Names carry deep meanings, often reflecting emotions, experiences, or cultural stories. Some names represent feelings of sorrow, loss, or sadness. These names can be tied to history, literature, or personal experiences. Learning about these names can help us understand the weight they carry and the stories behind them.
Today, we will look at different names that mean sorrow. We will explore their origins, meanings, and the feelings they evoke. Whether you’re curious about naming a character for a story or just interested in unique names, this list will give you a glimpse into the emotional depth behind these names.
Names That Mean Sorrow
1. Mara
Mara is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “bitter.” In the Bible, Naomi adopts the name Mara to express her sorrow over the loss of her family, making it a poignant choice for those seeking names that convey sorrow.
2. Brenna
The name Brenna means “descendant of Braonán,” which can also be interpreted as “sorrow” or “sadness” in Irish. This name encapsulates the duality of beauty and melancholy, making it special for those who embrace the themes of sorrow.
3. Jabez
Jabez is a biblical name meaning “sorrow” or “pain.” The name resonates with the story of Jabez, who prayed to God for relief from his mother’s sorrow, adding an emotional depth to this name related to hardship.
4. Alvah
Alvah means “his highness” in Hebrew, but it is also interpreted as “sorrowful.” This contrast gives the name a unique emotional layer, making it an interesting choice for those drawn to names with deep significance.
5. Roni
This name means “song of joy” in Hebrew, but it has also been associated with sorrow in various narratives. Roni captures the duality of human emotions, embracing both happiness and sadness seamlessly.
6. Jorah
Jorah is a biblical name meaning “the early rain,” but in certain contexts, it is associated with sorrow or grief. The name evokes the nurturing aspect of rain while subtly referencing the sorrow that can accompany life’s difficulties.
7. Dolores
This Spanish name directly translates to “sorrows” or “sorrows of Mary.” Dolores recognizes sorrow as a part of the human experience, making it a powerful and beautiful name to consider.
8. Acheron
Acheron is derived from Greek mythology, representing the river of sorrow in the underworld. As a name, it symbolizes deep emotion and tragedy, making it a strong choice for fictional characters or unique personas.
9. Mallory
Of French origin, Mallory means “unfortunate” or “ill-fated.” This name reflects sorrow and misfortune, giving it a depth that resonates with stories of hardship and resilience.
10. Saul
Saul is a Hebrew name that means “asked for” or “prayed for,” but it also ties to themes of sorrow in the biblical narrative. His tragic story makes this name a poignant connection to loss and longing.
11. Tammuz
This ancient name means “son of the faithful” but is linked to the Babylonian god of fertility and associated with the sorrow of summer’s end. The cultural connections give this name a rich emotional layer.
12. Brenn
Brenn carries meanings relating to sorrow or sadness in some Celtic myths. The name invokes a sense of history, making it a thoughtful choice for those seeking emotional depth in names.
13. Rita
The name Rita is derived from the Latin name Margarita, which means “pearl.” However, it also connects to the title of “Our Lady of Sorrows,” making it a name intertwined with themes of grief.
14. Laila
Though Laila originally means “night” in Arabic, some interpretations link it to sorrow due to its darker connotations. This name beautifully encapsulates the melancholy that can accompany the night.
15. Althea
Althea, of Greek origin, means “healer” but is also thought to connect with themes of suffering and sorrow. It embodies the complexity of dealing with pain in order to heal.
16. Jara
This name means “to sow” in Hebrew but can connect to sorrow through certain historical contexts. It speaks to the grief of lost opportunities while evoking a sense of hope for growth.
17. Keren
Keren is a Hebrew name meaning “ray” or “horn,” often described in contexts of sorrow, especially in stories of loss and hardship that bring about transformation.
18. Rue
The name Rue comes from the herb often associated with sorrow and regret, symbolizing grief. The name captures the essence of sorrow while also representing beauty and resilience.
19. Tara
This name means “star” in Sanskrit, but in some cultures, it is associated with sorrowful legends, adding richness to its meaning and evoking feelings of longing.
20. Calantha
Calantha means “beautiful flower,” but it also ties to sorrow in various stories where beauty is intertwined with pain. The name highlights the duality of existence.
21. Lament
The name Lament is derived directly from the word for expressing sorrow, making it a bold choice for someone wanting a name that encapsulates the essence of grief.
22. Clytemnestra
Clytemnestra means “famous for her sorrow” in Greek mythology, as she is known for her tragic story and heart-wrenching decisions. This name is filled with dramatic emotion.
23. Alon
The Hebrew name Alon means “oak tree,” often associated with strength but also linked to mourning in stories where trees symbolize the pain of lost loved ones.
24. Jorim
This name means “he will rise,” but can also reflect a sense of longing for someone who has passed, highlighting the connection between hope and sorrow.
25. Ember
Ember, while often relating to fire and warmth, its association with the remnants of warmth after a flame connects to the feelings of loss and melancholy.
26. Tristram
This name of Old French origin means “sorrowful.” As an iconic character in Arthurian legend, it carries a weight of tales filled with love and heartbreak.
27. Maryam
Maryam, a variant of Mary, means “bitter” in Hebrew. The rich history and variety of stories connected to this name carry elements of sorrow and resilience.
28. Thane
The name Thane carries the meaning of “landholder,” but its association with tragic tales in literature can evoke a sense of sorrow and loss.
29. Niamh
Niamh is an Irish name meaning “bright” but often found in stories that evoke feelings of mourning and sorrow, as many myths feature tragic love stories.
30. Zarah
Zarah is a name of Arabic origin that means “princess” but is also linked to tragic tales, embodying resilience in the face of sorrow.
31. Isolde
A name rooted in Germanic stories, Isolde is often linked to tragic love and sorrowful tales, especially through the famous romance of Tristan and Isolde.
32. Beryl
Beryl, meaning “precious gem,” is linked with stories of loss in literature, adding depth to its beauty and making it a captivating choice.
33. Liora
This name means “light” in Hebrew, but can connect to stories exploring the contrast of hope and sorrow, embodying the struggle to find light in dark times.
34. Misha
Misha means “who is like God?” in Hebrew, but vessels of emotion in various stories intertwine this name with feelings of sorrow and loss.
35. Leora
This name means “light” but it also carries connotations of sorrow and yearning for that light, emphasizing the complexities of emotion.
36. Adira
While Adira means “noble” or “strong,” it has stories that connect the name with sorrow and resilience, illustrating the beauty of overcoming pain.
37. Lira
The name Lira, meaning “lyre,” holds connections to music and the expression of sorrow in melodies, creating an emotional resonance with its sound.
38. Zephyr
This name means “gentle breeze,” but is often associated with stories of loss and nostalgic longing, imbuing it with feelings of sorrow and melancholy.
39. Saoirse
Saoirse is an Irish name meaning “freedom,” yet in many poems and songs, it resonates with themes of sorrow, capturing the essence of longing and heartache.
40. Halcyon
Halcyon means “calm” and “peaceful,” but it also evokes imagery of loss and nostalgia from times of serenity now lost, showcasing the bittersweet nature of sorrow.
41. Lila
Lila means “night” in Arabic, often related to sadness and sorrow in literature. The name brings forth thoughts of tranquil yet complex emotions.
42. Sorrow
Directly meaning “grief,” Sorrow is an evocative name that would lend itself well in literature, providing a stark engagement with the emotions it carries.
43. Lenore
Lenore resonates with loss and sadness through literary references, especially in Poe’s poetry. The name embodies deep emotion intertwined with sorrow.
44. Carys
This Welsh name means “love,” but can also imply a connection to sorrow through its literary connotations, where love often dances with heartbreak.
45. Nari
Nari means “lily” in Hebrew and often symbolizes purity but can signify the sorrow tied to experiences in loss and mourning.
46. Merryn
Merryn means “sea,” but the ocean has powerful associations with loss and longing in many stories, making this name rich with emotional connections.
47. Dalia
Dalia means “gentle” in Arabic, but its floral connections bring forth imagery of sorrow along with beauty, symbolizing resilience through pain.
48. Linnet
The name Linnet comes from the songbird and is often tied to songs of sorrow, making it representative of longing and lost love through its melodic connections.
49. Efren
Efren means “fruitful” in Hebrew but is also linked to themes of sorrow in biblical contexts, showing the intersection of joy and grief.
50. Joss
This name means “a god will add,” but its associations with loss in historical contexts lend it a weight that touches upon sorrow.
51. Sorrowful
A twist on the direct term, Sorrowful can serve as an evocative name in literature, expressing the deep emotions associated with grief and loss.
52. Ashen
The name Ashen relates to “ash,” which is often viewed as a symbol of loss following a fire, invoking feelings of sorrow tied to what once was.
53. Mbali
This African name meaning “flower” can carry notions of sorrow since flowers can symbolize loss in various cultures, adding depth to its beauty.
54. Caron
Caron means “friend,” but often reflects emotional stories of friends lost and lessons learned through sorrow.
55. Belle
Meaning “beautiful” in French, Belle often appears in tales of unrequited love and sorrow, carrying a bittersweet sentiment.
56. Kalila
This name means “beloved” in Arabic and often reflects emotional depth through stories tied to heartbreak and longing.
57. Junaid
A name of Arabic origin meaning “soldier,” Junaid can also connect to themes of loss and sorrow in battles, embodying both honor and grief.
58. Maribel
The name Maribel combines “Maria” and “Beatriz,” giving it both grace and references to sorrow through its connections to tales of loss.
59. Talia
This Hebrew name meaning “dew from God” conveys a gentle beauty that can also be tied to sorrow through stories of yearning and loss.
60. Elysia
Elysia refers to the Elysian Fields in Greek mythology, a place of rest for the dead, tying it to sorrow but also to peaceful remembrance.
61. Salomé
Salomé is associated with the biblical story of betrayal and sorrow, making it a striking choice for its emotional weight.
62. Ailis
Ailis is an Irish variant of Alice, meaning “noble,” but carries dual meanings of sorrow in certain narratives, adding complexity to its charm.
63. Renata
This name means “reborn,” but carries associations with the sorrow of loss and transformation, speaking to the journey through grief.
64. Melancholia
A direct term for sadness, Melancholia makes for a strong name that evokes feelings of deep sorrow and emotional complexity.
65. Anya
Anya means “grace” in Hebrew but is often tied to stories of loss, adding richness to the name as it embodies sorrow’s grace.
66. Nox
This name, meaning “night” in Latin, carries associations with sadness and the unknown, making it a beautiful choice for its depth.
67. Saula
Saula, similar to Saul, can embody notions of sorrow through biblical narratives while also carrying a unique flair as a name choice.
68. Yara
The name Yara means “small butterfly” in Arabic but is also linked to stories of sorrowful farewells, symbolizing transformation through loss.
69. Secunda
Meaning “second,” Secunda can symbolize second chances and the pain that often accompanies them, growing alongside sorrow.
70. Micaiah
Micaiah means “who is like God?” in Hebrew, but often reflects the grief tied to longing for God’s care or presence in sorrowful tales.
71. Dolorosa
Dolorosa directly means “sorrowful” in Spanish. The name captures the true essence of grieving, providing a raw connection to emotions.
72. Hollis
Hollis is a name meaning “dweller at the holly trees,” but given the holly’s link to Christmas and loss, this name evokes a sense of sorrow in rebirth.
73. Onyeka
This Nigerian name means “who is greater than God?” but can also represent the sorrow of questioning one’s faith in challenging times.
74. Calista
This name means “most beautiful,” yet many tales involving Calista often explore themes of love and melancholy intertwined with beauty.
75. Maelis
This name has connections to sorrow in French literature, often reflecting the challenges of life and emotional growth through grief.
76. Kiya
Kiya means “to accuse” in Hebrew, often evoking themes of sorrow through stories of betrayal and the pain that follows.
77. Calypso
A name from Greek mythology connected to themes of love and loss, Calypso resonates with the emotional struggle of separation and sorrow.
78. Amaris
Amaris means “promised by God” but carries heavier tales of longing and loss in connections with godliness and sorrow.
79. Vale
The name Vale means “valley,” often invoking imagery of sorrow associated with valleys and depths of grief.
80. Jayme
This name links to themes of comfort while also reflecting the sorrow that often accompanies life’s transitions, making it rich in meaning.
81. Ezri
Ezri means “my help” in Hebrew yet can relate to grief seen in desperate need for connection in hard times, embodying sorrow’s weight.
82. Thalia
The name Thalia means “to blossom” but has ties to stories of sorrow through mythological figures often exploring themes of loss.
83. Melina
This name means “honey” but carries attributes of experience through sorrow in many stories reflecting on sweet memories turned sour.
84. Devrim
Devrim means “revolution” in Turkish but can reflect turning points often filled with sorrow, embodying the transformation that comes with change.
85. Phaedra
This Greek name means “bright,” yet is often associated with sorrowful tales of love, embodying the complexity of emotional experiences.
86. Thorne
Thorne, meaning “thorn bush,” evokes imagery of pain and sorrow while also representing protection and resilience, showcasing the yin-and-yang of life.
87. Kaline
This name means “pure” but is often explored in stories of loss and grace finding itself within the realms of sorrowful experiences.
88. Delphine
Meaning “dolphin,” Delphine has ties to narratives of sorrowful tales and traditions that enrich its meaning with depth and melancholy.
89. Sorelle
Sorelle means “sisters” in Italian and is connected to themes of loss among siblings, often explored in literature and poetry about sorrow.
90. Arwen
Arwen means “noble maiden” in Elvish and connects to themes of love and sorrow amid a bittersweet romance in Tolkien’s tales.
91. Alondra
This name means “lark,” inspiring thoughts of hope, yet often features in stories where hope is overshadowed by sorrow, creating emotional depth.
92. Tamsin
Tamsin means “twin” but can connect to the deeper emotions surrounding grief in stories of loss, representing duality in experience.
93. Roche
This name means “rock” in French but also bears connections to challenges and sorrowful tales that speak to the hearts of many adventurers.
94. Laya
Laya means “rhythm” in Hebrew and often links musical expressions of sorrow, embodying the theme of reflection through art.
95. Aislinn
Aislinn means “dream” in Irish, yet often ties to themes of sadness when dreams are lost, embodying the bittersweet nature of aspiration.
96. Selene
Selene means “moon” in Greek and is often linked to tales of love, loss, and longing within the cycles of sorrow and yearning.
97. Danika
This name means “morning star” in Slavic but can also symbolize hope lost and rediscovered through the lens of sorrowful tales.
98. Lenaya
The name combines “light” and elements of sorrow, encapsulating hope and longing within its meaning, making it a powerful choice.
99. Meredy
Meaning “joyous,” Meredy can symbolize the contrast of joy with sorrow, making it a thoughtful name for those exploring deeper emotions.
100. Serenity
This name means “calm” but often contrasts sharply with the tumult of sorrowful narratives, mixing peace with emotional exploration.
101. Amethyst
This name refers to the purple gemstone associated with protective qualities but its connections to loss add an emotional layer, showcasing the intertwining of beauty and sorrow.
102. Zara
While Zara means “princess” in Arabic, it also aligns with themes of loss in cultural narratives, expressing both regal beauty and hardship.
103. Cordelia
This name means “heart” in Celtic, embodying feelings associated with emotional grief and sorrow while also celebrating love.
104. Khari
Khari means “kingly” in African contexts but can also connect with themes of grief, expressing how sorrow accompanies those in leadership.
105. Minu
Minu means “precious” but can be connected with themes of loss in narratives where cherished things are lost, enriching its meaning.
106. Solene
This name means “sunshine,” often opposing sorrowful events where light is lost, making it a dual-purpose name embodying both hope and melancholy.
107. Samira
Meaning “beautiful companion” in Arabic, the name can sometimes be tied to narratives reflecting heartbreak and the sorrow that follows loss.
108. Liora
Liora means “God’s light,” yet often speaks to loss and grief in narratives, making it deeply grounded in emotions intertwined with sorrow.
109. Jael
This biblical name reflects strength and cunning but is often linked with stories of betrayal and sorrow, telling tales of complex emotions.
110. Eluned
Eluned means “idol” in Welsh and symbolizes longing often associated with love lost, infusing a sense of yearning and sorrow.
111. Thalia
Thalia means “to bloom” but captures some tales of sorrow as characters face struggles before they can blossom, reflecting the journey of growth through sorrow.
112. Merriam
Merriam is a variant of Mary linked often with themes of grace and sorrow through biblical tales, cementing its emotional weight in history.
113. Soraya
Soraya means “princess” in Persian, offering a contrast with its beauty and tales connected to sorrow, making it a poignant name choice.
114. Avani
Avani means “earth” but evokes themes of grounding in sorrowful narratives, showcasing how loss can connect us back to our roots.
115. Miya
This name means “temple” in Japanese, and can symbolize reverence for the sorrows often experienced in rites of passage and loss.
116. Selah
Selah has biblical origins and can mean “pause” or “reflect,” which correlates beautifully with moments of sorrow as one seeks solace.
117. kaelin
Kaelin means “slender” but can also reflect the fragility of life and the sorrow that can accompany that vulnerability.
118. Andromeda
This name, derived from Greek mythology, is tied to tales of love and sacrifice often intertwined with sorrowful outcomes, embodying dualities.
119. Evangeline
Evangeline means “bearer of good news” but is often found in stories that traverse themes of grief and longing, bringing sorrow to light.
120. Severin
This name means “stern” in Latin but can resonate with stories exploring the sorrow that often lingers in the face of strictness.
121. Beryl
Beryl, while referring to a precious gem, often has ties with loss in historical contexts, providing a rich background of sorrow intertwined with beauty.
122. Ling
Meaning “delicate” in Chinese contexts, Ling can embody vulnerabilities that often accompany sorrow, showcasing fragility in emotional experiences.
123. Xing
This name means “star” in Chinese but, similar to other celestial references, carries reflections on the sadness tied to the ephemeral nature of stars.
124. Tova
Tova means “good” in Hebrew but is often linked to sorrowful tales where goodness is questioned, depicting the struggles of existence.
125. Zella
This name means “prosperous” but can relate to the sadness of dreams deferred, weaving layers of emotion into the narrative of the name.
126. Farrah
Farrah means “joyful” in Arabic, symbolizing contrasting emotions tied to the understanding of grief and celebrating moments of happiness amidst sorrow.
127. Brenn
As an Irish name that can mean “descendant of Braonán,” it touches on themes of lost lineage and the sorrow associated with it, embodying depth in a simple name.
128. Lumi
Lumi means “light” in Finnish, but often interplays with the emotional weight of sadness and loss often found in reflective stories.
129. Zayna
Zayna, meaning “beauty” in Arabic, is often interwoven with themes surrounding sorrow found in past love tales—making it a beautifully layered name.
130. Seleste
Meaning “heavenly,” Seleste can sometimes connect with feelings of longing and sorrow associated with yearning for something beyond reach.
131. Tazia
Tazia means “a branch” in Arabic but can symbolize the paths of sorrow and joy intertwined, leading to heartwarming reflections on life.
132. Livia
Livia invokes ties to themes of grief through narratives exploring lost love, embodying delicate beauty amid loss.
133. Sira
Sira means “beautiful” in Arabic but can also portray the sorrow found within beauty’s impermanence, drawing lines between beauty and pain.
134. Paloma
Paloma means “dove” in Spanish and symbolizes peace, often poignantly linked with loss in romantic and spiritual contexts.
135. Niamh
This name means “bright,” yet is often surrounded by themes of sorrow found in legends, especially related to unfulfilled love and longing.
136. Kira
Kira means “light” in Persian but often reflects deeper themes of sorrow due to the contrasts with darkness and grief in visual imagery.
137. Esmé
The name Esmé means “loved” but can reflect the sorrow associated with love’s loss or absence, exploring the richness of deep emotional connections.
138. Nonna
Meaning “grandma” in Italian, Nonna often evokes warmth but also carries sorrow tied to generational loss, creating bonds through shared memories.
139. Zarae
The name Zarae, derived from programming but can evoke feelings of loss in digital storytelling, symbolizing relationships across space and grief.
140. Anouk
This name means “grace,” yet often explores deeper narratives of loss in heartfelt storytelling, providing emotional connectivity to sorrow.
141. Sable
This name means “black” or “mourning,” directly implying sorrow’s weight through its visual imagery, adding emotional depth to the name.
142. Pandora
As a name rooted in mythology meaning “all-giving,” Pandora often intertwines with stories of sorrow as her curiosity leads to undesired outcomes.
143. Lael
The name Lael means “belonging to God” and can often resonate with requests for divine comfort during sorrowful times in narratives.
144. Ebenezer
This name means “stone of help” in Hebrew, but its connections to stories of sorrow and redemption make it profoundly layered.
145. Makenna
This name means “gift from God,” but often connects to narratives that explore loss and sorrow intertwined with gratitude and divine gifts.
146. Hevel
The name Hevel means “breath” in Hebrew yet connects deeply to existential themes tied to the fleeting nature of life and sorrow.
147. Amara
Amara means “eternal” in Hebrew and often conveys the ideas of love lost but enduring, capturing sorrow’s presence in time’s passing.
148. Zubari
This name means “rose” in Urdu, but roses also carry connections to sorrow, depicting love and beauty tinged with loss.
149. Cyrene
The name Cyrene means “sovereign queen” but can evoke feelings of loss in historical interpretations where power comes at a cost of sorrow.
150. Nivea
Nivea means “snowy” in Latin, connecting it with colder emotions found in the heart of sorrow and winter, depicting the chill of grief.
Final Thoughts
Exploring names that mean sorrow reveals the emotional depths that words can carry. From the biblical Mara to the enchanting Esmé, each name tells a story of loss, longing, or reflection. This exploration helps show how names are not just random labels but rather vessels for shared human experiences. Whether used for characters in stories or as a unique name choice, these names provide a rich tapestry of emotions related to sorrow.
As you navigate through the world of names and their meanings, consider looking further into the significance of Names That Mean Death or delving deeper into more names tied to sorrow. Understanding these names can enhance our appreciation of language and its emotional connections.
Explore more about names that convey deep meanings and their backgrounds to enrich your understanding of the world around you.