E.E Cummings wrote, "Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit." To most parents, imparting this trait to their children from a young age is a top priority but finding the perfect baby name for confident children can seem like quite the undertaking.
Although choosing the perfect baby name won't guarantee that your child will have self-confidence to spare, it can certainly lay the foundation, as well as serve as a daily reminder of the importance of cultivating the trait. With all of the pressures kids face as they grow up, having a name that inspires them to be themselves and stand out could make a huge difference.
Whether you're looking for a name that literally means confident or are on the hunt for inspirational namesakes to inspire your child, this round-up has you covered. There are some names that are the dictionary definition of confidence, some just have that "certain something" that exudes confidence, and others are inspired from confident people who have accomplished great things. No matter the name you choose, the fact that you're searching for names to inspire self-confidence means that you're already on the right track.
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Leonardo
Whether you think of Da Vinci or Di Caprio, the baby name Leonardo definitely has the odds stacked in its favor. The name itself means brave lion, and with that type of ferocious, roaring beast backing up the name, it doesn't get much more confident than that. Plus, the nickname Leo sounds just as strong.
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Alice
If you seek a name that exudes a more gentle type of confidence, Alice is of English origin meaning both “noble” and “kind” according to Baby Center. Although the name Alice was once considered rather old-fashioned, it has recently seen a rise in popularity and was ranked 71st among baby girls born in 2018, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration.
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Mitchell
The name Mitchell is the English variation of the name Michael and means “who is like God,” according to Nameberry. Although Mitchell exudes confidence, this strong-sounding name could also be shortened to Mitch if you happen to prefer a single-syllable baby name that still provides a similar flair of fearlessness.
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Bridget
The Irish name Bridget means “resolute strength,” according to Baby Center. The name saw a spike in popularity in the 1970s and has since declined, currently ranked 718th most popular in 2018, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration. The name is a great throwback to a simpler time, but is still totally empowering.
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Archie
The name Archie is of German origin and means “truly brave” according to Nameberry, making it a fantastic choice for parents who want to instill that particular trait within their child. If it is good enough for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex — two of the most confident individuals in the public spotlight today — to use for their first-born child, it must certainly evoke plenty of confidence.
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Gabrielle
The French name Gabrielle is derived from the Hebrew name Gabriel, both meaning “God is my strength." It is a feminine name choice that can be shortened to Gabby if desired, which is the name the ultra-confident and incredibly talented Olympian Gabby Douglas uses publicly, although her given name is actually Gabrielle.
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Kenneth
Although the baby name Kenneth is commonly known to mean handsome, the Scottish origins of the name also means “born of fire” according to Nameberry. Not only does the name sound bold and strong, when you back it up with a meaning that talks about literal fire, the name yields even more confidence.
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Rebel
The gender neutral baby name Rebel could work well for parents who wish to bestow upon their children the type of confidence that comes from having a rebellious nature. Going against the grain is often necessary to evoke change, and the name Rebel could supply a child the confidence to do just that.