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Gothic/Vampire/Dark Names

  1. Zero

    • Origin:

      Italian from Arabic and Sanskrit

    • Meaning:

      "void"

    • Description:

      Zero has been documented as a given name before, but it's largely familiar as a stage name (such as Zero Mostel, born Samuel Joel Mostel) and comic book and anime characters. Seven boys were called Zero is a recent year.
  2. Helios

    • Origin:

      Greek

    • Meaning:

      "sun"

    • Description:

      The name of the young Greek sun god, brother to the moon goddess Selene, who rode across the sky each day in a chariot pulled by four horses.
  3. Hecate

    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name

    • Meaning:

      "willpower or far-reaching"

    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Hecate is associated with witchcraft and magic. The name may mean "willpower" or "far-reaching".
  4. Star

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      Most parents today would prefer the softer-sell Stella. But Star has symbolic power related to Christmas, so this could make one of the perfect names for December babies.
  5. Thorne

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "thorn thicket"

    • Description:

      Rose and Briar are popular, and Hawthorn is cool – so why not the equally prickly Thorne? The E ending gives it a surnamey spin à la Hawthorne.
  6. Belladonna

    • Origin:

      English from Italian

    • Meaning:

      "nightshade, beautiful lady"

    • Description:

      Literally meaning "beautiful lady" in Italian, Belladonna is the name of a poisonous flower also known as nightshade. This connection gives an otherwise flowery name a darker, more dramatic edge.
  7. Ashe

    • Origin:

      English surname; diminutive of Ashley, Ashton, etc

    • Description:

      Although usually spelled without the final 'e', this version commemorates tennis immortal Arthur Ashe. Seth Meyers' son Ashe was given his wife's maiden name.
  8. Fauna

    • Origin:

      Roman, English word name, from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "young deer; all the animals that live in a particular area"

    • Description:

      Fauna is the Roman goddess of the earth as well as one of the fairies who protected Disney's "Sleeping Beauty". It can also be considered a word name with a scientific, nature focused feel. Used to as a way to refer to all the animals in a particular area, habitat, or time period, many might think of the phrase "Flora and Fauna" on seeing the name.
  9. Starla

    • Description:

      Starla is a feminine name that emerged in mid-20th century America as a creative elaboration of the word 'star.' This celestial-inspired name peaked in popularity during the 1970s and early 1980s, reflecting the era's interest in nature-themed and inventive names. With its glamorous connotations and cosmic imagery, Starla suggests brilliance, aspiration, and uniqueness. The name carries a distinctly Americana quality while evoking the beauty of the night sky. Though never extremely common, Starla developed a steady following, particularly in Southern states. The melodic combination of 'star' with the feminine 'la' ending creates a name that feels simultaneously familiar and distinctive.
  10. October

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "month name"

    • Description:

      What is so rare as a month named June? October – and November and December – are a lot rarer. Brisk and substantial, they're so much more memorable and modern than April or May. October got its name via being the eighth month in the old Roman calendar. Some related, more feminine variations are Octavia and Ottavia.
  11. Carver

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "wood carver"

    • Description:

      Carver is an occupational name with an artistic bent, associated with wood carving predominantly, though it could also be linked to those who carve from stone, marble, ice, and pumpkins. More familiar that the equally arty Painter, but fresher than the 90s style Carter, Carver has received more interest in recent years.
  12. Velvet

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "a fabric characterized by a short soft dense warp pile"

    • Description:

      Velvet is a name that couldn't possibly be softer or more luxuriant. Many people have fond memories of it via the character of Velvet Brown, played by the young Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet, an intrepid young woman willing to masquerade as a boy to race her horse in a dangerous steeplechase.
  13. Blade

    • Origin:

      Word name

    • Description:

      One of the new crop of boys' names that manage to be unconventional and macho at the same time — though Blade verges on the threatening.
  14. Draco

    • Origin:

      Greek from Latin

    • Meaning:

      "dragon"

    • Description:

      For as long as we all shall live, Harry Potter's sneering nemesis.
  15. Tempest

    • Origin:

      English word name

    • Meaning:

      "turbulent, stormy"

    • Description:

      Tempest is one of those names that could go either way. Cool, evocative modern word name? Or asking for trouble? Your call, but if you decide the former image is dominant, be warned that some people will see it as the latter.
  16. Midnight

    • Origin:

      English, word name

    • Description:

      A mystical word name, most often reserved for black cats, Midnight conjures up darkness and the liminal space between the end of one day and the beginning of the next. It has seen some use as a baby name however, and was chosen by celebs Nicole Richie and Joel Madden for their son's middle name in 2009, and then by social media star, Jasmine Chiswell for her son's first name in 2022.
  17. Lynx

    • Origin:

      Animal name

    • Description:

      One of the fierce new animal names new to name lists, helped by its strong x-ending.
  18. Bran

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Brandon

    • Meaning:

      "broom-covered hill"

    • Description:

      A little heavy on the fiber content; we prefer Bram. But Bran is also the Celtic god of the underworld, whose symbol is the raven.
  19. Shadow

    • Description:

      Shadow as a masculine name falls into the category of modern word names, drawing from the natural phenomenon rather than traditional naming conventions. This unconventional choice emerged primarily in English-speaking countries during the late 20th century, reflecting growing interests in distinctive, nature-inspired naming. The name evokes imagery of mystery, protection, and constant companionship. As a given name, Shadow remains quite rare, appealing to parents seeking something dramatically unique with a touch of intrigue or gothic sensibility. The name carries associations with depth, complexity, and a certain enigmatic quality. While uncommon in official records, Shadow occasionally appears as a nickname or middle name, particularly in communities embracing alternative naming traditions.

  20. Eveline

    • Origin:

      English or French

    • Meaning:

      "desired; or water, island"

    • Description:

      Variant of Evelyn or Aveline