vivacious V-name with grit. This name from Latin means “life.” The name is currently a top 20 choice for girls in Slovenia. However, in the US, it has not been widely chosen since the 1930s.
- Verena – A name meaning “integrity,” Verena is a vintage find that we would love to return to popularity.
Strong Girl Names Starting with W
- Wilma – A diminutive form of Wilhelmina, Wilma means “resolute protection.” This name was once extremely popular in the US but has not seen much love since The Flintstones aired. In Sweden today, it’s a top ten choice for girls.
- Wyatt – A name that’s being considered more for girls today than ever before, Wyatt comes from English and means “brave in war.”
- Wilda – A German name with a hopeful meaning in “to strive.”
- Wisdom – A rare virtue name, Wisdom has the potential to join the ranks of others like Justice and Journey.
- Wynn – A Welsh name that’s always sounded like a winner to us, Wynn means “fair.”
Strong Female Names Starting with X or Y
- Xiomara – Luckily for us all, the name Xiomara is now a popular choice in the US. The name has Spanish and Portuguese origins from the name Guiomar, meaning “famous in battle.”
- Xevera – A Portuguese feminine variation of Severus, Xevera means “stern.”
- Xandra – A name with Greek roots that means “defending men.”
- Yael – A unisex Hebrew name that’s primarily used by Jewish families today, Yael proves an evocative choice. The name belongs to a biblical place and can mean “mountain goat” or “mountain” or “to ascend.”
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 50 Badass Girl Names
Strong Female Names Starting with Z
- Zelda – A whimsical option, Zelda comes from German and means “gray fighting maid.”
- Zaila – An Arabic name, Zaila means “might, power.” With its attractive Z-beginning, it could be the perfect option for your zesty family.
- Zenobia – A name that hasn’t appealed to parents in nearly 100 years in the US, Zenobia comes from Greek and means “force of Zeus.”
- Zariyah – A name from Arabic, Zariyah is a gorgeous option that means “scattering wind.”
- Zafira – Another attractive Arabic name, Zafira means “to succeed.”
There you go! We hope you discovered some strong female names for your daughter! Each of these appellations sounds attractive without being overly cute or sweet. We tried to deliver names for you with powerful meanings that express your family’s values. If you are still on the hunt for the perfect name for your daughter, we’ve got good news for you! Here are 50 more names for girls that totally rock.
Check Out These Badass Girl Names for Even More Baby Name Inspiration!
Artemis
The name Artemis entered the US top 1000 most popular names for girls in 2020. Parents are attracted to the offbeat sound of this Greek name that refers to the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and the moon. Her name comes from a Greek root that means “butcher.”
Atlas
One of our new favorite badass girl names, Atlas, has been gaining traction as a name for baby boys in the US over the last decade. However, the name is increasingly being viewed as a gender-neutral option. After actor Shay Mitchell chose the name for her daughter born in 2020, we think more and more parents are going to pick it for girls. The name also comes from Greek and means “holder of the heavens.”
Blaze
A name that means straight “fire,” Blaze is currently a trendy name for boys but parents have been choosing it for girls as well. We like it even more for girls and hope it really takes off!
Blake
Blake sounds strong and blunt when applied to girls which is increasingly attractive for new parents today. Blake is a name with English origins that somehow means both “fair” and “dark.” We have Blake Lively to thank for opening our eyes to this amazing name for girls.
Cameron
Cameron is a Scottish surname that’s been used as a given name for hundreds of years now. The name means “crooked nose.”
Channing
Channing is another remarkable surname-name that works extremely well when given to girls. The name can be traced to English and Irish origins, meaning “people of Cana” or “wolf cub.” It’s one of the best badass girl names on this list!
Danica
Danica comes from Slavic origin and is associated with Diana or Venus. The name means “morning star.” We love that this name sounds balanced, both feminine and straightforward.
Delta
Detla was last popular for babies in the US in the 1930s. We so desperately want this appellation to make a comeback. Delta is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and it sounds distinct. However, we understand that one of this country’s major airlines has the name so we get the hesitance. Be bold, folks!
Easton
Easton is an English habitational name, meaning “town that faces east.” The name is hugely popular for boys but it is totally unisex and deserves a spot among other badass girl names on this list. Just a tip: you can find other badass girl names like Easton by looking to unisex surnames!
Evangeline
Evangeline is a more popular name today than ever before. The appellation comes from Greek and means “bringing good news.” If you can think of a name that sounds more fitting for a superhero, please let us know.
Freya
A name from Norse mythology, Freya means “noble.” Freya has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the US and is one of the fastest-rising names right now. This name definitely has Viking charm.
Farah
You can spell the name Farah or Farrah, it’s your call. The name comes from Arabic and means “happiness.”
Gemini
A perfect name for lovers of space, Gemini has Latin origins and means “twin.” If you’re looking for an offbeat alternative to Gemma, this would be ideal.
Greta
Greta has German origins and is a diminutive form of Margaret, meaning “pearl.” Actor and director Greta Gerwig proves a contemporary admirable namesake. Old Hollywood legend Greta Garbo brings a touch of glamour.
Harley
A name that once would have seemed to biker-adjacent, Harley has emerged as one of the newest badass girl names to trend. Harley has English origins and means “from the long field.”
Hunter
Hunter is an English occupational name that means exactly what you think it does. Rising model and actor Hunter Schafer is showcasing this name and shining a bright light on just how beautiful and strong it sounds.
Io
Pronounced eye-o, Io is a name from Greek mythology that we expect to take hold in the coming years. Io is the name to Jupiter’s largest moon. In mythology, she escaped Zeus’ wrath by turning into a cow.
Indigo
Another Greek name, Indigo is much more popular abroad than it is stateside. The name means “Indian dye.”
Jada
A name that has unfortunately been slipping in recent years, Jada has Spanish origins and means “jade.” The name is also found in Hebrew and means “he knows.”
Justice
One of the most badass girl names on its face is Justice. It’s a virtue name without any religious connotations which should appeal to secular families. This name has been mildly popular since the 1990s and we expect it to keep going strong for years to come.
Kivah
Kivah is a Hebrew name and form of Akiva, meaning “to protect.” Not only does this name have a great meaning, but it also sounds crisp and modern. We tend to think that most names with V, X, or Z in them make for badass girl names.
Kalinda
The name of your favorite character from The Good Wife, Kalinda is an amazing nature name that means “sun” in Hindi. A word of caution: people will want to nickname your child Linda so be prepared to fight that urge if it does not appeal to you!
Leya
Badass girl names Leya or Leia can be found in both Hindi and Spanish tradition, meaning “lion” or “the law.” The Star Wars spelling of the name, Leia, is currently the most popular but we are partial to Leya.
Lilith
A name that can be traced way, way back to Assyrian and Sumerian, Lilith means “of the night.” The name was adopted into Jewish folklore as a name for a “night monster.” We think no list of badass girl names is complete without a little night demon on it.
Maya
A name found in a variety of languages, cultures, and traditions, Maya means many great things to many great people. The name can mean “mother,” “earth goddess,” “water,” “may,” and “illusion” to pick a few. It’s a top 100 name for girls born today. If you are looking for cross-cultural badass girl names, this one would tick off every box.
RELATED: 101 Tough Female Warrior Names
Morgan
Morgan is a Welsh name related to Arthurian legend and meaning “sea-born.” The legendary Morgan is a half-sister to Arthur and a powerful sorcerer. It’s a very popular choice today and has been since the 1970s.
Navi
Navi is a name from Hebrew that means “to name.” This straightforward yet charming name makes it a favorite among other badass girl names.
Neema
Neema is a handsome name from Swahili that means “born in good times.” This name is not too popular in the US today, but we can absolutely see favor change for this attractive appellation.
Even More Badass Girl Names for You to Consider!
Ocean
Is there anything more powerful than the ocean? Ocean has recently emerged as a nature-name possibility over the last few years. Oceane, spelled with an E, is currently one of the hottest names in France.
Octavia
A name that’s more popular today in the US than ever before, Octavia has Latin origins and means “eighth.”
Phoenix
A name from Greek mythology, Phoenix means “dark red.” The phoenix is a symbol of rebirth likened to the setting and rising sun. This is one of the most popular badass girl names today.
Pepper
A spicy name that American parents should turn to more often, Pepper is far more popular in the UK today than it is here. The name means “berry.”
Quinta
Quinta is an ancient name from Latin that, thanks to years of disuse, feels fresh and viable for new parents today. This name means “fifth.”
Queralt
Queralt, pronounced kah-RAL, has been a top 200 name in Catalonia, Spain since 2004. The name means “white rock” and “high rock.” There are a number of Catalan villages with the name today!
Rena
One of the forgotten badass names for girls, Rena comes from Hebrew and means “joyous melody.” The name has not widely appealed to parents since the 1980s despite the name being prevalent in Hebrew, Greek, and Russian traditions. Bring her back!
Roxana
Roxanne has been the favored form of this name, but Roxana offers a more direct vehicle for the Persian root that means “dawn.”
Sable
Sable is a nature name that refers to an animal with rich black fur. We’re not endorsing the wearing of fur here, but we do love this name with Slavic origins that means “black.”
Sloan
Sloan can be spelled Sloane, but both are perfectly acceptable. Sloan comes from Irish tradition and means “raider.”
Trinity
A popular name today, Trinity comes from Latin and means “triad.” The name carries religious undertones for some, but it’s a secular name unless told otherwise.
Thora
One of the most overlooked badass girl names, Thora comes from Norse Mythology as a name meaning “thunder goddess” or just “thunder.” The name has not been popular in the US since the 1920s!
Uma
Uma is one of the more than 1,000 appellations for the Hindu goddess Sakti. The Sanskrit name means “nation.” Despite the popularity of the actor Uma Thurman, the name has still not taken off in the US.
Ursa
A short form of Ursula, from Latin roots that mean “little bear,” Ursa could prove one of the badass girl names just over the horizon. We expect new parents to start using this name more and more in years to come as it is trending on baby name databases like Nameberry and BabyNames.com today.
Vada
One of the badass girl names that’s making a comeback today (after spending 70 years off the US top 1000 list), Vada was once considered to retro-sounding. Now, she sounds fresh and full of life. The name claims English, German, and Sanskrit origins and can means “knowledge” and “rule.” Not bad, right?
Vita
Not too far from Vada, Vita is another vivacious V-name with grit. This name from Latin means “life.” The name is currently a top 20 choice for girls in Slovenia. However in the US, it has not been widely chosen since the 1930s.
Winona
A Sioux Indian name made famous by Winona Ryder and Wynonna Judd, Winona means “firstborn daughter.” Despite those big names in pop culture, Winona has not been a popular name for babies since the 1960s.
Willa
Another one of the badass names for girls to stage a comeback, Willa is a popular choice again today. Willa is the feminine form of William, a German name that means “resolute protector.”
Xiomara
Luckily for us all, the name Xiomara is now a popular choice in the US. The name has Spanish and Portuguese origins from the name Guiomar, meaning “famous in battle.”
Yael
A unisex Hebrew name that’s primarily used by Jewish families today, Yael proves an evocative choice. The name belongs to a biblical place and can mean “mountain goat” or “mountain” or “to ascend.”
Zadie
British writer Zadie Smith is responsible for an emerging renaissance for this forgotten name. It comes from Hebrew and shares the same root as Sadie and Sara. This appellation does mean “princess” but that does not mean she can’t be a warrior one.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 25 Viking Approved Nordic Baby Names That Bring the Hygge
Zora
Another one of the badass girl names poised to make a big return, Zora can be found in a number of naming traditions including Slavic, Serbo-Croatian, African, and Arabic. The name is most commonly considered to mean “dawn.”
There you go! We hope you enjoyed these fierce, badass girl names and will consider one or more of them for your daughter. Names are powerful and when we choose strong ones for our children we already impart a sense of hope for their character and the future they will occupy. Set your kiddo up with a good appellation and she will sound like a winner for life. Happy baby name hunting!