Names That Mean Sword

Macho to the max. But with the rise of x as a fashionable letter anywhere it appears in a name, ala Jaxson or Maxon, we may be hearing more of Axton.

First the heroine of Sir Walter Scott's 1822 novel The Pirate, then a glamorous 1940s debutante, then the troubled twin on Beverly Hills 90210, and now fading in favor of more modern Brenna, Briana, and Bryn. Much more likely to be worn by a mother or grandmother these days. The song "Brenda's Got a Baby" was late rap megastar Tupac's debut single.

This name is growing in popularity, partly because of its tie to hipster musician Sufjan Stevens; is also related to Abu Sufyan, a figure from early Islamic history.

Egbert still suffers somewhat from being used as a stereotypical name for nerds and aristocrats. It would be a surprising choice, but with its edgy meaning and dusty charm, possibly it's so beyond cool that it's...actually kind of cool?

Muscular German name that never fully assimilated into American culture.

Katana is a male name in Old Persian and a well-used word in Japanese, but as a girls' name is these days found more often as Kitana, the name of a princess in the video game Mortal Kombat II.

Screen legend Marlon's surname has loads more swagger than his first. But little Brando will forever have to endure jokes connected with the actor.

Unusual Asian option, and also the name of the Dwarf Lord from Lord of the Rings.

Rugged and straightforward brand-new name, though you might not like the idea of branding your son.

Brant, a no-nonsense one-syllable name, had some popularity in the early 1970s, but has been off the lists for a decade. Now, with similarly brisk names like Chase, Jace, Bryce, and Grant finding favor, Brant could make a comeback.

This Frisian name is most famously borne by Eise Eisinga, an amateur astronomer who built a planetarium in his house. It still exists and is the oldest functioning planetarium in the world.

Short and sweet, but not necessarily intuitive in pronunciation

Sefu derives from the Arabic word sayf, meaning sword.

Branton may be more unusual than Brandon but it will forever be confused with that name.

An attractive update to Gladys.

Gladiola is a character in the 1991 novel and 1995 film How to Make an American Quilt

Romani form of the Scandinavian name Vandill.

Axton has been climbing the charts for boys, hot on the heels of Braxton and Maxton. It is very occasionally used for girls too.

Pronunciation problems overwhelm this name.

A potential Harper alternative with connections to Greek mythology. Harpina was a water nymph and lover of Ares.