What customs and traditions are associated with English baby names?

English naming customs typically involve three elements - a given name, a middle name (s), and a family name. The British follow a patrilineal naming system where the child inherits their fathers family name. However, following the patrilineal naming system is not mandatory. Instead, parents have the freedom to choose their childs last name. Some parents could also give their child the mothers last name. In contrast, others may provide both mother and father surnames in a hyphenated form, reflecting the flexibility in English naming traditions and customs.

How do English baby names reflect a person's heritage?

English naming conventions are diverse, encompassing people from different religions, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds. Many parents may opt for names that mirror their ethnic and cultural connections. For example, parents of Irish heritage may choose titles like Liam. On the other hand, those of Greek origin might opt for names like Sophia or Alexander. Parents may also pick names that reflect their regional heritage. For example, Devon and Kent are names inspired by specific regions or places within England. Furthermore, many families pass down names from one generation to another or choose monikers inspired by literary and historical figures.

Home • Baby Names

206 English Baby Names with Meanings Dark

Written by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

Read full bio of Shikha Thakur

Edited by Siddharth Kesiraju, MA, Certification in Relationship Coaching Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 7 years

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

Read full bio of Siddharth Kesiraju

Fact-checked by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 2 years

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

Read full bio of Praggya Joshi

Last Updated on Oct 3, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Name	Gender	Meaning
Layla	Girl	Night; Dark
Blakely	Girl	Black; Dark; Woodland clearing
Leila	Girl	Night time; Dark
Lila	Girl	Playful; Amusement; Dark beauty; Night
Phoenix	Boy	A bird that gets reborn from ashes; Dark red; Excellent person
Milani	Girl	Middle of the plain; Black; Dark
Kiara	Girl	Dark; Bright; Shining; Peaceful; A lady with dusk hair; First ray of the sun
Corbin	Boy	Raven; Person with dark hair
Donovan	Boy	Brown-haired chieftain; Dark
Keira	Girl	Little dark-haired one

Colby	Boy	From a coal town; From a dark town
Melany	Girl	Black; Dark
Douglas	Boy	Dark river; Dark water
Korbin	Boy	Raven; Dark-haired person
Bronson	Boy	Son of Brown; Son of the dark-skinned
Laylah	Girl	Night time; Dark
Zayla	Girl	Azalea flower; Dry; Night; Dark beauty
Kiera	Girl	Little dark one; Dark-headed; Dusky; Black
Kerry	Girl	Ciar's people; Kingdom of Ciar; One with dark complexion
Devyn	Unisex	Poet; Young deer; Fawn; Little dark one

Meilani	Girl	Heavenly flower; Dark; Heavenly May
Melani	Girl	Dark; Black
Ciara	Girl	Dark-haired; Dark-complexioned; Black; Mountain range; Bright; Famous
Dwayne	Boy	Dark; Black; Little dark one
Kolby	Boy	Coal town; Dark town
Darcy	Girl	Dark-haired; One from the town of Arcy
Maleni	Unisex	Dark; Black; Sky; Heaven
Kaira	Girl	Alluring; Delightful; Beloved; Dark
Kyrin	Boy	Black; Dark-haired
Dev	Unisex	God; Bee; Calf; Dark little one

Corbyn	Boy	Raven; Person with dark hair
Don	Boy	Dark Brown; Chief; Noble; Ruler of the world
Nigel	Boy	Hero; Dark-haired; Black; Cloud; Fury; Passion
Deven	Unisex	Descendant of Damhán; Calf; Fawn; Little dark one; Lord of gods
Morris	Boy	Dark-skinned; North African; Moorish; Dark; Swarthy
Duane	Boy	Dark; Swarthy; Little dark one
Fenix	Boy	An immortal bird; Dark red; Crimson
Milania	Girl	Gracious; Dear; Middle of the plain; Dark; Black
Mahogany	Girl	Dark Red Wood
Ciaran	Boy	Dark-haired; Dark-complexioned; Black; Mountain range; Bright; Famous

Dewayne	Boy	Dark; Swarthy; Little dark one
Devan	Boy	Descendant of Damhán; Calf; Fawn; Divine; Godlike; Heavenly; Little dark one
Mindy	Girl	Black; Dark; Bee; Sweet as honey; Honey
Laina	Girl	Little rock; Handsome; Dark; Wave; Of Magdala; Path
Naira	Girl	Bright; Luminous; Brilliant; Eye; Early; One having big eyes; Black or dark
Donavan	Boy	Dark; Brown
Blakeley	Girl	Pale-skinned; Dark
Kolbie	Girl	Coal town; Dark town
Kiernan	Boy	Son of a lord; Little dark one; Black; Dark
Kierra	Girl	Dark; Lord

Laela	Girl	Dark-haired; Of God; Born at night
Phoenyx	Unisex	Mythical bird; Dark red
Deagan	Boy	One with dark black hair; Grain of corn
Sully	Unisex	Dark eyes; To stain
Donavon	Boy	Descendent of Donndubhan; Dark; Brown
Darci	Girl	From the fortress; A dark one
Twila	Girl	Woven with a double thread; Morning star; Light in dark places; Wildflower; Twilight; Strength
Kier	Boy	Little dark one; Dark-skinned; Dusky; Thicket or marsh; Key-maker or locksmith
Donavin	Boy	Brown and dark
Glendon	Boy	From the dark glen

Kordae	Boy	The name means means Coal Worker, Dark Skinned
Phenix	Unisex	Dark red; A mythical bird symbolizing rebirth and renewal
Kieren	Boy	Dark-haired; Dark-complexioned; Black; Dark; Descendant of Ciarán
Lejla	Girl	A dark-haired beautiful woman who is born at night
Kerwin	Boy	Descendant of Ciardhubhán; Dark and black
Devine	Unisex	Divine; Fortune-teller; Descendant of Damhain; Descendant of Dubhain; Fawn; Calf; The dark one; Heavenly; God-like
Devone	Unisex	Calf; Dark; Divine
Ciera	Girl	Mountain range; Dark-haired one; Black
Colbie	Boy	From a coal town; From a dark town
Coley	Boy	Dark; Black bird; Victory of the people

Cobin	Unisex	Raven; Person who has dark hair
Kieron	Boy	Dark-haired; Dark-complexioned; Black; Dark; Descendant of Ciarán; Ray of light
Fenyx	Boy	Rising from the ashes; Dark red
Dwain	Boy	Little dark one
Kannen	Boy	Lord Krishna; Black; Dark; Church official; Large reed
Darcie	Girl	Dark-haired; From the fortress; Descendant of the dark
Darcey	Girl	Someone from Arcy; Dark
Malaina	Unisex	Black; Dark
Kerrigan	Boy	Descendant of Ciaragá; Black or dark
Ker	Boy	Black; Dark brown

Melly	Girl	Black, Dark
Bron	Boy	Someone with brown or dark hair or skin; Blessed breast; White Raven; Source; Spring
Dugan	Boy	One who has dark skin
Dwane	Boy	Little dark one
Melayna	Girl	Black; Dark
Milayna	Girl	Black; Dark
Davanee	Girl	Merciful; Gentle; Dark-haired
Celaena	Girl	Black; Dark
Dock	Boy	Leader; Hollow; Dark; Cloth
Devonne	Unisex	Divine; Dark

Mellany	Girl	Black; Dark
Douglass	Boy	A dark river or stream
Duwayne	Boy	Little dark one
Doug	Boy	Dark river; Dark water
Ciarra	Girl	Dark-haired; Dark-complexioned; Black; Mountain range; Bright; Famous
Delaina	Girl	From the alder grove; Dark; Challenge
Melanin	Unisex	Black; Dark; A type of biomolecule
Merick	Boy	A dark-skinned person; A swarthy; A moor
Mory	Boy	Mulberry tree; Dark-skinned
Siam	Boy	Land of gold; Black; Dark; Blue; Thailand

1 2 3 »

Infographic: Adorable English Baby Names with Meanings Dark

Finding the right name for your child can be tricky. From choosing the starting letter to deciding on the meaning, parents might find the process overwhelming. That’s where our baby name list comes in! You can look at diverse names from different cultures and languages to find one that appeals to you. This infographic covers a few popular English Baby Names with Meanings Dark that you can consider. Check it out!

English Baby Names with Meanings Dark(infographic)

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.