Choosing a name for a baby girl can be a meaningful task. Some parents may want to reflect a deeper emotion or connection through a name. Sadness is a feeling that everyone experiences, and it can inspire some unique and beautiful names. These names often capture the essence of sorrow, loss, or melancholy.
Today, we will look at several girl names that mean sadness. Some of these names carry rich histories or cultural significance, while others are simply beautiful soundings. Each name tells a story and can evoke powerful emotions. If you’re seeking a name with a profound meaning, this list is a great place to start.
Girl Names That Mean Sadness
1. Mara
Mara is a Hebrew name meaning ‘bitter’ or ‘sadness’. The story of Naomi in the Bible reflects this name’s essence when she returns to Bethlehem, expressing her bitterness about her life’s circumstances.
2. Triste
Triste is a beautiful name that directly translates to ‘sad’ in Spanish and Portuguese. It resonates with a gentle sense of melancholy and can convey deep emotions.
3. Aisling
Aisling is an Irish name meaning ‘dream or vision’. This name often reflects longing which can be intertwined with feelings of sadness, making it a poetic choice.
4. Brenna
Brenna is of Irish origin and means ‘descendant of Braonán’, which translates to ‘sorrowful’. This name captures the heart of sadness through its historical roots.
5. Lament
Lament is a direct expression of sorrow and is associated with mourning. It conveys a deep emotional weight, making it a striking name choice.
6. Alayna
The name Alayna means ‘dark’ or ‘light’, often associated with sadness and brightness balancing each other. It symbolically reflects the ups and downs of life.
7. Lenora
Lenora has roots in Greek, meaning ‘light’. However, its association with loss can evoke feelings of sadness, especially when linked to stories about lost loved ones.
8. Mallory
Mallory is a French name meaning ‘unfortunate’ or ‘ill-fated’. This name captures the essence of sadness through its rich historical background.
9. Jabez
Jabez is a name that means ‘sorrow’, and while traditionally masculine, it can be adapted as a unique choice for a girl. It reflects a deep understanding of the human experience.
10. Brennagh
This name means ‘descendant of Braon’, relating to sadness. Its unique sound makes it a distinctive option for parents seeking a meaningful name.
11. Rona
Rona is derived from the Hebrew word for ‘joy’ but is often associated with sorrow in literature. It embodies the complex intertwining of joy and sadness.
12. Mourn
The name Mourn signifies the act of grieving. Although more unique, it evokes deep feelings connected to emotional experiences.
13. Delilah
Delilah has biblical roots and translates to ‘delicate’ or ‘weakened’, often symbolizing the sorrow of betrayal, adding a depth to the name.
14. Blythe
Blythe means ‘happy’ in its original sense, but its association with lost happiness gives it a contrasting meaning of sadness as well.
15. Juna
Juna signifies ‘youth’ or ‘young’, evoking a sense of lost time or innocence that often accompanies feelings of sadness.
16. Alana
The name Alana means ‘awakening or harmony’, but it also carries a tone of sadness through its smooth, melancholic pronunciation.
17. Deirdre
Deirdre is an Irish name associated with a tragic figure in mythology, symbolizing sorrow and unattainable love which echoes through its history.
18. Mabel
Mabel means ‘lovable’, yet it is often linked with stories of lost love, capturing the essence of sadness beautifully.
19. Leila
Leila translates to ‘night’, often associated with the darker feelings of sadness and loss. It evokes emotions of wistfulness and longing.
20. Sorrow
The name Sorrow embodies the feeling directly and serves as a potent reminder of the struggles individuals face in life.
21. Asha
Asha means ‘hope’ in Sanskrit, tying it to the idea that sadness can often coexist with hope during challenging times.
22. Orla
Orla means ‘golden princess’, but in Irish folklore, it also ties to sadness, often related to royal losses and tragedies.
23. Keren
Keren means ‘ray of light’ but is often related to stories of loss in various cultures, giving it a dual meaning that incorporates sadness.
24. Brooke
Though primarily meaning ‘small stream’, in poetic contexts, it can evoke feelings of nostalgia and sadness, particularly in tales of love lost.
25. Samara
Samara translates to ‘protected by God’, yet it has interpretations tied to feelings of longing and sadness, especially in literature.
26. Kalila
Kalila means ‘beloved one’, but the connection to love often fosters a sense of sadness when combined with themes of loss.
27. Soraya
Soraya means ‘princess’, yet in stories, this name often appears with ties to melancholy and sadness in romantic escapades.
28. Rhea
Rhea has Greek roots and is traditionally associated with the earth. However, its connection to stories of heartbreak adds a touch of sadness.
29. Vespera
Vespera means ‘evening star’, associated with beauty but in literature often represents feelings of sadness and reminiscence.
30. Faye
Faye means ‘fairy’ in Middle English, but stories involving fairies also delve into themes of sorrow and loss, making it layered in meaning.
31. Sadie
Sadie is often seen as a joyful name, but it has ties to sadness through its meaning of ‘princess’ in Hebrew, outlining the complexity of relationships.
32. Adira
Adira means ‘noble and powerful’ but can carry connotations of sadness when it is associated with the fall from such nobility.
33. Isolde
Isolde is a name from the tragic love story of Tristan and Isolde, deeply connected with themes of sadness and longing.
34. Moriah
Moriah refers to a biblical place often described in contexts of sacrifice and sorrow, evoking a tone of sadness.
35. Cyndi
Cyndi is a variation of Cynthia, meaning ‘moon goddess,’ which traditionally brings with it the beauty of nighttime sadness.
36. Kiana
Kiana means ‘divine’, but in some interpretations, it can symbolize the sadness related to divine absence.
37. Glynis
Glynis is of Welsh origin meaning ‘valley’, and often conjures images of lonely, misty landscapes evoking feelings of sadness.
38. Ilona
Ilona means ‘light’ but is often used in contexts that also incorporate themes of sadness and longing.
39. Yelena
Yelena means ‘light,’ yet can evoke sadness when associated with loss in various cultures, combining beauty with emotional depth.
40. Zuna
Zuna, while meaning ‘to come’, also represents the sadness of waiting, highlighting the emotional struggles of anticipation.
41. Kaela
Kaela means ‘beloved’, strongly linked with the loss that gives the name a tone of bittersweet sadness.
42. Anthea
Anthea is associated with flowers but has ties to themes of loss and sadness in many poetic traditions.
43. Helena
Helena carries a connotation of beauty and light, but also relates to tragic stories that encompass sadness.
44. Niamh
Niamh means ‘bright’ or ‘radiance’, yet it possesses a deeper connection to tales of loss and melancholy in Irish folklore.
45. Rue
Rue is a name with a straightforward connection to ‘regret’, directly embodying feelings of sadness and remorse.
46. Lael
Lael is a name with Hebrew roots meaning ‘belonging to God’, but can also convey sadness in contexts of loss or longing.
47. Acacia
Acacia refers to a plant often symbolizing grief, making it a poignant reflection on sadness.
48. Amara
Amara’s meaning ‘eternal’ is complemented by themes of loss and mortality, echoing sadness in its essence.
49. Klara
Klara means ‘clear’ or ‘bright’, yet brings an undertone of sadness through the transition of light and dark themes.
50. Zuli
Zuli means ‘peaceful’, and when paired with life experiences, it often represents the challenges that bring sadness.
51. Carys
Carys, meaning ‘love’, highlights the sadness associated with parting or lost love in various narratives.
52. Iara
Iara means ‘lady of the lake’, and its associations with tales of sorrow lend an added layer of emotional depth.
53. Ashita
Ashita meaning ‘one who overcomes pain’, points toward the struggles often intertwined with sadness.
54. Eira
Eira means ‘snow’, which can evoke feelings of coldness associated with loneliness and sadness.
55. Mischa
Mischa means ‘who is like God’, but its connections to stories of loss add a melancholic touch to the meaning.
56. Lira
Lira symbolizes sorrow through its ties to music and poetry that often narrate tales of loss.
57. Delyth
Delyth is a Welsh name meaning ‘pretty, as of a flower’, yet recalls the inherent sadness of fleeting beauty.
58. Vela
Vela means ‘sail’, often correlating with themes of longing and the sadness that accompanies journeys.
59. Sabina
Sabina means ‘Sabine woman’, but its historical associations often delve into the realm of sadness through the loss of tribes.
60. Shira
Shira means ‘song’, representing the sadness that often accompanies the narratives told through melody.
61. Zephyra
Zephyra refers to a gentle breeze but can signify the sadness associated with lost loves that breezes often whisper about.
62. Beatrix
Beatrix means ‘she who brings happiness’, but often relates to the sadness that precedes joy, symbolizing a rich emotional journey.
63. Judith
Judith means ‘woman of Judea’, but her stories in the Bible often tie deeply with themes of battle and sorrow.
64. Illyria
Illyria carries a romantic touch, yet legends surrounding the area are often filled with tragedy and sadness.
65. Genevieve
Genevieve which means ‘woman of the people’ brings to light the struggles and sorrow of communities and relationships.
66. Selene
Selene is the name of the moon goddess in Greek mythology, often linked to the sadness felt during nights of longing.
67. Sinéad
Sinéad is of Irish origin and means ‘God’s gracious gift’, yet is often found in narratives grieving loss.
68. Zahara
Zahara translates to ‘flower’, but evokes sadness through references to delicate beauty and its inevitable decline.
69. Reva
Reva can mean ‘to bind’ and its connections often tie to themes of sadness and longing.
70. Aria
Aria means ‘air or melody’ reflecting the beauty of songs that often resonate with sorrowful tales.
71. Nyx
Nyx, meaning ‘night’, carries a poetic sense of sadness associated with darkness and emotional reflection.
72. Tahlia
Tahlia signifies ‘dew from God’, yet can symbolize sadness as dew often appears in the early morning with reflective silence.
73. Elowen
Elowen means ‘elm tree’, weaving in themes of deep roots and memories that can evoke sadness.
74. Junia
Junia means ‘youthful’, which can also evoke nostalgia and sadness regarding the passage of time.
75. Mahala
Mahala is a name meaning ‘tender one’, reflecting sorrow during times of emotional tenderness.
76. Riven
Riven means ‘torn apart’ and encapsulates deep feelings of sadness within its definition.
77. Myra
Myra means ‘admirable’, yet is often viewed through the lens of lost love and regret.
78. Naida
Naida means ‘water nymph’, and its fluid essence can represent the sorrow carried through tears.
79. Calla
Calla means ‘beautiful’, but often relates stories of short-lived beauty that evoke sadness.
80. Fiorella
Fiorella means ‘little flower’, symbolizing fragility, which can be associated with sadness.
81. Liris
Liris translates to ‘song of the heart’, connecting with sadness through emotional expression.
82. Samira
Samira means ‘companion in evening talk’, reminding us of lonely nights filled with heartfelt conversations.
83. Wren
The name Wren, referring to a small bird, often connects to feelings of sadness reflected through its solitary nature.
84. Celenia
Celenia means ‘heavenly’, which often captures the contrast between joy and the sadness of separation.
85. Maris
Maris derives from the Latin word for ‘of the sea’, offering a solitary and sometimes sorrowful connection to the vastness of life’s experiences.
86. Hyacinth
The Hyacinth flower symbolizes beautiful sorrow, connecting to legends of unfulfilled love.
87. Tanya
Tanya means ‘fairy princess’, but through tragic stories often resonating with sadness.
88. Verity
Verity means ‘truth’, but carries the heartbreaking realization of life’s often unkind realities.
89. Amity
Amity means ‘friendship’, offering a reflection on the sadness that comes with losing friends.
90. Nieve
Nieve means ‘snow’, symbolizing the chill of sadness in solitude.
91. Lila
Lila means ‘night’, often associated with feelings of longing and melancholy.
92. Vida
Vida means ‘life’, and in parallel, it embodies the sadness that life can sometimes bring.
93. Liora
Liora means ‘light’ and can evoke sadness when its brilliance contrasts life’s darker moments.
94. Zahra
Zahra means ‘shining’ but can be woven into narratives of loss, connecting it to sadness.
95. Mirelle
Mirelle means ‘to admire’, capturing feelings of longing and sadness often tied to admiration.
96. Elara
Elara is related to a moon and can evoke emotions of sadness associated with nighttime beauty.
97. Celine
Celine means ‘heavenly’, interlinking with sorrow from loss, highlighting the contrast of earthly and heavenly experiences.
98. Amira
Amira means ‘princess’, often tied to stories of heartbreak, underscoring sadness in royal tribulations.
99. Zoya
Zoya means ‘alive’, but often juxtaposed with themes of life lost—capturing the essence of sadness.
100. Norah
Norah means ‘honor’ or ‘light,’ contrasting with the sadness of life’s fleeting moments.
101. Elysia
Elysia, meaning ‘blissful’, can often represent fleeting happiness that is overshadowed by sadness.
102. Selah
Selah refers to a pause for contemplation, often concerning themes of grief and sadness.
103. Nevaeh
Nevaeh, meaning ‘heaven’ spelled backward, evokes longing and sadness associated with loss.
104. Aveline
Aveline means ‘hazelnut’, but often brings feelings of nostalgia that tie into the sadness of childhood memories.
105. Talia
Talia means ‘dew from God’, linking to the quiet sadness of early mornings.
106. Fauna
Fauna refers to animal life, yet often connects with loss and sadness of nature in poetry.
107. Phaedra
Phaedra means ‘bright’, often associated with tales of unfulfilled love and inherent sadness.
108. Zephyr
Zephyr means ‘gentle breeze’, signifying the soft whispers of longing paired with sadness.
109. Liberty
Liberty refers to personal freedom, yet oftentimes is tied to the price of that freedom resulting in sadness.
110. Rueben
Although typically masculine, Rueben means ‘to see a son’, embodying the sadness of hope unachieved when used for a girl.
111. Sable
Sable represents dark materials, often signifying mourning and sadness in various cultures.
112. Cambria
Cambria reflects beauty but is related to stories of loss which weave in themes of sadness.
113. Bariah
Bariah translates to ‘wren’, intertwining with symbolic themes of loneliness and sadness.
114. Elda
Elda means ‘to walk’, depicting the journey through sadness of life.
115. Tansy
Tansy is a flower often associated with remembrance, reminding us of sadness when recalling moments lost.
116. Esme
Esme means ‘esteemed’, yet often relates to lost esteem—leading to sadness.
117. Odalys
Odalys signifies ‘wealthy’, yet wealth can often invite sorrow through theft or loss, amplifying sadness.
118. Justine
Justine means ‘just’ but can evoke feelings of sadness when faced with life’s injustices.
119. Hespera
Hespera signifies ‘evening star’, attaching it to the beauty of dusk often linked with melancholy.
120. Alouette
Alouette means ‘lark’, a bird frequently associated with longings and nostalgia leading to sadness.
121. Rhiannon
Rhiannon is a Welsh name meaning ‘great queen’. Her stories often intertwine with sadness and lost love.
122. Persephone
Persephone symbolizes rebirth, but comes from a tale steeped in sadness regarding the loss of innocence.
123. Cerys
Cerys means ‘love’, which can also symbolize the bittersweet nature of longing and sadness.
124. Vendela
Vendela means ‘noble’ and is associated with tales of lost nobility, reflecting sadness.
125. Zainab
Zainab translates to ‘father’s precious jewel’, and resonates deeply with stories of loss related to love.
126. Liri
Liri means ‘lyric’, tying the name to songs often filled with themes of melancholy and sadness.
127. Grethel
Grethel is tied to tragic fairy tales often linked with sorrow and the hardships of youth.
128. Faela
Faela signifies ‘gift’, but stories often remind us of the sadness of lost gifts.
129. Maura
Maura means ‘bitter’, connecting directly with feelings of sadness in many cultural narratives.
130. Elvie
Elvie means ‘elfy’, and many stories relating to elves speak of sadness and lost love.
131. Felice
Felice means ‘happy’, but when the happiness is fleeting, it invites sadness through contrast.
132. Nessa
Nessa means ‘pure’, which may echo sadness as purity can be tainted through loss.
133. Anya
Anya means ‘grace’, intertwining with the sadness often found in graceful farewells.
134. Arlen
Arlen means ‘pledge’ but has connections to lost promises, which can evoke sadness.
135. Tamara
Tamara means ‘date palm’, often symbolizing resilience through sadness as it grows in drought conditions.
136. Lorelei
Lorelei signifies ‘alluring’, often associated with stories that speak of tragic love and the sadness it entails.
137. Imogen
Imogen means ‘maiden’, but tales of the maiden often relate to tragic circumstances, instilling a sense of sadness.
138. Seren
Seren means ‘star’, and often reflects the loneliness associated with being far away, thus connecting to sadness.
139. Ines
Ines means ‘pure’ which aligns with the emotional journey tied to loss and sadness.
140. Myrthe
Myrthe refers to the myrtle plant, often linked to controlling the sadness brought by loss.
141. Verna
Verna means ‘spring’, contrasting the beauty of life with sadness during the transition of seasons.
142. Ffion
Ffion means ‘foxglove’, tying to stories of nature infused with love and loss, embodying sadness.
143. Nollie
Nollie means ‘famous’, and often in tales of fame, there exists the sadness surrounding public persona.
144. Maeve
Maeve means ‘she who intoxicates’, often expressing narratives where longing and sadness intermingle.
145. Aerin
Aerin means ‘ocean’, and its vast symbolism often relates to the melancholy that nature can inspire.
146. Nura
Nura means ‘light’, often linking to sadness through the transition from light to dark in stories.
147. Talent
Talent represents an innate gift, which can evoke sadness when paired with missed opportunities.
148. Lirien
Lirien connects to poetry and weaves sadness through melodic stories.
149. Lapis
Lapis means ‘stone’, but its associations with weight and permanence can evoke deep sadness.
150. Juno
Juno means ‘queen of heaven’, yet the stories often surrounding her draw melancholy reflections on sacrifice and sadness.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a name connected to sadness can express a range of emotions, from depth to beauty, representing the complexities of life. The names on this list each hold a unique significance, embodying tales of sorrow, loss, and the intricate relationships that shape our lives.
Whether it be a name evoking the sorrow of myths, the bittersweet essence of love, or the remembrance of fleeting moments, these names carry with them rich histories and poignant meanings. Such names can resonate deeply with parents looking to encapsulate the bittersweet journey of life.
Exploring names that represent emotions is a profound way to connect with personal experiences. For those seeking more insights, consider learning about female names that mean sadness or dive into the sorrowful themes found in Lamentations 1:12.