Strong Boy Names

So you’re expecting a baby boy. Congrats! Now comes the fun part — choosing the perfect name.

There are plenty of different ways to select a baby boy name, such as choosing a name inspired by a place or the season of your child's birth. But perhaps you prefer a name that denotes an idea or meaning that's important to you and packs a powerful punch. We’re talking a strong boy name that has weight, and will hopefully inspire your little guy to dream big.

But before you start your search, first, think about what you want strength to mean — a ruler? Power? Wise? Do you want the name to have biblical origins, mythological ties or to be associated with powerful leaders? Do you want a strong boy name that's a literal translation for “strength,” or are you drawn to similar meanings like "brave"?

This list of strong baby boy names has something for everyone and every little one. Time to get inspired.

Alexander: You can’t think of leaders and not think of the name Alexander. This strong boy name, which means "defender of mankind," has continued been a popular for centuries and has plenty of nickname options, including Alex and Xander.
Andrew: The name Andrew (meaning "manly") is super popular, and for good reason — it’s a strong, solid name with a ton of interesting namesakes throughout history. Like Alexander, Andrew comes with a slew of nickname options (Andy, Drew) so you can shorten it if you want.
Angus: Meaning "one strength," the name Angus — which many parents shorten to Gus — has Celtic and Gaelic roots with “one” and “strength” being the main translations.
Arnold: This name, which means "powerful as an eagle," was introduced to England by the Normans, and comes from the Germanic name Arnwald, a blended name composed of the elements arn (eagle) and wald (power, strength).
Austin: Austin, surprisingly enough, is a shortened form of Augustine, which means “great” or “magnificent.” Austin feels a bit more modern, no?
Barrett: This name has German and English roots, though the meaning has been debated. From the Germanic translation, it means “bear strength."
Charles: The name Charles (which also means "manly") comes from the Germanic karl (full-grown, a man), and has many ties to royalty. Ten kings of France, as well as kings of Hungary, Naples, Sardinia and Wüttemberg all bore the name, and of course, English royalty have also used it.
Ethan: Ethan is a strong baby boy name — it literally means "strength."
Everett: The name Everett, meaning "brave as a wild boar," has come a long way from Evered, a name derived from the Old English Eoforheard. Everett can also be a unisex name, so you could use it if you’re keeping your little one’s gender a surprise.
Gabriel: If you’re looking for a biblical-inspired name that also feels modern and strong, look no further than Gabriel, which means "God is my strength." In the Bible, the angel Gabriel gives Mary the news that she will be bearing a child.
Grant: Originally a name for a "tall" or "great" person, Grant comes from the French graund or graunt, which means "great." It’s a positive, strong name for any boy.
Griffin: The name Griffin comes from the Welsh name Gruffudd, which means "prince." It’s also the name of the mythological creature that’s half eagle, half lion. If that’s not a powerful image…
Guy: Derived from the Old French guie, which means "leader" or (literally) a guide, this name is definitely made for a strong guy. (Get it?)
Hunter: Back in the day when English surnames were associated with a person's occupation, Hunter was a name for those who hunted. Now, it’s become a popular first name with a strong quality.
Kendrick: The origin of the name Kendrick is debated, but it's said to come from Welsh and Scottish names meaning "chief" and "hero," along with names meaning "royal" and "power" in English.
Kenzo: The name Kenzo has Japanese origins, and means "strong" and "healthy."
Liam: A shortened version of William, the name Liam, which has more Irish origins, has become its own entity in recent years. Meaning "resolute protector," Liam is a strong, slightly edgier take on William.
Owen: This Welsh name means “young warrior." It’s a noble name, perfect for a little gentleman.
Ryder: Meaning "knight" or "mounted warrior," this name has surged in popularity in recent years.
Ulric: This uncommon name has English origins and means "wealthy, powerful ruler." If you’re looking for a slightly different version, you can also go with Frederic or Eric.