Bold Girl Names
150 bold girl names with meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
Looking for boy names instead? Bold Boy Names →
Some parents want a name that gets out of the way. Others want one that walks into the room first. If you are here, you are the second kind — and Bold girl names are the ones that never apologize for taking up space. The word names hit hardest: Reign, which is exactly as commanding as it looks; Dream, soft in meaning and startling on paper; Emerald for jewel-tone drama; and Onyx, all black stone and hard consonants. These are names that make people look up from the roster. That is not an accident, and for the right daughter it is exactly right.
The mythic and literary end of the category swings just as hard but with more history behind it. Persephone and Calliope come straight out of Greek myth with four glorious syllables apiece, Xena and Khaleesi arrive with warrior-queen energy from the screen, and Xiomara has that rare, striking X opening. If you want strength in a sharper, more modern package, the crossover surnames deliver it: Lennox, Ryder and Tate are clipped, cool and utterly unfussy. Or split the difference with Maxine, vintage and tough in equal measure.
Every name below opens to its full page — a sourced meaning, its U.S. popularity, and a clear audio pronunciation so you can hear it before you fall for it.
Bold Girl Names
Dream#432 in the U.S.From Old English dream meaning joy, music, or a dream vision; used as a word name for its aspir▶Calliope#451 in the U.S.From Greek 'kallos' (beauty) and 'ops' (voice, face), meaning 'beautiful voice'; name of the Mu▶Reign#452 in the U.S.From the English word 'reign,' meaning to rule or exercise sovereign power, derived from Old Fr▶Xiomara#463 in the U.S.Spanish form of the Germanic name Guiomar, composed of 'wig' (war, battle) and 'mari' (fame), m▶Maxine#497 in the U.S.Feminine form of Maximus, from Latin 'maximus' meaning greatest or largest; a superlative adjec▶Scarlet#510 in the U.S.From the English color word 'scarlet,' denoting a vivid red; ultimately from Old French escarla▶Khaleesi#690 in the U.S.Queen; a title meaning the wife of a khal (warlord) in the fictional Dothraki language created ▶Lennox#717 in the U.S.From the Scottish place name Lennox (Levenach) in Dunbartonshire, from Gaelic leamhan meaning '▶Bristol#728 in the U.S.From the Old English Brycgstow, meaning 'assembly place by the bridge' (brycg = bridge + stow =▶Persephone#735 in the U.S.Exact meaning disputed; possibly related to Greek pertho (to destroy) and phone (voice or murde▶Emerald#741 in the U.S.From the Old French esmeralde, from the Latin smaragdus, from Greek smaragdos (σμάραγδος), the ▶Onyx#1248 in the U.S.Black gemstone; from Greek onyx (fingernail, claw — the stone's layers resemble a fingernail)▶Xena#1297 in the U.S.Guest, stranger, foreigner▶Egypt#1323 in the U.S.Black land; from the Greek Aigyptos, from Egyptian Hwt-ka-Ptah (house of the soul of Ptah)▶Ryder#1332 in the U.S.Mounted warrior, one who rides a horse▶Tate#2260 in the U.S.cheerful, glad▶Delta#2266 in the U.S.fourth letter of Greek alphabet; triangular river mouth▶Brixley#2302 in the U.S.brick settlement meadow▶Seven#2451 in the U.S.the number seven, divine completeness▶Scarleth#3002 in the U.S.Spanish-influenced variant of Scarlett, meaning the bright red color scarlet; associated with p▶Skarlett#3003 in the U.S.Creative respelling of Scarlett, the vivid red color; evokes passion, boldness, and fierce femi▶Chozen#3018 in the U.S.Variant spelling of 'chosen,' meaning selected, set apart, or specially designated; evokes them▶Hendrix#3086 in the U.S.Son of Hendrik; home ruler; from the Germanic Heinrich (heim = home, ric = ruler) via the Dutch▶Truth#3208 in the U.S.From Old English treowth or triewth, meaning 'faithfulness, fidelity, truth'; the English abstr▶Etna#6378 in the U.S.A name drawn from Mount Etna, the great Sicilian volcano, whose name may trace to a Greek root ▶Amariz#8083 in the U.S.A modern coinage echoing Amara ('grace') and Amari (a modern favorite); no single fixed source.▶Crimsyn#8136 in the U.S.A modern y-spelling of the English colour word crimson, which reached English through Old Spani▶Zandra#8935 in the U.S.A Z-spelling of Sandra, itself short for Alexandra, from the Greek for 'defender; protector of ▶Maev#9405 in the U.S.A trimmed spelling of Maeve, from the Irish Medb ('she who intoxicates; the intoxicating one') ▶Brynja#9732 in the U.S.From the Old Norse brynja, 'armour; coat of mail' — a strong Icelandic girl's name still used t▶Nigeria#10195 in the U.S.The name of the West African country Nigeria, itself named for the Niger River (the river's nam▶Amazi#10356 in the U.S.A modern coinage echoing Amari and the everyday word amazing; no single fixed source. Routes un▶Exodus#10505 in the U.S.From the Greek exodos, 'a going out; departure' — the name of the biblical book recounting Isra▶Domino#10513 in the U.S.Best known as the word for the tile game, from the Latin dominus, 'lord' (via the phrase 'bened▶Janovah#10591 in the U.S.A modern American coinage, echoing the sound of Jehovah and Nova ('new; a star that brightens')▶Jazz#10598 in the U.S.A word name from jazz, the American musical style, connoting 'lively, spirited, improvisational▶Jherzi#10606 in the U.S.A modern American coinage echoing the sound of Jersey (the place/word) with a stylized Jher- sp▶Kaibrienne#10623 in the U.S.A modern coinage joining Kai (Hawaiian 'sea') with Brienne/Brianne (a feminine of Brian, 'stron▶Missouri#10785 in the U.S.Missouri is a place name - a U.S. state and river - taken from the Missouria, a Siouan people w▶Liberti#10800 in the U.S.A modern respelling of the English virtue word Liberty ('freedom; independence'), from Latin li▶Syren#10967 in the U.S.A stylized spelling of siren, the alluring sea-nymphs of Greek myth whose song enchanted sailor▶Tsunade#10998 in the U.S.A character name from the Naruto manga and anime — a legendary ninja and Hokage. The name is a ▶Ulyssa#11001 in the U.S.A modern feminine form of Ulysses — the Latin name for the Greek hero Odysseus, tied to a sense▶Saphyra#11010 in the U.S.A modern coinage near Sapphire/Saphira, echoing the blue gem and Saphira, the dragon of the Era▶Fendi#11395 in the U.S.From the Italian surname Fendi, best known as the luxury fashion house founded by Adele and Edo▶Jhenesis#11529 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Genesis, from the Greek for 'origin; beginning; creation' — the name of ▶Kamorra#11578 in the U.S.A modern American coinage layering a Ka- opening with a -morra ending, near Camora and Kamara i▶Katniss#11593 in the U.S.The name of the heroine Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games novels; also a real edible aquat▶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-eye▶Majestic#11713 in the U.S.A word-name from 'majestic' — 'grand; regal; having stately dignity' (from Latin maiestas, 'gre▶Loki#11765 in the U.S.The name of Loki, the shape-shifting trickster god of Norse mythology (also the Marvel characte▶Magic#11841 in the U.S.The English word Magic ('enchantment; the power to work wonders'), used as a bold modern word-n▶Oracle#11854 in the U.S.Oracle is an English word name from Latin oraculum, 'a source of prophecy or wise counsel.' Use▶Smith#11973 in the U.S.From the English occupational surname Smith, 'one who works in metal; a blacksmith' — the most ▶Universe#12029 in the U.S.An English word name: 'universe' means 'all of existence; the cosmos', from Latin 'universum' (▶Brilliance#12354 in the U.S.A modern virtue/word name from the English brilliance, 'great brightness; radiance; dazzling in▶Choice#12391 in the U.S.A modern word name from choice ('a selection; the act of choosing; something chosen; excellent'▶Chrome#12394 in the U.S.A modern word name from chrome (the bright metal; a shiny finish), ultimately from the Greek ch▶Clever#12400 in the U.S.A modern word name from clever ('quick-witted; skillful; ingenious'). As a given name it reads ▶Dezyre#12465 in the U.S.A modern respelling of the word Desire, 'a strong wish; longing' (from Old French desirer, Lati▶England#12525 in the U.S.A place name from Old English Engla land, 'land of the Angles' (the Germanic people who settled▶Fenyx#12556 in the U.S.A modern stylized spelling of Phoenix, the mythical bird that rises reborn from its ashes; from▶Future#12562 in the U.S.A word name from 'future' (the time to come), ultimately from Latin futurus ('about to be'). Us▶Geminis#12568 in the U.S.A form of Gemini, from Latin gemini ('twins') — the third sign of the zodiac and a constellatio▶Hela#12607 in the U.S.From Hel/Hela, the Norse goddess who rules the realm of the dead, her name tied to the conceale▶Jasiri#12662 in the U.S.From the Swahili jasiri, 'brave; courageous; daring'. A virtue name used across East Africa, un▶Jinx#12686 in the U.S.Jinx is a word name, from English jinx, 'a charm or spell said to bring luck' (originally the b▶Kaiser#12716 in the U.S.From the German Kaiser, 'emperor', derived from the Latin Caesar. A bold title-name, it is stro▶Lyfe#12889 in the U.S.A stylized respelling of the English word Life, used as a bold modern word-name; the 'y' spelli▶Million#12989 in the U.S.Million is the English number word used straight as a name — a word-name in the abundance famil▶Mclaren#13039 in the U.S.From the Scottish surname McLaren (MacLaren), 'son of Laurence' (Labhran), tied to Laurentum an▶Secret#13199 in the U.S.Secret is an English word name, from Latin secretus, 'set apart; hidden' (from secernere, 'to s▶Storme#13263 in the U.S.Storme is a variant spelling of the English word name Storm, from the Old English storm. A bold▶Sapphyre#13342 in the U.S.A modern -yre spelling of Sapphire, the deep-blue gem — from the Greek sappheiros and, before i▶Winner#13346 in the U.S.The plain English word winner, 'one who wins', used directly as a given name in the aspiration-▶Amazin#13541 in the U.S.Amazin is a modern word name taken from the English adjective 'amazing', with the final G dropp▶Believe#13702 in the U.S.The English word believe, 'to hold as true; to trust; to have faith' — used as a bold, aspirati▶Eclipse#13905 in the U.S.The English word eclipse, from Greek ekleipsis, 'an abandonment; a failing to appear' — used of▶Glacier#14082 in the U.S.The English word glacier, 'a slow river of ice' (via French from the Latin glacies, 'ice'). A c▶Gold#14085 in the U.S.The English word gold, the precious metal and its warm colour, from the Old English gold. A sho▶Galaxi#14145 in the U.S.A modern name from the English word galaxy (from the Greek galaxias, 'the Milky Way'), respelle▶Jaxyla#14171 in the U.S.Jaxyla is a modern American coinage — the Jax- of Jaxon joined to an -yla ending in the manner ▶Jerzey#14195 in the U.S.Jerzey is a modern respelling of Jersey — the Channel Island whose name is likely Norse in orig▶Krimson#14348 in the U.S.A modern respelling of crimson — the deep, rich red color, from the Old Spanish/Arabic qirmiz (▶Kourage#14387 in the U.S.Kourage is a modern K- spelling of the English word courage, used as a virtue name. Courage com▶Kueen#14394 in the U.S.Kueen is a modern K- spelling of the English word queen, used as a given name. Queen comes from▶Lavish#14435 in the U.S.The English adjective lavish, 'abundant, generous, given without stint', from Old French lavass▶Laionna#14543 in the U.S.Laionna is a modern coinage echoing Leona and Liana, with a hint of 'lion.' It has no single do▶Manhattan#14566 in the U.S.A place name: Manhattan is the New York borough, named from a Lenape word recorded by Dutch col▶Luxtyn#14611 in the U.S.A modern coinage joining Lux (Latin, 'light') with a fashionable -tyn ending (as in Paxton/Brax▶Miami#14637 in the U.S.A place name: the Florida city of Miami, whose name comes down from a Native American name — th▶Majestii#14651 in the U.S.Majestii is a modern coinage: a stylized respelling of the English word 'majesty' ('grandeur, s▶Monarch#14704 in the U.S.The English word monarch, 'a sole ruler; sovereign' (from Greek monarkhes, 'one who rules alone▶Onyxx#14715 in the U.S.The name of the banded black gemstone onyx (Greek onyx, 'claw; fingernail'), styled here with a▶Quest#14819 in the U.S.The English word quest — a search, a journey undertaken with purpose — used as a modern word-na▶Sabre#14848 in the U.S.From the English word sabre (a curved cavalry sword), via French sabre from a Germanic/Hungaria▶Reality#14851 in the U.S.The English word reality, 'the state of things as they actually are,' from Latin realis, 'actua▶Onix#14852 in the U.S.A respelling of Onyx, from the Greek onyx, 'claw; fingernail,' the name of the banded black gem▶Regal#14853 in the U.S.The English word regal, 'royal, befitting a monarch,' from Latin regalis (rex, 'king'). Used di▶Righteous#14869 in the U.S.The English word righteous, 'morally upright; just,' from Old English rihtwis (riht, 'right' + ▶Rowdy#14889 in the U.S.The English word rowdy, 'noisy, boisterous, high-spirited,' used directly as a name. It carries▶Saber#14904 in the U.S.The English word saber (sabre), a curved cavalry sword, from French sabre and ultimately a Hung▶Tsunami#15056 in the U.S.From the Japanese tsunami, literally 'harbour wave' — the word for the great ocean waves set of▶Vision#15091 in the U.S.The English word 'vision,' used plainly as a name: sight, foresight, or something seen in the m▶Zepplynn#15224 in the U.S.A modern coinage respelling Zeppelin (the airship, and the band Led Zeppelin) with a -lynn endi▶Africa#15287 in the U.S.Both the continent name and a genuine old Spanish/Catalan given name (Africa/Africa), tied to N▶Alpha#15367 in the U.S.From Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet; figuratively 'the beginning; the first,' as▶Amillion#15391 in the U.S.A modern American coinage that plays on the phrase 'a million' — read as a name of abundance or▶Anthem#15451 in the U.S.The English word anthem, 'a rousing song of praise, devotion, or celebration' — used as a bold,▶Amilliona#15457 in the U.S.A modern coinage echoing the phrase 'a million' and the Amelia family; no single fixed source. ▶Anyx#15458 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Onyx, the banded black gemstone. The word comes from Greek onyx, 'claw' ▶Atlanta#15539 in the U.S.Atlanta is the capital of Georgia, named in the 1840s from the Western and Atlantic Railroad. T▶Brazos#15639 in the U.S.From the Brazos River in Texas — its full Spanish name Los Brazos de Dios ('the arms of God'), ▶Banx#15655 in the U.S.A modern coinage: a stylized respelling of the surname Banks ('one who lives by the riverbank; ▶Brilliant#15706 in the U.S.The English word 'brilliant' used as a name — 'bright; sparkling; radiant; exceptionally gifted▶Cheyann#15798 in the U.S.A respelling of Cheyenne, the name of a Native American (Plains) people and of a Wyoming city; ▶Dhream#15852 in the U.S.A modern spelling of the English word dream, 'a cherished hope; a vision in sleep' — used as an▶Dymond#15882 in the U.S.A respelling of Diamond, from the Greek adamas, 'unconquerable,' by way of the gemstone. The -y▶Hero#16132 in the U.S.A Greek name; Hero was the priestess of Aphrodite in the myth of Hero and Leander - so a woman'▶Canon#16150 in the U.S.From the English word 'canon' (via Greek kanon, 'measuring rod; rule'), meaning a rule, standar▶Ibiza#16227 in the U.S.From Ibiza, the Balearic island of Spain, whose ancient name traces to the Phoenician for an is▶Jenesys#16271 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Genesis, from the Greek, 'origin; beginning; creation' -- the first book▶Jazbel#16278 in the U.S.A modern coinage built from the Jaz- opening (Jazmin, Jazlyn) and the -bel ending ('beautiful' ▶Kreation#16476 in the U.S.The English word 'creation' spelled with a K. The word comes through Old French from the Latin ▶Kouture#16513 in the U.S.A modern respelling of couture — the French word for 'sewing; dressmaking,' used in English for▶Kross#16517 in the U.S.Kross is a respelling of Cross, an English word and surname (originally for someone who lived b▶Legendary#16588 in the U.S.The English word legendary, 'the stuff of legend; celebrated; remarkable' (from Latin legenda, ▶Lupine#16673 in the U.S.From the lupine (or lupin) flower, a tall wildflower spike; the plant name comes from Latin lup▶Magenta#16707 in the U.S.From the color magenta, a vivid pinkish-purple dye named in 1859 after the Battle of Magenta (a▶Maxx#16788 in the U.S.A double-x spelling of Max, short for Maximilian/Maxwell, from Latin maximus, 'greatest.' Max i▶Lava#16936 in the U.S.Lava is the English/Italian word for molten rock (from Italian lava, ultimately Latin labes, 'a▶Perfect#17034 in the U.S.The English word perfect ('complete; flawless; brought to full excellence,' from Latin perfectu▶Ravynn#17060 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Raven, the glossy black bird, from Old English hraefn. A bold nature wor▶Raivyn#17075 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Raven, from the Old English hraefn, the glossy black bird linked to inte▶Rowdi#17127 in the U.S.A modern name from the English word 'rowdy' ('boisterous; lively; high-spirited'), respelled wi▶Plum#17169 in the U.S.The English word plum — the sweet purple fruit, and by extension 'a choice, desirable thing' (a▶Royalte#17289 in the U.S.A modern name from the English word 'royalty' ('regal status; kings and queens'), respelled wit▶Thistle#17379 in the U.S.From the English word thistle, the spiny purple-flowered plant that is the national emblem of S▶Vitani#17484 in the U.S.Best known as a character in Disney's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride; as a real-world name its▶Xzyla#17638 in the U.S.A modern coinage in a heavily stylised spelling, echoing Zyla and Kayla; no single documented o▶Moxxi#18019 in the U.S.A double-x coinage on moxie ('spirit; nerve; determination'), also the name of a character (Mad▶CalgaryFrom the city of Calgary in Alberta, Canada — named after Calgary on the Isle of Mull, Scotland▶CovenThe English word coven, 'a gathering or assembly (traditionally of witches),' from Latin conven▶JazoraA modern American coinage, joining a Ja- opening with Zora (itself 'dawn' in Slavic). By that e▶KhromeA modern respelling of the English word chrome — the bright metallic finish, from the Greek chr▶MoroccoThe name of the North African country Morocco, used as a bold place-name. The country's English▶RumourA word-name from the English 'rumour' ('a circulating report; hearsay; talk'), from the Latin r▶TigrisFrom the name of the Tigris River of ancient Mesopotamia, which comes to us through Greek and i▶XaloraA modern coinage with no documented origin; it echoes names like Zalora and Lora but no single ▶XaviahXaviah is a newly emerging coinage that reworks Xavier — a name from the Basque place name Etxe▶
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Frequently Asked
What are strong, bold girl names?
Look to myth, word names and unisex surnames — Persephone, Reign and Lennox each project confidence in a completely different way.
Are bold girl names too much for a baby?
Rarely, in practice. Most bold names come with an easy everyday short form, and children tend to grow into a striking name far faster than parents expect.