I hear it a lot on name forums; a cry from parents looking for a 'strong' name for their daughter. Several times I see that the solution proposed is to use a unisex name such as Parker, Avery, Bailey; and sometimes it's to use (traditionally) boys name like Finlay, Dylan, Logan.
These names do have a strong element to them, certainly. Without wanting to go down the "boys names on girls" road, as that's a separate debate, I will say that I have always been curious about this
strong name = masculine name perception. What message does it send to little girls? Your name is only a strong name if boys use it as well? I'm sure Emmeline Pankhurst would be horrified by the idea.
My solution to the dilemma? If you want a strong name for your daughter what better names than the ones borne by strong and revolutionary women through history. Here is just a small selection:
Agustina - Agustina de Aragon defended Spain in the Spanish War of Independence.
Boudicca - Legendary queen of the Iceni tribe who fought against the Romans. Her name means "victory".
Emmeline - Emmeline Pankhurst was the founder of the Suffragette movement.
Her daughters Christabel, Sylvia and Adela were also Suffragettes.
Harriet - Harriet Tubman was a famous abolitionist.
Joan - Jeanne d'Arc led several successful battles in the Hundred Years' War
Margaret - Queen Margaret of Anjou led the Lancastrian army to victory in several battles before their final defeat by the Yorkists.
Mariana - Mariana Pineda was a Spanish national heroine who defended liberalism.
Matilda - Matilda of Tuscany was an Italian noblewoman who is remembered for her military accomplishments; Empress Matilda (Maude) fought for her rights to the throne of England as sole heir to her father King Henry I. The name Matilda appropriately means "strength in battle".
Noor - Noor Inayat Khan was a secret agent who worked for the French resistance.
Tamar - Queen of Georgia who ruled in her own right and issued in Georgia's Golden Age.
Tirzah - One of the daughters of Zelephehad who, along with her sisters Noa, Mahlah, Milka and Hoglah, argued for their right to inherit in the absence of sons.
Vashti - Biblical first queen of Ahasuerus who refused to humble herself at the king's feast. Became a feminist icon in the 19th century.
Virginia - Virginia Hall was a spy during WWII. She was awarded the DSC and the MBE for her bravery.
Zenobia - Queen of Palmyra who led a revolt against Roman rule.
Looking further we can find many strong and bold women in mythology and folklore:
Aife - Scottish warrior woman in Irish mythology.
Ailbhe - A female warrior in Irish legend.
Andraste - possibly meaning "invincible" was a Celtic goddess of victory.
Artemis - Greek goddess of hunting. Chief goddess of the Amazonians.
Atalanta - Greek heroine who was incredibly athletic and sailed with the Argonauts.
Bellona - Roman war goddess.
Camilla - Amazonian queen of the Volsci.
Diana - Roman goddess of hunting.
Freya - Norse goddess of war and battle as well as fertility.
Gwendolen - Legendary ruler of Britain who defeated her husband in battle.
Hippolyta - Mythical queen of the warrior-women Amazons.
Maeve - Warrior queen of Connacht in Irish legend.
Morrigan - Irish goddess of war. Her name means "great queen".
Nike - Greek goddess of victory, associated with Athena goddess of war.
Which women through history do you admire? What names strike you as 'exuding' strength?
