164 Gothic Baby Names With Meanings
From ancient literature to trending fashion, a wide choice for you to pick from.
Gothic Revival, also known as Gothic Victorian or Neo-Gothic, was one of the leading trends of the Victorian period. Their love for classic, medieval, and biblical legends and mythology, coupled with the romance of Gothic literature, is found in Gothic baby names. Derived from the Gothic subculture, which found inspiration in the medieval and Victorian eras, these names evoke an other-worldly charm. The names appeal to those seeking an unconventional and enchanting choice for their newborns. The mid-century magazines saw a burst of literature and cinema actresses bearing Gothic names, such as Orinda, Zemira, and Glaphyra. Belonging to the culture that combines romanticism with horror, Gothic names encompass literature, fashion, music, and architecture. In Gothic fiction, the atmosphere is pervaded by mystery or suspense with some supernatural events. This mystical and intriguing atmosphere is reflected in the hauntingly beautiful baby names (1). They have a dark and daring touch, which makes them different from the usual names we hear today. And contrary to what most people perceive, Gothic names are not outlandish or weird. Some are highly wearable. Some of these names are so mainstream that you may not even realize they are Gothic. Whether inspired by mythical creatures, or Gothic fiction, these names offer a diverse range of options, from spooky to powerfully mysterious. In this exploration of Gothic baby names, we delve into a collection of captivating appellations that embody the Gothic culture's enigmatic spirit, making one stand out from the rest. The trend of using Gothic names is not as widespread as in the Victorian period. But that doesn’t mean it has fallen into obscurity. Fans of Gothic literature still prefer these names. Below is our fascinating list of Gothic baby names with meanings that can be considered for your child.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Acanthus | Boy | Thorn | |
Adalricus | Boy | Noble ruler | |
Alf | Boy | Noble; Ready; Inspired; Advice; Old peace; Derived from Alfr; Elf; A variant of name Alfonso and Alfie | |
Alfons | Boy | Variant of Alfonso; Noble; Ready | |
Alfonsus | Boy | Variant of Alfonso; Noble; Ready | |
Alfonzo | Boy | Variant of Alfonso; Noble; Ready | |
Alonso | Boy | Ready for battle; Noble | |
Alphonsus | Boy | Noble and ready | |
Althaia | Girl | Healing herb | |
Alvara | Girl | An army of warrior elves who protect the universe like a guardian | |
Alvera | Girl | Variant of Elvira; Dearly loved; Gothic; True to all; Truly foreign; Truly lively | |
Alvira | Girl | Dearly loved; Truly foreign; Truly lively; Gift of God | |
Amalric | Boy | A born leader filled with power | |
Ammar | Unisex | Prosperous long life | |
Anastasia | Girl | Resurrection; Coming again | |
Anda | Girl | Going; Peace through bravery; Bold protector; Bold journey; A variant of Alexandra | |
Annabel | Girl | Graceful; Beloved | |
Artemia | Girl | The moon goddess | |
Ascelin | Boy | Of the moon | |
Asmodeus | Boy | Name of a demon | |
Astaroth | Boy | Name of a demon | |
Atilla | Boy | Little father; Father | |
Attila | Boy | Little father; Father | |
Balor | Boy | The one-eyed giant in Irish mythology | |
Bellatrix | Girl | Female warrior | |
Bernia | Girl | The angel in armor | |
Bram | Boy | Father of a multitude | |
Caera | Girl | Beloved; Friend; Field | |
Ceiridwen | Girl | A fair woman | |
Celosia | Girl | The burning flame | |
Chimera | Boy | A mythological beast made up of parts of different animals | |
Claudia | Girl | Differently abled; Closed | |
Corbin | Boy | Raven | |
Crow | Boy | The bird crow | |
Cynfael | Boy | Chief prince | |
Desdemona | Girl | Misery; Unlucky | |
Deverell | Boy | From the river bank | |
Draco | Boy | Dragon; Serpent | |
Draconia | Unisex | Dire | |
Druilla | Girl | Elfin vision | |
Drusilla | Girl | Strong | |
Drusus | Boy | Strong and sturdy | |
Dyrk | Boy | One who admires nighttime | |
Eirisse | Girl | A variant of Iris; Rainbow | |
Ellamae | Girl | A combination name; One who is true to all | |
Elsinore | Unisex | Name of Hamlet's castle | |
Elysium | Boy | The place where heroes in Greek mythology go when they die | |
Emeraude | Girl | Emerald | |
Emmeranne | Girl | Raven | |
Ennata | Girl | Goddess | |
Eranthe | Girl | Spring flower | |
Evangeline | Girl | Messenger of good news | |
Eventide | Girl | The time of evening; Evening | |
Feronia | Girl | Goddess of the forests | |
Fleurdelice | Girl | Lily flower | |
Galsuenda | Girl | Strong singing | |
Galswinthe | Girl | Strong singing | |
Gehenna | Girl | New Testament version of hell | |
Golgotha | Boy | Skull | |
Gossamer | Boy | The thin substance found in small cobwebs | |
Griffin | Boy | Strong Lord; Prince | |
Grimoire | Unisex | Name of the book of incantations, summoning spirits and making medicines. | |
Hecate | Girl | Far off | |
Hellebore | Girl | Name of a flower that blooms in the middle of winter | |
Hemlock | Boy | A poisonous herbaceous plant | |
Hesperia | Girl | The evening star | |
Ianira | Girl | Enchantress | |
Inclementia | Boy | Cruelty | |
Indigo | Unisex | The dye from India | |
Iolana | Girl | Soaring like a hawk | |
Ione | Girl | Violet flower | |
Ishmael | Boy | God will hear | |
Isolabella | Girl | The beautiful, lonely one | |
Israfel | Boy | Name of the angel who blows the horn signaling Judgment day; The burning one | |
Izora | Girl | Dawn | |
Jarlen | Boy | Tributary lord | |
Jevera | Girl | Life | |
Joliette | Girl | Pretty | |
Kalon | Boy | Sky | |
Kolfinna | Girl | A white lady | |
Lazarus | Boy | God's assistance | |
Lechsinska | Girl | Woodland spirit | |
Lothaire | Boy | Famous army | |
Lovecraft | Unisex | One who is skilled; Strength | |
Lucretia | Girl | Wealth | |
Lycidas | Boy | Wolf son | |
Magena | Girl | The coming moon | |
Maleficent | Girl | She who is productive of harm or evil | |
Mephisto | Boy | Renaissance name for Satan. | |
Morte | Boy | The French word for dead | |
Musette | Girl | The child of the Muses | |
Myvanwy | Girl | The rare one | |
Nephilim | Boy | A term for the race of half-human giants | |
Nicodemus | Boy | Victory of the people | |
Nightshade | Girl | A poisonous purple flower | |
Nocturne | Unisex | Music evoking night | |
Oberon | Boy | Soul; Purest blood of the heart | |
Ordelia | Girl | Elf's spear | |
Ozul | Boy | Shadow | |
Pagan | Unisex | Rural; Country dweller | |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some gender-neutral Gothic baby names?
Gothic gender-neutral names include Ash, meaning ash tree, which evokes strength; Storm, which captures the essence of nature’s wrath and embodies power; and Samhain, which resonates with the spooky Halloween feeling. These names draw inspiration from Gothic culture’s dark and mysterious aesthetics while maintaining a gender-neutral appeal.
2. What are some unique Gothic baby names?
Some Gothic names that capture the allure of Gothic aesthetics with distinct meanings are Morticia, capturing the supernatural essence of life’s end; Damien, meaning ‘to tame,’ and evoking power; and Lilith, a symbol of darkness and night.
3. What are some factors to consider when choosing a Gothic baby name?
When selecting a Gothic baby name, look into the desired aesthetic or theme, symbolism or meaning, distinctiveness, connection to Gothic literature or culture, and personal preference for dark and mysterious characteristics inspired by movies and art.
4. What are some cultural or historical references in Gothic baby names?
Gothic baby names often bear cultural or historical references. For instance, Lenore alludes to Gottfried August Bürger’s Gothic ballas the ‘Lenore,’ (2) Elvira, the name of the princess of Castile and daughter of King Alfonso VI, encompasses royalty (3), and Carmilla was the name of the famous Gothic novel, Carmilla and its titular character.
5. What are some popular Gothic names that have English equivalents?
Popular Gothic names with English equivalents include Alaric (Noble ruler), Raven (Dark bird), Isolde (Ice battle), and Lucien (Light).
References:
- Elements of the Gothic Novel
https://woodbury.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Elements-of-the-Gothic-Novel-Handout.pdf - Robert Rix; 2019; 1796: When the Terror Ballad Came to Britain;
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338404932_1796_When_the_Terror_Ballad_Came_to_Britain - Princess Elvira Of Castile;
https://gw.geneanet.org/comrade28?lang=en&n=castile&oc=1&p=princess+elvira+of
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