Power Girl Baby Names
This week, Appellation Mountain’s Abby Sandel comes up with some powerful new name ideas for your superbaby girl.
Women’s history month draws to a close just as Sucker Punch’s girl army hits the big screen.
Coincidence? Probably.
But to parents who grew up with The Bionic Woman and Tank Girl, there’s something appealing about a naming a daughter after a daring female figure. The women on this list are handy in a fight, quick with a sword or a wand, and might have a super power or secret government clearance, too.
Not every appealing character wears a great name. Sucker Punch’s heroine answers to Babydoll. You probably wouldn’t consider Agent 99 or The Bride, either. (Though The Bride’s given name, Beatrix, is quite stylish.)
Here are some of the better-known tough girls, many of which would wear well in the 21st century:
Anya – Anya Sofia Corazon is the new Spider-Girl, also known as Araña, in the Spider-Man universe.
Buffy – Despite a big screen debut and seven seasons on television, we haven’t met many bitty Buffys. But rookie screenwriter Whit Anderson has been tapped to reboot the vampire slayer’s story. Could the third time be the charm?
Claire – Television’s Heroes captivated audiences with the tagline, “Save the Cheerleader, Save the World!”
Echo – From short-lived sci-fi series Dollhouse.
Evelyn – As in Evelyn Salt, Angelina Jolie’s character in 2010’s spy thriller.
Fiona – Some parents fret that Shrek’s better half is a reason to avoid this name, but the world’s most famous female ogre is quite admirable.
Gwen – Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood includes police officer turned alien hunter Gwen Cooper.
Hanna – Adolescent assassin Hanna Heller appears on the big screen in April.
Hermione – Harry Potter’s super-smart witch friend saves the day in more than one adventure.
Jinx – Few women from the James Bond franchise could make this list, but Halle Berry’s National Security Agent Jinx Johnson from Die Another Day was more capable ally than arm candy. Jinx is short for Giacinta.
Katniss – The heroine of The Hunger Games trilogy, she’s handy with a bow and arrow. Her fight for survival sparks a revolution. With a movie adaptation in the works, this aquatic plant name could catch on.
Kitana – She’s a major figure in the Mortal Kombat franchise, a princess with a name that might be wearable in the real world.
Lara – Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft transitioned from video game to big screen thanks to Angelina Jolie. A 2013 prequel is planned.
Lisbeth – She’s the hacker heroine of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy.
Luna – Another of Harry Potter’s classmates, Luna is among the most popular choices from the series.
Modesty – Rumors persist that Quentin Tarantino is planning to adapt 1960s comic strip figure Modesty Blaise for a new adventure.
Natasha – S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Natasha Romanoff, created by none other than Stan Lee, has been seen onscreen in Iron Man 2 and will return in The Avengers.
Ororo – Halle Berry’s character in the X-Men franchise, better known as Storm.
Rue – Another Hunger Games heroine.
Swann – The double-n spelling comes from Pirates of the Caribbean’s Elizabeth Swann.
Valerie – In the 2011 movie Red Riding Hood, the wolf is a werewolf, and a grown-up Red answers to the name Valerie.