Halloween Names

The "To Be or Not to Be" jokes, via Shakespeare's tortured prince, will get old by Month Two.

Chucky is primarily known as a diminutive or nickname form of Charles, which has Germanic origins meaning 'free man' or 'manly.' The name gained notable recognition through the horror film character 'Chucky,' a possessed doll featured in the Child's Play franchise beginning in 1988. Before the films, it was simply an affectionate nickname, often used for young boys named Charles, Charlie, or Chuck. The name has a playful, friendly sound that contrasts with its horror film associations. While rarely used as a formal given name, Chucky still appears occasionally as a nickname or informal name. Its popularity as a given name declined after the horror films, though some parents might choose it for its friendly, approachable quality, particularly if it has family significance.

Name of mythological fiend who seduced young men and then ate them, which inspired the Keats poem "Lamia." Described in mythology as a snake with the head and breasts of a woman, this name has been considered in modern times as a vampire name. And if all that isn't discouraging enough, there's the "lame" connection.

An earthy rock'n'roll name with multiple origins. The Roc was a giant bird in Middle Eastern legend.

This centuries-old nickname feels fresher and more modern today than Susie or Sue. A good short form if you're tempted by Susan, Susanna, or Susannah; another spelling is Sukey.

For basketball fans, in honor of Magic Johnson. Or anyone who believes in magic.

The charming Hitch played by Will Smith in the eponymous movie put this into the lexicon. Also known as the nickname of director Alfred Hitchcock and writer Christopher Hitchens, who titled his autobiography "Hitch."

This elegant surname has great potential to turn into an unusual first name, especially with its literary associations to both Stephen and Hart Crane.

Mystical and mysterious, but with grounded sounds, Virva is a name of Finnish origin, derived from the word virvatuli meaning "will o' the wisp". In folklore, will o' the wisps are floating orbs of bluish light, appearing above water and marshes in the dark, then disappearing when travellers approach them. Sometimes said to lure the unwary into danger, in Finnish folklore specifically, they are they are claimed to mark the places where faerie gold is buried.

Lucifer not cool enough for you? Then you might want to pivot to this arguably badder-boy alternative with the X in the middle. Bonus advantage: Nickname Lux.

Also spelled Nemaine, Neman or Nemhain, Nemain derives from Irish mythology, given to the fairy spirit of havoc of war. She is possibly an aspect of the trio of goddesses known as the Morrígan.

Despite the light, pretty sound of Bella for a girl, the boys' name Bela has dark and mysterious undertones, thanks to Dracula actor Bela Lugosi. Béla is also the first name of composer Bartók.

An Arabic name with two possible meanings, depending on which root your follow, Taif is both a spiritual name in both senses of the word. On one hand, it can come from tayf meaning "ghost, visitation, wraith", while on the other, it can come from taafa meaning "to walk around, to circle something". More broadly, this refers to the performance of Tawaf, an important part of an Islamic pilgrimage in which pilgrims walk round the Holy Ka'abah seven times anti-clockwise.

In Greek mythology, Alcathoe is one of the Minyades, three sisters who appear in a story about the dangers of not worshipping Dionysius. When the sisters refused to join in with the revelry and celebrations of the god, Dionysius appeared to them as a bull, a lion, and a panther, eventually driving the sisters to madness. They roamed the mountains in a destructive frenzy until Hermes took pity on them and turned them into bats.

Of all the astrological names —think Leo, Aries, Gemini— Scorpio probably has the most dramatically potent presence, which could prove something of a burden to a young boy.

Glinda is famous as the name of the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz, invented by author L. Frank Baum. but has there ever been a real life, non-fictional Glinda? Not in the US last year.

A name that's appeared out of thin air, in the same vein as such mystical favorites as Destiny and Nevaeh.