110 Badass Princess Names for Baby Girls With Royal British Roots (2026)

Some names sit quietly on a birth certificate. Others walk in like they own the room. If you want something bold, beautiful and a little rebellious for your daughter, you’ve probably typed badass princess names into Google more than once. You want a name that feels royal without feeling stiff. You want strength without losing warmth.

This guide gives you 110 badass princess names with meanings, origins, royal links and nicknames. You’ll meet warrior queens, Celtic goddesses, Greek heroines, vintage revivals and modern UK favourites. Every one of these badass princess names comes with a real story. That helps you choose with confidence.

Quick Answer: The best badass princess names pair a regal sound with a fearless story. Top picks include Boudicca, Matilda, Maeve, Eleanor, Freya and Aurelia. This list of 110 badass princess names covers British history, Celtic myth, classical legends, vintage revivals and modern UK trends.

What Makes a Princess Name Truly Badass?

Not every regal name earns a place among badass princess names. The best ones share three traits. They have roots in something real. They mean something powerful. They also sound good when you call them across a park.

Royal Roots

A great name connects to a queen, a princess, a goddess or a rebel. That connection gives your daughter a story to grow into. Most badass princess names on this list link to a documented ruler or a famous legend.

Fearless Meanings

Meaning matters. Matilda means “mighty in battle”. Victoria means “victory”. Saoirse means “freedom”. The strongest badass princess names say something bold in just a few syllables.

Easy to Wear Every Day

A name must work on a school register as well as in a legend. Short names like Maud and Ivy slip into daily life easily. Longer ones like Wilhelmina come with friendly nicknames. Practical badass princess names give your child options as she grows.

Read More: 80+ Beautiful Spiritual Names With Deep Meanings for Boys, Girls & Unisex Use

Top 10 Boldest Badass Princess Names at a Glance

These ten badass princess names deliver the biggest punch in the smallest space. Use the table to shortlist fast. Every name appears in full later in this guide.

Badass Princess Names From British History and Royal Heritage

Britain has no shortage of formidable women. Queens ruled in their own right. Empresses fought civil wars. Suffragettes went to prison for the vote. Many of the finest badass princess names come straight from British history. Each entry below has a documented story behind it. Some are famous. Others are wonderfully rare. Together they prove that royal roots and real grit often go hand in hand among badass princess names.

1. Matilda

Germanic | “Mighty in battle” | Nicknames: Tilly, Mattie

Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I, fought her cousin Stephen for the English crown during the civil war known as the Anarchy. She never wore the crown. Her son Henry II did. Among badass princess names, Matilda has one of the best paper trails.

2. Eleanor

Old French | “Shining one” (often linked) | Nicknames: Ellie, Nell, Nora

Eleanor of Aquitaine married the King of France and then the King of England. She joined the Second Crusade. Later she spent about fifteen years confined by her husband Henry II. She outlived him and kept shaping royal politics.

3. Emmeline

Germanic | “Work” | Nicknames: Emmy, Lina

Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903. Police arrested her many times. She endured hunger strikes in prison and kept campaigning. The name suits a daughter who won’t wait for permission.

4. Arabella

Latin | “Answered prayer” (often linked) | Nicknames: Bella, Belle

Lady Arbella Stuart had a genuine claim to the English throne. She married in secret in 1610 and James I locked her in the Tower of London. She died there in 1615. Arabella is the softer, more flowing spelling.

5. Guinevere

Welsh | “White phantom” or “fair one” | Nicknames: Gwen, Genny

Arthur’s queen appears in Welsh tradition as Gwenhwyfar. Early stories give her more agency than later romances do. Today the name suits parents who want legend without the usual crowd. It’s one of the most dramatic badass princess names with Welsh roots.

6. Philippa

Greek | “Lover of horses” | Nicknames: Pippa, Pip

Queen Philippa of Hainault married Edward III in 1328. Chroniclers say she knelt at Calais in 1347 and begged him to spare six captured townsmen. He agreed. Queen’s College, Oxford, was named in her honour. Mercy and power both belong among badass princess names.

7. Beatrice

Latin | “She who brings happiness” | Nicknames: Bea, Trixie

Shakespeare’s Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing out-argues every man on stage. Princess Beatrice of York carries the name in today’s royal family. Dante’s Beatrice guides him through Paradise. Three bearers share one witty, joyful name.

8. Maud

Germanic | “Mighty in battle” | Nicknames: Maudie

Maud is the short, sharp medieval form of Matilda. Henry I’s queen, Matilda of Scotland, was known as Good Queen Maud. The name is rare today, which makes it feel gloriously fresh among badass princess names.

9. Zara

Arabic or Hebrew roots | “Radiance” or “dawn” | Nicknames: Zaza, Zar

Zara Tindall, Princess Anne’s daughter, won team eventing silver at the 2012 London Olympics. Her parents declined royal titles for their children. The name’s roots are debated, with Arabic and Hebrew origins both suggested.

10. Augusta

Latin | “Great, venerable” | Nicknames: Gussie, Gus

Augusta of Saxe-Gotha became Princess of Wales in 1736 and mothered King George III. She helped shape his upbringing and political outlook. The name suits a daughter with natural authority.

11. Victoria

Latin | “Victory” | Nicknames: Vicky, Tori

Queen Victoria reigned for more than sixty-three years, from 1837 to 1901. She became Empress of India in 1876. Her name promises triumph. That’s a bold gift for a newborn.

12. Edith

Old English | “Prosperous in war” | Nicknames: Edie, Edy

Edith Cavell was a British nurse who helped Allied soldiers escape occupied Belgium during the First World War. German authorities executed her in 1915. The name comes from Old English Eadgyth and feels both vintage and tough.

13. Cordelia

Uncertain, possibly Latin or Celtic | “Heart” (often linked) | Nicknames: Delia, Cora

Shakespeare’s Cordelia tells King Lear the plain truth and pays dearly for it. Older British chronicles go further and make her queen of Britain after Lear. It’s a name for a girl who speaks honestly.

14. Constance

Latin | “Steadfast” | Nicknames: Connie, Con

William the Conqueror’s daughter Constance became Duchess of Brittany in the eleventh century. Later, Constance of Brittany fought to protect her young son Arthur’s claim to the English throne. The meaning proves true.

15. Rowena

Debated, Old English or Welsh | “Fame and joy” (one theory) | Nicknames: Ro, Wenna

Rowena is the Anglo-Saxon heroine of Walter Scott’s 1819 novel Ivanhoe. Its roots are debated. Even so, it sounds Old English and brisk. Romantic without being fragile, it suits a girl who loves history and a good adventure.

16. Isolde

Arthurian | Etymology unclear | Pronounced ih-ZOLD | Nicknames: Izzy, Solly

In the legend of Tristan and Isolde, an Irish princess crosses the sea and chooses a love that defies a king. Wagner turned the tale into an opera in 1865. The origin is unclear. The drama is not.

17. Nimue

Arthurian | Etymology unclear | Pronounced NIM-yoo-ay | Nicknames: Nim, Mue

In many Arthurian tellings, Nimue is the Lady of the Lake who gives Arthur his sword. Some stories say she also traps Merlin. Whatever the version, she holds real power. It’s one of the rarest badass princess names in Britain.

18. Leonora

Italian form of Eleanor | “Light” | Nicknames: Nora, Leo

Leonora Carrington was a British-born surrealist painter who escaped war-torn Europe and settled in Mexico. She kept painting until her death in 2011 at ninety-four. Leonora is a graceful, Italian-flavoured cousin of Eleanor.

19. Elizabeth

Hebrew | “God is my oath” | Nicknames: Libby, Beth, Eliza

Elizabeth I faced the Spanish Armada in 1588 and ruled England for forty-four years. At Tilbury she reportedly told her troops she had the heart and stomach of a king. Few badass princess names are as quietly commanding.

20. Aethelflaed

Old English | “Noble beauty” | Pronounced ETH-el-flayd | Nicknames: Effie, Ethel

Alfred the Great’s daughter ruled Mercia as the Lady of the Mercians after her husband’s death in 911. She built fortified towns and led armies against the Vikings. It’s a truly Anglo-Saxon choice.

That’s 20 British-rooted badass princess names with genuine royal weight. Next, we head west and north into Celtic legend.

Read More: 110 Strong Baby Names That Mean Strong: Powerful Names for Boys & Girls

Badass Princess Names From Celtic Mythology and Legend

Celtic myth gives women real power. Queens start wars. Goddesses choose their partners. Warrior teachers train heroes. That’s why so many of the most striking badass princess names come from Irish, Welsh and Scottish tradition. Some look tricky on paper. Say them aloud and they flow beautifully. If you love legend, these badass princess names deserve your shortlist.

21. Boudicca

Brittonic Celtic | “Victory” | Pronounced boo-DIK-ah | Nicknames: Bo, Dicca

Boudicca led the Iceni tribe in a revolt against Rome around AD 60. Her forces burned Colchester, London and St Albans. Tacitus described the uprising. Her statue stands near Westminster Bridge. She is one of the original badass princess names.

22. Maeve

Old Irish | “She who intoxicates” | Pronounced MAYV | Nicknames: Mae, Maevie

Queen Maeve of Connacht launches the great cattle raid in the Irish epic Táin Bó Cúailnge. She wants to match her husband’s wealth. Parents across the UK and Ireland still love it among badass princess names.

23. Aoife

Old Irish | “Radiance, beauty” | Pronounced EE-fa | Nicknames: Eef, Fifi

In Irish legend Aoife is a fierce warrior and the rival of Scáthach. The historical Aoife MacMurrough married the Norman knight Strongbow around 1170. That marriage changed the course of Irish and English history. It’s a name with real political weight.

24. Niamh

Irish | “Bright, radiant” | Pronounced NEEV | Nicknames: Neevie

Niamh is the golden-haired princess of Tír na nÓg, the Otherworld. In the tale of Oisín, she carries him there on a white horse. He returns to find three hundred years have passed.

25. Rhiannon

Welsh | “Great queen” | Pronounced ree-AN-on | Nicknames: Rhia, Annie

Rhiannon appears in the Mabinogion as a gifted horsewoman and Pwyll’s queen. Falsely accused of harming her baby, she endures punishment with dignity until the truth emerges. Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 song made the name famous. It remains a classic among Welsh badass princess names.

26. Brigid

Irish | “Exalted one” | Pronounced BRIJ-id | Nicknames: Bridie, Bree

Brigid was an Irish goddess of poetry, healing and smithcraft. Saint Brigid of Kildare absorbed her feast day, 1 February. Ireland made St Brigid’s Day a public holiday in 2023. Few badass princess names have such a modern celebration.

27. Morrigan

Old Irish | “Phantom queen” or “great queen” | Pronounced MOR-ih-gan | Nicknames: Mori

The Morrígan is an Irish goddess of war and fate who often appears as a crow. She shadows the hero Cú Chulainn through the Táin. It’s a daring choice for a daughter. Few badass princess names feel this fierce.

28. Scáthach

Scottish Gaelic | “Shadowy one” | Pronounced SKAW-hakh | Nicknames: Scath

Scáthach trains heroes at her fortress on the Isle of Skye. Cú Chulainn is her most famous student. She teaches the warriors who defend kingdoms. It’s a rare name with a distinctly Scottish connection and a very commanding presence.

29. Gráinne

Irish | “Grain” (often linked) | Pronounced GRAWN-ya | Nicknames: Grá, Gráinnie

Gráinne is betrothed to the ageing Fionn mac Cumhaill. At her wedding feast she drugs the guests and flees with the young warrior Diarmuid. She wrote her own ending. Gráinne remains one of the boldest badass princess names in Irish myth.

30. Branwen

Welsh | “Fair raven” or “blessed raven” | Nicknames: Bran, Wenna

Branwen’s marriage to the Irish king Matholwch sparks a war in the Mabinogion. Mistreated, she trains a starling to carry a message across the sea to her brother Bran.

31. Saoirse

Irish | “Freedom” | Pronounced SEER-sha | Nicknames: Sersh, Seery

Saoirse came into use as a given name in the early twentieth century, around the Irish independence movement. Actor Saoirse Ronan has made it internationally known. The meaning alone makes it one of the most powerful badass princess names in Irish.

32. Orla

Irish | “Golden princess” | Pronounced OR-la | Nicknames: Orly

Orla comes from the Irish Órfhlaith. Women in the family of High King Brian Boru bore the name. Orlaith is the traditional spelling. Short, warm and royal, it carries its crown in the meaning.

33. Arianrhod

Welsh | “Silver wheel” | Pronounced ar-ee-AN-rod | Nicknames: Ari, Rhody

Arianrhod appears in the Mabinogion as the mother of Dylan and Lleu. Welsh speakers call the constellation Corona Borealis Caer Arianrhod, “Arianrhod’s Castle”. It’s among the rarest badass princess names anywhere.

34. Étaín

Irish | Etymology unclear | Pronounced AY-deen | Nicknames: Ete

Étaín is the heroine of the Irish tale The Wooing of Étaín. A jealous rival transforms her into a pool of water and later a fly. She keeps reappearing in new forms.

35. Ceridwen

Welsh | “Blessed poetry” (often linked) | Pronounced ker-ID-wen | Nicknames: Cerrie, Wen

Ceridwen is the Welsh enchantress who brews a potion of wisdom in her cauldron. When young Gwion Bach drinks it, she chases him through a series of animal shapes. The poet Taliesin is born from the tale.

36. Eimear

Irish | “Swift” (one theory) | Pronounced EM-er | Nicknames: Em, Emmy

Eimear, also spelled Emer, is Cú Chulainn’s wife in Irish epic. Tradition credits her with six gifts, including beauty, wisdom and fine needlework. She tests her suitor in The Wooing of Emer. No passive bride here. That’s why she fits among badass princess names.

37. Seren

Welsh | “Star” | Nicknames: Ren

Seren is simply the Welsh word for star. It carries no myth. It doesn’t need one. Use of Seren is growing across Wales and England. The short, clear sound makes it easy for any child to spell and own.

38. Elowen

Cornish | “Elm” | Nicknames: Ellie, Wenna

Elowen is the Cornish word for elm. Cornish belongs to the Celtic language family. Revival efforts keep it alive. The name has climbed UK birth charts in recent years.

39. Macha

Irish | Etymology unclear | Pronounced MAH-kha | Nicknames: Mac, Machie

Macha is an Irish goddess linked to Ulster’s ancient capital, Emain Macha near Armagh. In one tale she races the king’s horses while pregnant. Then she curses the men of Ulster. Few badass princess names pack more punch.

40. Boann

Irish | “White cow” | Pronounced BOH-an | Nicknames: Bo

Boann is the Irish goddess of the River Boyne. Legend says she approached a forbidden well and its waters surged to form the river. It’s a name with a landscape attached. Nature-minded parents love these badass princess names.

41. Cerys

Welsh | “Love” | Nicknames: Cez, Cerry

Cerys comes from the Welsh word for love. Singer Cerys Matthews of Catatonia brought it to wider attention in the 1990s. Warm, strong and modern, it proves that love and toughness can share one name.

That’s 21 Celtic badass princess names to inspire a legendary little girl. Now we cross the sea to Greece and Rome.

Badass Princess Names From Greek and Roman Mythology

Ancient Greece and Rome gave the world its most durable naming tradition. Goddesses ruled the dawn. Heroines outwitted monsters. Real queens challenged empires. Many classical badass princess names are already on UK birth lists. Their stories run deeper than the trend suggests. Here are the classical badass princess names that earn their crown.

42. Aurelia

Latin | “Golden” | Nicknames: Aura, Lia

Aurelia Cotta raised Julius Caesar and, by Roman accounts, shaped his early career. The name is ancient and radiant. It also sits on many lists of badass princess names.

43. Aurora

Latin | “Dawn” | Nicknames: Rory, Rora

Aurora was the Roman goddess of dawn who opened the sky each morning. The northern lights, aurora borealis, carry her name. Disney’s Sleeping Beauty also uses it. The goddess, though, is far older and far more formidable.

44. Seraphina

Hebrew | “Fiery ones” | Nicknames: Sera, Fina

Seraphina comes from the seraphim, the six-winged angels in Isaiah’s vision. The French form is Seraphine. Both sound dramatic and divine. Few names are literally defined by fire, which makes this one a showstopper.

45. Anastasia

Greek | “Resurrection” | Nicknames: Stasia, Ana

Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia (1901–1918) made the name legendary. Decades of rumours about her survival kept the story alive. It suggests a woman who rises again.

46. Ophelia

Greek | “Help” | Nicknames: Effie, Ophie

Shakespeare’s Ophelia is often played as fragile. John Everett Millais painted her floating in a stream in 1851–52. Modern parents are reclaiming the name for its meaning and its poetry.

47. Valentina

Latin | “Strong, healthy” | Nicknames: Val, Tina

Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space in June 1963. She orbited Earth 48 times aboard Vostok 6. Few badass princess names have such a literal liftoff story.

48. Zenobia

Greek | “Life of Zeus” | Pronounced zeh-NOH-bee-ah | Nicknames: Zena, Bia

Zenobia ruled the Palmyrene Empire in the third century AD. She conquered Egypt and challenged Rome itself. Emperor Aurelian defeated her around 272. It’s one of the most underused badass princess names in history.

49. Tatiana

Latin | Roman family name Tatius (likely) | Nicknames: Tanya, Tia

Tatiana was popular in Russian royal circles, borne by Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna. Despite online claims, it doesn’t mean “fairy queen”. That belongs to Titania. The likelier root is a Roman family name, which still gives it ancient polish.

50. Andromeda

Greek | “Ruler of men” | Nicknames: Andie, Meda

Andromeda is chained to a rock as an offering to a sea monster. Perseus rescues her. After her death, the gods place her among the stars. Few badass princess names reach quite so high.

51. Calliope

Greek | “Beautiful voice” | Pronounced kah-LY-oh-pee | Nicknames: Callie, Cali

Calliope is the Muse of epic poetry and the mother of Orpheus. She gave voice to heroes and their stories. The name means “beautiful voice”. Nickname Callie keeps it relaxed, which helps a four-syllable name feel friendly.

52. Isadora

Greek | “Gift of Isis” | Nicknames: Izzy, Dora

Isadora Duncan reinvented modern dance in the early 1900s. She performed barefoot and rejected rigid ballet convention. The name suits a free spirit who refuses to follow the rules. It’s one of the most artistic badass princess names here.

53. Olympia

Greek | “From Olympus” | Nicknames: Pia, Olly

Olympias was the mother of Alexander the Great and a formidable political player in Macedonia. Olympia also names the ancient Greek sanctuary that hosted the first Olympic Games.

54. Lavinia

Latin | Linked to Latium | Nicknames: Livvy, Vinnie

In Virgil’s Aeneid, Lavinia marries Aeneas and links the Trojan hero to Italy. British families have used the name for centuries. Quietly regal, it works well for parents who prefer elegance to loud statements.

55. Maxima

Latin | “Greatest” | Nicknames: Maxie, Maxi

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, born in Argentina, has been queen consort since 2013. The Latin meaning is blunt and bold. Maxima is for parents who think big.

56. Romilly

Norman French | “From Romilly” | Nicknames: Milly, Romy

Romilly began as a Norman French place name. Sir Samuel Romilly campaigned to reduce Britain’s harsh capital punishment laws in the early 1800s. It’s rare, melodic and quietly rebellious. Nickname Milly makes it easy for a small child.

57. Celestina

Latin | “Heavenly” | Nicknames: Tina, Cece

Celestina comes from Latin caelestis. The 1499 Spanish play La Celestina features a famously sharp go-between who manipulates everyone around her. A theatrical, confident name for a girl who loves the spotlight.

58. Frederica

Germanic | “Peaceful ruler” | Nicknames: Freddie, Rica

Frederica of Hanover was Queen of Greece from 1947 to 1964 and lived through war and exile. Strong-willed and politically aware, she ranks high among badass princess names for modern daughters.

59. Vittoria

Italian | “Victory” | Nicknames: Vita, Tori

Vittoria Colonna was a Renaissance poet and noblewoman. Michelangelo admired her deeply and wrote poems for her. Vittoria is the Italian form of Victoria. It sounds sharper and more continental than the English original.

60. Eulalia

Greek | “Well-spoken” | Pronounced yoo-LAY-lee-ah | Nicknames: Lally, Eula

Saint Eulalia of Mérida was a young Spanish martyr who died around 304 AD. Her story spread across Europe in the centuries that followed. Rare, melodic and defiant, it asks for confidence from the parents who choose it.

61. Wilhelmina

Germanic | “Resolute protector” | Nicknames: Billie, Mina

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands reigned from 1890 to 1948. During the Second World War she led her government in exile from London. Her radio broadcasts boosted Dutch morale. Among badass princess names, Wilhelmina is a heavyweight.

62. Diana

Latin | Goddess of the hunt and moon | Nicknames: Di, Dee

Diana was the Roman goddess of the hunt and the moon. Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–1997), remains one of Britain’s best-loved royals. It’s an enduring name with a protective energy. Royal and mythic, it’s a classic of badass princess names.

63. Cressida

Greek | “Gold” (linked) | Nicknames: Cressie, Cress

Cressida appears in Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde and Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida. Both retell a Trojan War love story. It’s literary, British and unexpected, which makes it a clever pick among badass princess names.

64. Artemis

Greek | Etymology uncertain | Nicknames: Artie, Temi

Artemis was the Greek goddess of the hunt, wilderness and young girls. NASA named its modern lunar programme after her. A confident, adventurous pick among badass princess names.

That’s 23 classical badass princess names with real mythic muscle. Next up are the rare, vintage names making a comeback in Britain.

Rare and Vintage Badass Princess Names Making a Comeback in the UK

These names were common in aristocratic and literary circles a century ago. Then they faded. Now parents are rediscovering them. Vintage badass princess names offer documented history and a low chance of sharing a classroom with three others. If you want rare badass princess names with substance, start here.

65. Cosima

Greek | “Order, harmony, beauty” | Nicknames: Cosi, Mimi

Cosima Wagner, daughter of composer Franz Liszt, took charge of the Bayreuth Festival after Richard Wagner died in 1883. She guided it for decades. The name comes from Greek kosmos, which also means order and beauty.

66. Araminta

English literary | Etymology uncertain | Nicknames: Minty, Minta

Araminta was Harriet Tubman’s birth name. She escaped slavery and then helped others reach freedom on the Underground Railroad. The name first appears in early English comedies. It hides serious backbone among badass princess names.

67. Theodosia

Greek | “Gift of God” | Nicknames: Theo, Dosia

Theodosia Burr Alston was a brilliant, well-educated woman in early America. She vanished at sea in 1813, leaving a lasting mystery. The Greek name means “gift of God”. Today it’s among the rarest badass princess names. Nickname Theo gives it an easy, everyday edge.

68. Clementine

Latin | “Merciful” | Nicknames: Clemmie, Tina

Clementine Churchill was Winston Churchill’s closest adviser and a campaigner in her own right. She received a life peerage in 1965. Gentle in sound and steel in spirit, Clementine proves softness and strength can sit together.

69. Ottoline

Germanic via French | “Wealth, fortune” | Nicknames: Ottie, Lottie

Lady Ottoline Morrell hosted writers and artists at Garsington Manor in the early 1900s. Virginia Woolf, D. H. Lawrence and Aldous Huxley all visited. Ottoline is a bold, bookish choice with a very British feel.

70. Evangeline

Greek | “Bearer of good news” | Nicknames: Evie, Vangie

Longfellow’s 1847 poem Evangeline helped spread the name across the English-speaking world. It tells of a woman who searches for her lost love through years of hardship. The name feels romantic, determined and brave.

71. Christabel

Latin | “Beautiful Christian” | Nicknames: Bella, Chrissie

Christabel Pankhurst was a leading strategist of the militant suffragette movement. Coleridge also wrote a mysterious unfinished poem called Christabel. So the name carries both political fire and gothic mystery. Double the drama.

72. Georgiana

Greek | “Farmer” (feminine of George) | Nicknames: Georgie, Gigi

Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, campaigned for the Whigs in the 1780s and hosted political salons. She was a celebrity of her age. Few badass princess names evoke such glamour.

73. Lavender

English | Plant name | Nicknames: Lavvy, Vee

Lavender is an English flower name long linked with calm and cleanliness. The word comes from Latin lavare, “to wash”. It feels soft yet confident. Giving it to a daughter takes a little courage. That’s the point.

74. Estelle

French | “Star” | Nicknames: Stella, Essie

Princess Estelle of Sweden, born in 2012, is second in line to the Swedish throne. Her name means star in French. A glamorous yet short name with current royal backing, it sits happily beside Stella and Elle.

75. Magnolia

Botanical | Honours Pierre Magnol | Nicknames: Maggie, Nola

Magnolia trees belong to one of Earth’s oldest flowering plant lineages. Fossils date back tens of millions of years. That’s staying power. The name honours the French botanist Pierre Magnol. It feels lush and Southern.

76. Millicent

Germanic | “Strong in work” | Nicknames: Millie, Milly

Dame Millicent Fawcett led Britain’s non-militant suffrage movement for over twenty years. Her statue in Parliament Square, unveiled in 2018, was the first of a woman there. Millicent belongs on any list of badass princess names.

77. Cecily

Latin | Family name Caecilius | Nicknames: Cissy, Cece

Cecily Neville, Duchess of York, was the mother of two English kings, Edward IV and Richard III. She lived through the Wars of the Roses and kept her dignity. The name feels gentle but carries serious history. Her life shows how badass princess names can sit on duchesses too.

78. Henrietta

French | “Ruler of the home” | Nicknames: Hetty, Etta

Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I, raised money and arms for the royalist cause during the English Civil War. She fled to France in 1644. It’s a name for a daughter with stamina and strong loyalties.

79. Allegra

Italian | “Cheerful” | Nicknames: Allie, Legs

Allegra Byron, Lord Byron’s daughter, was born in 1817 and died at five. Her name is related to the musical term allegro, meaning fast and lively. It carries a joyful spirit and a hint of Romantic-era drama.

80. Petronilla

Latin | “Little rock” | Nicknames: Petra, Nilla

Petronilla of Aragon was betrothed to Ramon Berenguer IV as a toddler. She inherited the Aragonese crown in 1137 and passed it to her son. Few badass princess names are this rare.

81. Marigold

English | “Mary’s gold” (folk etymology) | Nicknames: Goldie, Mari

Marigold likely honours the Virgin Mary, with “Mary’s gold” as the folk explanation. The bright flower symbolises warmth and lasting love. It has a retro British feel that suits vintage-loving parents who want something sunny.

82. Rosamund

Germanic | “Horse protection” (folk: “rose of the world”) | Nicknames: Roz, Rosie

Rosamund Clifford, “Fair Rosamund”, is a medieval legend. She is Henry II’s rumoured mistress, hidden in a maze at Woodstock. The story is more romance than record. Still, the name has lasted for centuries.

83. Winifred

Welsh | “Blessed reconciliation” | Nicknames: Winnie, Freddie

Winifred is the English form of Welsh Gwenfrewi. Saint Winefride’s Well in Holywell, Flintshire, has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Nickname Winnie makes this old name charming. It’s also one of the quietly Welsh badass princess names.

84. Octavia

Latin | “Eighth” | Nicknames: Tavi, Via

Octavia Hill co-founded the National Trust in 1895 and pioneered social housing reform in Victorian London. Octavia the Younger was also the sister of Emperor Augustus. A name with both Roman and British heroines.

That’s 20 vintage badass princess names ready for a second life. Now let’s look at the names that literally mean princess.

Girl Names That Literally Mean Princess — With a Badass Backstory

Several names carry the word princess in their roots. They aren’t just royal by association. They translate directly. These badass princess names come from Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, Welsh, Breton and Hindi. Each one pairs a royal meaning with a story worth telling. Think of them as the most literal badass princess names in this guide.

85. Sarah

Hebrew | “Princess” | Nicknames: Sally, Sadie

The biblical Sarah was Abraham’s wife and mother of Isaac. Sarah Siddons (1755–1831) became Britain’s greatest tragic actress. Sarah is the original princess name. It has stayed in use for thousands of years.

86. Sadie

Hebrew | “Princess” (from Sarah) | Nicknames: Sade

Sadie began as a pet form of Sarah in the nineteenth century. It carries the same royal meaning with a cheekier tone. Parents love its short, sassy sound.

87. Amira

Arabic | “Princess, commander” | Nicknames: Mira

Amira is the feminine form of the Arabic amir. That same root gave English the word “admiral”. In Hebrew, Amira can also mean “treetop”. The name suits parents who like a global feel with clear royal meaning.

88. Soraya

Persian | “Pleiades” | Nicknames: Sora

Soraya is the Persian name for the Pleiades star cluster. It’s one of the most graceful badass princess names from Persian tradition. Empress Soraya of Iran, born in 1932, lived in Europe after her 1958 divorce from the Shah. She became a style icon.

89. Tiana

Often a form of Tatiana | Meaning varies | Nicknames: Tia

Disney’s Tiana, from The Princess and the Frog (2009), is a chef who builds her own restaurant. She doesn’t wait to be rescued. The name is often linked to Tatiana, though online meaning claims vary.

90. Gladys

Welsh | Linked to “land, ruler” | Nicknames: Glad, Gwen

Gladys is the English form of Welsh Gwladus. Gwladus Ddu, daughter of Llywelyn the Great, was a real Welsh princess. It’s vintage and proudly Welsh. It’s ready for a confident comeback.

91. Maelie

Breton | “Prince, chief” | Nicknames: Mae, Ellie

Maelie is a modern variant of Maëlle and Maelys. They come from the Breton Mael, meaning prince or chief. It’s pretty and rare in Britain. Nickname Mae keeps it simple for school days.

92. Sarai

Hebrew | “My princess” | Nicknames: Rai

Sarai is the original Hebrew form from Genesis, usually read as “my princess”. In the Bible, God later renames her Sarah. Sarai feels ancient and fresh at once, with a soft, flowing sound.

93. Shahzadi

Persian | “Princess” | Nicknames: Zadi, Shaz

Shahzadi means princess in Persian. It joins shah, a word for king, to zadi, meaning born of. Widely used in Urdu-speaking communities across Britain, it’s elegant and unmistakably royal. Nickname Zadi is cool and modern.

94. Suri

Persian or Hebrew | “Red rose” or “princess” | Nicknames: Suzi, Sura

Suri carries different meanings across cultures. In Persian it can mean red rose. In Yiddish it relates to Sarah, “princess”. It’s short, striking and easy to say in any language.

95. Rajkumari

Hindi | “Royal princess” | Pronounced rahj-KOO-mah-ree | Nicknames: Raji, Kumari

Rajkumari combines raj, a word for rule, with kumari, meaning maiden. It’s used across India and in British Asian families. A grand name for a grand girl, it makes a strong choice for heritage-minded parents.

Those 11 literal badass princess names prove royalty can live in the meaning itself. Last in the main list are the modern favourites.

Modern Badass Princess Names Trending in the UK Right Now

Some names feel both regal and right now. They’re short, strong and easy to say. They also show up often on UK nursery registers. These modern badass princess names balance tradition with fresh energy. If you want a trending pick without losing depth, choose from these badass princess names.

96. Aria

Italian | “Air, melody” | Nicknames: Ari, Ria

Aria is the Italian word for an operatic solo song. It’s lyrical and fiercely modern. Its lookalike Arya has helped fuel the buzz. Short names like this fit well among current badass princess names.

97. Margot

French | “Pearl” | Nicknames: Margo, Mags

Margot is the French pet form of Margaret, meaning pearl. Dame Margot Fonteyn (1919–1991) became one of Britain’s greatest ballerinas. Chic yet tough, it carries real stage presence.

98. Ivy

Old English | Evergreen plant | Nicknames: Ives

The ivy plant clings and climbs. It symbolises loyalty and endurance. In winter it stays green when everything else fades. It’s one of the shortest strong picks among badass princess names.

99. Penelope

Greek | “Weaver” (often cited) | Nicknames: Penny, Nell

Penelope is Odysseus’s clever wife in Homer’s Odyssey. She holds off pushy suitors for years by unpicking her weaving every night. Brains beat brawn. The meaning “weaver” is often cited, though it’s debated. Wit and patience make her a queen among badass princess names.

100. Luna

Latin | “Moon” | Nicknames: Lulu, Lune

Luna is the Roman goddess of the moon and the Latin word for moon. It’s soft, strong and universal. The name works in nearly every language, which is a real bonus for families with global roots.

101. Nova

Latin | “New” | Nicknames: Novie

A nova is a star that suddenly flares in brightness. The word is Latin for new. Short, punchy and forward-looking, it suits parents who want a modern name with real brightness behind it.

102. Freya

Old Norse | “Lady” | Nicknames: Frey

Freyja is the Norse goddess linked with love, war and magic. British explorer Freya Stark (1893–1993) travelled widely across the Middle East. Few badass princess names feel so confident.

103. Elara

Greek | Mythological figure | Nicknames: Ela, Lara

Elara is a figure in Greek myth and a moon of Jupiter, discovered in 1905. It’s celestial and uncommon. The soft ending makes it feel gentle, while the cosmic backstory gives it plenty of power.

104. Hallie

English | “Home ruler” (from Hal) | Nicknames: Hal, Lee

Hallie began as a pet form of Hal, a medieval form of Henry. Hallie Flanagan led America’s Federal Theatre Project in the 1930s. Friendly with a hint of leadership.

105. Harper

Old English | “Harp player” | Nicknames: Harp, Hattie

Harper started as an occupational name for a harp player. Author Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a bright modern favourite. It works equally well in a boardroom or a playground.

106. Genevieve

Celtic or Germanic | Meaning uncertain | Nicknames: Gen, Evie

Saint Genevieve, patron of Paris, reportedly rallied Parisians when Attila’s Huns approached in 451. Her bravery became legend. Graceful with backbone, it has French charm and genuine moral courage.

107. Astrid

Old Norse | “Divinely beautiful” | Nicknames: Asti, Astra

Astrid Lindgren (1907–2002) created Pippi Longstocking, the world’s strongest girl. Queen Astrid of Belgium also bore the name. It’s Old Norse for divinely beautiful. It feels crisp and strong.

108. Eloise

Germanic | “Healthy” (a common guess) | Nicknames: Ellie, Lola

Héloïse d’Argenteuil was a brilliant twelfth-century scholar and abbess. Her letters with Peter Abelard are still studied today. It’s a name for a clever girl. Ellie makes a friendly everyday nickname.

109. Ada

Germanic | “Noble” | Nicknames: Addie

Ada Lovelace, daughter of Lord Byron, wrote what is often called the first computer program, published in 1843. Tiny, bright and brilliant, it’s a perfect pick for parents who love science as much as history.

110. Isla

Scottish | River and island name | Pronounced EYE-la | Nicknames: Izzy

Isla is a Scottish name taken from the River Isla and the island of Islay. It’s been a UK favourite for years. Fresh and breezy, it brings a touch of Highland scenery to the nursery.

Short Badass Princess Names for Quick, Punchy Style

Short names hit hard. They’re easy to spell, easy to shout and easy to remember. If you like crisp badass princess names, this table gathers the best from our list. Every one of these short badass princess names packs a full story into a few letters.

Fantasy and Fairytale Princess Names With a Fierce Streak

Fairytales love a princess who fights back. These names come from legend, epic and myth. They suit parents who want storybook magic without the passive damsel. Each of these badass princess names has a streak of steel hiding under the sparkle. The best fantasy badass princess names feel enchanted and unbreakable.

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Names

Celtic names can look intimidating on paper. Say them confidently and they sound beautiful. Use this table to master the trickiest badass princess names in this guide.

How to Choose the Right Badass Princess Name for Your Daughter

You’ve seen 110 options. Now it’s time to narrow them down. A few simple checks will help you pick with confidence.

Check the Meaning and the Story

Start with the story. The strongest badass princess names come with a real queen, goddess or rebel attached. Read the entry. Then ask yourself whether you’d be proud to tell that story at her christening.

Say It With Your Surname

Say the full name aloud. Try it shouted across a playground. Try it on a job application. Long names like Arianrhod ask for a short surname. Simple badass princess names like Maud or Ivy pair with almost anything.

Plan Nicknames and Middle Names

Every entry above lists nicknames. A long name like Wilhelmina can shrink to Billie at school. Use a middle name to soften or sharpen the sound. Philippa Rose reads gentle. Maeve Victoria sounds regal. Pairing is where badass princess names really come alive.

Balance Rare With Recognisable

Rare names stand out. Familiar names feel safe. Mix both. Choose a recognisable first name like Eleanor with a rare middle name like Aethelflaed. Or flip it. Either way, you get badass princess names with a personal twist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most badass princess names for baby girls?

Boudicca, Matilda, Maeve, Eleanor, Zenobia, Freya and Aurelia top many lists of badass princess names. Each links to a real queen, goddess or legend. They also carry bold meanings such as “victory” or “mighty in battle”.

Which girl names literally mean princess?

Sarah, Sarai, Sadie, Amira, Shahzadi, Orla and Rajkumari all carry princess in their roots. They come from Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, Irish and Hindi. Many badass princess names on this list work this way.

What are some short badass princess names?

Maud, Ivy, Ada, Zara, Orla, Nova, Luna, Isla, Suri and Seren are all short, punchy picks. These short badass princess names fit easily on a birth certificate. They’re also hard to forget.

Which Celtic names come from real warrior queens or goddesses?

Boudicca was a real Iceni queen who fought Rome. Maeve, Morrigan, Brigid, Rhiannon and Macha come from Irish and Welsh myth. Some Celtic badass princess names also link to real historical women, such as Aoife MacMurrough.

How do I pick a bold princess name without it sounding too much?

Pair a bold first name with a classic middle name. Say the full name aloud. Check the nicknames. The best badass princess names feel confident, not costume-like, when they balance strength with ease.

Conclusion

The best badass princess names do more than sound regal. They carry a story. A warrior queen, a clever goddess or a trailblazing scientist can stand behind your daughter’s name. That’s a powerful gift to give a newborn.

Shortlist three favourites from this guide. Say them aloud with your surname. Check the nicknames and the meanings. Then choose the one that feels fearless and warm. Whichever of these badass princess names you pick, she’ll have a name worth living up to. Happy naming.