Albert Barnes on Mark 3:17

Boanerges. This word is made up of two Hebrew words, signifying sons of thunder; meaning that they, on some accounts. resembled thunder. Mt 1:1. It is not known why this name was given to James and John. They are nowhere else called by it. Some suppose it was because they wished to call down fire from heaven, and consume a certain village of the Samaritans, Lk 9:54. It is, however, more probable that it was on account of something fervid, and glowing, and powerful, in their genius and eloquence.

(m) "thunder" Isa 58:1, Jer 23:29