83 Heroic Baby Names

From Lord of the Rings to history-making presidents and scientists, heroic baby names are a sure pick if you want your child to light up a room. After all, who doesn’t love a name so iconic, their friends won’t even have to ask, “are you named after...?”

Ahead, check out our roundup of heroic names for babies, taking inspiration from fictional characters to real heroes who impacted history.

Heroic Names for Baby Girls

Names from the Marvelverse aren’t the only heroic girl names. Consider for example fantasy names from Lord of the Rings, or real-life greats like Rosa Parks. Heroic girls have always been here. 

Diana

Originally the name of a Greek goddess, many might recognize this name from royalty Princess Diana, whose spirit of philanthropy was sheer heroism.

• Origin: Greek, Latin
• Meaning: Divine, goddess-like
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dianna, Diane, Dayana, Di

Galadriel

A Lord of the Rings character, Galadriel is also the heroine of the new television series, The Rings of Power.

• Origin: Lord of the Rings, Tolkein’s Sindarin Language
• Meaning: Maiden crowned with a radiant garland
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alatáriel

Marie

There have been many famous Maries through history, but perhaps the most heroic of them all was Marie Curie, a Polish-French physicist and chemist, who conducted groundbreaking, Nobel Prize winning research on radioactivity.

• Origin: French, Czech
• Meaning: Star of the sea
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mary, Mayrie, Maria

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: Rose
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rose, Ros, Roz

Ada

A gorgeous short name worn by English mathematician Ada Lovelace, who worked on Charles Babbage’s mechanical general purpose computer.

• Origin: German
• Meaning: Noble, happy
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ada, Ady, Adda

Amelia

A grounded name for the original female high-flier Amelia Earhart, who held many early aviation records, including being the first woman to make a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: Work
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aemilia, Amalia, Ame

Hypatia

This beautiful Greek moniker has its roots in ancient Alexandria, Egypt, as the name of the first female mathematician whose life was documented.

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: High, supreme
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Patty

Joan

Joan of Arc, honored as the patron saint of France, defended the nation during the Hundred Years’ War.

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: God is gracious
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Joanne, Joanie, Janie

Malala

A name that instantly conjures visions of strength, Malala is the name of a preeminent activist for women’s rights and education, Malala Yousafzai.

• Origin: Arabic
• Meaning: Grief-stricken
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Myla, Lala

Oprah

Oprah brings to mind only one person: the Oprah Winfrey, whose activism and long-running talk show have brought women’s issues to the fore for close to three decades.

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Fawn
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ophira, Opie

Ruth

Ruth, the name worn by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, is infused with themes of crossing the aisle and forging heroic alliances.

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Friendship
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Rudy, Rhoda

More Heroic Girl Names

• Anne: Anne Frank, the diarist hiding from Nazi persecution, still inspires generations of readers with her heroism.
• Florence: Florence is a worldy name–and also of one Florence Nightingale, whose work as a nurse during the Crimean War established modern nursing standards.
• Bronwyn: A powerful English name, Bronwyn is a healer in the current Lord of the Rings series, Rings of Power.
• Katharine: A Greek name that means “pure,” it calls to mind the actress Katharine Hepburn, whose child activism is known to be heroic.
• Dorothy: Dorothy, which means “gift from god,” was the name of famed American journalist Dorothy Day.
• Edna: A vintage name that isn't just the name of a volcano in Italy but also of the American poet and playwright Edna St. Vincent Millay, who was outspoken about women’s rights during the 1920s.
• Clara: A name that means “bright,” it is shared by Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross. 
• Sally: Sally Ride was the first American woman to fly into space. 
• Bell: A name that means "beautiful," bell hooks was an American author whose critical work discussed race, feminism, and class.
• Maya: Maya Angelou changed the literary world forever, opening doors for Black authors across the world to share their gifts.
• Michelle: Derived from Hebrew, meaning “gift of God,” Michelle was a name proudly worn by the most decorated figure skater in American history, Michelle Kwan. 
• Miep: Miep Gies was one of the four Dutch citizens who helped hide the Frank family from the Nazis, an act of heroism never to be forgotten.
• Serena: A Latin name that means “tranquil,” it is a moniker worn by famed tennis star Serena Williams.
• Jane: Not a plain name at all, but a rather heroic one: Jane Austen changed the literary landscape with the publishing of Pride and Prejudice. 
• Miriam: Miriam Rivera is often thought of as the first openly transgender reality television star, groundbreaking in the early 2000s.
• Misty: Misty Copeland was the first Black principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre’s long history, and has performed internationally.
• Virginia: Virginia Woolf was one of the most important 20th century authors who pioneered women’s impact on the novel.
• Elizabeth: While Elizabeth Taylor might have been known best for her acting, she also was one of the first celebrities to participate in HIV/AIDS activism, raising more than $270 million for the cause.
• Aretha: A name that means “virtue,” the name calls to mind Aretha Franklin, who was recognized twice by Rolling Stone as the queen of soul–all while engaging in vocal civil and women’s rights activism.
• Harper: The American novelist Harper Lee won the Pulitzer Prize To Kill a Mockingbird, still taught in schools today.
• Harriet: Harriet means “home ruler,” and there is none more heroic than Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist who played a key role in developing the Underground Railroad.
• Susan: Susan B. Anthony was an activist whose life work led to the 19th amendment, winning women the right to vote.
• Patsy: Your child would share a name with Patsy Mink, the first Asian-American to be elected to the U.S. Congress.

Heroic Names for Baby Boys

History is full of heroic men. From Greek mythology to the Civil Rights Movement, there are tons of heroes spanning the ages. 

Harvey

This name is shared by Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected into public office.

• Origin: English
• Meaning: Battle warrior
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Herb, Harva, Herve, Herbie

Odysseus

For the Greek myth buff in the family, Odysseus’s travels were documented in The Odyssey. 

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Anger
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Otis, Otso, Odessa, Odie

Martin

Your child can share this battle ready name with Reverend Martin Luther King Jr, one of the most famous leaders of the Civil Rights Movement.

• Origin: Latin
• Meaning: God of War
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mart, Morton, Martina

Nelson

Nelson is a name that reached its highest popularity in the 1930s and 40s, but is shared by the famed former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, who helped end Apartheid.

• Origin: English
• Meaning: Son of Neil/Nell, champion
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nel, Nolan

Abraham

An old school biblical name, the name is shared by Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States.

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Father of nations
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Abe, Abram, Abiram

Winston

A very British name indeed, Winston got its fame from none other than Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of England who helped usher in the conclusion of the Second World War.

• Origin: English
• Meaning: Joyful stone
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Winnie, Win, Winton

Albert

A name that earns an A+, Albert is shared by famed physicist Albert Einstein. 

• Origin: English
• Meaning: Noble, bright
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Albie, Albrecht

Nikola

A name that conjures ideas of victory; one famous Nikola was Nikola Tesla, whose study of electricity furthered our understanding of AC/DC current.

• Origin: Slavic, Greek
• Meaning: Victory of the people
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nicola, Nikolai, Nic, Nicolao

Apollo

A name that invokes the Greek and Roman god of sunlight, also associated with prophecy, music, and poetry.

• Origin: Latin, Greek
• Meaning: Destroyer

More Heroic Boy Names

• Aragorn: A protagonist in Lord of the Rings and heir of a king, Aragorn is a strong name for a baby boy. 
• George: There are many famous Georges throughout history, including George Washington Carver, the scientist changed the way we view crops in America, and George Takei, author, actor, and activist.
• Pericles: Pericles was the name of a Greek politician and a general during Athens’s Golden Age. 
• Neil: Neil is a name that hasn’t spiked in popularity since Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, but is a stellar name for a heroic boy.
• Cesar: A name that means “head of hair,” it was also the namesake of Cesar Chavez, famed American labor leader who founded what would eventually become the United Farm Workers labor union.
• Alan: A name shared by Alan Turing, a mathematician who helped crack code during World War Two.
• Leonardo: Leonardo means “lion-hearted,” and is a name shared with Leonardo da Vinci.
• Atticus: Atticus Finch was the protagonist attorney of seminal work, To Kill a Mockingbird, where he fought against racism in a tilted court of law. 
• Lou: A hero on the baseball diamond, Lou Gherig was renowned for his prowess as a batter.
• Maximus: A Roman gladiatorial name of greatness, Maximus Decimus Meridius was the protagonist of the 2000 film, Gladiator.
• Alexander: This name that means “defender of men” was most popular in 1993–but is shared by Greek ruler Alexander the Great.
• Legolas: The name Legolas means “greenleaf”; in the Lord of the Rings movie series, he is among the band of brave souls who pledge to destroy The One Ring.
• William: There have been many great Williams across the ages, but William Wallace, who was a main leader of the First War of Scottish Independence, has commemorated this name for all time.  
• Augustus: This name, which means “majestic,” was shared by Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus, the founder of the Roman Empire.
• Julius: Julius, a name that means “wooly beard” or “devoted to Jove,” is the name of many Roman rulers, but most notably Roman statesman Julius Caesar. 

Heroic Gender-Neutral Names

Of course, not all heroes are men or women—some are transgender, or have names that are gender-neutral. From Biblical times to current, the following are gender-neutral names with heroic attitude.

Noah

A Hebrew name that means “rest” or “repose,” the name Noah calls to mind the Biblical tale of Noah’s Ark.

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Rest, peace
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Noa

James

The name James is shared by Civil Rights activist and author, James Baldwin. 

• Origin: Hebrew
• Meaning: Supplanter
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Jame, Jamie, Jaimee

Evelyn

Throughout the centuries, there have been many outstanding Evelyns, but Evelyn Waugh, an author who fought with valor in World War Two, also penned numerous novels about the disillusionment of war.

• Origin: English
• Meaning: Desired, beautiful
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Eve, Evalyn, Evlyn

Charlie

Whether you’re nodding to famed actor Charlie Chaplin, author Charles Dickens, or singer Charli XCX, this name carries with it a bravery all its own.

• Origin: English
• Meaning: Free man
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Charles, Char, Charli, Charly

Arya

Owing recent popularity to the Game of Thrones character Arya Stark, this name is a heroic choice for any gender.

• Origin: Persian
• Meaning: Friend, faithful
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aria, Araya, Arye

Billie

Billie Jean King, one of the most famous American tennis stars of all time, won the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her advocacy for women in sports and LGBTQ+ rights.

• Origin: German
• Meaning: Protection
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Billy, Bill, Bill

Audre

Audre Lorde, a poet, essayist, feminist, and equal rights activist, lends her heroic name to this list. 

• Origin: English
• Meaning: Noble strength
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Audrey, Audri, Audrie, Audree

Carter

A famed Black activist, Carter G. Woodson’s name is a heroic choice for this list: his scholarly contributions led to the establishment of Black History Month.

• Origin: English
• Meaning: Driver of a cart
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Karter

Lynn

Lynn Conway was a transgender activist who also advanced computer science at IBM.

• Origin: Irish
• Meaning: From the lake
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lin, Lynne

Artemis

An unforgettable baby name, Artemis is derived from the Greek goddess of the moon, hunting, and chastity. 

• Origin: Greek
• Meaning: Twin of Apollo, butcher
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Art, Artie
  

More Heroic Gender Neutral Names

• Temple: This name is a lovely ode to the famed Temple Grandin, American academic and ethologist.
• Jackie: The name of a former first lady, Jackie Onassis survived the assassination of her husband, the President, and became an author and philanthropist.
• Erin: An Irish name that means “from Ireland” is probably best remembered by American activist Erin Brokovich, who brought a suit against PG&E concerning contaminated drinking water. 
• Ira: This name, meaning “watchful,” is the namesake of Olympic Gold Medalist Ira Murchison.
• Robin: This name brings to mind songbirds, but also famed actor Robin Williams.
• Rory: Rory McIlroy is the hero of Irish golf, and is the former number one golfer in the world. 
• Peyton: This name, meaning “fighting man’s estate” is the namesake of Peyton Manning, widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
• Storm: Marvel readers will be familiar with Storm, a superhero who appears in X-Men comics.
• Orion: Orion was a giant huntsman whom Zeus placed amongst the stars, securing his place in heroic tales for all time.
• Logan: Fans of the X-Men series will recognize the name Logan from the Wolverine trilogy and beyond.
• Atlas: In Greek mythology, Atlas was a titan who held up the earth and the sky for all eternity.
• Dylan: A last name turned first name, Dylan means “son of the ocean” and can be seen as the surname for Bob Dylan, American music hero.
• Tristan: Tristan, which means “melancholy,” is the name of an Arthurian hero in Tristan and Iseult.
• Kai: A Gender neutral name of Frisian origin meaning “warrior,” Kai shows up as a noble warrior in Arthurian legends.
• Tennessee: A state name that can be an inspirationally heroic name, Tennessee Williams, a foremost playwright of the 20th century, is the namesake of this name.
• Eliot: This name, which means “The Lord is my God” in Hebrew, was the last name of one of the greatest poets of the 20th century, T.S. Eliot. It can also be spelled in a variety of ways, including Elliott.