10 baby boy names that mean ‘strong’ or ‘brave’

Why names that mean “strong” or “brave” matter in Hindu practice

Choosing a name in many Hindu families is more than a phonetic preference: it is an ethical and cultural signpost. The naming ceremony, Namakarana — naming ceremony — traditionally links a child to family lineage, a chosen deity, or a quality parents wish to cultivate. Names that mean “strong” or “brave” point to virtues admired across texts and traditions: heroism in epic stories, steady resolve in devotional life, and moral courage in scripture.

There is interpretive variety: in some texts strength (śakti — power or capacity) is inward and spiritual; in others, bravery (vīrya or vīra) is martial or public. I note associations from Śaiva, Vaiṣṇava and Smārta sources where relevant, while avoiding sectarian claims.

How these names were selected

• Rooted in Sanskrit or classical usage where the core meaning is “strength,” “valour,” “victory” or “invincible.”
• Linked to well-known figures in scripture or living tradition (epics, Puranas, devotional communities) so the cultural resonance is clear.
• Given modern-friendly variants and pronunciation cues so they work in contemporary India.

Ten boy names meaning “strong” or “brave”

1. Veer / Vīra

Pronunciation: Veer (Vī-ra). Root: vīra — hero, brave. Usage: Widely used across India as a straightforward word-name. In Puranic contexts “vīra” is used to praise heroic acts; in Śaiva lore, forms like Veerabhadra (a fierce aspect of Śiva) reflect divine strength. Modern variants: Veer, Vira.

2. Shaurya / Śaurya

Pronunciation: Shaw-rya. Meaning: valour, bravery, gallantry. Literary note: The noun śaurya appears in classical poetry and epics to describe martial courage and personal excellence. As a name it conveys moral and physical courage without explicit sectarian ties.

3. Ranveer / Ranvīr

Pronunciation: Run-veer. Etymology: ran (battle) + vīr (hero). Meaning: hero of the battlefield; brave warrior. Cultural note: Ranveer is modern and popular, with historical echoes of rajput and martial naming traditions. Variant: Ranvir.

4. Mahavīra / Mahavir

Pronunciation: Ma-ha-veer. Meaning: “great hero” or “supremely brave.” Religious note: Mahavira is the 24th Tīrthaṅkara in Jainism; the epithet is also used in Hindu contexts to praise heroic gods and heroes (e.g., some refer to Hanuman or Skanda as mahā-vīra). Be aware of inter-religious sensitivities when choosing this name.

5. Ajay / Ajaya

Pronunciation: Ah-jay. Meaning: unconquered, invincible (a- + jaya — victory). Textual resonance: The adjective ajaya is frequently used in epic descriptions of great warriors; it carries the nuance of steadiness and resilience as well as victory.

6. Arjun / Arjuna

Pronunciation: Ar-joon. Meaning: bright, silver, but best known as the central warrior-hero of the Mahābhārata and the pupil of Krishna in the Bhagavad Gītā. Scriptural note: Gītā commentators discuss Arjuna’s moral courage and interior transformation—his name therefore connotes both battlefield skill and ethical striving.

7. Abhimanyu

Pronunciation: Ab-hi-ma-nu. Meaning: heroic, resolute spirit (etymology often given as “one with self-protective valour”). Cultural note: In the Mahābhārata Abhimanyu is celebrated for his extraordinary bravery in entering the Chakravyūha; as a name it suggests youthful courage and sacrifice.

8. Balarāma / Baladeva

Pronunciation: Ba-la-ra-ma. Meaning: Bāla (strength/young) + Rāma (a revered name); Balarāma is Lord Krishna’s elder brother and an avatar associated with great physical strength and plough-hero symbolism. Vaishnava texts celebrate his might and steady temperament; the name is both devotional and descriptive.

9. Skanda / Kārtikeya

Pronunciation: Skan-da / Kar-ti-keya. Meaning and role: Skanda (also called Kārtikeya, Subrahmanya) is the divine commander of the gods’ forces in many Puranas—an archetypal warrior god. In Śaiva and regional traditions his martial qualities and youthful leadership make the name resonate with courage and command.

10. Vijay / Vijaya

Pronunciation: Vi-jay. Meaning: victory, triumphant. Use: Common across India and often chosen to express the wish that the child be successful and resilient. Unlike explicitly martial names, Vijay emphasizes outcome—victory—while still invoking strength of character.

Practical notes for parents

• Pronunciation and script: Consider how the name sounds in your household language(s) and how it will appear in different scripts (Devanāgarī, regional scripts, Roman).
• Religious sensitivity: Some names are closely associated with particular communities (e.g., Mahavira in Jainism, Balarāma in Vaiṣṇava tradition). Families often consult elders or priests if they want a name that fits ritual or devotional contexts.
• Ceremonial timing: Traditional Namakarana rites sometimes use the child’s birth tithi or nakshatra to select syllables; families who follow this custom may consult an astrologer or family priest. This is a cultural practice rather than a universal requirement.

Names carry stories and aspirations. Whether you choose a short, modern form like Veer or Ranveer, a classical name like Arjuna or Abhimanyu, or a devotional name like Balarāma, the best choice often harmonises sound, meaning, family tradition and the child’s future life in community.