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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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Ozul |  |  Boy | Shadow |
| Pagan | |  Unisex | Rural; Country dweller |
| Pestilentia | | Boy | Pestilence; Plague |
| Qadira | |  Girl | Powerful |
| Quillan | | Boy | Cub |
| Quillon | | Boy | Sword |
| Quintella | | Girl | Female derivative of Quintus; Fifth |
| Raelinn | | Girl | A variant of Rachel, a beautiful lamb |
| Rhodanthe | | Girl | Rose |
| Rook | | Boy | He who is like a raven |
| Samhain | | Unisex | Halloween |
| Sanctity | | Girl | Holiness |
| Sandulf | | Boy | True Wolf |
| Sapphira | | Girl | Sapphire |
| Sardonyx | | Girl | The gemstone onyx; A red version |
| Seain | | Boy | God is gracious |
| Seiran | | Girl | Sparkling |
| Semyazza | | Girl | A fallen Christian angel. |
| Seraphine | | Girl | Order of fiery angels; Burning ones |
| Shabriri | | Girl | Jewish demon of blindness |
| Solanine | | Boy | The poisonous substance in the nightshade |
| Sullen | | Unisex | One who is bad-tempered or sulky |
| Talon | | Boy | Eagle’s claws |
| Taos | | Boy | Place of red willows |
| Tempesta | | Girl | Storm |
| Theron | | Boy | Hunted; Untamed |
| Tierney | | Girl | Lord; Descendant of Tighearnach |
| Tintagel | | Boy | Land Of Igraine |
| Tizane | | Girl | A gypsy |
| Tourmaline | | Girl | Colored crystals |
| Trista | | Girl | Sorrow |
| Turaya | | Girl | Star |
| Ulfred | | Boy | Wolf of peace |
| Ulva | | Girl | She-wolf |
| Urania | | Girl | Heaven; Heavenly |
| Urien | | Boy | Privileged birth |
| Ursa | | Boy | Gothic form of Ursula; Little female bear |
| Ursulette | | Girl | Female bear cub |
| Valerian | | Boy | Valiant |
| Vanity | | Girl | Inflated in pride |
| Vasilisa | | Girl | Queen |
| Velika | | Girl | The falling one |
| Venette | | Girl | Woman of Venice |
| Vesper | | Unisex | Evening star; Evening prayer |
| Vespera | | Girl | The evening star |
| Waldron | | Boy | Strength of the raven |
| Wanette | | Girl | The pale one |
| Wednesday | | Boy | Woden's day |
| Wolfe | | Boy | A deadly beast |
| Wolfram | | Boy | Wolf raven |
| Wren | | Girl | A bird |
| Xanthe | | Girl | The shade gold |
| Xanthus | | Boy | A river god |
| Xaverie | | Girl | Female version of Xavier; The new house |
| Xena | | Girl | Hospitable |
| Xenos | | Boy | Stranger |
| Xylia | | Girl | From the woods |
| Yolanthe | | Girl | Strong |
| Ysabelle | | Girl | Consecrated to God |
| Ywain | | Boy | Young warrior |
| Zacchaeus | | Boy | Clean; Pure |
| Zakira | | Girl | Remembrance |
| Zella | | Girl | Lacking nothing; Young warrior |
| Zephirah | | Girl | Dawn |
| Zephyr | | Boy | Wind |
| Zetta | | Girl | Seven |
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
