Names can hold powerful meanings, and some have negative connotations. Many cultures have names associated with evil, darkness, or bad luck. These names often reflect stories, history, or mythologies that give them their dark reputation. Understanding these names can reveal hidden layers about how different societies view morality and character.
Today, we will look at names that mean evil or bad. We will explore the origins and meanings behind these names and share some examples. Whether you are interested in naming characters for a story or curious about name meanings, this topic is sure to pique your interest.
Names That Mean Evil Or Bad
1. Asmodeus
Asmodeus is a name from ancient mythology associated with demons and is often considered the demon of lust and revenge. Its dark nature makes it a powerful name that embodies malevolence.
2. Lilith
In folklore, Lilith symbolizes the evil aspect of femininity, often seen as a dark temptress or a figure of demonic energy. This name carries rich implications of danger and seduction.
3. Malice
The name Malice originates from the word meaning evil intent. It conveys a sense of ill-will and is a fitting choice for characters with sinister motives.
4. Belladonna
Belladonna, meaning beautiful lady, also refers to a poisonous plant. This name reflects the dichotomy of beauty and danger, symbolizing something attractive yet deadly.
5. Pandora
Pandora’s name means all-giving but is best known for unleashing chaos and misfortune upon the world. This name represents unintended consequences and evil turn of fate.
6. Nergal
Nergal is a deity from Babylonian mythology associated with war, plague, and the underworld. The name carries connotations of destruction and death, making it a fitting representation of malevolence.
7. Kali
Kali is a goddess in Hindu mythology who represents destruction and transformation. While she has a protective aspect, her name also embodies fear and darkness.
8. Cerberus
The three-headed dog guarding the gates of the underworld in Greek mythology, Cerberus names a creature of torment and evil, keeping the souls of the dead from escaping.
9. Hades
Hades, the god of the underworld, is often portrayed as evil or ominous despite being a ruler. His name brings forth associations with death and the afterlife.
10. Fenrir
In Norse mythology, Fenrir is a monstrous wolf prophesied to kill Odin. The name represents chaos and destruction, making it a compelling choice for a villainous character.
11. Mortis
The name Mortis derives from the Latin word for death. This stark name captures the essence of mortality, bringing forth a strong sense of darkness.
12. Deimos
Deimos, one of the sons of Ares in Greek mythology, represents terror and dread. This name accurately embodies what it means to instill fear.
13. Jabez
The name Jabez means “sorrow” in Hebrew, carrying a weight of negative connotations associated with pain and woe.
14. Ashmodai
Originating from Jewish folklore, Ashmodai refers to a king of demons. This name highlights both power and evil characteristics.
15. Keres
The Keres are dark spirits from Greek mythology that personify violent death. Naming a character after them evokes a sense of foreboding and death.
16. Strife
The name Strife embodies conflict and discord, making it synonymous with chaos and bad situations. It is ideal for characters that bring turmoil.
17. Grim
Grim represents a serious, forbidding figure and is often associated with death and darkness. The name has implications of a fearsome presence.
18. Chernobog
Chernobog is a Slavic god of darkness and malevolence, representing evil forces. The name itself evokes a sense of ancient evil.
19. Beelzebub
This name meaning “Lord of the Flies” points to demonic associations in various mythologies. It’s a powerful label for malevolent characters.
20. Acheron
Acheron is known as the river of woe in Greek mythology, representing sorrow and suffering. The name paints a picture of dark paths and despair.
21. Achlys
In Greek mythology, Achlys represents the personification of misery and sorrow, making it a name that embodies deep despair.
22. Jinx
The name Jinx is associated with bad luck and misfortune. It’s typically used for mischievous characters that bring negative outcomes.
23. Calypso
While Calypso means “to conceal,” this name is also linked with temptation and danger, particularly in the context of Greek mythology.
24. nahash
In Hebrew, nahash means “serpent,” which in many religious texts symbolizes evil and malevolence. A powerful choice for negativity.
25. Lamashtu
In Mesopotamian mythology, Lamashtu is a demoness known for her evil deeds. Her name epitomizes dark forces and dangers.
26. Deatheater
In the Harry Potter universe, Death Eaters are followers of dark magic. This name is synonymous with evil and serves as a representation of wickedness.
27. Maleficent
This name means “doing evil” and is famously associated with the wicked fairy from Sleeping Beauty, embodying treachery and dark magic.
28. Azazel
Azazel is recognized in various texts as a fallen angel and associated with sin. The name carries heavy negative meanings and implications.
29. Kali-Ma
Kali-Ma can refer to the more aggressive aspect of the goddess Kali, representing the destructive traits associated with female power and wrath.
30. Ripper
The name Ripper connotes a figure that tears, and it’s often associated with notorious figures or evil acts, making it a strong identifier of wickedness.
31. Sombra
Sombra, meaning shadow in Spanish, evokes imagery of darkness and secrecy, symbolizing the dark attributes that often accompany evil actions.
32. Vesper
The name Vesper means “evening star” but carries ominous undertones, often representing darkness or the coming of night—a time associated with evil.
33. Raze
Raze means to completely destroy. This name captures the essence of devastation and wickedness, ideal for villainous characters.
34. Tisiphone
Tisiphone is named after one of the Furies in Greek mythology, embodying revenge and punishment for crimes, solidifying its association with evil.
35. Reaver
The name Reaver signifies someone who plunders and violates. It distinctly connotes a personality steeped in malice and negativity.
36. Onyx
Onyx is seen as a protective stone but is often associated with darkness, making it a fitting name for characters with sinister traits.
37. Azrael
Azrael represents the angel of death in various cultures, a name interlinked with mortality and dark themes.
38. Alastor
Alastor is a spirit of vengeance in ancient Greek mythology, deeply entwined with the notions of punishment and revenge.
39. Seraphim
Though often seen as a higher order of angels, the name Seraphim reflects intense fire and fierceness, embodying both light and darkness in contrast.
40. Draven
Draven often symbolizes an enigmatic dark figure and evokes thoughts of shadowy realms, making it ideal for a character with evil intentions.
41. Tenebris
Tenebris means darkness in Latin, perfectly encapsulating the essence of evil and the unknown that lingers within.
42. Draugr
Draugr refers to undead creatures in Norse folklore, representing evil and malevolence that resides after death.
43. Barabbas
Barabbas is a name associated with a notorious criminal who was released instead of Jesus, symbolizing sin and wrongdoing.
44. Medea
The name Medea is synonymous with betrayal and revenge in Greek mythology, depicting a powerful woman who turns to dark means to achieve her desires.
45. Charon
As the ferryman of the dead in Greek mythology, Charon’s name is heavily linked with death and the underworld, embodying the traits of evil and darkness.
46. Nocturne
Nocturne is connected to night and darkness, symbolizing the enigmatic feel of evil that can lurk in the shadows.
47. Styx
Known as the river of the underworld in Greek mythology, Styx represents the boundary between life and death, capturing the essence of evil.
48. Morrigan
Morrigan is seen as a goddess associated with war and fate, representing themes of death and turmoil in battle.
49. Nemesis
Nemesis embodies retribution and vengeance, symbolizing the darker side of justice and the idea of evil coming back around.
50. Vortex
Vortex signifies a whirlpool or whirlwind, often used metaphorically to describe chaotic evil situations, making it an engaging name choice.
51. Hecate
Hecate is associated with witchcraft, ghosts, and the moon, carrying strong connotations with dark magic and evil forces.
52. Enigma
Enigma represents mystery and the unknown, showing features often associated with malevolence and dark intentions.
53. Gorgon
The Gorgon, such as Medusa, represents female figures turned monstrous, symbolizing something beautiful cursed into darkness.
54. Wraith
Wraith denotes a ghost or specter, evoking a sense of terror and fear associated with death and evil spirits.
55. Shayde
Shayde signifies darkness or shadow. This name carries dark undertones and can symbolize the hidden evils within.
56. Cimmerian
Cimmerian refers to a mythical land of perpetual darkness, often used in literature to symbolize dread and evil.
57. Abaddon
Abaddon is known as the angel of destruction in biblical texts, representing chaos and devastation, perfect for an evil character.
58. Hex
Hex represents a curse or magic spell. This name embodies the idea of bad luck and dark magic, ideal for characters with sinister backgrounds.
59. Ravager
Ravager connotes a destructive force that brings chaos and evil across land, perfectly portraying villainous figures.
60. Vengeance
Vengeance signifies revenge and wrath, emphasizing themes of retaliatory evil, making it an impactful name for dark characters.
61. Gore
The name Gore refers to bloodshed and violence, making it inherently linked to evil actions and horrific outcomes.
62. Hadesia
The feminine form of Hades, Hadesia keeps the associations with the underworld and evil strong in a more delicately named form.
63. Scream
alerts one to danger and often signifies fear, making it a strong name for characters associated with evil or horror themes.
64. Venom
Venom captures the essence of toxicity and danger, representing a sinister character who may bring harm unwittingly or intentionally.
65. Bloodrayne
Bloodrayne embodies a dark character with vampiric connotations. It reflects both bloodlust and the chaotic evil often linked to such figures.
66. Dusk
Dusk signifies the time between day and night. This name often has ominous undertones, representing darkness and the evil that might come at night.
67. Scourge
Scourge denotes one who inflicts pain or suffering, making it distinctly tied to evil actions and destructive behaviors.
68. Wretched
The name Wretched signifies distress or misery, evoking strong images of darkness and negative attributes associated with evil.
69. Thorne
Thorne represents sharpness and pain, symbolizing the malicious intent often linked to evil personalities or actions.
70. Nefarious
Nefarious directly means wicked or criminal, making it a perfect name for any character with truly evil intentions.
71. Vulcan
Vulcan, the god of fire and forging, also represents chaos and destruction. This connection between fire and evil makes it an intriguing name.
72. Eclipse
Eclipse signifies a covering and darkness and often represents forces of evil blocking out the “light” of good.
73. Termagant
Termagant is associated with unruly or scolding women and has become synonymous with anything loud and vicious.
74. Gorgonize
To Gorgonize means to sedate with terror, relating closely to the petrifying qualities of evil characters like Medusa.
75. Cyclops
The Cyclops from mythology are often depicted as violent and aggressive creatures, making this a name closely linked with evil attributes.
76. Furies
The Furies represent vengeance and fury, coming directly for those who have committed evil deeds. They are often seen as divine retribution.
77. Banshee
The Banshee is a wailing spirit that warns of death. It embodies a dark presence, signifying impending evil or tragedy.
78. Eumenides
The Eumenides are spirits of vengeance in Greek mythology, depicting the darker side of justice and eliciting fear through their actions.
79. Daemon
Daemon suggests a malevolent spirit or power, linking directly to the concept of evil in various mythologies and beliefs.
80. Scylla
Scylla, from Greek mythology, is a terrifying creature known for her violent nature, representing the theme of monstrous evil.
81. Abominable
The term Abominable signifies something that inspires disgust and hatred. It directly connects to concepts of evil and wrongness.
82. Diabolical
Diabolical refers to something of the devil, inferring extreme wickedness and the characteristics typically associated with evil deeds.
83. Dread
Dread embodies a sense of fear and foreboding, closely associated with the darker sides of human nature and evil actions.
84. Insidious
Insidious illustrates a deceptive form of evil. It’s often used to describe harmful actions that come subtly, representing malevolence.
85. Malachai
The name Malachai is derived from Hebrew, meaning ‘messenger’, but is often associated with dark characters in literature.
86. Viper
The name Viper signifies a venomous snake, relating to danger and treachery that comes with a malevolent intent.
87. Cursed
Cursed directly symbolizes a connection to bad luck and misfortune, bringing in connotations of dark powers at work.
88. Noctis
Noctis means night in Latin, representing the dark and mysterious aspects that often link to evil and the unknown.
89. Harbinger
Harbinger brings forth connotations of challenges and impending doom, making it closely tied to concepts of evil and dark events.
90. Requiem
Requiem, typically associated with funeral rites, embodies themes of death and mourning, easily slipping into the realm of evil attributes.
91. Blight
Blight expresses decay and destruction, indicative of evil forces that lead to sudden and severe harm over time.
92. Vengeance
Vengeance links directly to themes of reprisal and punishment, making it an impactful name with evil associations.
93. Purgatory
Purgatory signifies a place of suffering and torment. It is deeply associated with the consequences of evil deeds.
94. Reaper
Reaper symbolizes death, representing the ultimate dark fate meted out to those who have walked the path of evil.
95. Ravager
The name Ravager indicates someone who destructs mercilessly, encapsulating feelings of terror that closely associate with evil.
96. Tempest
Tempest refers to a violent storm, meaning chaos and destruction perfectly aligning with dark and evil forces.
97. Vile
Vile is a direct indicator of repulsiveness and evil, making it a strong name choice for characters that bring negative outcomes.
98. Smite
Smite means to strike or hit hard, often in a punitive or harmful way. It embodies themes of violence and retribution common in evil acts.
99. Wraith
A Wraith is a ghostly figure, typically associated with death and malevolent spirits, making it a definitive dark name.
100. Doom
Doom brings forth feelings of inevitable ill fate, strengthening its association with dark and evil concepts.
101. Shadow
Shadow signifies a darker aspect and often symbolizes sinister undertones, representing hidden aspects of evil and malevolence.
102. Vex
The name Vex means to irritate or annoy, often reflecting the uncomfortable nature of evil actions and characters.
103. Lachesis
Lachesis is one of the three Fates responsible for measuring the thread of life, symbolizing themes of impending doom and fate.
104. Scourge
Scourge directly denotes a cause of affliction or suffering, strongly aligned with the connotations of evil actions.
105. Venatrix
Venatrix means huntress and often carries aggressive nature associated with pursuit, making it a name grounded in predatory tendencies.
106. Malevolent
Malevolent directly means having a wish to do evil, starkly portraying the very concept of wickedness that this article addresses.
107. Feral
Feral signifies wild and untamed behavior, often linked to savage evil and primal instincts associated with danger.
108. Phaedra
Phaedra from Greek mythology is connected with intense passion leading to chaos, symbolizing destructive aspects of evil.
109. Ebon
Ebon symbolizes dark hues or shadows, making it a perfect representation of the inherent qualities of evil.
110. Abyss
Abyss signifies a seemingly endless darkness, deeply associated with evil and despair, representing depths that are often avoided.
111. Torment
Torment signifies extreme pain and suffering, often associating itself directly with the repercussions of evil actions.
112. Riven
Riven means to split apart violently, encapsulating destructive qualities that link heavily with themes of evil.
113. Vengeance
Vengeance denotes the infliction of punishment or harm in response to wrongdoings, making it connected directly to evil actions.
114. Sinister
Sinister refers to something that suggests or predicts evil, making it a perfect name reflecting intentions of wrongdoing.
115. Treachery
Treachery embodies the idea of deceit and betrayal, presenting names associated with those who carry out evil acts against others.
116. Curse
A curse directly signifies evil and misfortune, pointing to the potential for harmful actions that can haunt individuals.
117. Woe
Woe embodies deep sadness or misfortune tied closely to themes of darkness, symbolizing the suffering that evil can cause.
118. Blight
Blight denotes destruction and decay, frequently becoming synonymous with the effects of evil actions throughout history.
119. Grendel
Grendel, a monstrous creature from Beowulf, represents pure evil, lurking in the shadows to attack and destroy.
120. Enmity
Enmity signifies a feeling of hostility or antagonism often closely tied to individuals characterized by evil impulses.
121. Ruin
Ruin directly connects to destruction and downfall, symbolizing the aftermath of evil actions.
122. Chilling
Chilling suggests a sense of fear and foreboding, often associated with the presence of something dark or evil.
123. Sour
Sour signifies bitterness and negativity, characteristic traits often associated with evil personalities or behaviors.
124. Tainted
Tainted denotes impurity and corruption, making it a name that signifies the effects of evil on someone or something.
125. Malediction
Malediction signifies a curse or expressing a desire for evil, making it heavily associated with dark beings and actions.
126. Abhorrence
Abhorrence captures deep-seated dislike and disgust, often linked to actions considered evil or malevolent.
127. Rapture
Rapture can have dual meanings, and while positive in some contexts, it often implies a kind of ecstatic evil or chaos.
128. Doomsday
Doomsday represents a day of judgment or catastrophe, often reflecting evil and punishment in many beliefs.
129. Deception
Deception closely ties to betrayal and lies, intrinsic aspects of evil that actor characters often embody.
130. Thief
Thief directly implies wrongdoing and illegal activity, making it a potent name linked to malevolent behavior.
131. Forsaken
Forsaken signifies abandonment, often connoting a sense of loss and darkness associated with evil actions.
132. Dismal
Dismal denotes gloom and squabbling, linked directly to sadness, suffering, and the plight that evil actions may bring.
133. Mistrust
Mistrust indicates doubt and suspicion, qualities often surrounding those who are marked with the wrongdoing of evil.
134. Chaos
Chaos embodies upheaval and disorder directly associated with malevolent actions and evil personalities.
135. Dire
Dire conveys a sense of urgency and Tension, evoking feelings of doom that are often interwoven with evil paths.
136. Malice
Malice represents ill-will and desire to harm, representing the aggressive side of evil. It’s a strong name that speaks volumes about intent.
137. Wretched
Wretched denotes misery and hopelessness, drawing a direct line to the suffering evil can bring into the world.
138. Abysmal
Abysmal suggests something extremely bad, making it clear the name directly conveys themes of darkness and evil.
139. Hoarfrost
Hoarfrost connotes a cold chill that can signify danger and discomfort, linking it with the unsettling legacy of evil.
140. Foul
Foul signifies something unpleasant or morally wrong, perfectly encapsulating the concept of evil, making it a strong descriptor.
141. Insidious
Insidious signifies something that operates stealthily and harms without warning. This name directly connects to the craftiness associated with evil deeds.
142. Brimstone
Brimstone connects to sulfur and fire, often representing destruction and the evil that resides in hellish consequences.
143. Regressor
Regressor implies backward movement, often tied to negative characteristics. It’s a term associated with evils that lead to harm.
144. Betrayal
Betrayal connects to the act of breaking trust, inherently a deeply evil act, reflecting those who commit wrongdoing.
145. Tragedy
Tragedy represents suffering and evil outcomes, making it a stark reminder of the impact that malevolence has on the world.
146. Shroud
A shroud is a covering for the dead, linking to death and the darker aspects of morality often associated with evil.
147. Evilyn
Evilyn is a play on the word evil and serves as a direct connection to the dark and nefarious aspects many might embody.
148. Sabotage
Sabotage indicates deliberate harm or destruction, making it intricately tied to concepts of darkness and wicked actions in intent.
149. Woe
Woe directly refers to sorrow and trouble, effectively representing the negative impacts of evil actions.
150. Obsidian
Obsidian is a dark volcanic glass often associated with sharpness and danger, elegantly depicting evil’s shadowy nature.
Final Thoughts
Names that mean evil or bad carry rich histories filled with mythology and cultural significance. Through exploring names from Asmodeus to Obsidian, we see the depth of dark meanings and motivations behind them. Whether looking for characters to embody villainy or simply exploring the darker aspects of naming, these names resonate with depth and valor.
These names remind us of the multifaceted nature of evil, encapsulating fear, chaos, and conflict that exists within societies and stories. If you’re interested in exploring more about names related to darkness, you can check out names that mean death or delve into female names that mean death.
In essence, the exploration of names associated with evil highlights the many ways society interprets morality and character. Discovering these meanings can add layers to your understanding of names and their impact on narrative storytelling.