199 Unique Names Meaning Darkness for a Mysterious Touch

Darkness has always held a certain mystique—symbolizing mystery, power, and even elegance. Whether you’re naming a child, a pet, or a fictional character, there’s something captivating about names that evoke the beauty of the night, shadows, or the unknown. From ancient mythology to modern languages, many names carry deep, dark meanings that feel both enchanting and powerful.

If you’re drawn to names with a sense of mystery and depth, you’ll love exploring this list of names meaning darkness. Whether you’re looking for something bold, poetic, or simply unique, there’s a perfect name waiting to be discovered.

Male Names Meaning Darkness

Dark and mysterious names often carry a sense of strength, depth, and intrigue. Many male names inspired by darkness come from mythology, nature, and different languages, representing concepts like night, shadow, or hidden power. If you’re looking for a name with a strong yet enigmatic feel, here are some names to consider:

Orpheus – A legendary Greek musician whose name is linked to darkness and the underworld.
Kage – A Japanese name meaning “shadow.”
Erebus – In Greek mythology, the personification of deep darkness and shadow.
Tenebris – A Latin word meaning “darkness” or “gloom.”
Dustin – A name of Norse origin meaning “dark stone.”
Zephyrion – A unique take on “Zephyr,” meaning “dark wind” or “west wind.”
Noctis – Latin for “of the night,” used in fantasy and literature.
Achlys – A mythological name meaning “mist of death” or “eternal darkness.”
Charon – The ferryman of the dead in Greek mythology, associated with dark waters.
Blake – An Old English name meaning “dark” or “pale.”
Jett – A name inspired by jet-black gemstones.
Nash – A name linked to the Old English word for “ash tree,” symbolizing mystery.
Donovan – An Irish name meaning “dark-haired chieftain.”
Hades – The Greek god of the underworld, representing darkness and mystery.
Umbra – A Latin word for “shadow” or “shade.”
Sable – A name inspired by the black-furred animal and the deep shade of black.
Dorian – Meaning “dark-haired” in some interpretations, famously used in The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Caligo – A Latin word for “mist” or “darkness.”
Melan – From the Greek “melas,” meaning “black” or “dark.”
Moros – A Greek name meaning “doom” or “fate,” often linked to darkness.
Raven – Inspired by the dark, intelligent bird often linked to mystery and omens.
Draven – A modern name with a dark, gothic feel, linked to the raven.
Lucian – A name associated with light, but in contrast, often used in gothic settings.
Nyxion – A creative take on Nyx, the Greek goddess of night.
Soren – A Scandinavian name with a stormy, dark connotation.
Azrael – The name of the angel of death in some traditions.
Ebon – A name derived from ebony, a dark and rich wood.
Thanatos – The Greek personification of death, representing eternal darkness.
Loki – The Norse trickster god, often associated with shadows and chaos.
Tynan – An Irish name meaning “dark” or “dusky.”
Zillah – A Hebrew name meaning “shade” or “shadow.”
Devlin – An Irish name meaning “descendant of the dark one.”
Shadow – A literal yet powerful name embodying mystery and darkness.

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Female Names Meaning Darkness

Darkness can symbolize mystery, elegance, and strength, making it an inspiring theme for names. Many female names with dark meanings come from mythology, different languages, and nature, representing night, shadows, or enigmatic beauty. If you’re looking for a name with depth and a touch of mystique, here are some options:

Lilith – A name from ancient mythology meaning “night monster” or “dark beauty.”
Selene – The Greek goddess of the moon, often associated with the night.
Nisha – A Sanskrit name meaning “night” or “darkness.”
Velia – A Latin name meaning “concealed” or “hidden in darkness.”
Noira – A French-inspired name meaning “black” or “dark.”
Morgana – Linked to Morgan le Fay, a sorceress often associated with dark magic.
Zelda – A name with gothic appeal, meaning “gray fighting maid.”
Leila – A Persian and Arabic name meaning “night beauty.”
Esmeray – A Turkish name meaning “dark moon.”
Odile – Inspired by the dark swan from Swan Lake.
Orlaith – An Irish name meaning “golden princess,” but also linked to dark legends.
Nyxara – A modern take on Nyx, the goddess of night.
Darcy – A French name meaning “dark one.”
Salem – Meaning “peace,” but with eerie connotations linked to the Salem witch trials.
Zephyra – A feminine version of “Zephyr,” meaning “dark west wind.”
Eira – A name meaning “snow,” often associated with winter darkness.
Tamsin – A name meaning “twin,” often linked to gothic themes.
Sabbath – A rare name linked to dark, mystical traditions.
Samara – A name meaning “watchful,” often linked to shadows and mystery.
Melania – Derived from Greek, meaning “dark” or “black.”
Ravenna – Inspired by the deep, mysterious color of a raven.
Zorya – A Slavic name linked to the guardian goddesses of the night.
Hecate – The Greek goddess of witchcraft and the underworld.
Mavis – A vintage name meaning “dark bird” or “songbird.”
Lucinda – A name linked to light, but often used in gothic literature.
Seraphina – Meaning “fiery” but often associated with fallen angels.
Maura – A name meaning “dark-skinned” or “shadowy.”
Lunae – A variation of Luna, meaning “of the moon.”
Delaney – An Irish name meaning “descendant of the dark challenger.”
Ebony – A name inspired by deep, dark wood.
Kalinda – A Hindi name meaning “sun,” but often linked to cosmic darkness.
Astra – A name meaning “star,” often representing the night sky.
Rhoswen – A Welsh name meaning “white rose,” but often linked to dark fairytales.
Isolde – A name from Arthurian legend, linked to tragic, dark romance.
Valkyrie – Inspired by Norse warrior maidens, associated with battle and death.

Gender-Neutral Names Meaning Darkness

Some names carry an air of mystery and depth without being tied to a specific gender. These names often symbolize night, shadows, or the unknown, making them unique and captivating choices. Here are some gender-neutral names inspired by darkness:

Onyx – A sleek and powerful gemstone name meaning “black.”
Zephyr – Meaning “dark west wind,” evoking a sense of mystery.
Indigo – A deep, dark blue color with an air of mystery.
Erevan – Inspired by Erebus, meaning “deep darkness.”
Storm – A name linked to the power and mystery of dark weather.
Cypress – A tree associated with mourning and shadowy forests.
Vesper – Meaning “evening” or “twilight,” giving a dark, poetic feel.
Mika – A name of multiple origins, sometimes linked to deep night.
Shade – A simple, mysterious name with a gothic feel.
Nocturne – Meaning “music of the night,” giving an artistic touch.
Ashen – Inspired by ashes, darkness, and rebirth.
Quill – A poetic name with gothic undertones.
Rune – Linked to ancient symbols and dark magic.
Solstice – Representing the longest night of the year.
Misty – A name evoking fog and shadowy landscapes.
Drift – Inspired by dark, floating mist and shadows.
Wraith – A spectral name associated with shadowy figures.
Nyxen – A modern name inspired by Nyx, the goddess of night.
Echo – A mythological name with a haunting, dark sound.
Tempest – Meaning “storm,” symbolizing chaos and darkness.
Riven – A name meaning “split apart,” often linked to darkness.
Dune – Inspired by shadowy desert landscapes.
Hallow – A name evoking mystery and the supernatural.
Vellichor – A poetic name linked to the melancholy of old books.
Shiloh – A name with historical depth and a mysterious feel.
Horizon – Representing the meeting of light and darkness.
Myrrh – A name linked to dark, sacred resin.
Cinder – Inspired by ashes and remnants of fire.
Fable – A name with an enchanting, shadowy feel.
Gale – Meaning “strong wind,” often associated with dark storms.
Obsidian – A volcanic glass known for its deep black color.

Darkness-Inspired Names from Mythology and Folklore

Many cultures have gods, goddesses, and legendary figures associated with darkness, the night, or the underworld. Their names carry deep symbolism and a mysterious allure. Here are some mythological and folklore-inspired names connected to darkness:

Nótt – The Norse goddess of night.
Ereshkigal – The Sumerian goddess of the underworld.
Tezcatlipoca – The Aztec god of the night and shadows.
Hela – The Norse goddess ruling over the dead.
Mictlantecuhtli – The Aztec god of the underworld.
Anubis – The Egyptian god of death and the afterlife.
Sedna – An Inuit goddess associated with the deep sea and darkness.
Baba Yaga – A Slavic witch associated with dark magic.
Chandra – A Hindu moon god connected to the night.
Shiva – A Hindu god linked to destruction and mystery.
Tartarus – The deepest part of the Greek underworld.
Kali – The Hindu goddess of time, death, and darkness.
Morana – A Slavic goddess of winter and death.
Persephone – The Greek queen of the underworld.
Arawn – A Celtic ruler of the underworld.
Melinoe – A Greek underworld goddess of ghosts.
Veles – A Slavic god of the underworld and chaos.
Erlik – A Turkic god of darkness and the underworld.
Hodr – A Norse god associated with blindness and night.
Lilitu – A Mesopotamian night demon.
Mephistopheles – A legendary dark figure from German folklore.
Balor – A one-eyed giant from Irish mythology.
Xibalba – The Mayan underworld.
Yama – A Hindu and Buddhist god of death.
Loviatar – A Finnish goddess of pain and disease.
Orcus – A Roman god of the underworld.
Nekros – A name linked to Greek death spirits.
Pazuzu – A Mesopotamian wind demon.
Camazotz – A Mayan bat god of night.
Dullahan – A headless rider from Irish folklore.
Charun – An Etruscan death demon.
Asteria – A Greek goddess of falling stars and night.
Empusa – A shape-shifting demon from Greek legend.

Fictional Characters with Dark-Themed Names

Many fictional characters have names that evoke mystery, darkness, or a sense of danger. These names often carry powerful symbolism, making them memorable and iconic in literature, movies, and television. Here are some fictional characters with dark-themed names:

Severus Snape – The enigmatic professor from Harry Potter, his name means “stern” or “severe.”
Bellatrix Lestrange – A dark and ruthless witch in Harry Potter, with a name meaning “female warrior.”
Maleficent – The dark fairy from Sleeping Beauty, her name means “evil-doing.”
Darth Vader – The iconic villain from Star Wars, with a name meaning “dark father.”
Morpheus – The Matrix character named after the Greek god of dreams.
Sauron – The dark lord from The Lord of the Rings, meaning “abominable” in Elvish.
Rasputin – A villain in Anastasia, inspired by the historical mystic.
Rumpelstiltskin – The cunning and eerie fairy tale character known for trickery.
Dracula – The legendary vampire from Bram Stoker’s novel, meaning “son of the dragon.”
Eric Draven – The avenging spirit from The Crow, linked to dark themes.
Alucard – A vampire from Hellsing, his name is “Dracula” spelled backward.
Lestat de Lioncourt – A seductive vampire from The Vampire Chronicles.
Ebenezer Scrooge – The miserly character from A Christmas Carol, his name evokes coldness.
Jareth – The Goblin King from Labyrinth, a ruler of shadow and mystery.
Lucifer Morningstar – The charming yet dark character from Lucifer, named after the fallen angel.
Azazel – A demonic figure from Supernatural, his name means “scapegoat” in Hebrew.
Damien Thorn – The Antichrist child from The Omen, his name means “to tame” or “subdue.”
Silas – A shadowy figure in The Da Vinci Code, meaning “man of the forest.”
Mavis Dracula – The gothic daughter of Dracula in Hotel Transylvania.
Kai Parker – A dark and sadistic witch from The Vampire Diaries.
Hexxus – A spirit of destruction from FernGully, associated with darkness and pollution.
Desdemona – A Shakespearean character from Othello, whose name means “ill-fated.”
Regina Mills – The Evil Queen from Once Upon a Time, with a regal and ominous name.
Victor Frankenstein – The scientist from Frankenstein, linked to dark experiments.
Gellert Grindelwald – A dark wizard from Harry Potter, with a sinister-sounding name.
Icabod Crane – The haunted protagonist from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Selina Kyle – The real name of Catwoman, linked to the moon and night.
Jason Voorhees – The infamous killer from Friday the 13th.
Raven Reyes – A smart yet dark-named character from The 100.
Darkseid – A tyrannical villain from DC Comics, embodying pure evil.
Marceline Abadeer – The vampire queen from Adventure Time.
Coraline Jones – The brave heroine from Coraline, whose name fits the eerie story.
Tom Riddle – The birth name of Voldemort in Harry Potter, a name filled with mystery.
Wednesday Addams – The dark-humored daughter from The Addams Family.
Barnabas Collins – The vampire from Dark Shadows, a name with gothic appeal.

Dark and Mysterious Surnames

Some last names carry an air of darkness, mystery, or gothic elegance. Whether inspired by mythology, literature, or eerie history, these surnames evoke a sense of intrigue. Here are some dark and mysterious surnames:

Graves – A surname linked to burial grounds and mystery.
Blackwood – Meaning “dark forest,” evoking a gothic atmosphere.
Ravenshadow – A fictional surname inspired by dark birds and shadows.
Nightshade – A surname tied to deadly plants and mystery.
Thorne – A sharp, gothic-sounding surname with dark connotations.
Duskbane – A creative surname implying one who conquers the darkness.
Draycott – A surname linked to shadowy English manors.
Vale – Meaning “valley,” often associated with mist and secrecy.
Blackwell – Meaning “dark spring,” hinting at hidden depths.
Carmine – A surname meaning “deep red,” reminiscent of blood and mystery.
Deveraux – A French surname with aristocratic and gothic charm.
Hargrove – Meaning “haunted grove,” evoking eerie forests.
Darkmoor – A fictional name suggesting a sinister, foggy land.
Riddle – Famously linked to Tom Riddle, meaning “a mystery to be solved.”
Lynch – A name historically linked to dark justice and ghostly tales.
Vortigern – An old Celtic name meaning “dark lord” or “overlord.”
Morwood – A surname meaning “dark forest.”
Vespera – Derived from Latin, meaning “of the evening.”
Sterling – A surname linked to strength, but also used in gothic settings.
Faust – Inspired by the dark legend of Dr. Faustus.
Halloway – A surname evoking Halloween and eerie traditions.
Galloway – A Scottish name linked to gallows and dark histories.
Mortimer – Meaning “dead sea,” often used in gothic literature.
Vail – A name meaning “valley,” often linked to dark and hidden places.
Sinclair – A surname linked to nobility, but often used for dark characters.
Delacroix – A French surname meaning “of the cross,” hinting at gothic history.
Carver – A surname with sinister undertones, often linked to horror.
Lucero – Meaning “evening star,” linked to the night sky.
Davenport – A historical surname with an air of old-world mystery.
Belmont – Meaning “beautiful mountain,” but often linked to gothic tales.
Crowther – A surname inspired by crows, often linked to omens.
Harrow – A surname meaning “to disturb” or “trouble,” fitting for gothic themes.