476 Baby Names That Mean Dark

Consider taking the less-traveled path with these offbeat titles.

Written by N Pravenchandra Singh, MA Specialty: Literature and RelationshipsExperience: 2 years

Praven is an English literature expert. He did his bachelors in English from Delhi University and masters in English from Manipur University. Besides, he holds a certificate in multimedia design and c... more

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Vidya did her post-graduation in Biotechnology from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Her interest in scientific research and writing made her pursue a career in writing, in which she now has over five y... more

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Trisha worked as a schoolteacher for three years before taking up professional writing in 2021. She completed her masters in English from the University of Calcutta and bachelors in Education from the... more

• Aug 21, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Parents who are intrigued by the allure of enigmatic and mysterious qualities may choose baby names meaning dark for their children. At the same time, parents might also select such names because they symbolize something meaningful to their little ones, such as dark skin tone, dark hair, and black or brown eyes. Earlier, people may have associated the word ‘dark’ with something negative, or worse, they may have looked down upon it as something of an offense. But things have changed and in the present day, these names that carry the connotation of darkness are viewed as powerful names that are rich in meaning and phonetic beauty.

This compilation of names draws its inspiration from numerous dark elements that can be found in everyday life such as the dark wood of trees, the pitch blackness of the night, the dark brown color of a person’s eyes, and even the jet black feathers of a raven or a crow. The inspiration for these names can be taken from anywhere and that is where its beauty lies. These names may also be connected to different deities and mythologies of the world. Some names have also been derived from the history of different nations, pinning them with a sense of heritage, glory, and legacy.

Interestingly, some parents may choose a name that signifies darkness because of their emotional connection to it. They can be a symbol of the battles they fought and it marks a turning point in their lives and a testament to their courage and perseverance. In this post, we bring you a list of names from feminine, masculine, or unisex. Keep reading to find a perfect name for your child that truly makes your heart sing.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Lailah	Girl	Dark; Night
Lajla	Girl	Beauty of the night; Dark haired beauty
Lama	Girl	A person with dark lips
Lamiya	Girl	Dark-lipped woman
Lamya	Girl	One who has dark lips
Layaal	Unisex	Night; Darkness
Layal	Girl	Dark hours of the day; Night
Layla	Girl	Night; Dark
Laylana	Unisex	Night; Dark beauty
Leighla	Girl	The dark-haired beauty of the night

Leila	Girl	Night time; Dark
Leili	Unisex	Dark-haired beauty
Leilyn	Girl	A dark beauty that is born in the nighttime
Lejla	Girl	A dark-haired beautiful woman who is born at night
Lela	Boy	Night; Dark beauty
Leylah	Girl	Night; Dark
Liala	Girl	Night; Dark beauty
Lila	Girl	Playful; Dark beauty
Lilu	Unisex	Night; Dark beauty
Loelia	Girl	Arabic variation of the name Leila; Night; Dark

Lugobi	Boy	A light in the dark
Lylah	Girl	A dark beauty
Mahogany	Girl	Dark Red Wood
Malania	Girl	Black; Dark
Mariutza	Girl	A dark-skinned woman
Matlal	Boy	Dark green; Net
Maurelle	Unisex	Dark; Moorish
Mauri	Girl	Swarthy; Dark-skinned; Moor; Beloved of Amun; A variant of Maura
Maurica	Boy	Dark-skinned
Maurice	Boy	Dark

Mauricia	Girl	She who has dark skin
Mauricio	Boy	A dark-skinned man
Maurilio	Boy	The dark one
Maurin	Boy	Dark-haired
Maurine	Girl	Dark-skinned; Moorish
Mauritius	Boy	Swarthy; Dark-skinned; Moor; A variant of Maurice
Maurizio	Boy	Dark-skinned
Maurus	Boy	A dark-skinned man
Maury	Boy	A dark-skinned person
Mauryen	Boy	Dark-skinned Emperor

Mavra	Boy	Moorish; Dark
Mavriki	Boy	Swarthy; Dark-skinned
Meghashyam	Boy	Another name for Lord Krishna, signifying his dark skin tone like grey clouds
Meila	Girl	Variation of Melanie which means Black or Dark
Mela	Girl	Darkness; The one who always cannot see anything; Gloomy and shady
Melaina	Boy	Dusky and dim; Dark and shadowy
Melan	Unisex	Dark; Black; Mysterious
Melana	Girl	Black; Dark
Melanee	Girl	Dark or olive-skinned person
Melaney	Girl	Black or dark; A variant of Melanie, which means dark-skinned

Melani	Girl	Dark; Black
Melania	Girl	Obscure; Dwells in the dark places; Invisibleness
Melanie	Girl	Black; Dark; Dark-skinned
Melanija	Girl	A form of Melanie, meaning dark or black
Melany	Girl	Black; Dark
Melayna	Girl	Black; Dark; Noble
Mellany	Girl	Black; Dark
Melli	Girl	Black; Dark; Highborn Power; Hard worker; A variant of Melanie, meaning dark-skinned
Mellie	Girl	Black; Dark
Melloney	Girl	Black or dark-skinned individual

Meloni	Girl	The person belonging to a racial group with dark skin
Melonie	Girl	A black or dark-skinned individual from a special racial group
Melony	Girl	Black; Dark
Melusina	Girl	A person with a dusky or dark-colored skin
Merick	Boy	A dark-skinned person; A swarthy; A moor
Merik	Boy	A person who has a dark skin tone
Merl	Girl	A dark, black-colored bird
Merla	Unisex	Blackbird; Dark-skinned
Merlina	Girl	Dark haired; Blackbird
Merric	Boy	Swarthy; Dark skinned; Moor; A form of Merrick

Meurig	Boy	Swarthy, Dark-skinned, Moor; A form of Morris
Minas	Boy	A bright light in the darkness or dark times
Mohanbir	Boy	Darkness; Gloomy, or shady
Mohandas	Boy	Dusky, dim; Dark or shadowy
Mohandyal	Boy	Obscure, dwells in the dark places, invisibleness
Mohtadi	Boy	The person belonging to a racial group with dark skin
Moise	Boy	A person with a dusky or dark skin color.
Moor	Unisex	A dark-skinned person
Morbius	Boy	Mysterious; Dark; Enigmatic
Moreau	Unisex	Dark-skinned

Moreno	Boy	Dark-skinned; Brown
Morie	Boy	Swarthy; Dark-skinned; A moor; A variant of Morris
Moris	Boy	Swarthy; Dark-skinned; A moor; A variant of Morris
Morison	Boy	A dark-skinned person; One who works in open lands
Morissa	Girl	A female with a dark complexion
Moritz	Boy	A person with a dark complexion
Moriz	Boy	Swarthy; Dark-skinned; A moor; A variant of Morris
Morkere	Boy	One who is dark in complexion
Morly	Boy	A person with a dark skin
Morrell	Girl	Dark-skinned one

Morris	Boy	Dark-skinned; From Mauritania
Morrisa	Girl	A dark-colored girl
Morrisey	Boy	A dark-colored person from the unfertile land
Morse	Boy	Swarthy; Dark-skinned; Moor; A variant of Morris
Mouric	Boy	A tanned person with dark complexion
Mourici	Girl	A dark-skinned person
Nakhraj	Boy	Like Moon that shines in the dark sky
Narine	Girl	Dark-skinned person; Black
Nasr	Boy	Dark bird
Neelam	Girl	One has dark blue color eyes

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For parents who are interested in baby names meaning dark or darkness, do not worry about them being viewed as negative. They go beyond mere labels and carry rich meanings inspired by many dark elements. You can select a name meaning dark from different cultures and languages for your child from a wide range of names. Ultimately, bestow a name on your adorable little one that resonates with you and watch them use it as a beacon of self-identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there any positive associations of baby names meaning dark?

Baby names meaning dark can convey various positive meanings. Black is associated with qualities like strength, comfort, and sophistication. Names that mean dark are enigmatic and embody a special kind of allure. They can mean ‘a noble person,’ ‘a dark-haired beauty,’ and ‘night.’ Also, dark colors are linked to security, shelter, wealth, and power, all positive associations.

2. What are some tips for selecting baby names meaning dark?

The first step to choosing names meaning dark would be to consider their symbolism. Such names can signify a variety of traits, such as wealth, strength, mysteriousness, and shadow. So, it would help to consider the qualities you want your child’s name to embody and accordingly search. Also, look for names from various ancient cultures like Hindu and Irish. You will find many exciting names, such as Kali, the black goddess, and Ciaran, or the little dark one. Ensure that the name is easy to pronounce and has an uncomplicated spelling.

3. What naming traditions are associated with baby names meaning dark?

Naming traditions vary widely across cultures. For example, English-speaking people choose names based on aesthetic appeal. They can also select names meaning dark that sound nice. In contrast, Hindu families rely on Vedic astrology to select names. Italian, Spanish, and Mexican people often use a saint’s name for their child. These naming traditions can be used to select any name that feels appropriate.

Infographic: Intriguing Baby Names That Mean Dark

Darkness is associated with strong spiritual aspects. The shade also has an aura of magic and mystery that is hard to ignore. Names representing it perfectly capture its essence. Parents expecting babies with dark skin, hair, and eyes can also explore names representing dark. This infographic features the top ones that suggest darkness in different ways.

enigmatic names that signify darkness (infographic)

Get the high-quality PDF version of this 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.