Greek mythology is filled with fascinating characters, many of whom have names that carry deep meanings. Some of these names are associated with dark themes and malevolent traits. Understanding these names can give us insight into the stories and characters that the ancient Greeks created.
Today, we will look at Greek names that mean evil. From mythical figures to historical characters, these names highlight the darker sides of human nature. Each name tells a story of power, chaos, or mischief, showing that not all names are bright and cheerful. Let’s explore some of the most intriguing evil names in Greek mythology!
Greek Names That Mean Evil
1. Acheron
Acheron is the name of one of the rivers in the underworld that is associated with pain. In mythology, it’s often referred to as the river of woe, making its meaning quite dark.
2. Thanatos
Thanatos represents death in Greek mythology. This name directly embodies the concept of mortality and the darker aspects of existence.
3. Eris
Eris is the goddess of strife and discord. The meaning behind her name signifies chaos, a direct link to the evil that can arise from conflict.
4. Hades
As the god of the underworld, Hades embodies darkness and the afterlife. His name is often associated with the evil that lurks in the shadows of death.
5. Melinoë
Melinoë, a figure associated with the night and ghosts, signifies the nightmare aspect of dream interpretation, suggesting a darker meaning behind her name.
6. Phobos
Phobos is the personification of fear in Greek mythology. His name has a strong connection to terror and anxiety, making it quite sinister.
7. Deimos
Deimos, the twin brother of Phobos, represents terror and dread. The significance of his name aligns with the darker forces of fear found in mythology.
8. Typhon
Typhon is a monstrous figure associated with storms and chaos. His name invokes dread and symbolizes the destructive power of nature.
9. Keres
The Keres are female death spirits associated with violent death. Their name reflects the sinister aspect of mortality.
10. Phlegyas
Phlegyas is a character associated with wrath and fury. His name embodies the darker emotions that can lead to destruction.
11. Nyx
Nyx represents the night and is often seen as a figure of darkness. Her name signifies the mysterious and sometimes malevolent aspects of the unknown.
12. Erebus
Erebus is a primordial deity representing deep darkness. His name signifies evil in many interpretations, as it represents the shadowy void.
13. Asmodeus
Asmodeus is associated with lust and excess. His name carries connotations of moral corruption and evil attitudes.
14. Alecto
Alecto, one of the Furies, symbolizes unending anger and retribution. Her name reflects vengeance and evil justice.
15. Megaera
Megaera is another Fury, associated with jealousy and rage. Her name is tied to feelings of hatred and revenge.
16. Tisiphone
Tisiphone represents retribution. Her name emphasizes vengeance for wrongdoing, embodying the darker side of justice.
17. Charon
Charon is the ferryman of the underworld who transports souls. His name represents the transition to the dark side of life after death.
18. Physis
Physis symbolizes the natural order, which can sometimes include destruction and chaos, reflecting the duality of life.
19. Limos
Limos stands for famine and hunger. His name resonates with suffering and the darker aspects of survival.
20. Ares
Ares, the god of war, embodies violence and chaos. His name directly relates to conflict and the evils tied to warfare.
21. Agamemnon
Agamemnon is known for his role in the Trojan War. The name carries weight of betrayal and tragedy, hinting at darker themes in his story.
22. Cassius
Cassius is associated with betrayal, recalling the infamous traitor of Roman history. The name resonates with schemes and dark plots.
23. Atropos
Atropos, one of the Fates, is known to cut the thread of life, which connects her name to death and the inevitability of fate.
24. Tantalus
Tantalus represents eternal punishment and hunger. His name reflects despair and the evils of temptation and disappointment.
25. Phineas
Phineas was a seer who suffered greatly due to his prophetic abilities. His name is linked to strife and misfortune.
26. Ixion
Ixion was punished for his sins and associated with suffering. His name signifies moral degradation and the consequences of evil deeds.
27. Lycaon
Lycaon’s name is tied to lycanthropy, symbolizing transformation into a wolf. His story represents savagery and evil within humanity.
28. Phaedra
Phaedra’s ill-fated love leads to tragedy. Her name carries themes of betrayal and emotional pain, reflective of darker narratives.
29. Clytemnestra
Clytemnestra is known for her treachery and murder. This name embodies the darker aspects of revenge and family conflict.
30. Medea
Medea is a figure associated with magic and vengeance. Her name signifies the potent and sometimes evil consequences of love turned bitter.
31. Persephone
Persephone’s dual identity as queen of the underworld signifies darkness and the evil associated with abduction.
32. Odysseus
Odysseus is known for his cunning and trickery. His name signifies manipulation and the darker side of heroism.
33. Hera
Hera represents revenge and jealousy, especially towards her husband’s lovers. Her name has dark connotations when related to betrayal.
34. Klytemnestra
Klytemnestra is known for her murderous plot in revenge against her husband. This name embodies deceit and treachery.
35. Enyo
Enyo is the goddess of war and destruction. Her connection to chaos and evil in battle links her name to dark themes.
36. Telchines
Telchines were sea demons known for their malevolence. Their name directly signifies evil associated with the ocean.
37. Demogorgon
Demogorgon represents chaos and primordial deities. This name connects to the source of evil in mythological stories.
38. Moros
Moros signifies doom and fate. His name signifies the inevitability of evil occurrences in life.
39. Oizys
Oizys represents misery and anxiety, encapsulating the darker feelings that plague humanity.
40. Akhlys
Akhlys embodies the spirit of death and darkness. The name represents the ancient evil related to night and fatality.
41. Blasphemy
Blasphemy signifies speaking against sacred things. This name carries heavy moral weight and connections to evil actions.
42. Cacophony
Cacophony symbolizes discord and chaos through sound. This name embodies the unrest and evil that can come from disharmony.
43. Obsidian
Obsidian is a volcanic glass associated with shadow. Its dark quality lends an air of evil potential and danger.
44. Tartarus
Tartarus is a deep abyss used as a dungeon of torment. Its name connects strongly with punishment and eternal suffering.
45. Sinis
Sinis was a notorious bandit known for his evil ways. His name highlights themes of cruelty and malicious behavior.
46. Morgana
Morgana is often associated with dark magic and deception, making her name synonymous with wickedness.
47. Ereshkigal
Ereshkigal is the queen of the underworld, linking her name to malevolence and the themes of death.
48. Ahriman
Ahriman is the embodiment of evil in ancient texts, representing dark forces and the fight against goodness.
49. Malice
Malice signifies the intention to do evil or cause harm. It represents malicious intent widely in literature and mythology.
50. Kratos
Kratos embodies strength but can also represent the brutality in power, linking his name to the dark side of authority.
51. Zophiel
Zophiel is connected with dark angels, representing fallen entities and malevolence.
52. Astaroth
Astaroth is linked to darkness and malevolence in various traditions. His name has strong associations with evil spirits.
53. Iapetus
Iapetus represents mortality and evil as he is connected to the Titan tradition associated with destructive actions.
54. Lilith
Lilith is often tied to darkness and evil folklore. Her name signifies many aspects of women’s darker attributes.
55. Lilith
Lilith is often associated with night demons. Her name reflects themes of rebellion and darkness.
56. Mammon
Mammon embodies greed and materialism. His name represents the evil associated with wealth and possessions.
57. Gorgon
The Gorgon represents monstrous evil. The name connects to fear, chaos, and hideousness in Greek culture.
58. Skiron
Skiron is known for his violent methods. His name evokes themes of brutality and evil deeds in mythology.
59. Phlegyas
Phlegyas is a figure representing rage. The name emphasizes the perilous emotional states resulting in evil actions.
60. Periander
Periander is known for his tyranny. His name signifies the darker aspects of leadership and power.
61. Lamia
Lamia represents a female demon who preys on children. Her name is filled with evil connotations in mythology.
62. Acis
Acis is related to tales of tragic death and sorrow. His name signifies the dark tale of lost love.
63. Cresphontes
Cresphontes symbolizes betrayal and revenge in his lore, linking his name to darker themes.
64. Pentheus
Pentheus was torn apart by women in a frenzied battle. His name highlights themes of demise and malevolence.
65. Apollo
Apollo carries dual aspects, including destruction. His name signifies the role of gods in both good and evil.
66. Nereus
Nereus, while often associated with the sea, sometimes embodies the darker elements of the ocean’s depths.
67. Kratos
Kratos signifies strength and ruthless power in mythology, tying his name to themes of oppression and malevolence.
68. Agrios
Agrios, often interpreted as wild or savage, represents chaotic and untamed forces, linking his name to darkness.
69. Phthius
Phthius infers decay and pestilence. His name embodies negative outcomes tied to evil and suffering.
70. Chione
Chione represents coldness and winter, connecting her name to the evil of harsh weather and suffering.
71. Antheia
Antheia also signifies evil through her association with unintentional chaos in fertility.
72. Theodora
Theodora is often linked to female figures with malicious intent in folklore, highlighting themes of treachery.
73. Alectryon
Alectryon symbolizes betrayal in love tales, linking his name to themes of infidelity and evil intent.
74. Circe
Circe is known for her ability to turn men into beasts, embodying darkness and temptation in mythology.
75. Empusa
Empusa represents a demoness, capturing the essence of malevolence and evil in various stories.
76. Ouranos
Ouranos represents the sky, but can also symbolize chaotic forces, linking to darker realms in mythology.
77. Fascinus
Fascinus relates to evil methodologies in ancient mythology, representing forces of mischief and chaos.
78. Phthius
Phthius relates to decay and ruin, connecting his name back to dark and harmful forces.
79. Stymphalian
Stymphalian birds symbolize destruction and evil, marking a connection to dangers in nature.
80. Eridanus
Eridanus signifies deep waters where evil can lurk, directly relating to the theme of darkness associated with rivers.
81. Scylla
Scylla represents monsters residing in the strait, capturing the danger and evil associated with certain sea traits.
82. Acheron
Acheron signifies woes, linking back to its associations with pain and darkness in the mythology of the underworld.
83. Bacchae
Bacchae connects to themes of wildness and chaos, aligning their stories with evil actions in drunken frenzies.
84. Dike
Dike represents justice but can also signify the harsh consequences of evil deeds in her judgments.
85. Ushtar
Ushtar signifies darkness in ancient stories often linked to evil and negative aspects in folklore.
86. Louhi
Louhi symbolizes the dark goddess of death, linking her name to severe evil and chaos.
87. Khedesh
Khedesh connects to darkness and the night, aligning her name with themes of evil lurking in shadows.
88. Kyanos
Kyanos portrays a sense of turmoil and tempestuousness, marking dark qualities within his story.
89. Tahomé
Tahomé relates to the abyss’s dark depths, connecting back to the underlying themes of evil chaos.
90. Balam
Balam signifies dark spirits in various myths, linking to themes of mischief and tricks.
91. Aridane
Aridane, while a beautiful name, can represent the tragic consequences often seen in her tales.
92. Cruz
Cruz embodies the cruel forces of fate that are cruelly intertwined within many sections of mythology.
93. Elysium
Elysium, representing paradise, ironically can also symbolize the fall into darkness and how evil twists good.
94. Enyalius
Enyalius, another aspect of Ares, embodies war and strife, showcasing evil’s face in battles.
95. Phorbas
Phorbas translates to darkness in certain interpretations. His name signifies those dark feelings hidden inside.
96. Labyrinthus
Labyrinthus symbolizes complexity and entrapment, marking connections to darker aspects of fate.
97. Hecate
Hecate is known for her powers in dark magic and witchcraft, making her name synonymous with evil potency.
98. Mnemosyne
Mnemosyne embodies memory, which can lead to dark recollections and painful past events.
99. Phyllis
Phyllis has connections to betrayal and sorrow, linking her name to evils tied to romantic narratives.
100. Mokosh
Mokosh symbolizes earth and water but can have dark reflections in certain stories of fertility gone wrong.
101. Nekhbet
Nekhbet embodies destruction and chaos, particularly in ancient representations tied to earth and mortality.
102. Perses
Perses connects to myths around destruction and darkness, making it a fitting name for evil themes.
103. Zara
Zara, though more commonly known, has ties to scarcity, hinting at darker themes in conditions where basic needs are absent.
104. Feyerabend
Feyerabend is associated with risks and chaos, underlining various unknown forces in mythology.
105. Ananke
Ananke represents necessity, often with an edge of darkness around fate and its irreversible ties to evil.
106. Charybdis
Charybdis is known for her violent whirlpool, connecting her name to danger and destruction.
107. Nephthys
Nephthys, while sometimes seen as nurturing, can also have her darker side emerge in stories of the dead.
108. Caurus
Caurus represents winds that could signify destruction, connecting his name to chaos and dark narratives.
109. Hesperia
Hesperia symbolizes evening, which can bring forth themes of darkness and the night, connecting to evil’s presence.
110. Tenebris
Tenebris translates directly to darkness, encapsulating the entire essence associated with the dark and the unknown.
111. Chione
Chione signifies winter’s harshness and the evils associated with cold, which can lead to suffering and hardship.
112. Astyages
Astyages represents cruel rule and dark power, connecting his name strongly with mythical themes of evil.
113. Nyx
Nyx symbolizes darkness personified, resonating with the bad aspects of night and hidden evil.
114. Somnus
Somnus, representing sleep, can also imply dark dreams and nightmares, which relate back to evil narratives.
115. Felicia
Felicia, while lovely in sound, can also link to themes of downfall and loss in ancient tales.
116. Eos
Eos represents dawn but connects to hidden evils as day breaks, highlighting transitions from good to evil.
117. Lumen
Lumen signifies light, but contrasts exist where light and darkness battle, linking the struggle with good and evil.
118. Apophis
Apophis embodies chaos and darkness in numerous ancient tales. His name resonates with malevolent intent.
119. Lykaios
Lykaios is associated with the wolf and transformation, tying his name into themes of savagery and evil.
120. Cytherea
Cytherea connects to destruction tied to love and infatuation, linking her name to darker narratives.
121. Theseus
Theseus, while a hero, embodies betrayal through differing loyalties, revealing darker sides to companionship.
122. Damaris
Damaris can carry connotations of unfaithfulness, marking dark tales within history.
123. Typhon
Typhon is a force of nature representing chaos, linking his name to the many evils associated with turbulence.
124. Juno
Juno embodies jealousy and vengeance, linking her name to negative traits displayed in mythology.
125. Eros
Eros embodies love but can also symbolize obsession and darker twists, linking his narrative with evil nuances.
126. Taraxippus
Taraxippus is connected to causing distress, and his name signifies the darker aspects of the psyche.
127. Diabolus
Diabolus translates to adversary and covers a range of evil actions, marking his name with dark associations.
128. Miasma
Miasma represents environmental toxicity causing death. His name is darkly tied to suffering and decay.
129. Plutonius
Plutonius signifies wealth and has links to greed, tying evil to the pursuit of material goods.
130. Kitsune
Kitsune can represent dark trickster spirits, who embody mischief and malice.
131. Anubis
Anubis symbolizes the afterlife and darkness, directly connecting him to evil in many cultures.
132. Morfeo
Morfeo signifies dreams but can also imply nightmares, linking darkness to his narrative.
133. Striga
Striga embodies witch-like traits, highlighting evil associations with dark magic.
134. Ruadri
Ruadri symbolizes hazard, directly connecting to dark and dangerous folklore.
135. Macaria
Macaria embodies the concept of justice in violence, signifying the dark sides of retribution.
136. Icarus
Icarus signifies overreaching ambition leading to downfall, marking dark conclusions in morality.
137. Raijin
Raijin signifies storm deities, connecting chaos and darkness to his name.
138. Fenrir
Fenrir is associated with chaos and destruction in Norse mythology, symbolizing deep evils that can unfold.
139. Nox
Nox is the Greek term for night while also alluding to hidden dangers within the cover of darkness.
140. Luriel
Luriel signifies deception and illusion, linking its roots to dark mystical practices.
141. Ifrit
Ifrit refers to malevolent spirits, indicating a connection to evil folklore in numerous traditions.
142. Plutus
Plutus embodies wealth but also delves into greed’s darker side, linking his name to negative traits.
143. Lilith
Lilith connects to man-eating legends, marking strong ties with dark female figures.
144. Banshee
Banshee signifies a harbinger of death, connecting beautifully to darker themes in folklore.
145. Cerberus
Cerberus represents guardian of the underworld, embodying the evil lurking within death and darkness.
146. Belial
Belial signifies wickedness, revealing clear ties to evil narratives across various stories.
147. Mormo
Mormo embodies the spirit that preys on children, symbolizing dark fears that lurk in bedtime stories.
148. Vagabond
Vagabond signifies lost souls, emphasizing themes tied with abandonment and the evils within society.
149. Moros
Moros represents doom, acting as a powerful figure indicating the burdens of evil fate.
150. Yama
Yama embodies the god of death, representing the ultimate evil through mortality’s frailty.
Final Thoughts
Exploring Greek names that mean evil reveals significant insights into the stories and themes present in mythology. Many of these names carry deep meanings tied to mortality, darkness, and treachery, emphasizing how adverse traits influence characters’ outcomes. Understanding these names encourages readers to look deeper into the narratives woven throughout Greek mythology.
If you’re interested in learning more, you might explore names that reflect bad or evil traits in other contexts. You can also delve into various demonic interpretations that further explore darkness in literature and culture. These resources can provide unique perspectives and further your understanding of evil in different narratives.
So many names carry tales of darkness; the intrigue lies in how they connect with human nature. Dive into the world of mythology and let it inspire you!