Dark Academia Names

With Isabel getting so popular, parents are searching for new varieties of the name, and Isabeau is one that makes a lovely French twist.

This ancient name is that of the hero of the epic Beowulf, which is thought to be the oldest-ever poem in English lit written in the vernacular. J. R. R. Tolkien used the poem as one of his inspirations for The Lord of the Rings.

Old Norman name last current in the 1930s, and firmly in our 'so far out it will always be out' category – despite its appearance as a Hogwarts student in Harry Potter. This is the full first name of P.G. Wodehouse's inimitable Bertie Wooster.

Also seen as Alyenor and Eleonore, this is an old French name dating back to the Arthurian romances and still heard today.

Kaspar is a masculine name with ancient Persian origins, traditionally believed to mean 'treasurer' or 'keeper of the treasure.' It gained prominence in Christian tradition as one of the Three Wise Men (or Magi) who visited the infant Jesus, often spelled Caspar in some accounts. The name spread throughout Europe during medieval times, with variations including Casper, Kasper, and Gaspard appearing across different countries. In Germanic countries, Kaspar has maintained steady popularity through the centuries. The name carries an air of wisdom and mysticism due to its biblical associations, while also evoking a classic, distinguished character. Today, it offers parents a traditional option with historical depth and cross-cultural recognition.

A distinctively Welsh name that's feeling more and more usable these days.

Albertine and Alberta are old-fashioned feminizations ala Geraldine and Roberta. This is the kind of name that sounds very dowdy until a hip celebrity chooses it, at which point we don't know how we missed its coolness all this time.

Faustine has a positive meaning, although the association with the character who sold his soul to the devil may be off-putting. This name is among the Top 100 girls' names in France, but was given to fewer than five baby girls in the US last year.

This Cornish place name is possibly named after a female saint, Senara. However, it can work just as well on a boy and would make a very interesting choice for those of Cornish descent or who love Cornwall.

Venetia, the name of the region encompassing Venice, has a radiant, picturesque authenticity, as do the related Venezia and Venice.

Derived from the name Caradog, the handsome ancient Celtic name was worn by one of the Knights of the Round Table, as well as a semi-legendary Welsh King. Possibly a cognate of Cedric and Carys, Caradoc is ultimately derived from the Brythonic name Caratācos meaning "loved", itself originating from the Celtic karu.

Arkady is a rhythmic Russian saint's name from the Greek meaning "from Arcadia." As a literary name, it belongs to a genteel character in Turgenev's Fathers and Sons and a much less benign one in Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, and is also a key figure in Gorky Park by Martin Cruz Smith.

Kassia is the k-styled spelling variation of rising star name Cassia, an obscure but attractive botanical choice drawn from the cassia tree, which produces a cinnamon-like spice. The biblical Keziah is related.

A somewhat dark and gloomy feeling name, perhaps because of its connotations or its similarity to the words morbid and murdered. Mordred is adapted from the Welsh Medraut, itself derived from the Latin moderatus. An unusual choice for a baby, but a potentially cool name for a fictional character.

Charles Addams invented the name Morticia for the mother in his cartoon series "The Addams Family." The name comes from the word mortician—very appropriate for this macabre mom.

Viridius was a pagan god of ancient Roman Britain. An alternative spelling is Viridios.

Theda is most famous as the name of silent film vamp Theda Bara. Today most fashionable little Theodoras and Theodosias are called Thea, but Theda makes an intriguing change.

Isambard is derived from Old German Isanbert, meaning "bright iron" or "famous iron". Its most famous bearer, rather fittingly, is the 19th century British civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, noted as one of the driving forces of the Industrial Revolution.

Pleasingly quaint and dainty New Testament possibility; the nickname Dru modernizes it.