Names That Mean Strong

An Anglo-Saxon name borne by the queen of Alfred the Great. American novelist Helen Ricker wrote under the pen-name Elswyth Thane. Variants include Elswith, Ealswith and Ealhswith.

An Asian name that would be easily understood in this country.

A cool and straightforward Vietnamese name, which resembles the increasingly popular Hawaiian name Koa.

Rare Spanish form of Valerius

An ancient saint's name belonging to an 8th century English missionary. Variants include Walpurga and Walpurgis.

There was an ancient Saint Fort, and this is a modern, original way to convey a powerful meaning, especially in the middle place.

The Albanian form of Aaron has a stylish look and sound, sharing that Au- beginning with stylish choices like August and Auden.

This unique one-syllable name was added to the mix by Mariel Hemingway for her now grown model/actress daughter; it could make a distinctive middle name or Bree substitute.

Dark, woody name that's brings to mind rich panelling, beautiful colors and luxury.

Preferable to its parent name, Arnoud, in the Netherlands.

Romaric was derived from the German elements hrôm, meaning "fame," and rîcja, "strong." It's the name of an obscure Frankish saint who left his life as a courtier to become a monk.

The name of several minor Biblical characters seems streamlined and modern.

Relatively unknown outside of its native region, Sendoa is an intriguing international name with a strong meaning.

Last name occasionally used as a first, can be seen as a Lance Armstrong athlete-hero name.

Pacome is a French saint's name rarely heard in this country, but currently being revived in its native France.

Some variants are Pacomi, Pacomio and Pacomius.

A venerable name closer to MELISSA than the original MILLICENT.

Tetsu is a female name with an unusually strong and powerful meaning. It sounds spunky and cute too.

Melisende, the mellifluous name of a 12th century queen of Jerusalem, gave rise to the more modern (but less lovely) Millicent. Other old forms include Melisent, Malasintha, and the French Melisande, a fairy tale heroine.

This Latinate form of Bernard hovered in the lower regions of the US Top 1000 from the late 1940s until 2006, possibly inspired by the character in West Side Story.

Zuberi has separate origins as a Swahili given name meaning "strong," and an Arabic surname — primarily among Sunni Muslims in Pakistan — meaning "superior."