Evil Names

Villain names are often some of the most fun, creative names in books. But giving your baby the name of a famous fictional (or real) villain, especially if the name is an unusual one, can lead to unfortunate stigmas throughout your baby's life. But what if you want to capture the unique feel of villain names without the taboo? Hopefully, this list of beautiful, slightly evil, names will help! (P. S. If you're writing a book and need villain names, this might help, too!)
  1. Levi
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "joined, attached"
    • Description:

      Levi, lighter and more energetic than most biblical names, with its up vowel ending, combines Old Testament gravitas with the casual flair associated with Levi Strauss jeans.
  2. Lilith
    • Origin:

      Assyrian, Sumerian
    • Meaning:

      "ghost, night monster"
    • Description:

      Lilith is derived from the Akkadian word lilitu meaning "of the night." In Jewish folklore she is portrayed as Adam's rejected first wife, who was turned into a night demon for refusing to obey him. Lilith is unrelated to most other Lil- names, with the exception of Lilita, which is the Latvian variation.
  3. Nyx
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "night"
    • Description:

      In Greek mythology, Nyx was a powerful goddess and the embodiment of the night, giving this name a dark yet mystical feel. While some may associate too strongly with the word nix (meaning "nothing", "refuse" or "put an end to"), or to the make-up brand Nyx, it was nevertheless chosen for 64 girls (and 26 boys) in the US in a recent year.
  4. Lucifer
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "light-bearer"
    • Description:

      Lucifer is the name of the archangel cast into hell and while theologians disagree on whether he and Satan are separate beings, it long been on the list of forbidden names for religious and non-religious parents alike. With connotations of hell and devilry so strongly attached to it, the name is officially banned in some places, including New Zealand.
  5. Circe
    • Origin:

      Greek
    • Meaning:

      "bird"
    • Description:

      In Greek myth, Circe, daughter of Helios, the sun, was a sorceress living on the island of Aeaea, who could turn men into animals with her magic wand, which is just what she did to Odysseus's crew in Homer's Odyssey, transforming them into swine. All was forgiven, however, as Circe and Odysseus later had a child together—Telegonus.
  6. Ash
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Asher, English
    • Meaning:

      "ash tree"
    • Description:

      Ash has Southern charm plus the arboreal-nature appeal. Plus your little boy will prize Ash as the name of the hero of the Pokemon cartoons. Ash can also be a dashing short form of Asher, Ashton, or any other "Ash" name.
  7. Nyx
    • Origin:

      Greek mythology name
    • Meaning:

      "night"
    • Description:

      Nyx is the name of the Greek goddess of the night, and while it does lean feminine in the US, 26 boys did receive the name in a recent year. That meant nearly 30% of all babies called Nyx were boys.
      Nyx may appeal as an alternative to Knox (or Nox), and to those who like Onyx, Lennox, and Phoenix but want something outside the Top 1000.
  8. Leviathan
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "twisted, coiled; in modern Hebrew - whale"
    • Description:

      Leviathan was a name given to 76 boys in the USA in 2021. It makes a rather unusual Biblical choice, being the name not of a man or angel, but of a sea monster. In literature and popular culture, the term Leviathan has since come to be used as a synonym for any gargantuan, monstrous creature or object (think of the bag in VEEP).
  9. Devany
    • Description:

      Devany is a feminine name with several possible origins. It may be a variant of Devony or Devoney, which likely derive from geographical locations in England. Another possibility is that it relates to the Irish surname Devaney, meaning "descendant of Duibheannaigh" (from dubh, meaning "dark" or "black"). The name has a contemporary feel with its flowing sounds and modern spelling pattern. Though uncommon, Devany has periodically gained modest usage in English-speaking countries, appealing to parents seeking names that sound familiar yet remain distinctive. Its Irish surname connection gives it a subtle Celtic heritage, while its sound pattern fits well with popular feminine naming trends. Devany strikes a balance between uniqueness and accessibility, with a pleasant rhythm and easy pronunciation.

  10. Shadow
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Description:

      A word name with a touch of mystery surrounding it, Shadow is a bold, edgy choice for a baby which some may find a bit ominous. While it is predominatly used for cats, dogs, and other furry friends, it can be considered a wild word name that parents are actually using, having debuted in the US stats for girls in 1974 and for boys in 1987.
  11. Kal
    • Description:

      Kal is a concise, powerful masculine name with diverse cultural roots. In Norse mythology, Kal relates to 'cold' or 'frost,' while in Sanskrit it can mean 'time' or 'black.' The name also appears as a diminutive of Kalman or Kaleb in some traditions, and resonates with Superman fans as the birth name of the superhero (Kal-El). This cross-cultural versatility gives Kal a global appeal while maintaining a strong, distinctive sound. The name's brevity makes it punchy and memorable, following the modern trend toward shorter masculine names. Despite its ancient roots, Kal feels contemporary and has gained modest popularity in recent decades. Its simplicity makes it work well internationally while its varied cultural connections give it depth and character.
  12. Chalice
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "cup"
    • Description:

      A pure and wholesome image... unless it's poisoned!
  13. Chaos
    • Origin:

      English word name
    • Meaning:

      "disorder and confusion"
    • Description:

      Associated with havoc, disaster, and trouble, this bold moniker is unlikely to be many parents' first choice, but it has nevertheless been appearing in the US charts since 2006. It may appeal to those who like Danger, Wild, and Rowdy, or associate Chaos with rebellion, mythology, or physics.
  14. Shadow
    • Origin:

      English
    • Meaning:

      "shade"
    • Description:

      A daring word name with a touch of mystique, Shadow is an edgy choice for a baby that some may say is best reserved for pets. Nevertheless, it has been appearing in the US stats for girls since 1974 and for boys since 1987.
  15. Dagon
    • Eilif
      • Moloch
        • Qanel
          • Ashe
            • Chaos