5 Names of Historical Figures for Boys

These names are current, traditional, and intense. These boy names of historical figures have stood the test of time.

Written and verified by the teacher Samanta Ruiz.

Last update: 27 December, 2022

After the joy of finding out that you’re expecting, there are many tasks to take care of. Among them, one of the most important is the choosing of a name for your new child. Today, we suggest that you explore this interesting list of names of historical figures that never go out of style.

These individuals changed the history of humanity, and your child will change your life forever. Check out these names and their special meanings.

Names of historical figures for boys

1. Alexander, protective man

Composed of the Greek words aléxein, which means “to defend, protect” and andrós which means “male”, Alexandros is the “the mand that defends or protectS”. Its Latin version is Alejandro, and in English it’s Alexander. Two historical figures who had this noble name were:

• Alexander the Great, king of Macedonia, which was the largest empire of the 3rd century BC, spanning territories from Greece to Egypt and Persia.
• Alexander Fleming, a Scottish doctor who discovered penicillin in 1928, the antibiotic that has saved millions of lives around the world.

2. William, conquerer of land and air

Originating from the old Germanic name Willahelm, it could mean “tenacious protector” or “protected by God.” In English, it’s William, and its variants are Guillermo in Spanish, Guillaume in French, and Guilherme in Portuguese. Historical figures with this name include the following:

• William I of England, called “the Conquerer,” the first Norman king of England.
• The Italian engineer Guillermo Marconi, awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1909 for his research on electromagnetic waves, fundamental for the advancement of remote communications.

3. Joseph, one of the best names of historical figures for boys

This name comes from Hebrew, originally yôsef, which means “to add” and has to do with conception. There are lots of historical figures with this name, such as:

• Saint Joseph, the father of Jesus and patron of all workers.
• José Martí, Cuban poet and politician. Additionally, he was a precursor of modernism and a fighter for the independence of his country.

4. Michael, eternal in his works

Coming from the Hebrew word mija’el, which means “Who is like him?”, which is Miguel in Latin and Michael in English. It’s a biblical name, as the archangel Michael is Chief of the Armies of God, who defeat the rebellious angels in the battle told in Revelations:

More famous people with this name are:

• Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Spanish writer, author of one of the most important works in Hispanic literature: El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha.
• Michelangelo Buonarroti, Italian architect, painter, and sculptor, creator of incredibly beautiful works like the sculpture of Pieta, David, and the paintings in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, among others.

5. Thomas, traditional, and current

Thomas is one of the names of historical figures for children that’s been common for many years. It’s Aramaic and it means “twin.” We’ll show you two prominent figures with this name:

• Saint Thomas Aquinas, friar, theologian, and philosopher, patron of the universities, and Doctor of the Church. Also, he was one of the first to relate philosophy with theology, especially the teachings of the classics like Aristotle and Plato.
• Thomas Alva Edison, an American scientist. He invented the movie camera, the phonograph, and the incandescent light bulb.

The names of historical figures for children are a gift for a lifetime

Choosing what you’ll name your child isn’t easy, but hopefully, our suggestions will help you find the right one. Additionally, you can choose names that start with a certain letter, that have to do with literature, names with a specific geographical origin, or one of these names of historical figures, which are strong and have great personalities.

Finally, read our suggestions carefully, share them with your partner and, if you have other children, have them participate so that the whole family has a say in the name.