English Girl Names That Mean Bravery
English girl names that mean bravery span Old English warrior compounds, Irish courage roots, and blunt modern word names, and this page rounds up 82 of them.
Names100
OriginEnglish
MeaningBravery
GenderGirl
Old English is full of compound names that pair a virtue with a battlefield image, and this list has two good examples. Wyatt literally means 'brave in war,' most associated with lawman Wyatt Earp, while Everett means 'brave boar' — a fierce animal paired with courage, the way Old English namers often worked.
Ireland contributed its own word for courage: 'courageous' is the root behind both Rylie and Rylan, two spellings of Riley that have drifted apart by gender. Greek does similar work in Andie, a short form of Andrea built on the same root that gives us 'android' — manly, or brave.
English Girl Names That Mean Bravery: Borrowed From Two Languages
What makes English girl names that mean bravery so varied is that English itself is a magpie language. Wyatt and Everett come from Old English warrior compounds; Rylie and Rylan carry Ireland's word for 'courageous' through the surname Riley; and Andie traces to the same Greek root as 'android.' Three source languages, one meaning.
The Em- Names and the Rise of Word Names
Several names here share a root instead of a language. Emerson, Emerie, and Emeri all descend from the Germanic name Emery, described elsewhere as 'brave and powerful ruler' or as blending 'power' with a sense of wholeness, while Emelyn is defined outright as 'vigorous, brave.' Alongside them sit plain word names: Scout, the fearless explorer of literature, and Reign, which speaks to power rather than combat.
Names List
Emerson#122 in the U.S.Son of Emery; Emery derives from Germanic Amalric meaning 'work-power' or 'brave power'Pronounced EM-er-sun▶Reign#452 in the U.S.From the English word 'reign,' meaning to rule or exercise sovereign power, derived from Old French 'reigPronounced RAYN▶Rylie#478 in the U.S.Variant spelling of Riley, from the Irish surname Ó Raghallaigh (descendant of Raghallach, meaning 'couraPronounced RY-lee▶Emerie#553 in the U.S.Feminine form of Emery, from Old High German Amalric, composed of amal (referring to the Amal dynasty, 'vPronounced EM-er-ee▶Andie#650 in the U.S.Diminutive of Andrea or Andromeda, ultimately from Greek andros meaning man or warrior; Andrea is the femPronounced AN-dee▶Scout#997 in the U.S.From Old French escouter meaning to listen, via a military term for a person sent ahead to gather informaPronounced SKOWT▶Rylan#1135 in the U.S.Island meadow; or rye land; a spelling variant of Ryland or Riley, from Irish Gaelic raghallach (courageoPronounced RY-lun▶Wyatt#1194 in the U.S.Brave in war; from Old English Wīgheard (wig: war + heard: brave, hardy)Pronounced WY-ut▶Emeri#1503 in the U.S.A modern variant spelling of Emery, ultimately from the Germanic name Emmerich, combining elements meaninPronounced EM-uh-ree▶Emelyn#2530 in the U.S.Unceasing, vigorous, bravePronounced EHM-uh-lihn▶Everett#2607 in the U.S.Brave boarPronounced EHV-uh-riht▶Scarleth#3002 in the U.S.Spanish-influenced variant of Scarlett, meaning the bright red color scarlet; associated with passion, coPronounced SKAR-leth▶Lennie#3137 in the U.S.Diminutive of Leonard or Lena/Helena. Through Leonard: from Old German 'leon' (lion) and 'hard' (brave, hPronounced LEN-ee▶Victory#3872 in the U.S.From the English word victory — Latin victoria, 'conquest, triumph' — a bold virtue word-namePronounced VIK-tər-ee▶Berdine#4052 in the U.S.Berdine is a shortened variant of Bernardine or Berdina, ultimately a feminine form of Bernard, from GermPronounced ber-DEEN▶Moxie#4160 in the U.S.From the American word moxie, 'courage, nerve, spirited energy' (from an old soft-drink brand)Pronounced MOK-see▶Rilee#4168 in the U.S.-ee spelling of Riley — Old English 'rye clearing', or Irish Ó Raghallaigh, 'valiant'; routes layeredPronounced RY-lee▶Ryley#4171 in the U.S.-ey spelling of Riley — Old English 'rye clearing', or Irish Ó Raghallaigh, 'valiant'; routes layeredPronounced RY-lee▶Emersen#4393 in the U.S.-en spelling of Emerson — 'son of Emery', from Germanic Emmerich, 'brave/whole ruler' or 'industrious'; fPronounced EM-ər-sən▶Riot#4437 in the U.S.From the word riot — Old French riote, 'dispute, uproar' — used as a bold, rebellious word-namePronounced RY-ət▶Rileigh#4531 in the U.S.-leigh spelling of Riley — from Old English 'rye clearing' or Irish O'Reilly, 'valiant, courageous'; routPronounced RY-lee▶Rogue#4533 in the U.S.From the word rogue — possibly French/Latin, 'a wanderer, scoundrel, maverick' — a bold, independent spirPronounced ROHG▶Emersynn#4795 in the U.S.-synn spelling of Emerson — 'son of Emery' (Emery from Germanic, 'brave, powerful'); here for girlsPronounced EM-ər-sin▶Rhyleigh#5392 in the U.S.Rhy-/-leigh spelling of Riley/Rylee — from Old English, 'the rye clearing', or Irish, 'valiant, courageouPronounced RY-lee▶Rhylie#5393 in the U.S.Rhy-/-lie spelling of Riley/Rylie — from Old English, 'the rye clearing', or Irish, 'valiant, courageous'Pronounced RY-lee▶Kenslie#5510 in the U.S.-slie spelling of Kensley — from Old English, 'Cyne's meadow' or 'the royal/bold one's clearing'; routes Pronounced KENZ-lee▶Rhiley#5555 in the U.S.Rh-spelling of Riley — from Old English, 'a rye clearing', or Irish O'Reilly, 'valiant, courageous'; herePronounced RY-lee▶Emeryn#5653 in the U.S.-yn elaboration of Emery — from Germanic Emmerich, 'brave/powerful; whole/universal ruler'; here for girlPronounced EM-ə-rin▶Ryli#5909 in the U.S.A spelling of Riley/Rylee — from Irish O'Reilly, 'valiant, courageous', or Old English, 'a rye clearing';Pronounced RY-lee▶Embree#5990 in the U.S.From the surname Embry/Embree — variously 'a flat-topped hill' (Old English) and from the Germanic Emery/Pronounced EM-bree▶Pruitt#6088 in the U.S.From the English surname Pruitt/Prewitt — from Old French preux, 'brave, valiant', plus a diminutive — 'aPronounced PROO-it▶Ryatt#6098 in the U.S.A modern name echoing Wyatt ('brave in war; little warrior', Old English) with an Ry- opening; predominanPronounced RY-ət▶Emerlee#7679 in the U.S.A modern name, joining Emery ('brave; powerful', Germanic) or Emer with the fashionable -lee ending; routPronounced EM-er-lee▶Railey#8290 in the U.S.A spelling of Riley — variously from the Old English ryge + leah, 'a rye clearing/meadow', and the Irish Pronounced RAY-lee▶Ryliee#8832 in the U.S.A spelling of Riley/Rylie — variously 'a rye clearing/meadow' (English) and 'valiant; courageous' (from tPronounced RY-lee▶Deandra#9772 in the U.S.A modern American name built from the productive De- prefix and Andra, a feminine form in the Andrew famiPronounced dee-AN-druh▶Emyrson#9806 in the U.S.A respelling of Emerson, an English surname, 'son of Emery' (Emery from the Germanic for 'brave; powerfulPronounced EM-ur-sin▶Bernette#10358 in the U.S.Bernette is a feminine name in the French diminutive style, tied to Bernadette and ultimately Bernard, frPronounced bur-NET▶Brave#10380 in the U.S.A modern word-name from the English 'brave', 'courageous; bold'; used as a virtue name for both sexesPronounced BRAYV▶Embrie#10490 in the U.S.A modern respelling near Embry/Emory, from an Old Germanic root ('brave; powerful; industrious ruler'). APronounced EM-bree▶Emmry#10492 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Emery/Emory, from an Old Germanic root, 'brave; powerful; industrious ruler.' CrisPronounced EM-ree▶Exodus#10505 in the U.S.From the Greek exodos, 'a going out; departure' — the name of the biblical book recounting Israel's exoduPronounced EK-suh-dus▶Domino#10513 in the U.S.Best known as the word for the tile game, from the Latin dominus, 'lord' (via the phrase 'benedicamus DomPronounced DOM-ih-noh▶Jazz#10598 in the U.S.A word name from jazz, the American musical style, connoting 'lively, spirited, improvisational energy'; Pronounced JAZ▶Emercyn#10818 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Emerson, an English surname, 'son of Emery' (Emery from the Germanic for 'brave; pPronounced EM-ur-sin▶Rhylei#10883 in the U.S.A stylized Rh-/-ei spelling of Riley, from an English place name ('rye clearing; wood clearing') and the Pronounced RY-lee▶Richie#10885 in the U.S.A pet form of Richard, from the Germanic ric ('ruler; power') and hard ('brave; strong') - 'brave ruler; Pronounced RICH-ee▶Kaysie#11601 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Casey/Kasey, from the Irish surname O Cathasaigh, 'brave; watchful; vigilant in waPronounced KAY-see▶Kc#11602 in the U.S.An initials-style given name, K.C., spelled without periods and read aloud like Casey. As an initial namePronounced KAY-see▶Deandria#11623 in the U.S.Deandria is a fuller spelling of Deandra, which pairs the De- prefix with Andra/Andrea. Andrea comes fromPronounced dee-AN-dree-uh▶Lynx#11700 in the U.S.A word-name from the lynx, a wild cat, whose name traces to the Greek for 'to shine; bright-eyed' (for itPronounced LINKS▶Majestic#11713 in the U.S.A word-name from 'majestic' — 'grand; regal; having stately dignity' (from Latin maiestas, 'greatness; maPronounced muh-JES-tik▶Oracle#11854 in the U.S.Oracle is an English word name from Latin oraculum, 'a source of prophecy or wise counsel.' Used here as Pronounced OR-uh-kul▶Phynix#11865 in the U.S.Phynix is a modern respelling of Phoenix, the mythical firebird that rises reborn from ashes (from Greek)Pronounced FEE-niks▶Rileyann#11907 in the U.S.A modern combination name joining Riley (from an English place-name 'rye clearing,' or Irish 'valiant') wPronounced RY-lee-ann▶Smith#11973 in the U.S.From the English occupational surname Smith, 'one who works in metal; a blacksmith' — the most common surPronounced SMITH▶Ryeleigh#11985 in the U.S.A modern -leigh respelling of Riley, from an Old English place name ('rye clearing; woodland clearing') aPronounced RYE-lee▶Universe#12029 in the U.S.An English word name: 'universe' means 'all of existence; the cosmos', from Latin 'universum' ('the wholePronounced YOO-nih-vurs▶Brilliance#12354 in the U.S.A modern virtue/word name from the English brilliance, 'great brightness; radiance; dazzling intelligencePronounced BRIL-yunts▶Choice#12391 in the U.S.A modern word name from choice ('a selection; the act of choosing; something chosen; excellent'), read asPronounced CHOYS▶Chrome#12394 in the U.S.A modern word name from chrome (the bright metal; a shiny finish), ultimately from the Greek chroma, 'colPronounced KROHM▶Clever#12400 in the U.S.A modern word name from clever ('quick-witted; skillful; ingenious'). As a given name it reads bold and pPronounced KLEV-ur▶Earth#12482 in the U.S.The English word Earth, 'our planet; the ground; soil' — used as a bold, grounded nature word-name. ElemePronounced URTH▶Emerley#12517 in the U.S.A modern coinage joining an Emer-/Emery opener (surname 'brave, powerful') with the fashionable -ley suffPronounced EM-er-lee▶Emorii#12523 in the U.S.A modern coined spelling of Emory/Emery, a surname and given name from Germanic Emmerich ('brave, powerfuPronounced EM-or-ee▶Heart#12605 in the U.S.A word name from the English 'heart,' the organ long taken as the seat of love, feeling, and courage. A rPronounced HART▶Kensey#12759 in the U.S.Kensey reads as a surname-style name in the family of Kenzie and Kensington, most often tied to Old EngliPronounced KEN-zee▶Lyfe#12889 in the U.S.A stylized respelling of the English word Life, used as a bold modern word-name; the 'y' spelling gives iPronounced LYFE▶Genysis#12906 in the U.S.A respelling of Genesis, from the Greek for 'origin; birth; beginning' - the name of the Bible's first boPronounced JEN-uh-sis▶Richelle#13138 in the U.S.A twentieth-century blend, usually read as a feminine of Richard ('brave ruler', from Germanic ric + hardPronounced rih-SHEL▶Secret#13199 in the U.S.Secret is an English word name, from Latin secretus, 'set apart; hidden' (from secernere, 'to separate').Pronounced SEE-krit▶Storme#13263 in the U.S.Storme is a variant spelling of the English word name Storm, from the Old English storm. A bold weather nPronounced STORM▶Sylver#13277 in the U.S.Sylver is a modern respelling of Silver, the English word for the precious metal and the pale shining colPronounced SIL-vur▶Believe#13702 in the U.S.The English word believe, 'to hold as true; to trust; to have faith' — used as a bold, aspirational virtuPronounced bee-LEEV▶Archie#13756 in the U.S.A short form of Archibald (Germanic ercan, 'genuine; precious,' + bald, 'bold; brave') — long a boy's namPronounced AR-chee▶Emaree#13944 in the U.S.A respelling of Emery/Emory, from the Germanic name Emmerich — elements usually read as 'whole; universalPronounced EM-uh-ree▶Jerzey#14195 in the U.S.Jerzey is a modern respelling of Jersey — the Channel Island whose name is likely Norse in origin, and thPronounced JUR-zee▶Krimson#14348 in the U.S.A modern respelling of crimson — the deep, rich red color, from the Old Spanish/Arabic qirmiz (the kermesPronounced KRIM-sun▶Kourage#14387 in the U.S.Kourage is a modern K- spelling of the English word courage, used as a virtue name. Courage comes throughPronounced KUR-ij▶Mayze#14611 in the U.S.A modern one-syllable coinage, read variously as a respelling of Maze, as a clipped Mazie/Maisie (a ScottPronounced MAYZ▶Renarda#14671 in the U.S.Renarda is a rare feminine coinage, most plausibly a feminine form of Renard/Reynard (from the Germanic rPronounced ruh-NAR-duh▶Vallory#15037 in the U.S.A form of Valerie/Valory, from the Latin valere ('to be strong; healthy'); the spelling also echoes 'valoPronounced VAL-uh-ree▶Bernita#15372 in the U.S.Bernita is a diminutive linked to Bernice ('bringer of victory') or the Bernard family ('brave as a bear'Pronounced ber-NEE-tah▶Alandria#15395 in the U.S.Alandria reads as a coinage echoing Alexandria and Andrea, both from Greek roots: Alexandria from alexeinPronounced uh-LAN-dree-uh▶Anthem#15451 in the U.S.The English word anthem, 'a rousing song of praise, devotion, or celebration' — used as a bold, modern woPronounced AN-thum▶Banx#15655 in the U.S.A modern coinage: a stylized respelling of the surname Banks ('one who lives by the riverbank; the edge oPronounced BANGKS▶Beautii#15663 in the U.S.A stylized respelling of the word Beauty ('loveliness; a beautiful person'), from Old French beaute. A boPronounced BYOO-tee▶Dhream#15852 in the U.S.A modern spelling of the English word dream, 'a cherished hope; a vision in sleep' — used as an aspiratioPronounced DREEM▶Emiree#15947 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Emery/Emerie, from an Old Germanic root, 'brave; powerful; industrious ruler.' CriPronounced EM-uh-ree▶Emmersen#15953 in the U.S.A respelling of Emerson, an English surname, 'son of Emery' (Emery from the Germanic for 'brave; powerfulPronounced EM-ur-sin▶Aundria#16887 in the U.S.A form of Audria/Andrea; by the Andrea route (Greek andreios) it carries 'strong; brave; courageous.' ThePronounced AWN-dree-uh▶Rilie#17019 in the U.S.Rilie is a respelling of Riley, a name with two roots: an Old English place name meaning 'rye clearing' aPronounced RY-lee▶Ravynn#17060 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Raven, the glossy black bird, from Old English hraefn. A bold nature word-name; thPronounced RAV-in▶Raileigh#17074 in the U.S.A modern respelling in the Riley/Bailey family; Riley traces to 'rye clearing' or 'valiant,' but as a coiPronounced RAY-lee▶Reily#17098 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Riley, from an English place name ('rye clearing,' Old English ryge + leah) and thPronounced RY-lee▶Wriley#17503 in the U.S.A Wr- respelling of Riley, an Irish and English name linked to 'valiant; courageous' and to an English plPronounced RY-lee▶Tandy#17690 in the U.S.Tandy began as a medieval English pet form of Andrew — an affectionate reshaping that also became a surnaPronounced TAN-dee▶Deaundra#18227 in the U.S.Deaundra is a coinage joining a De- prefix to Aundra, part of the Andre and Andrea family from Greek andrPronounced dee-AWN-druh▶Raily#19533 in the U.S.A respelling in the Riley/Rae sound-family — echoing Riley (an Irish surname, 'courageous; valiant') and Pronounced RAY-lee▶PruettFrom the Norman surname Prewitt/Pruett, a diminutive of Old French preu, 'brave; valiant' — so 'little brPronounced PROO-it▶
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Frequently Asked
Which name on this list most literally means brave?
Wyatt ('brave in war') and Everett ('brave boar') use the word 'brave' outright in their Old English roots, and Emerie is defined as 'brave and powerful ruler,' making all three direct hits for this meaning.
Does Scout really mean brave?
Not literally — Scout means 'one who explores.' It earns its spot here through association, most famously as the fearless narrator of To Kill a Mockingbird, so it reads as courageous without the word appearing in its definition.