20 Powerful Girl Names That Mean ‘Ruler’

There aren't many girl names that start with the letter "Z," which makes them stand out way more. For Zara, the name means "princess" and we know that these little royals are destined to rule the world in their own ways.

Most of us know that the name Rory is short for Lorelai, which was made more popular from the TV series Gilmore Girls. The name is inspired by Rory O'Connor, the last high king of Ireland. We love how the name is short, cute, and plucky.

For parents who are really after a name that's more common than unusual, Sarah is one that fits perfectly. The name means "princess," so it's a softer form meaning for the ruler, and there are various ways that parents can choose to spell it. Maybe a twist of spelling will help it stand out from the others.

Kala is the Hawaiian name for Sarah, so the meaning between the two are generally the same. Like Sarah, Kala means "princess," but this one is not nearly as commonly heard as Sarah. Given this, it's a great option for parents who love the meaning and sound but want a little twist.

Funny enough, the name Sadie was derived as a pet name for Sarah, so the two names' meanings are the same, "princess." Sadie is not as common as Sarah's name, so it's a great alternative for parents who want something slightly more unusual.

Raina is such a pretty name and has an elegant feel to it — and for a reason. The name is Slavic and means "queen," so it's perfect for parents looking for a "ruler"-type name. We love that it's not as common, but it sits right in the perfect middle.

If there's a meaning that parents would like to have with the name they choose for their little girl, it doesn't always have to be right on the nose. Suri, which means "red rose," is perfect for little rulers because we all know that the rose is the ruler of the garden and the flower family.

Maelle isn't a name that's going to be found on any popular baby name lists, and that's what makes it so special. It has a real princess sound to it, and it's a moniker of French origin that means "chief or prince." The chances are high that there won't be any other Maelles in class with her when she's older, so she can rule alone.

For parents who are on the search for a name that has a classic and older feel to it, Orla is one of them. The name isn't super popular, nor has it ever found its way on any top baby name lists. The name meaning is "gold queen," so it has a little more ruler flair.

Haddie is a name that originated in the US and is a fun variation of other similar names like Maddie. Haddie means "home-ruler," and the truth is, she's likely going to run the home for a little while — especially when she's up in the middle of the night.

There are so many gorgeous names for girls that aren't common, making these a little more special. Iolani is a Hawaiian name and has been used for all genders in the past. The name means "to fly like a hawk," and given these birds are one of the top breeds, it's a subtle nod to rulers and those in charge.

Etta is a beautiful name for a little girl, and it has a sweet sound to it. These shorter names tend to be really popular for parents. Although it sounds sweet, it doesn't mean she can't be commanding and powerful, too, much like famed singer Etta James.

Daria is a name that we don't hear too often, but it's a sweet girls' name that's often overlooked. It's another one of those names with the sweet ending in a vowel. Daria's origin isn't too clear, but it's related to an ancient king.

A beautiful name for parents looking for something gender neutral, Avery is one of those that perfectly fit any gender. The name meaning is a little more whimsical, meaning "ruler of elves," so it's got that free-spirit feel as well.

Amirah is one of those beautiful names for girls that's a derivative of a common boy's name. In this case, Amir is the boys' version and both have a strong ruler feel to them. They're derived from Arabic and boil down to meaning "a royal person" and "born to command or to rule."

There's a regal feel to the name Contessa, and it comes with a short and sweet nickname of Tessa if that's preferred. The name has a royal feel because it means "countess" or "royalty" in Italian.

For parents who want a name that's right in the sweet spot between never-heard-of and not overused, Kendra hits the mark perfectly. The name is a great option for parents looking for a name with a strong meaning behind it with a kindness that's needed in the world. Kendra means "wise ruler" and has been on a slow popularity decline.

Erica is the feminine form of the boys' name, Eric. Because both of them are nearly the same name, they both have the same meaning. According to Baby Name Wizard, Erica translates to mean "honorable ruler."

There's something magical about the name Piper. While it doesn't directly translate to mean ruler, it is associated with a musician. In many tales, a piper is thought to be the leader — the one who people follow and look to for guidance. These are great qualities for a little girl to grow up with.

The name Walda is an interesting and quirky name perfect for parents who want something that stands out. The name, which means "ruler," is a German name that sounds like a feminine version of Waldo. It's a cute name, and paired with the strong meaning, is one that could really stick.