Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Sons of thunder, a surname given by our Lord to James and John (Mark 3:17) on account of their fervid and impetuous temper (Luke 9:54).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
a name signifying sons of thunder, given by our Lord to the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, probably on account of their fiery earnestly. (Mark 3:17) See (Luke 9:54; Mark 9:38) comp. Matt 20:20 etc.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
BOANER'GES (sons of thunder), the name Christ gave to James and John, probably because of their fiery zeal; for proof of which, see Luke 9:51;Mark 9:38; comp. Matt 20:20.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
son of thunder