48 Baby Names That Mean 'Darkness'

Harness the power of the dark and mysterious.

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Last Updated on Oct 22, 2024

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Darkness is a concept that evokes a sense of mystery and beauty. Names that mean ‘darkness’ tend to capture this concept into a single word. Given both to boys and girls, these names are believed to have originated as a nickname for people with dark hair or eyes. They may also have been given to someone who regularly wore dark clothes. However, the more popular assumption is that names that mean ‘darkness’ are associated with night. Such names convey the calmness and quiet nature of the nighttime. Parents who love the peacefulness of the night may decide to give such names to their children.

Names that mean ‘darkness’ are found in almost every language and culture. They usually have ancient linguistic or mythological roots, too. For instance, the Greek name Melanie comes from the ancient Greek word melania, which means ‘black’ or ‘dark.’ Over time, it has been adapted and absorbed into languages such as Latin, English, German, Dutch, and French with minor variations. Kali is another name that connects to ‘darkness.’ It is derived from a Sanskrit word that means ‘black’ and is also associated with the Hindu goddess who destroys demons. In Arabic, Layla is a girl’s name that means ‘night’ and evokes imagery of the beauty of a night sky.

Boy names like Donovan, derived from Old Irish, and Doyle, derived from Scottish Gaelic, are great examples of traditional names meaning ‘darkness.’ Cola is an Anglo-Saxon name meaning ‘charcoal’ and comes from Old English. Meanwhile, Krishna, meaning ‘black’ or ‘dark,’ is a popular mythological name taken from Sanskrit. Whether it is physical beauty or associative, names that mean ‘darkness’ have always drawn parents. Those who choose these names may want to convey a sense of mystery and depth to their children.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Leela	Girl	Play; Amusement; Princess of darkness
Heer	Girl	Power; Riches; Diamond; Darkness
Gautam	Boy	Lord Buddha; A name of Lord Buddha; One who dispels darkness
Hela	Girl	Torch; Corposant; Moon; Bright; Clear; Vaianakh god of darkness; Wanton sport
Dalma	Girl	Darkness
Night	Unisex	Darkness; The goddess of the night
Yamika	Girl	Night; Darkness
Eclipse	Unisex	Darkness; To fail to appear
Yami	Girl	A noble woman; Southern direction; Night; Twin; Pair; Darkness
Cierra	Girl	Darkness; Mountain range

Orpheus	Boy	The darkness of night
Gotam	Boy	One who dispels inner darkness with his brilliance and spiritual knowledge
Goutam	Boy	Lord Buddha; One who dispels inner darkness by his brilliance; One who dispels ignorance with spiritual knowledge
Ovishkar	Boy	One who removes darkness; Enlightens
Rajni	Unisex	Night; Queen; Royal; Darkness
Anjisnu	Boy	One who always shines and removes darkness
Antama	Boy	An intimate individual who is without darkness
Azwa	Girl	A light source; One who moves through darkness toward the light
Beorhtsige	Boy	The victory of light over the darkness
Daghishat	Boy	Full of darkness

Ghadra	Boy	Refers to dark period; Darkness; Shady
Gotama	Boy	One who dispels inner darkness with his brilliance and spiritual knowledge
Harnish	Boy	To remove the darkness and spread the light
Jai-deep	Boy	The light's victory over darkness
Jemisha	Girl	Monarch of the night; Queen of darkness
Juhainah	Girl	Darkness at the end of the night
Kalmali	Boy	One who dispels the darkness
Kshipa	Girl	Kshipa means Darkness, Night
Mohanbir	Boy	Darkness; Gloomy, or shady
Nisyaanthan	Boy	The end of darkness

Orfeo	Boy	The darkness of night
Rammi	Boy	Archer; Shooter; Counsel's protection; High father; Darkness; Exalted; Compassionate
Tamasa	Girl	A river; Darkness
Tamasi	Girl	Night; Darkness
Tamasvi	Girl	One who has darkness inside
Tamisra	Girl	She who is full of darkness
Timeer	Boy	Darkness; Wealthy person
Tirich	Boy	A shadow or darkness; A valley from Mulkow
Hunapo	Unisex	Hidden darkness
Kakarauri	Girl	Dusk, or garment of darkness

Layaal	Unisex	Night; Darkness
Scotland	Unisex	Land of the Scots; A place name; Darkness
Nier	Unisex	Darkness; Black
Achlys	Unisex	Mist; Darkness
Erebus	Unisex	Nether darkness
Kidron	Unisex	Valley of darkness; Turbid
Leylan	Unisex	Darkness; Night; Mirage; Fallow land
Ryouya	Boy	Charm; Attraction; Darkness

Baby names that mean ‘darkness’ exist worldwide in all languages and cultures. While some of these names have originated as nicknames for dark-haired or dark-eyed people, they may also be associated with naturally dark periods such as night. These names usually come from ancient languages, including Gaelic, Latin, Sanskrit, and Arabic. As they are found in almost all languages, they serve to overcome the boundaries of country and culture. They allow people to bond over a shared meaning. Names meaning ‘darkness’ are often found in ancient mythologies and have been adapted to suit modern sensibilities.

Infographic: Exquisite Baby Names That Mean 'Darkness'

Finding the perfect baby name for your little one is an uphill task. But if you have a specific theme, letter, or meaning in mind, we’ve got you covered. The following infographic contains some of the most unique Baby Names That Mean 'Darkness' for you to explore. You can also share the infographic with your family members to get their opinions.

Baby Names That Mean 'Darkness'(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.