Names That Mean Coward

Looking for a name that literally means “coward” sounds like an odd request, but a handful of words and names across world languages really do carry this meaning, often tied to fear, timidity, or fleeing from danger. That said, names with this exact meaning are genuinely rare, since most cultures avoid giving children words with negative connotations.

Many “names that mean coward” lists online stretch the truth by mixing in names whose real meanings are closer to “shy,” “timid,” or “gentle,” with the coward link being a loose guess rather than a documented fact.

Below, we’ve gathered the names and surnames that carry the closest, most direct connection to “coward,” sorted by category, and we’ve kept the list honest rather than padded with unrelated entries.

Boy Names That Mean Coward

Adwr

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Coward
Description: Adwr is a Welsh word used directly as a name meaning “coward.” It appears occasionally in old Welsh folklore references and is not commonly used today.

Craven

Origin: English
Meaning: A cowardly person
Description: Craven comes from the Middle English word “cravant,” meaning defeated or cowardly. It’s more commonly seen as a surname or place name than a first name.

Earh

Origin: Anglo-Saxon (Old English)
Meaning: Coward
Description: Earh is an old English term used to describe a fearful or cowardly man. It’s an archaic word rather than a name in common modern use.

Kujon

Origin: Danish
Meaning: Coward
Description: Kujon is a Danish word that translates directly to “coward,” used to describe someone seen as lacking courage.

Iago

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Supplanter; also listed as “coward” in some name dictionaries
Description: Iago is best known as the Welsh form of James, usually translated as “supplanter.” A secondary meaning of “coward” appears in a few name-meaning lists, likely influenced by the scheming character of the same name in Shakespeare’s Othello.

Saburo

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Third-born son; also listed as “timid”
Description: Saburo traditionally refers to a third son in a family. Some sources also note “timid” as a secondary meaning depending on the kanji used.

Hyder

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: One who flees from danger
Description: Hyder is sometimes translated as “one who flees from danger,” a phrase closely related to the idea of cowardice, though the name has other meanings in different Arabic contexts as well.

Canute

Origin: Old Norse / Scandinavian
Meaning: Knot; also linked to a “cowardly disposition”
Description: Canute primarily means “knot” and was famously borne by Viking kings. A handful of name dictionaries also note a loose association with cowardice.

Bruno

Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Brown; also listed as “cowardly” in some name lists
Description: Bruno’s main and well-documented meaning is “brown,” referring to brown hair or skin. A secondary “cowardly” meaning shows up only in a few less rigorous name-meaning sites.

Jimmu

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Divine might; also listed as “coward” in some sources
Description: Jimmu is best known as the name of Japan’s legendary first emperor, with “divine might” as its primary meaning. A few alternative name lists also attach “coward” to it, though this is not the standard interpretation.

Girl Names That Mean Coward

Arpana

Origin: Indian (Sanskrit)
Meaning: Surrendered; also listed as “timid”
Description: Arpana traditionally means “surrendered” or “offering” in Sanskrit. Some name dictionaries also list “timid” as a related meaning.

Alizé

Origin: French
Meaning: Trade wind; possibly referring to cowardice
Description: Alizé refers to a steady trade wind in French. A few sources speculate a loose link to cowardice, though this is not a widely accepted meaning.

Eira

Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Snow; possibly referring to a timid nature
Description: Eira means “snow” in Welsh and is a popular modern girls’ name. Some lists add “timid” as a secondary association, likely based on the soft, gentle image of snow.

Carmit

Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: Vine; also listed as “dependent”
Description: Carmit primarily means “vine” in Hebrew. A secondary meaning of “dependent” appears in some sources, which is sometimes loosely connected to timidity.

Unisex Names That Mean Coward

Jeong-Ho

Origin: Korean
Meaning: Brave and cowardly at the same time
Description: Jeong-Ho is an unusual unisex Korean name whose meaning, according to some sources, combines both “brave” and “cowardly” qualities, reflecting a complex personality.

Shinobu

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Endure, conceal, or recall (depending on kanji)
Description: Shinobu is a unisex Japanese name most often meaning “to endure” or “to conceal.” Its connection to “shinobi” (ninja, one who hides) gives it a loose link to stealth and timidity, though “coward” is not its direct meaning.

Japanese Names That Mean Coward

Saburo

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Third-born son; also listed as “timid”
Description: As mentioned above, Saburo’s primary meaning relates to birth order, with “timid” appearing as a secondary meaning in some name dictionaries depending on kanji choice.

Jimmu

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Divine might; also listed as “coward”
Description: Jimmu is the name of Japan’s legendary first emperor, primarily meaning “divine might.” A small number of sources also list “coward” as an alternate meaning.

Shinobu

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Endure or conceal
Description: Shinobu is tied to ideas of enduring quietly or staying hidden, which some lists loosely connect to timidity rather than outright cowardice.

A quick note here: the actual Japanese word for “coward,” yowamushi (弱虫), is a common descriptive term rather than a given name, so it isn’t included as a name option above.

Last Names That Mean Coward

Coward

Origin: English
Meaning: Coward
Description: Coward is an English surname that directly comes from the word “coward,” likely originally used as a nickname for a timid or fearful person, or possibly someone who herded cows (“cowherd”).

Craven

Origin: English
Meaning: A cowardly person
Description: Craven is an English surname derived from “cravant,” meaning defeated or cowardly. It’s also the name of a district in North Yorkshire, England.

Babinec

Origin: Czech
Meaning: Coward
Description: Babinec is a Czech surname derived from the Old Czech word “babinec,” meaning “coward.”

Kujon

Origin: Danish
Meaning: Coward
Description: Kujon, besides being used informally as a given name in some lists, also appears as a Danish surname directly meaning “coward.”

Greek Names That Mean Coward

Honestly, there don’t appear to be any verified Greek given names or surnames whose documented meaning is “coward.” The closest related word is the ancient Greek adjective déilos (δειλός), meaning “cowardly, timid, fearful,” which comes from déos, meaning “dread.” However, déilos was used as a descriptive word, not as a personal name, so no Greek names are listed in this category.

German Names That Mean Coward

Bruno

Origin: Germanic
Meaning: Brown; also listed as “cowardly”
Description: Bruno’s well-established meaning is “brown,” tied to brown hair, skin, or armor in old Germanic naming traditions. A secondary “cowardly” meaning appears only in a small number of less reliable name-meaning sites, so it should be taken with caution.