Of Knights & Heroes

Names that makes me think of knight, heroes, hunters and warriors with good intentions. Dashing, romantic, chivalrous and fantastical names; some from history, legends and myths, others from literature, and some have just got that feeling.
  1. Adalard
    • Aeneas
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "the praised one"
      • Description:

        He was the legendary son of Venus, hero of Troy and Rome, and broke the heart of Queen Dido of Carthage. Sure, its more challenging than Charlie - but if you're looking this name up, that's probably part of its appeal.
    • Alaric
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "all-powerful ruler"
      • Description:

        Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West Goths who sacked Rome in 410.
    • Alasdair
      • Origin:

        Scottish variation of Alexander
      • Meaning:

        "defending men"
      • Description:

        In this country, more recognizable with the Alistair spelling.
    • Aldric
      • Origin:

        Germanic
      • Meaning:

        "old, wise ruler"
    • Alfred
      • Origin:

        English
      • Meaning:

        "wise counselor; elf counsel"
      • Description:

        Alfred is up off his recliner! If you're looking for a path to Fred, you can go directly to Frederick or take the long way around with the so-out-it's-in-again Alfred. Alfred is quite popular in several European countries, especially England and Wales, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
    • Algernon
      • Origin:

        French
      • Meaning:

        "moustached man"
      • Description:

        While this name came into being in the Victorian era as a nickname for a man with whiskers, the name was quickly embraced as a true name by the Victorians and is likely most familiar to you as the name of Oscar Wilde's fabulous character in The Importance of being Earnest . However, Algernon is not confined to the fictional world of satire; many real world namesakes exist including US footballer Algernon Crumpler (aka Alge Crumpler), British impressionist painter Algernon Talmage, and Canadian astrophysicist Joseph Algernon Pearce, who discovered many thinks about the Milky Way. Plus, who can go past the adorable nickname Algie?
    • Amadeus
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "lover of God"
      • Description:

        Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's middle name could make an interesting pick for music-loving parents--if only in middle place. Amadeus is the title of a Peter Shaffer play which became an award-winning film in 1984.
    • Amaury
      • Origin:

        French form of Amalric
      • Meaning:

        "work power"
      • Description:

        Friendlier french form of ancient Germanic royal name Amalric or Emmerich.
    • Ambrose
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "immortal"
      • Description:

        Gentle but grandiose and beloved by British novelists including Evelyn Waugh and P. G. Wodehouse, Ambrose was a fast rising name in 2022. Entering the UK Top 1000 for the first time and proving popular among Nameberry users, its elegance, softness, and vintage style means it fits in with popular Theodore, Sebastian, and Jeremiah.
    • Amias
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "loved"
      • Description:

        Amias or Amyas is a unique name with an attractive sound and feel and a lovely meaning. Though it might sound like a Biblical name, it is not, but is a surname that may be related to Amadeus or even be a male version of Amy--which would make it one of the few boys' names to be derived from a girls'.
    • Anatole
      • Origin:

        Greek
      • Meaning:

        "from the east, rising sun"
      • Description:

        Anatole is one of the unique boys' names with an unusual-ish feel but an uncertain provenance, with a meaning related to sunrise and thus to fire. While it's Greek in origin, it is associated more closely with France. Anatole Kuragin is a dashing, roguish prince in Tolstoy's War and Peace.
    • Anselm
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "with divine protection"
      • Description:

        A somewhat solemn appellation, Anselm is a saint's name, connected to the twelfth century archbishop of Canterbury, and in modern times tied to the German neo-expressionist painter Anselm Kiefer.
    • Antony
      • Origin:

        Latin
      • Meaning:

        "priceless"
      • Description:

        Variation of Anthony, and more true to the original Latin spelling. The Roman statesman Marcus Antonius is usually known as Mark Antony in English.
    • Aragon
      • Origin:

        Spanish place name
      • Description:

        Equally strong, dramatic and romantic, this name of an old kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula and a modern Spanish community as well, would give a boy an instant pedigree.
    • Aramis
      • Origin:

        French literary name
      • Description:

        One of Dumas' swashbuckling Three Musketeers, now better known as a men's cologne.
    • Armand
      • Origin:

        French variation of Herman, German
      • Meaning:

        "soldier"
      • Description:

        Since the first production of Camille this has been considered one of the world's most romantic names, though it's one of those French names for boys rarely heard in this country.
    • Arthur
      • Origin:

        Celtic
      • Meaning:

        " bear"
      • Description:

        Arthur, once the shining head of the Knights of the Round Table, is, after decades of neglect, now being polished up and restored by stylish parents, inspired perhaps by the new generation of royals. Arthur has led the list of possible names for the young British princes, chosen as a middle name for Prince Louis, son of William and Catherine, Prince and Princess of Wales.
    • Attila
      • Origin:

        Hungarian
      • Meaning:

        "little father"
      • Description:

        English speaking countries may only associate this with the fifth-century Hun, but the name is still well-used in contemporary Hungary, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.
    • Auberon
      • Origin:

        English from German
      • Meaning:

        "noble, bearlike"
      • Description:

        Rarely heard in the US, Auberon has a gentle autumnal feel rare in a male name. Possibly starting as a pet form of Aubrey, it was also infuenced by Oberon, the king of the fairies in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.