The word hunter may refer to an individual who enjoys catching or killing animals for sport or fun. But, previously, this word/name symbolized fierceness, precision, and courage. It is because hunters were the ones responsible for feeding the group. Carrying the same energy, we present our list of baby names that mean hunter. A hunter or a trapper was the provider of the clan and is an occupation associated with leadership, confidence, and patience. We curated the list of names inspired by Hunter after browsing multiple trusted websites, online forums, and baby databases. If you want a name that reflects the above characteristics or simply love hunting, we suggest reading our list of names that mean hunter. Read on and take your pick.
Key Pointers
- Names that mean hunter show the traits of fierceness, boldness, and courage associated with this profession.
- Many of these names come from Greek mythology and deities associated with hunting.
- Several of these names have a charming sound, making them distinctive.
- It is recommended that you assess the compatibility of a specific hunter name with your family surname for a balanced combination.
Baby Boy Names That Mean Hunter
Hunters are known for their intelligence, physical prowess, and ability to read the signs of nature. By giving your child a hunting-inspired name, you can connect them to these courageous qualities. If you want to do that, below are some of the best baby baby boy names that mean hunter for you to choose from.
1. Actaeon
Actaeon is the name of the hunter in Greek mythology who was transformed into a stag and later devoured by his own hounds when he saw goddess Artemis taking a bath (1).
2. Apsat
Apsat is one of the pantheons of hunting deities in the mythology followed by the people of Georgia. He’s also a patron of birds and fish, which stems from the fact that the eagle, being a fishing bird, is associated with water, sky, and a falconer. The name Apsat is derived from the Abkhaz word a-psaåf, which means ‘bird’.
3. Arawn
Arawn, the name of a king dispatched to look over Annwn, one of the many shadowy realms of the Otherworld, would make a cool royal name for your son (2). It is easy to spell and pronounce, and the ‘w’ in it makes it look and sound cooler. The name is analogous to the theonym Arubianus, which means ‘God of the plowed field’.
4. Aristaeus
Aristaeus, son of Apollo and Cyrene, one of the Greek gods of hunting, is also credited with the discovery of useful arts, including bee-keeping (3). He was a minor figure in Athens, but is extremely prominent in Boeotia.
5. Artemas
The Greek mythological name Artemas has a mythological and historical ring that no history buffs can avoid. Artemas is the masculine version of the name Artemis and means ‘goddess of the hunt’. If you want, you can shorten the name to Artem. The other popular bearers of this name include Artemas, bishop of Lystra and Artemas Ward, Jr., the U.S. Congressman.
6. Canowicakte
Canowicakte, meaning ‘forest hunter’, is a unique name, but your preschooler may find it difficult to spell. And the pronunciation isn’t easy either. It could work if you shorten it to Canow or something along the lines.
7. Cernunnos
Cernunnos is the conventional name of the horned god of nature, flora and fauna, and fertility in Celtic mythology (4). He is depicted seated cross-legged, with the antlers of a stag and carrying a purse filled with coins.
8. Chace
The unusual spelling of the name Chase was introduced by Chace Crawford from “Gossip Girl”. And the mass interest it experienced hasn’t faded since. You can either use it as a variation of Chase or think of it as a combination of names like Chase and Ace.
9. Chase
You can never scout and hunt without chasing, right? So we had to include this name in our list of baby names meaning a tracker or hunter. The name was used extensively in the last decade and was even seen in the sitcom “24”. It’s particularly popular in Canada and holds a high position in Saskatchewan too. The name Chase is given to a handful of girls every year as well, often as a nickname to Chelsea. The meaning of Chase is ‘to hunt’.
10. Chasen
Chasen, which was once strictly a surname, is catching on fast as a first name, especially as an expansion of Hollywood’s favorite name, Chase. And in a way, it’s also following the pattern of two-syllable baby boy’s names.
11. Cocidius
The name Cocidius, meaning ‘mythical hunter god’, is the mythological god of hunting and war, worshiped in northern Britain (5). He is portrayed with arms flung wide and legs firmly on the ground. Cocidius is a bold and formal name, making it perfect for sophisticated and traditional parents. This name is perfect for those looking to name their kids after the attributes of an athlete, sportsman or a warrior.
12. Fowler
Fowler, a surname used for ‘wild bird hunters’, is now a member of the chic name genre. Besides, it’s also the name of a locality on the Stikine River, British Columbia.
13. Gahiji
The name Gahiji, originating in Rwanda language, is rhythmically evocative and beautiful. It isn’t used much in the mainstream, so it will make a unique pick for your son. It means ‘the hunter’.
14. Grosvenor
Grosvenor, meaning ‘great hunter or the master huntsman,’ is basically a surname derived from a member of the Norman French family, Hugh Le Grand. The name has an upper-class vibe, making it perfectly peppy.
15. Herne
Herne, meaning ‘mythical hunter’ is rapidly gaining favor, even outside the confines of British and American culture. This name was first mentioned in Shakespeare’s play “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” The charm of this name is that it will work with most surnames.
16. Holter
Holter, meaning ‘hunter’, is a perfect name for parents who want to retain the ‘hol’ sound, but are tired of the overused name, Holmes. It’s substantial, sassy, smart and is moving up the charts with every passing year.
17. Hunt
This straightforward name with a clear meaning has been around for a while, but people haven’t responded to it the way they responded to Hunter. Possibly, because it’s a bit blunt. We’d suggest you use Hunt as a nickname instead of a given name.
18. Hunter
Hunter, sitting pretty in the top 50, is the leader of the macho names for boys. What sets it apart from other macho names is its softened masculinity. The name was attached to the journalist Hunter S. Thompson for years. As of now, Hunter is being used for girls as well, considering it was one of the fastest rising female names in 2013. The meaning of the name Hunter is ‘the one who hunts’. Hunter is a classic name, and sometimes parents might get baby name inspirations for traditional names from their favorite authors, books, actors, etc. Amanda, a mother and blogger, reminisces about naming her son Hunter. She says, “The first time around, we settled on Hunter James pretty easily. Isaiah’s favorite author is Hunter S. Thompson, so when he suggested Hunter, I loved it immediately (i).
19. Huntingden
The name Huntingden is cute in an old-fashioned way, yet, it’s bold as a bear, just like its meaning. Huntingden, as the name implies, means ‘den of the hunter’.
20. Huntington
If you want to give your child a prim and proper name for his birth certificate and resume, you can go for Huntington instead of Hunter. And if you’re too attached to the name Hunter, you can use it as a nickname. The meaning of Huntington is ‘hunter’s settlement’.
21. Huntley
The moniker Huntley, meaning ‘hunter of the meadow’, is best known for its association with Brinkley’s news partner a few decades ago. Apart from that, the name has several popular bearers such as Huntley Wright, the English actor, Huntley Gordon, the Canadian actor and Huntley Nowel Spaulding, American manufacturer and politician. In today’s generation, this name fits well with unique and unusual ‘ly’ ending names such as Yardley, Mosley, and Molly. Two of the variations of Huntley include Huntlea and Huntleigh.
22. Jaecar
Jaecar, meaning ‘hunter’ in German, is a good and robust choice for two-syllable names. It may not be experiencing much usage now, primarily because it hasn’t surfaced on the mainstream yet, but whenever it does, it’s sure to score big.
Did you know?23. Khonvoum
In Bambuti Pygmy, Khonvoum, the supreme god, and creator, is the god of the hunt (6). He carries a bow made of snakes, which appears as a rainbow to the mortals. It’s believed that Knovoum created people from different clays and people’s colors were based on the clay’s color.
24. Lelantos
Lelantos, the son of Ceous and Phoebe, is the god of air and hunter’s skill of stalking prey. His name is derived from Greek words ‘lentho’ or ‘lanthano’, which means ‘move unseen’, or ‘to escape unnoticed,’ known for being an excellent stalker. The etymology of this name implies that he was also the god of the air, presiding over the breezes of the wind.
25. Makya
This short, two-syllable name, meaning ‘eagle hunter’, is one of the most popular baby boy names among the Native American communities. It’s basically a Native American term used for people who hunted eagles.
26. Mixcoatl
Mixcoatl is the name of the god of hunt identified with the stars, heavens, and the Milky Way in Mesoamerican cultures (7). He’s also the patron deity of Otomi, the Chichimecs, and all the groups claiming descent from the Chichimecs. Mixcoatl is quite an unusual name, but is sure to make your child stand out from the crowd.
27. Nodens
Nodens is a Celtic deity associated with healing and hunting. He is equated with Roman gods – Mercury, Mars, Neptune, and Silvanus. Out of all the hunting gods’ names, Nodens is one of the most accessible.
28. Nyyrikki
Nyyrikki is the name of the Finnish god of cattle and hunt and the son of Tapio. It was Nyyrikki’s responsibility to provide small animals, such as squirrels, to the hunters. Nyyrikki is also associated with Nimrod, a mighty hunter featured in the Bible.
29. Odin
Odin, the name of Thor’s father, appears in various forms, including the leader of the Wild Hunt, a procession of the dead through the winter sky (8). Odin was used as a given name in Norway in the beginning of the 10th century and continues even today.
30. Opochtli
Opochtli is the name of the god of fishing and hunting in Aztec mythology (9). The apostle is quite a unique name and would be difficult to carry in the 21st century. You can shorten it to Opoch if you want.
31. Oringo
This African name, meaning ‘he who likes to hunt’, is laid back and attractive, ideal for parents looking for an informal name for their son.
32. Orion
In Greek mythology, Orion was the name of a hunter and pursuer of the daughters of Atlas and was later killed by Artemis (10). He was then placed by Zeus as one of the brightest constellations in the sky. This moniker was used sporadically in the 10th century, but burst into full force in 1995. Orion is currently at the 368th position.
33. Rigel
Rigel, the name of the blue star of the first magnitude, which marks the hunter’s left foot in the Orion constellation, can also be considered if you’re looking for an out of the box hunt inspired name for your son (11). This seventh brightest star in the sky will fill your child’s life with warmth and glow.
34. Rudra
Rudra is a Hindu Rig Vedic deity associated with the storm, wind, and hunt (12). A form of Lord Shiva, He is praised as the mightiest of the mighty in the Rigveda. There’s even a hymn of Yajurveda dedicated to Rudra. The meaning of Rudra is ‘roarer’.
35. Rundas
If your ancestry is Anatolian, you might want to consider this classic name for your son. Rundas is the name of the god of the hunt and good fortune in Hittite mythology. The emblem of this God is a double eagle with hares in each talon.
36. Sidon
The Greek name Sidon is derived from the Phoenician port city Sidonia. This name sounds youthful, cutesy, and friendly, quite unlike typical mythological names. The name Sidon means ‘fish hunting’.
37. Tapio
Tapio is an East Finnish woodland god, featuring prominently in Kalevala (13). The hunters prayed to him before every hunt, so that they could succeed in their endeavors. Tapio is also the name of one of the urban centers in Espoo city.
38. Theron
Theron is best known today as the last name of Charlize, but it has a long history of first name usage as well. It was ranked in the top 500 list in the early 20th century, but dropped out of the top 1000 list at the turn of the 20th century. It does sound a bit similar to Theon, but both the names have entirely different meanings. The meaning of Theron is ‘hunter’.
39. Todd
This 1970’s beach boy name, was once a surname used for ‘fox hunters’. Today, this buddy of Brad, Chad, and Scott is given to hundreds of babies every year, that too as a first name.
40. Woodman
Woodman, an English surname meaning ‘hunter’, is a strong sound, and thoroughly masculine name option for your outdoorsy child. This name conjures up the image of the hardworking woodsman.
Baby Girl Names That Mean Huntress
From Artemis to Diana, many huntresses and hunter-goddesses symbolize strength, independence, and a deep connection to nature. By giving your daughter a name inspired by these legendary figures, you can invoke these powerful qualities and instill a sense of courage and wisdom. Here are baby girl names that mean huntress for you to choose from.
41. Arnakuagsak
Arnakuagsak is the goddess who was given the responsibility of ensuring that the hunters caught enough food to sustain themselves. She is considered equivalent to Canadian goddess Sedna, but is worshiped primarily in Greenland. The variations of this name include Arnarquagsag and Arnakua’gsak.
42. Artemis
Artemis is the name of one of the key figures in Greek mythology. This ancient goddess of the hunt, wilderness, childbirth, and animals, is Apollo’s twin sister and one of the 12 deities residing in Mount Olympus (14). She is also described as a skilled archer and the daughter of Zeus. Artemis is also featured in Euripides’s play. The meaning of Artemis is ‘goddess of hunt.’
43. Atalanta
Atalanta is a virgin huntress and the beloved of Meleager in Greek mythology. She is Iasus, Schoeneus and Mainlo’s daughter. Since her father wanted a son, he was unhappy with Atalanta’s birth and left her on the mountaintop to die. Having grown up in the wilderness, Atalanta took the oath of virginity and became a huntress (15).
44. Auryon
Auryon, the American ‘huntress’ baby name, has made her way and how! There’s something aristocratic about this name, since it’s borne by just a handful of girls.
45. Bendis
Bendis is the Thracian goddess of hunt and moon, identified with the Greek goddess Artemis (16). Just as Artemis, Bendis was a huntress, but is accompanied by maenads and satyrs on a red stemless cup.
46. Brielle
Brielle may sound like a modern name, and a short form of Gabrielle, but it’s a standalone name and means ‘hunting grounds’. The name was traditionally used in Mexico, but is now far beyond the community. Brielle is also the name of a seaport in the Netherlands.
47. Britomartis
Britomartis, a Minoan mythology figure, who passed through the Mycenaean culture into classical Greek mythology, is the goddess of hunting and fishing nets (17). She is the mountain nymph whom the Greeks recognize as the ‘invisible’ patroness of Aegina. The people of Crete worshipped here as an aspect of Potnia, the ‘mistress’.
48. Cyrene
Cyrene, the daughter of Hypseus, was a fierce huntress. Nonnus referred to her as a “deer-chasing second Artemis, the girl lion killer.” She didn’t fear to wrestle the lion when it attacked her father’s sheep. It’s said that she was a nymph, not a mortal. The name Cyrene is extremely usable and is sure to stand the test of time.
49. Dali
This short and sweet name is associated with the goddess of the hunt, Dali. Goddess Dali is also associated with the horned beasts of the mountain.
50. Devana
Devana, the Slavic goddess of hunt, is equivalent to the Roman goddess Diana. And not just her duties, even her name is similar to Diana. The name Devana is derived from the Slavic word, meaning virgin or maiden.
51. Diana
This crowd pleasing name is associated with the Roman goddess of moon and hunt (18). And of course, it’s Prince William’s mother’s name as well. The name hovered around top 100 in the 90s but has dipped down to 295th spot now.
52. Diane
Diane, a variation of the name of the Roman Goddess of hunting Diana, sounds and feels regal. But unfortunately, it has been overshadowed by Diana, probably because the ‘e’ ending has a mid century feel to it. There are several prominent bearers of this name such as Diane de France, the daughter of France’s Henry II and Diane Sawyer, American TV journalist.
53. Fianna
If you’re a non-conformist parent and don’t care about naming trends, you can opt for Fianna, meaning ‘warrior huntress’.
Trivia54. Flidais
Flidais could be the ideal name for your doe eyed beauty. It means ‘doe’ and is the name of the Irish Goddess of the hunt and forest. She was known to drive a chariot drawn by deer.
55. Kacela
The international usage of Kacela, meaning ‘hunter’, makes it an interesting choice for a hunt-inspired baby name.
56. Lynx
Lynx is inspired by the name of a cat species that is known for its extraordinary night vision. These creatures are skilled in hunting prey such as hares, rabbits, and rodents. If you are looking for a nature-inspired short name, Lynx could just be it.
57. Mielikki
Mielikki, referred to as the wife or daughter in law of Tapio, is the Finnish God of the hunt and forest. It’s believed that she played a crucial role in the creation of the bear. Mielikki was a skillful healer. She could heal the paws of animals who escaped traps or fell from the nest. The name Mielikki is derived from the Finnish word ‘mielu’, which means ‘luck’.
58. Neith
Neith, the name of the Egyptian goddess of creation, wisdom, weaving, war, and funerary, would make a unique name for your little princess (19). The meaning of Neith is ‘divine mother’.
59. Nerrivik
In the Inuit mythology, Nerrivik is the sea Mother, the patron of hunters and fisherman and provider of food for the Inuit people. It’s believed that Nerrivik married the storm god, who once produced a sea storm when the relatives of Nerrivik were hunting. In the process of saving her people, Nerrivik lost one of her hands.
60. Nujalik
Nujalik is the goddess of hunting on land in the Inuit mythology. The fierce sound and even fiercer namesake make Nujalik one of the most popular names in Canada.
61. Pakhet
Pakhet, also called Pachet or Pehkhet, is the goddess of war and hunt. This regional lioness deity is associated with those who hunted near the water present at the boundary of the desert. She is depicted as a feline-headed woman, killing snakes with her sharp claws.
62. Sedna
Sedna, the half fish and half human figure rules the underworld and over all marine life in Inuit mythology. Hunters seeking to feed their family depend on Sedna’s good will as she controls the supply of animal life as food (20). Sedna is also known by other names such as Takánakapsâluk, Takannaaluk, and Arnapkapfaaluk.
63. Skaði
Skaði or Skade, is the goddess associated with skiing hunting (21). She was married to Njoror, one of the gods, as a part of the compensation for killing her father.
64. Winda
Winda is one of those baby girl names that sounds darling on a little girl yet ages perfectly into adulthood. The meaning of Winda is ‘hunter’.
65. Zarola
Zarola is a classic and gorgeous name, but is ignored by most of the sections of society, probably because it’s not very commonly heard. But we think it is quite accessible for kids of our generation. The meaning of Zarola is ‘hunter’.
So these were the best baby names meaning hunter or huntress. If you have any more to share, leave us a comment below.
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How popular are names that mean hunter currently?
Names like Orion, Hunter, Chase, and Diana are quite popular across various cultures and regions.
2. What are some variations of names that mean hunter in different languages?
Some variations of names that mean hunter in different languages include Actaeon (Greek), Chasseur (French), Cacciatore (Italian), Jäger (German), and Diana (Roman).
3. Are there any fictional characters with a name that means hunter?
Hunter Clarington from Glee, Therons, a race of aliens from the Dan Dare stories, Diane Jenkins Newman from the American soap opera The Young and the Restless, and Orion from DC are some fictional characters who bear a name that means hunter.
4. Are there any unique or unusual names that mean hunter?
Canowicakte, Gahiji, Opochtli, Auryon, Zarola, and Zambadi are some unique names that mean hunter.
We hope this list of names that mean hunter will help you easily find a name for your little one. Names that mean hunter usually signify the qualities of leadership and courage. It also indicates that the bearer of the name can carry out duties on their own and guide others to do the same. So if you want your child to have similar traits, give them a name that means the same and also teach them the essential values that will help them become independent and courageous.
Infographic: Names That Mean Hunter Or Huntress
Baby names that mean ‘hunter’ have a fierce, rugged feel and sound since hunters are known for being courageous and rigorous. If you wish your little one to possess these traits, giving them a hunter name could be the first step. So, scroll through the below infographic for baby names that mean hunter. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Names That Mean Hunter Or Huntress For Fearless Baby
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Are you looking for unique baby names inspired by nature? Check out this video for offbeat titles. Get creative and find the perfect name for your little one.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. What’s in a baby name?https://www.queso-suizo.com/2016/01/whats-in-baby-name.html#more
References
- Mosaic of Diana and Actaeon
https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16803/mosaic-of-diana-and-actaeon/ - Arawn: The Joyous King of the Otherworld in Celtic Mythology
https://historycooperative.org/arawn/ - Aristaeus the greek god of bee-keeping.
https://aristabeeresearch.org/about-arista/ - Cernunnos
https://www.worldhistory.org/Cernunnos/ - The Ancient Celtic Pantheon
https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1715/the-ancient-celtic-pantheon/ - Khonvoum
https://dbpedia.org/page/Khonvoum - Mixcoatl
https://www.worldhistory.org/Mixcoatl/ - Odin
https://www.worldhistory.org/odin/ - Opochtli
https://nahuatl.wired-humanities.org/content/opochtli - Orion
https://www.worldhistory.org/Orion/ - Orion
https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/56320 - Rudra Rudrā: 53 definitions
https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/rudra - Kalevala
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5186/5186-h/5186-h.htm - Artemis
https://www.worldhistory.org/artemis/ - The Myth of Atalanta
https://www.hellenic.org.au/post/the-myth-of-atalanta - Statuette of Artemis Bendis
https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/103VDV - Britomartis
https://www.worldhistory.org/Britomartis/ - Diana
https://www.worldhistory.org/diana/ - Deities in Ancient Egypt – Neith
https://egyptianmuseum.org/deities-neith - Sedna: Inuit Goddess of the Sea
https://www.pama.peelregion.ca/exhibitions/sedna#:~:text=Sedna%20is%20often%20identified%20bywho%20calmingly%20combs%20her%20hair. - Skadi – the giantess who married the sea god
https://historiska.se/norse-mythology/skadi-en/
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