Dark Academia Names

  1. Clarimond
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "Light of the World"
    • Description:

      Clarimond is related to the Occitan name Esclarmonde, and is probably the more wearable of the two variations.
  2. Kassia
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Cassia, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "cinnamon"
    • Description:

      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.
  3. Vlad
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Vladimir, Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "great ruler, peaceful ruler, ruler of the world"
    • Description:

      The most famous Vlad was nicknamed "the Impaler." Enough said.
  4. Victoire
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "victory"
    • Description:

      Adds French flair to Victoria, though many Americans would find pronunciation a challenge.
  5. Dido
    • Origin:

      Greek, meaning obscure
    • Description:

      Dido was the heroine of Virgil's Aeneid and of the opera "Dido and Aeneas," and in Roman mythology the founder of Carthage. A strong ancient name in the Juno mode, but it could have some awkward associations down the line.
  6. Beowulf
    • Origin:

      Old English
    • Meaning:

      "bee wolf"
    • Description:

      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.
  7. Theda
    • Origin:

      Short form of Theodora or Theodosia, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      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.
  8. Kaspar
    • Description:

      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.
  9. Prospero
    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese variation of Prosper
    • Meaning:

      "succeed, prosper"
    • Description:

      Shakespeare's Tempest has kept the name Prospero alive.
  10. Leontine
    • Origin:

      French female form of Leontios, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "lion"
    • Description:

      Leontine is the French form of a name that's more familiar by its spelling variation Leontyne, the name made famous by opera diva Price. An obscure choice, Leontine nevertheless feels right for our lion-name-crazed moment.
  11. Pomona
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "apple"
    • Description:

      This name of the Roman goddess of fruit trees is also associated with a suburban town in Southern California.
  12. Eponine
    • Origin:

      French literary name
    • Description:

      Eponine is attracting new notice via the movie of Les Miserables, based on the book by Victor Hugo. Eponine is the spoiled daughter of Cosette's foster parents whose name, according to the story, was lifted by her mother from a romance novel. As in a romance, Eponine redeems herself by becoming a martyr to love.
  13. Albertine
    • Origin:

      French feminine variation of Albert
    • Description:

      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.
  14. Faustine
    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine variation of Faust
    • Meaning:

      "fortunate one"
    • Description:

      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.
  15. Arkady
    • Origin:

      Russian from Greek
    • Meaning:

      "from Arcadia"
    • Description:

      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.
  16. Vespertine
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "of the evening"
  17. Zennor
    • Origin:

      Cornish place and saint's name
    • Description:

      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.
  18. Ottavio
    • Origin:

      Italian, “eighth”
    • Description:

      Spirited Italian form of Octavius
  19. Achille
    • Origin:

      French variation of Achilles
    • Meaning:

      "thin-lipped"
    • Description:

      The French spin on the name of the great Homeric hero with the vulnerable heel seems somewhat more portable into the modern world.
  20. Marinell
    • Origin:

      Literary name
    • Meaning:

      "knight of the sea"
    • Description:

      In Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene, Marinell is a knight and the son of a water nymph. He is wounded in battle against the valiant female knight Britomart.