Names That Mean Death

Superhero names are fit for humans today, and there's no reason Rambo can't take his place among a generation of babies named Loki, Odin, and Atlas.

In Greek mythology, the Keres were female death spirits; goddesses who personified violent deaths and were drawn to bloody deaths on battlefields.

Morty is a masculine name primarily used as a familiar diminutive of Morton or Mortimer, both of which have Old English and French origins meaning 'dead water' or 'still water.' With its friendly, approachable sound, Morty projects a warm, unpretentious character. The name gained some recognition through various pop culture references, including characters in television shows and films. Though rarely used as a formal given name on birth certificates, Morty has maintained modest recognition as a nickname throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. It carries a somewhat vintage quality that evokes mid-20th century Americana, often associated with a friendly, avuncular personality. The name has experienced occasional small surges in interest connected to popular media characters.

Lachesis is one of the three Fates of Greek Mythology. She and her sisters determined life from birth to death—Lachesis controlled the length of one's life. We think her Roman name, Decima, is more baby name worthy.

Anput is the ancient Egyptian goddess of the dead; the female counterpart to the god Anubis.

One mythological name not used for modern babies, Thanatos is the Greek personification of peaceful death.

A Ukrainian spirit of mining — usually good, but occasionally wicked. Legends have different stories of the origin of Shubin, some citing him as the ghost of a dead miner, others a mining master from the 19th century who had a gift for predicting collapses.

Makaria or Macaria is the name of two figures in Greek mythology, neither of whom have very uplifting stories to inspire a baby name.

Mourning was recorded as a name among enslaved people in 19th-century America, where other names that capture the atrocities of slavehood — such as Suffer, Misery, and Hardtimes — were used as well.

Manius is one of the lesser-used Roman forenames, far less popular than Lucius, Marcus et al, both in ancient times and today. Its meaning is actually uncertain: another possible origin is from manes, deities of the underworld.

Alter was originally used as an epithet for the eldest when in the company of one with the same name. Jewish parents also used it for their sons who were born sickly or after the death of an older sibling in an effort to ward off death.

This unusual (to the American ear) unisex name is used throughout Scandinavia and Germany. It can be a Frisian and German variation of Ivo, derived from the elementiwa element, meaning "yew". It is also related to the Danish word ibenholt which means "ebony".

The name of the powerful king of fairies in Irish folklore, who also rules over the dead in some legends. Finbar or Finbarr is a related name.

Anubis is a masculine name drawn directly from Egyptian mythology, where Anubis was the jackal-headed god who guided souls to the afterlife and presided over mummification. This powerful ancient name carries strong symbolic connections to protection, judgment, and the mysteries of death and rebirth. While historically significant in Egyptian culture, Anubis has been rarely used as a personal name until recent decades. Modern interest in mythology and ancient civilizations has led some parents to consider this distinctive choice. The name conveys a sense of mystique and authority, though its strong underworld associations might feel intense to some. For families drawn to Egyptian heritage or mythological names, Anubis offers unmistakable cultural depth.

Hel, sometimes called Hela, is the Norse goddess of death and the underworld.

A beautiful girl name with a melodic sound, Malalai is best known for Malalai of Maiwand, a woman who is considered a national folk hero in Afghanistan. She was a 19th-century freedom fighter, credited for the Afghan victory in the 1880 Battle of Maiwand. The well-known Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai was named after her, with Malala being a more modern variant of Malalai. Another significant namesake is Afghan activist Malalai Joya.

In Greek mythology, Tartarus rules over the depths of the underworld. Probably not the best role model for a little boy.

Ancient Irish king of the underworld, so much more powerful than Don.

This gender-neutral royal name of Tahiti was inspired by the death of a child from a night cough, not the most positive reference especially in the age of Covid.

When ordering a baby name, hold the mayo.