A name from the 1999 video game, Akuji the Heartless, this invented choice is borne by a playable voodoo priest and warrior, who is cursed to wander the Underworld after his heart was ripped out on his wedding day. Some sources suggest it takes inspiration from the Yoruba language and means "dead then alive", while others point to how it translates literally to "bad deeds" or "evil act" in Japanese kanji.

In Norse mythology, Valhalla was the great hall that welcomes heroes who died in battle. The residents of Valhalla were hand-picked by Odin, for they were to help him during Ragnarök.

Hypnos is the personification of sleep in Greek mythology.

This mini-member of the Ivo-Yves family of names is unlikely to appeal to English speakers, as it sounds like "ew".

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.

Zeldris is a demon character — also known as the Prince of Darkness — on the anime series Nanatsu no Taizai (or The Seven Deadly Sins). His name debuted on the American charts in 2021, when it was used for eight baby boys.

With Bodhi one of the fastest-rising names, could other concepts from Eastern religions catch on as names too? Moksha can refer to various types of freedom and release, such as from ignorance and from the cycle of death and rebirth, and was given to 19 girls in the US in 2024.

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".

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.

In Hungarian mythology, Erlik is the god of death and the underworld.

God of cattle, earth, and the underworld worshipped in Slavic areas. He is considered the opponent of the thunder god Perun, and is imagined as a dragon-like figure — resembling a cross between a bear and a snake that devours lifestock.

Mortmer is a masculine name of Old French and Germanic origin, a variant of the more common Mortimer. The name derives from 'mort mer' meaning 'dead sea' or 'still water,' or potentially from 'morte mer' referring to the Dead Sea. Mortmer carries an aristocratic, old-world charm with strong medieval associations, as it was introduced to England by Norman nobility after the Conquest. This uncommon name evokes images of ancient castles and landed gentry. While never widely popular in modern times, Mortmer appeals to parents seeking a distinctive, traditional name with historical gravitas. It projects strength and dignity while maintaining a certain mystique due to its rarity.

The name of the hero of Nathan Englander's The Ministry of Special Cases is also the name of the prayer Jews say for the dead, so be aware that this could definitely be seen as an offensive choice to avoid.

The Lithuanian form of Martha.

Also associated with Morta, the Roman goddess of death.

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.

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.

Angelos, also called Angelia, is a daughter of Zeus and Hera who angered her mother and went into hiding. She is sometimes identified with the underworld.

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

Kalliroi is a modern Greek form of the Classical name Callirrhoe, who in mythology was an ocean nymph who accompanied Persephone to the underworld. If you're looking for unusual names with ocean meanings, this should be on your list.