Top Reasons To Choose Tough Baby Boy Names
It’s cool to pick tough boy names for your little one because these are often associated with power and strength.
A kickass name might inspire them to become leaders or give them the courage to try harder to reach a challenging dream (because they’re tough).
Below are 360+ badass boy names with meanings to help you choose a popular, traditional, or unique name for your baby.
Tough Boy Names By Category
The Most Popular Tough Boy Names
- Aiden (Irish boy name) – Name that means “fire” or “fiery”
- Alexander (Greek boy name) – “Defender of the people”
- Archie (German boy name) – “Bold,” “brave,” or “truly brave”
- Charles (German name) – “Free man”
- Charlie (English) – Classic boy name meaning “free man”
- Christopher (Greek) – Three-syllable boy name meaning “bearing Christ” or “anointed one”
- Daniel (Hebrew) – Biblical boy name meaning “God is my judge”; a tough biblical character who was thrown into the lion’s den for disobeying the king to pray to God
- Edward (Old English boy name) – “Wealthy guardian”
- Gabriel (Hebrew) – Favorite angel name that means “God is my strength”
- Harry (English) – “Ruler”
- Henry (German) – “Home ruler”
- James (Hebrew) – Biblical name that means “supplanter,” “substitute,” “one who takes by the heel,” or “may God protect”; variant of “Jacob”
- Liam (German and Irish name) – “Guardian” or “strong protector”
- Lucas (Latin) – Name that means “light” (bringer of light)
- William (German) – “Strong-willed warrior”
Powerful & Strong Boy Names
- Archibald (German) – Old man name meaning “genuinely powerful”
- Brendon (Irish) – Name that means “prince”
- Cyrus (Persian) – Name that means “sun” or “lord”
- Gerard (German) – “Courageous with a spear”
- Jefferson (English) – “Peaceful ruler”
- Julius (Latin) – “Downy-bearded” or “devoted to Jove (Roman king of the gods)”
- Mohammed (Arabic boy name) – “Praiseworthy”
- Rory (Gaelic) – “Red-haired king”
- Ryan (Irish) – Short boy name meaning “little king”
- Steel (Old English) – One-syllable boy name meaning “strong,” “unique,” or “style”
- Theodore (Greek) – “God-given” or “gift of God”
- Yusef (Arabic) – “God increases”
What Are Some Badass Warrior Names?
- Alger (English) – “Clever warrior”
- Bahaadur (Arabic) – “Brave warrior”
- Cahir (Irish) – “Battle man”
- Ivor (Norse, Scandinavian, and Norwegian name) – “Bow warrior”
- Marcus (Latin) – “War-like” or “like Mars (Roman god of war)”
- Matto (Italian boy name) – “A brave warrior”
- Roger (German) – “Famous warrior”
Manly Tough Boy Names
- Adem (Hebrew) – “Manly” or “brave”
- Adrian (Latin) – “Son of Adria” or “rich”
- Anderson (Scandinavian and Greek name) – “Manly” and “brave”
- Andrew (Greek) – “Strong and manly”
- Archer (English) – “Bowman”
- Butch (American) – “Manly”
- Damon (Greek) – “To overpower” or “conquer”
- Donald (Gaelic) – “Mighty leader”
- Jedrek (Polish name) – “Strong and manly”; also spelled as “Jędrzej”
- Kalmin (Scandinavian and Old Norse) – “Manly” and “strong”
Tough Boy Names With Special Meanings
Boy Names That Mean Strong Fighter
- Bhaltair (Scottish) – “Strong fighter”
- Gautier (German) – “Strong fighter”
What Little Boy Names Mean Strongest?
- Atlas (ancient Greek name) – “To carry”; the strongest god and Titan in Greek mythology who carried the entire Earth on his shoulders
- Maximus (Latin) – “Greatest”
Tough Boy Names That Mean Courageous & Brave
- Abir (Arabic) – “Strong” or “brave”
- Amos (Hebrew) – “One who’s strong and brave”
- Andrei (Greek) – “Brave” or “virility”
- Bernon (German) – “Brave as a bear”
- Darrow (English) – “Brave hearted”
- Dustin (German) – “Brave fighter”; one of the heroic protagonists in the horror fiction and supernatural Netflix series “Stranger Things”
- Everett (Old English) – “Brave and strong boar”
- Keenan (Irish) – “Descendant of the brave”
- Kemp (English) – “Fearless”
- Lenn (Welsh) – “Brave lion”
- Riley (Irish) – “Brave”
- Ryker (German) – “Brave power”
Tough Boy Names That Mean Strong-Willed
- Conley (Gaelic) – “Strong-willed” or “great chief”
- Connor (Irish) – “Strong-willed,” “lover of hounds,” or “one who loves wolves”
- Tiergan (Irish) – “Strong-willed”
Tough Boy Names That Mean Honor & Strength
- Azai (Aramaic) – “Strength”
- Barrett (German) – “Bear strength”
- Brian (Celtic) – “Strong”
- Brutus (Latin) – “Heavy,” “strength,” or “force”
- Brye (Celtic) – “Strength”
- Cadogan (Welsh) – “Honor in battle”
- Ebert (German) – “Strong”
- Emerson (German) – “Brave” or “powerful”
- Ethan (Hebrew) – “Strong,” “long-lived,” or “enduring”
- Faris (English) – “Iron-strong”
- Grant (English) – “Strong” or “giant”
- Raymond (German) – “Strong protection”
Tough Boy Names That Mean Fire
- Agnivo (Indian) – “Blaze of fire”
- Apoy (Filipino nonbinary name) – “Fire”
- Blaise (French boy name) – “Flame”
- Blaze (Latin) – “Fire or “flame”
- Conleth (Irish) – “Chaste fire”
- Egan (Old Gaelic and Irish) – “Little fire”
- Haco (Celtic and Cornish) – “Flame” or “fire”
- Hurik (Armenian) – “Small fire”
Tough Boy Names That Mean Hero
- Akio (Japanese boy name) – “Manly hero”
- Areli (Hebrew) – “Hero”
- Arsaces (Persian) – “Hero”
- Finley (Gaelic) – “Fair-haired hero”
- Geroy (Russian boy name) – “Hero”
- Hīrō (Japanese name) – “Hero”
- Mete (Turkish) – “Brave hero”
- Sankari (Finnish) – “Hero”
Tough Biblical Boy Names
- Aaron (Hebrew) – Biblical name that means “mountain of strength”
- Benjamin (Hebrew) – “Son of the right hand”; the youngest of Jacob’s 12 sons
- Jacob (Hebrew) – “Supplanter” or “usurper”
- Jude (Hebrew) – “Praised”
- Michael (Hebrew) – Angel name that means “Who is like God?”
- Noah (Hebrew) – “Rest”; best known for building the ark and saving two animals per species during the Great Flood
- Peter (Greek) – “Stone” or “rock”
- Reuben (Hebrew) – “Behold, a son”; the eldest of Jacob’s sons
- Samson (Hebrew) – Name that means “sun” (like the sun); the strongest man in the Bible
- Samuel (Hebrew) – “God has heard”
Tough Boy Names From Myths & Legends
- Apollo (Greek boy name) – “To destroy”; Greek god of the sun, archery, truth, music, and dance
- Griffin (Greek and Irish boy name) – “Mythical creature that’s half eagle and half lion”
- Hercules (Latin and Greek name) – “Hero” or “the glory of Hera”; Roman god of strength and heroes
- Odin (Scandinavian) – “Fury” or “lord of frenzy”; Norse god of frenzy, war, and death
- Thor (Scandinavian) – “Thunder”; Norse god of thunder
- Zephyr (ancient Greek name) – “West wind”; Greek god and personification of the west wind
What Are Edgy & Tough-Sounding Boy Names?
- Arlo (Old English boy name) – “Rock hill” or “fortified hill”
- Damien (Greek) – “To tame”
- Oscar (Scandinavian and Irish name) – “Deer lover,” “spear of the gods,” or “friend”; after the famous American boxer and promoter Oscar De La Hoya
- Robert (German boy name) – “Glory-bright” or “shining with glory”
- Thorin (Old Norse) – “Brave as thunder”; after the dwarf king Thorin Oakenshield in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”
- Tipp (German name) – “Bold” or “brave”
Cool & Tough Baby Boy Names
- Amell (German) – “Power of an eagle”
- Dante (Latin) – “Enduring”
- Dylan (Welsh) – “Son of the sea”
- Jasper (English) – “Treasurer” or “precious stone”
- Logan (Scottish) – Nature name meaning “meadow” or “small hollow”
- Raddix (American) – “Roots”
- Trace (English) – “Discover” or “brave”
Modern & Trending Tough Guy Names
- Atom (Greek) – “Indivisible,” “uncuttable,” or “particle of matter”
- Axel (Scandinavian and German) – “Father of peace”
- Chester (Latin) – “Fortress”
- Connery (Irish) – “Warrior lord”
- Jerry (English) – “Ruler with a spear”
- Kendrick (Welsh) – “Brave leader”
- Spike (English) – “Unruly” or “long nail”
- Stanley (English) – “Stony clearing”
What Are The Rarest Male Names?
- Agro (Italian name) – “Tough one”
- Brion (Celtic) – “A brave man of many virtues”
- Cormac (Irish) – “Son of the charioteer”
- Marvan (Arabic boy name) – “Brave person”
- Troah (Greek) – “Brave soldier from Troy”
Unique & Uncommon Tough Boy Names
- Aryan (Indo-Iranian) – “Honorable” or “warrior”
- Evander (Scottish and Greek) – “Strong man” or “bow warrior”
- Hartwig (German) – “Courageous in battle”
Celebrity-Inspired Tough Boy Names
- Anthony (Latin) – “Priceless one”; after Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins
- Arnold (German) – “Power of an eagle”; after Austrian and American action star Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Bruno (German) – “Shield”; after American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars
- Chuck (French name) – “Free man”; after American actor and martial artist Chuck Norris
- Clint (English) – “Steep cliff”; after American actor Clint Eastwood
- Conway (Welsh) – Southern boy name meaning “holy river”; after American singer-songwriter Conway Twitty
- Denzel (Cornish) – “From the high stronghold”; after American actor Denzel Washington
- Drake (English) – “Dragon”; after Canadian rapper Drake
- Idris (Welsh) – “Fiery leader” or “prophet”; after English actor Idris Elba
- Rob (German) – “Bright fame”; can be a short form of “Robert” but also a standalone first name, such as after American actor Rob Schneider
- Tyson (French boy name) – “Firebrand”; after American former professional boxer Mike Tyson
Old-Fashioned & Classic Tough Boy Names
- Elliot (English) – “The Lord is my God”
- Gregory (Greek) – “A watchman”
- Magnus (Latin) – “Great”
- Ralph (Old English) – “Wolf counsel”
Short But Tough Boy Names
Tough Baby Boy Names With One-Syllable
- Ace (English) – “Number one”
- Ax (Hebrew) – “Father is peace”
- Blade (English) – “Cutting edge”
- Brant (English) – “Proud”
- Buck (English) – “Male deer”
- Chad (English) – “Battle warrior”
- Jax (English) – “God has been gracious”
- Jed (Hebrew) – “Appointed by God”
- Kent (Celtic) – “Edge”
- Max (Latin) – “The greatest”
- Nick (Greek) – “Victory of the people”
Tough Two-Syllable Boy Names
- Andren (Scandinavian) – “A born warrior” or “brave”
- Anwar (Arabic) – Name that means “light”
- Armand (French) – “Soldier”
- Clancy (Irish) – “Red warrior”
- Harvey (French) – Warrior name meaning “battle worthy”
- Helmutt (German) – “Fearless”
- Herman (German) – “Warrior” or “soldier”
- Howie (English) – “Brave heart”
- Leo (German) – “Brave people”
- Marco (Spanish and Italian boy name) – “Warlike”
Long & Tough Baby Boy Names
- Chandavir (Indian) – Three-syllable boy name meaning “very brave”
- Connolly (Irish) – “Brave or wise”
- Donovan (Irish) – “Dark”
- Grimshaw (English) – “Brave and strong”
- Maverick (American) – “Independent one”
- Mortimer (French name) – “Dead sea”
Nature-Inspired Tough Boy Names
- Adler (German) – “Eagle”
- Beck (Hebrew) – Name that means “water” (brook or stream)
- Boris (Slavic) – “Wolf” or “snow leopard”
- Brock (English) – “Badger”
- Calhoun (Irish) – “From the forest”
- Callan (Gaelic) – “Rock”
- Clay (English) – “The Earth”
- Colt (English) – “Young horse”
- Doug (Scottish) – “Stream”
- Knox (Scottish) – “Round hill”
- Kylo (American) – “Sky”
- Ravi (Indian) – “Sun”
- Slevin (Gaelic) – “Mountain”
- Zamrez (Arabic) – “Lion”
Travel-Inspired Tough Boy Names
Tough-Sounding City Names
- Austin – Texas
- Cairo – Egypt
- Dallas – Texas
- Denver – Colorado
- Houston – Texas
- Orlando – Florida
- Raleigh – North Carolina
- Reno – Nevada
- Salem – Oregon
Other Tough-Sounding But Cool Travel Destinations
- Bali (Indonesia)
- Egypt
- Fiji
- Manila (Philippines)
- Maui (Hawaii, USA)
- Paris (France)
Tough-Sounding Exotic Boy Names
- Ashanko (Indian) – “Courageous” or “valiant”
- Basilah (Arabic) – “Fearless”
- Bheemsen (Indian) – “Son of brave man”
- Bodhi (Indian and Sanskrit) – “Awakened”
- Dilbagh (Indian) – “Brave” or “kind”
- Djimon (African) – Black boy name meaning “powerful blood”
- Ho-jin (Korean boy name) – “Fierce advance”
- Jabare (Egyptian) – “Known for bravery”
- Kimoni (African) – “Great man”
- Kwan (Korean name) – “Strong”
- Rico (Spanish) – Hispanic boy name meaning “dominant ruler”
Tough Boy Names From A To Z
Tough Boy Names Starting With A
- Alan (Celtic) – “Handsome little rock”
- Alaric (German) – “Noble”
- Albie (English) – “Bright” or “brilliant”
- Alfie (English) – “Wise counsel”
- Amory (German) – “Leader”
- Atticus (Latin) – “Man of Attica (ancient Greek region)”
Tough Boy Names Starting With B
- Banner (English) – “Flag bearer”
- Bart (Hebrew) – “Son of the Earth”
- Bo (Swedish) – “To live”
- Brando (German) – “Sword”
- Bravicci (English) – “Brave heart” or “patient”
- Brody (Irish) – “Muddy place” or “ditch”
- Bruce (English) – “The willow-lands”
Tough Boy Names Starting With C
- Cage (English) – “Confining structure”
- Casey (Irish) – “Brave in battle”
- Cathal (Irish) – “War leader”
- Coenhelm (English) – “Bold person”
- Conrad (German) – “Bold”
- Crew (Latin) – “Chariot”
- Cullen (Gaelic) – “Son of the holy one”
Tough Boy Names Starting With D
- Dean (English) – “Valley”
- Dexter (Latin) – “Skillful” or “fortunate”
- Donal (Irish) – “Proud chief”
- Donly (Irish) – “Descendant of valiant man Donnghal”
- Draco (Greek) – “Dragon” or “serpent”
- Duncan (Scottish) – “Dark warrior”
Tough Boy Names Starting With E
- Einar (Norse) – “Bold warrior”
- Ellis (English and Welsh) – “Benevolent”
- Emmett (English) – “Universal”
- Ezra (Hebrew) – “Helper” or “helpful”
Tough Boy Names Starting With F
- Fadi (Arabic) – “Savior”
- Felix (Latin) – “Fortunate”
- Ferdinand (German) – “Bold journey”
- Freddie (German) – “Peaceful ruler”
Tough Boy Names Starting With G
- Gage (French) – “One who is defiant”
- Garrett (German) – “Strong,” “spear,” or “hard”
- Graham (English) – “Gravelly homestead”
- Grayson (English) – “To shine” or “son of the steward”
- Gunner (Scandinavian) – “Bold warrior”
- Gunther (German) – “Battler”
- Guy (French) – “Leader”
Tough Boy Names Starting With H
- Harding (Scandinavian) – “Hardy” or “strong”
- Harlow (English) – “Rock hill”
- Harold (English) – “Army commander”
- Harwin (English) – “A brave friend”
- Heath (English) – “Someone who lived at”
- Herbert (English) – “Army” or “warrior”
- Hugo (German) – “Heart” or “spirit”
- Hunter (English) – “One who hunts” or “pursuer”
Tough Boy Names Starting With I
- Ignatius (Latin) – “Fire”
- Igor (Old Norse and Russian name) – “Warrior”
- Ike (Hebrew) – “He laughs”
- Iniko (African) – “Born in troubled times”
Tough Boy Names Starting With J
- Jack (English) – “God is gracious”
- Javier (Spanish) – “Castle”
- Jeret (English) – “Brave with a spear”
- Jes (Hebrew) – “Appointed by God”
- Jesse (Hebrew) -“God’s gift” or “king”
- Jodha (Indian) – “Courageous soldier”
- Juan (Spanish) – “God is gracious”; variant of “John”
Tough Boy Names Starting With K
- Kai (Welsh) – “Keeper of the keys”
- Kalbir (Indian) – “Brave of the family”
- Kane (Celtic) – “Warrior”
- Keith (Gaelic) – “From the battleground” or “wood”
- Kenji (Japanese boy name) – “Intelligent second son”
- Kennedy (Gaelic) – “Leader” or “chief”
- Kiano (African) – “Tools of the wizard”
- Koa (Hawaiian name) – “Warrior”
Tough Boy Names Starting With L
- Legend (English) – “Hero” or “fable”
- Leonardo (German) – “Brave people”
- Lewis (English) – “Renowned warrior”
- Louie (English) – “Famous warrior”
- Luther (German) – “Army people”
Tough Boy Names Starting With M
- Maddox (Welsh) – “Son of Madoc” or “fortunate”
- Malin (English) – “Strong little warrior”
- Manuel (Hebrew) – “God is with us”
- Mason (English) – “Stone worker”
- Milo (Latin) – “Soldier” or “merciful”
- Murphy (Irish) – “Sea warrior”
- Myles (Latin) – “Merciful” or “soldier”
Tough Boy Names Starting with N
- Nashal (Indian) – “Bravery”
- Nathan (Hebrew) – “Giver”
- Neale (Gaelic) – “A champion”
Tough Boy Names Starting With O
- Omari (African) – “God the highest”
- Orion (Greek) – “Rising in the sky”
- Otis (German) – “Wealthy”
- Otso (Finnish) – “Brave and powerful bear”
- Owen (Welsh) – “Young warrior”
Tough Boy Names Starting With P
- Phoenix (Greek) – Cool name that means “immortal bird,” “resurrection,” or “crimson red”
- Pippin (German) – “Awe-inspiring”; brave hobbit character in “The Lord of The Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Pravir (Indian) – “An excellent warrior”
Tough Boy Names Starting With Q
- Qadir (Arabic) – “Powerful,” “mighty,” or “capable”
- Qinglong (Chinese boy name) – “Blue dragon”
- Quest (English) – “Mission” or “to seek”
- Quinn (Irish) – “Head,” “chief,” or “sense and reason”
Tough Boy Names Starting With R
- Ragnar (Scandinavian) – “Warrior” or “judgment”
- Rainer (German) – “Wise warrior”
- Raynard (German and French) – “Mighty and brave”
- Rebel (German) – “Unruly” or “defiant person”
- Renke (German) – “Brave”
- Rexford (English) – “King’s ford”
- Rider (English) – “Horseman”
- Rocco (Italian) – “Repose” or “rest”
- Roman (Latin) – “Strong” or “powerful”
- Ronnie (English) – “Ruler’s counsel”
Tough Boy Names Starting With S
- Sebastian (Greek) – “Revered” or “venerable”
- Seymour (English) – “Marshy land by the sea”
- Sloan (Irish) – “Warrior”
- Smith (Old English) – “To strike”
- Sonny (American) – “Our son”
- Steele (Old English) – “Strong,” “unique,” or “style”
Tough Boy Names Starting With T
- Tadd (Welsh) – “Courageous” and “father”
- Tafari (African) – “He who inspires awe”
- Tarone (Irish) – “Courageous advisor”
- Teddy (Greek) – “God-given”
- Thorn (German) – “Tower”
- Titus (Pre-Roman) – “Title of honor”
- Tormund (Scandinavian) – “Thor’s protection”
Tough Boy Names Starting With U
- Ulrich (German) – “Prosperity and power”
- Ulysses (Latin) – “Wrathful”; variant of “Odysseus,” a Greek hero name
- Uriah (Hebrew) – “Light of Jehovah”
Tough Boy Names Starting With V
- Valentino (Italian) – “Strength” or “health”
- Valerian (Latin) – “Strong” or “healthy”
- Viggo (Scandinavian) – “War” or “warrior”; after Danish-American actor Viggo Mortensen
- Vincent (Latin) – “Conquering”
- Viraj (Indian) – “Splendor”
Tough Boy Names Starting With W
- Waldek (Polish name) – “Rule”
- Walter (German) – “Army ruler”
- Wyatt (English) – “Brave”
Tough Boy Names Starting With X
- Xander (Latin) – “To defend”
- Xandros (Hungarian) – “Defender of men”; variant of “Alexander”
- Xavier (Spanish) – “A new house” or “bright”
- Xerxes (Greek) – “Ruler over heroes”; a Persian king in the fifth century BCE (before the common or current era)
Tough Boy Names Starting With Y
- Yağmur (Turkish) – “Rain”
- Yago (Spanish) – “May God protect”; short form of “Santiago,” a variant of “James”
- Yazid (African) – “Becoming greater”
Tough Boy Names Starting With Z
- Zaccai (Hebrew) – “Just” or “fair”
- Zachary (Hebrew) – “God remembers”
- Zane (Hebrew) – “Gift from God”
- Zeke (Hebrew) – “God strengthens”
Gender-Neutral Tough Names
- Mitch (Hebrew) – “Who is like God?; variant of “Michael”
- Rogue (English) – “Unpredictable”
Tough Last Names Also Used As Strong First Or Middle Names
- Jackson (English) – “Son of Jack”
- Jagger (British) – “One who cuts”
- Morris (Latin) – “A moor”
Bonus: Tough & Badass Baby Girl Names
- Aleta
- Alexandra
- Kivah
- Shabina
- Sirena
Tips To Help You Choose Tough Boy Names
- Consider the name meaning and spelling
- Check your baby’s initials
- Check negative connotations or similar-sounding names that can subject your child to bullying (e.g., the Arabic name Safan means “bold and courageous” but sounds like “Satan”)
Popular Baby Name Lists
- Baby names for 2023
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You can also find ideas from the top 15 baby name generators.
Baby Name Lists By Letter
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- Girl names starting with J
- Girl names starting with K
- Boy names that start with L
- Boy names starting with N
- Boy names starting with R
- Boy names that start with V
- Boy names starting with W
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