Names That Mean Courage

Names that mean courage include Andrew, Leonard, Bernard, Shuja, Basil, Shaurya, Nirbhay, Himmat, Isamu and Jasiri. They come from Greek, Germanic, Arabic, Sanskrit, Japanese and Swahili, and they suit a child you hope will grow up brave and steady.

Quick Picks

Boy Names That Mean Courage

• Andrew: Greek name meaning brave and manly.
• Andreas: Greek form of Andrew.
• Leonard: Germanic name meaning brave lion.
• Bernard: Germanic name meaning brave as a bear.
• Gerard: Germanic name meaning brave spear.
• Richard: Germanic name meaning brave ruler.
• Shuja: Arabic name meaning brave.
• Basil: Arabic name meaning brave and courageous.
• Shaurya: Sanskrit name meaning bravery.
• Nirbhay: Sanskrit name meaning fearless.
• Isamu: Japanese name meaning courage.

Girl Names That Mean Courage

• Andrea: Greek name meaning brave.
• Andreia: Greek word for courage.
• Bernadette: Feminine form of Bernard, meaning brave as a bear.
• Leona: Feminine form linked to the lion.
• Valeria: Latin name meaning strong and healthy.
• Valora: Modern name based on the word valor.
• Kartika: Sanskrit name meaning bestower of courage.
• Shujaat: Arabic word for bravery, used as a name in Pakistan.

Unisex Names That Mean Courage

• Jasiri: Swahili name meaning brave and bold.
• Riley: Irish-linked name often explained as courageous.
• Oz: Hebrew name meaning strength and courage.
• Himmat: Urdu and Hindi word for courage.
• Sahas: Sanskrit word for courage.
• Valor: Modern English word name.

Short Names That Mean Courage

• Oz: Strength and courage in Hebrew.
• Leo: Lion, a classic symbol of bravery.
• Veer: Hero in Sanskrit.
• Yu: Japanese character for courage.
• Bryn: Welsh name that is often linked to strength and hills, a gentle choice for a short name.

Arabic and Urdu Names

These names are common across Pakistan.

• Shuja for brave.
• Shujaat for bravery.
• Basil for courageous.
• Himmat for courage.
• Haider for lion and brave.

Sanskrit and Hindi Names

• Shaurya: Bravery and valor.
• Nirbhay: Fearless.
• Sahas: Courage.
• Veer: Hero.
• Kartika: Bestower of courage.

Japanese Names

• Isamu: Courage.
• Yuuki: Courage, written with two characters.
• Hayato: Courage and person.

Germanic Names

Germanic languages are full of names built on the word for brave.

• Bernard: Brave as a bear.
• Leonard: Brave lion.
• Gerard: Brave spear.
• Everard: Brave as a boar.
• Theobald: Bold people.

Greek and Latin Names

• Andrew, Andreas, Andrea: Brave and manly.
• Andreia: Courage.
• Leo: Lion.
• Valiant: Full of courage.

Irish Names

• Riley: Often explained as courageous.
• Reilly: Alternate spelling of Riley.
• Farrell: Valorous.

Hebrew Names

• Oz: Strength and courage.
• Gabriel: God is my strength.

African Names

• Jasiri: Swahili for brave.
• Imara: Swahili for resolute and strong.

Animal-Inspired Names

Lions and bears are the classic symbols of courage.

• Leo: Lion.
• Leona: Lioness.
• Leonard: Brave lion.
• Bernard: Brave as a bear.
• Haider: Lion.

Names That Mean Strong

Courage and strength often go together.

• Oz: Strength.
• Valeria: Strong and healthy.
• Ethan: Firm and enduring.
• Imara: Strong.

Ancient and Mythical Names

These names do not mean courage directly, but they are strongly linked to it.

• Achilles: Greek hero of the Trojan War.
• Hector: Trojan prince known for his bravery.
• Leonidas: Spartan king, whose name means lion’s son.
• Athena: Goddess of wisdom and strategy.

Names for Pets and Characters

Many people search for courage names for dogs and fictional heroes.

• Leo for a bold dog.
• Valor for a loyal guard.
• Shuja for a brave character.
• Atlas for a strong, steady friend.

How to Choose

• Check the meaning: Many websites list loose meanings, so confirm with a trusted language source.
• Say it aloud: Test it with your surname.
• Think about nicknames: Leonard can become Leo, and Bernadette can become Bernie.
• Mix tone and meaning: Short names like Oz feel bold, while Bernadette feels classic.
• Consider heritage: A name from your family language adds a personal layer.

FAQs

What name means courage?

Shaurya, Himmat and Andreia all relate directly to courage. Andrew, Shuja and Basil mean brave.

What is a boy name that means courage?

Andrew, Leonard, Shuja, Basil and Shaurya are strong options. Shuja and Basil are common in Pakistan.

What is a girl name that means courage?

Andrea, Bernadette, Leona and Kartika are good picks. Kartika means bestower of courage.

What is a unisex name that means courage?

Jasiri, Riley, Oz and Himmat work for any gender. Jasiri is the most distinctive of the four.

What name means fearless?

Nirbhay is the Sanskrit name that means fearless. It is a strong choice for a boy.

What name means brave lion?

Leonard means brave lion. Leo and Leona carry the lion image.

What name means brave as a bear?

Bernard means brave as a bear. Its feminine form is Bernadette.