Many cultures have names that are believed to bring bad luck. These names can be tied to old stories, myths, or historical events. While some people might find these names interesting or unique, others may avoid using them for fear of misfortune.
Today, we will look at some names that are thought to carry bad luck. We will share their meanings and the reasons why they are seen this way. Understanding these names can help you make choices about naming a pet or even a baby. Get ready to learn about the darker side of names!
Names That Mean Bad Luck
1. Mallory
The name Mallory means ‘unfortunate’ in Old French. It is often seen as a name that brings bad luck due to its meaning and history tied to misfortune.
2. Jinx
Jinx directly refers to a spell or curse meant to bring bad luck. This playful name has a seriously bad reputation for attracting misfortune.
3. Cursed
While it might sound extreme, Cursed directly associates with bad luck and mischief. It’s a name that some might find intriguing, but many would steer clear of.
4. Acheron
Acheron is derived from Greek mythology and refers to the river of sorrow. It symbolizes bad luck and misadventures, making it a gloomy choice.
5. Desdemona
This name means ‘ill-fated’ in Greek and carries the story of tragedy from Shakespeare’s Othello. It has become synonymous with bad luck.
6. Kwaku
Kwaku originates from Ghana and means ‘born on Wednesday,’ but it is also associated with bad luck due to the traditions surrounding this day.
7. Hecate
The name Hecate is associated with witchcraft and the underworld in Greek mythology. As a result, it is viewed by some as a name that brings bad luck.
8. Lilith
In Jewish mythology, Lilith is considered a figure that brings misfortune. The name represents rebellion and chaos, giving it a darker connotation.
9. Beelzebub
Beelzebub is another name for the devil and represents evil and mischief. This name is often linked with bad luck due to its demonic roots.
10. Beshany
This name translates to ‘one who brings misfortune’ in Hebrew. It is considered an unlucky name in many cultures.
11. Calamity
The word Calamity signifies disaster or misfortune. It’s not just an unfortunate name but a constant reminder of the chaos it brings.
12. Maud
Maud means ‘powerful battler,’ but it is associated with a tragic story of misfortune in folklore, giving it an unlucky reputation.
13. Sorrow
Sorrow is a direct reflection of grief and bad luck, making it a heavy name that many might want to bypass while naming.
14. Jabez
In the Bible, Jabez is known for his mother naming him after hardship. This often links the name to misfortune and bad luck.
15. Malina
Malina means ‘unfortunate’ in certain indigenous languages, making it another name connected to bad luck.
16. Tragedy
This name suggests a theme of sorrow and misfortune. It’s an unusual choice that brings its association with grief.
17. Ash
Ash refers to the remnants of something burned or destroyed, linking it closely with loss and bad luck.
18. Penelope
In Greek mythology, Penelope is often seen as a symbol of fidelity but also has tales intertwined with bad events, earning her a sad shadow.
19. Loki
In Norse mythology, Loki is a trickster god who often brings trouble and bad luck to those around him.
20. Doom
Doom signifies inevitable misfortune and failure, making it a bleak choice for a name.
21. Una
This name means ‘one’ in Latin but also carries associations with loneliness and misfortune in various cultures.
22. Cade
Cade means ‘stump’ in Old English and symbolizes something that has been cut off or lost, aligning it with bad luck.
23. Nyx
In Greek mythology, Nyx is the goddess of night, and she is often associated with confusion and misfortune.
24. Woe
The name Woe represents sorrow and distress, making it a name that literally signifies bad luck.
25. Amaya
Amaya means ‘night rain’ in Japanese. In some contexts, night rain suggests a kind of bad luck or challenges ahead.
26. Maleficent
Famous from fairy tales, the name Maleficent means ‘evil-doer,’ clearly linking it to bad luck and mischief.
27. Despair
Despair is a heavy, negative name that embodies sadness and hopelessness, both closely related to misfortune.
28. Vesper
Vesper means ‘evening star’ but is also tied to the idea of darkness and uncertainty, giving it bad luck implications.
29. Avidan
Avidan means ‘sorrow,’ reinforcing the theme of bad luck through its tragic meaning.
30. Cruz
Cruz means ‘cross’ in Spanish. However, crosses often symbolize trials and tribulations, connecting it with bad luck.
31. Zeno
Zeno means ‘gift of Zeus,’ but some tales point to him being a harbinger of misfortune, complicating the name’s meaning.
32. Omen
The name Omen signifies a sign of future events, often understood to foretell bad luck or misfortune.
33. Gloom
Gloom directly conveys darkness and sadness. It’s an evident name for someone associated with misfortune.
34. Blight
This name refers to disease and destruction, easily linking it with the concept of bad luck.
35. Hades
Named after the god of the underworld, Hades represents death and darkness, tying it to misfortune.
36. Lilith
This name can mean ‘night monster’ in Jewish folklore, associating it with bad luck and evil spirits.
37. Banquo
The character Banquo in Macbeth represents betrayal and tragic fate, giving the name a hint of bad luck.
38. Leo
While Leo means ‘lion’, in astrology, it can refer to a sign that comes with challenges and misfortune at times.
39. Memento
This Latin word signifies ‘remember’ but can also remind one ominously of loss and bad luck in different contexts.
40. Scylla
Scylla is a sea monster in Greek mythology known for bringing doom to sailors, linking it closely to bad luck.
41. Scully
The name Scully symbolizes hardship and difficulty, making it a candidate for bad luck associations.
42. Devereaux
This French surname means ‘from the riverbank,’ but tales often associate it with loss and misfortune, adding to its dark elements.
43. Nyssa
Nyssa is the name of a tree that’s associated with danger and death, linking it back to concepts of bad luck.
44. Echo
Your name may invoke memories of loved ones lost in myths, leading to a sense of longing and misfortune.
45. Chione
This name of the snow goddess in Greek mythology is tied to many stories of misfortune during harsh winters.
46. Raina
The name Raina means ‘queen,’ but it can also symbolize dark storms and turmoil, hinting at bad luck.
47. Leocadia
This name means ‘bright’; however, certain tales link it with misfortune and struggle, contrasting its meaning.
48. Harlow
Harlow means ‘army hill,’ but in some folklore, it is associated with struggles and challenges, hence bad luck interpretations.
49. Belladonna
This name references a toxic plant, often connected to danger and bad luck in various tales.
50. Thorne
Thorne relates to sharp, prickly plants often symbolizing obstacles and challenges, thus hinting at bad luck.
51. Felicity
Felicity means happiness, but its contrasting reputation of misfortune in folklore makes it a name one might avoid.
52. Onyx
Onyx is a stone linked to protection but historically seen as a talisman for warding off bad luck, signaling its double edge.
53. Tempest
This name directly signifies a violent storm, perfect for embodying chaos and years of bad luck.
54. Cerberus
The name Cerberus, the guardian of the underworld, often conjures bad luck images in mythology.
55. Mistral
This name is a strong wind but is often linked to tempestuous times and bad luck seasons, adding to its ominous feeling.
56. Dorian
Dorian means ‘of the sea,’ yet it is tied to a tragic tale representing bad luck in literature.
57. Shadow
This name reflects darkness and mystery, often linked to misunderstandings and misfortune.
58. Blaise
Blaise relates to fire but is often associated with instability and tumult, tying it to bad luck.
59. Tybalt
This name is tied to a character known for turmoil and conflicts, making his name synonymous with bad luck.
60. Cimmerian
This name ties to a region of darkness in Greek lore, promising bad luck and challenges for anyone named after it.
61. Freya
Freya, a goddess tied to love, is also unknowingly linked to strife and separation, hinting at bad luck in relationships.
62. Rowan
This name can mean ‘little red-head’ but is also associated with trees believed to ward off misfortune, giving it a cloaked connection.
63. Lament
The clear essence of sorrow in the name Lament signifies unhappiness and loss, making it a foreboding choice.
64. Dismal
Dismal means ‘gloomy’ and ‘dreary,’ delivering a strong connection to the idea of bad luck.
65. Phaedra
Phaedra, a tragic character in Greek mythology, is associated with shame and heartache, leading to the bad luck label.
66. Titania
In Shakespeare’s works, Titania is caught in a web of love spells leading to chaos, giving her name a twist of bad luck.
67. Mordred
Mordred represents treachery and downfall in Arthurian legend, linking him directly to bad luck.
68. Selene
The moon, while beautiful, can also represent madness and chaos, carrying a reputation for bad luck.
69. Grief
Grief signifies sorrow and loss, a name that brings forth sadness and the idea of misfortune.
70. Rook
The name Rook is associated with crows, often seen as omens of death and bad luck.
71. Mystery
This name embodies the unknown, often connected to fear and misfortune in various stories.
72. Trystan
This name is often seen as tragic due to its association with star-crossed tales, linking it to bad luck.
73. Vespera
Vespera, a variant of Vesper, represents evening and darkness, hinting at bad luck coming with the night.
74. Whisper
The name Whisper suggests hushed secrets and hidden fears, aligning with ideas of bad luck.
75. Rune
Runes often symbolize fate and destiny, which can sometimes be perceived as carrying hints of bad luck.
76. Calypso
In mythology, Calypso was tied to isolation and sorrow, earning her name a reputation for bad luck.
77. Isolde
Isolde’s tragic story in legends often connects her to a history of misfortune and heartbreak.
78. Doomhammer
A unique name that connotes destruction and fate, clearly tying it to the theme of bad luck.
79. Astraea
The name Astraea is often linked to justice but also evokes themes of loss in various mythologies, suggesting a hint of misfortune.
80. Danica
This name means ‘morning star,’ but can also symbolize the loss of nighttime shades, hinting at bad luck.
81. Delphine
Delphine indicates ‘dolphin’ but carries hints of mischance through historical ties to marine disasters.
82. Enigma
The name Enigma captures mystery and the unknown, often associated with bad luck in stories of adventure.
83. Mortis
This name means ‘death,’ encapsulating bad luck in its very definition.
84. Calypso
In mythology, Calypso lured sailors to their doom, directly linking her name with bad luck.
85. Raine
Raine means ‘queen’ but also calls to mind tempestuous weather, hinting at bad luck through storms.
86. Corwin
Corwin translates to ‘friend of hearts,’ yet its ties to heartbreak stories give it a darker edge in bad luck.
87. Dorian
Dorian encapsulates themes of tragedy in various tales, often seen as a name that comes with bad luck.
88. Threnody
A threnody is a poem or song of lament, representing sorrow and bad luck through its meanings.
89. Onyx
Onyx, a type of crystal, is reputed to absorb negative energy, reflecting a connection to bad luck.
90. Negative
This name simply implies an unfavorable condition, capturing the essence of bad luck.
91. Mirage
Signifying something that appears real but is deceptive, Mirage carries undertones of possible bad luck.
92. Perdita
This name means ‘lost,’ inherently linking it with ideas of misfortune and bad luck.
93. Aspen
While Aspen is a beautiful tree name, it is also tied to fall and decay in certain folk tales, hinting at bad luck.
94. Intrepid
This name embodies fearlessness, but often interweaves tales of recklessness leading to bad luck.
95. Traveller
The name Traveller can signify a journey, often marked by misfortune and bad luck in stories.
96. Tempesta
Tempesta signifies storm and turmoil directly, making it an open invitation for bad luck.
97. Malevolence
This name represents evil intent and misfortune, clearly aligning with bad luck.
98. Vortex
Vortex implies an intense situation, often leading to chaos and misfortune.
99. Delta
Delta can indicate a river’s mouth, often associated with dangers and bad luck in fables.
100. Saiph
This star name, while beautiful, suggests isolation, often linking it to misfortune in the skies.
101. Azazel
In various beliefs, Azazel is seen as a fallen angel leading to misfortune and bad luck.
102. Vulture
The name Vulture relates to death and decay, easily associating it with bad luck themes.
103. Misfortune
Directly conveying an unfavorable outcome, the name Misfortune signifies bad luck in its essence.
104. Cursed
The name Cursed conveys a strong association with bad luck, symbolizing hardship.
105. Echo
While Echo means ‘to resound,’ it can also reflect themes of abandonment, hinting at bad luck.
106. Darkness
This direct reference to night or shadow aligns perfectly with the theme of bad luck.
107. Shadowfax
A reference from literature, Shadowfax is tied to the mystical and often represents chaos, linking to bad luck.
108. Famine
The name Famine signifies drought and scarcity, clearly tied to the concept of bad luck.
109. Shadowhunter
This name evokes dark themes surrounding hunters, who often face misfortune in tales.
110. Ravenna
Named after a city but related to ravens, a symbol of death, this name casually hints at bad luck.
111. Naphtali
In the Bible, Naphtali’s adventurous spirit also finds him in unfavorable positions, linking to bad luck.
112. Wraith
This name suggests a ghost or spirit, often linked to haunting and unlucky occurrences.
113. Hel
In Norse mythology, Hel was the goddess of the underworld, directly connecting her name to bad luck.
114. Fateful
Fateful is a name suggesting destiny but often ties it to schemes that lead to bad luck.
115. Gravedigger
This name stands as a symbolic reflection of death, misfortune, and bad luck.
116. Lamentation
This indicates mourning, aligning directly with the meaning of bad luck and sorrow.
117. Illumination
While it means light, in some contexts it reflects the contrast of being lost in darkness, hinting at bad luck.
118. Apocalypse
Generally meaning the end, Apocalypse holds ties to disaster, linking it firmly to bad luck.
119. Malice
Malice directly signifies intention to harm, inherently linking it with bad luck and misfortune.
120. Usher
This name signifies someone who leads to places, often connected with ominous journeys relating to bad luck.
121. Phantom
The name Phantom suggests ghosts and the eerie, tying it closely to bad feelings of misfortune.
122. Phobos
Phobos, representing fear, directly correlates to bad luck throughout various legends.
123. Odyssey
Much like the tale, Odyssey carries themes of hardship and misfortune, giving it a bittersweet tone.
124. Nihil
Nihil stands for nothingness, often equating to emptiness and bad luck in certain cultural narratives.
125. Requiem
As a name, Requiem signifies a mass for the dead, inherently tying it to themes of loss and bad luck.
126. Feral
This name signifies wildness but also hints at chaos, deriving connections to bad luck.
127. Rapture
Although it means ecstasy, it often carries how fleeting joy can lead to despair, echoing bad luck themes.
128. Twilight
Twilight, while beautiful, symbolizes the end of light and the coming darkness, hinting at bad luck.
129. Enigma
Enigma stands for mystery and puzzles, often tied to unfortunate and perplexing situations that reflect bad luck.
130. Misguided
This name signifies misdirection, connecting it naturally to misfortune and bad luck themes.
131. Sinister
Sinister means harmful or perilous, making it a name that tightly embraces the idea of bad luck.
132. Coincidence
The name Coincidence signifies serendipitous misadventures, linking it to bad luck through chance.
133. Vex
This name means to annoy or worry, easily embodying feelings of misfortune and bad luck.
134. Brimstone
Brimstone refers to sulfur, often associated with hellfire, linking it flat out to bad luck.
135. Terminal
The name Terminal signifies the end and could symbolize unfortunate outcomes in different narratives.
136. Inferno
Associated with fires of hell, Inferno clearly showcases connections to doom and bad luck.
137. Catastrophe
This name represents disasters and misfortunes, establishing itself firmly within the idea of bad luck.
138. Ashes
Ashes reflect remnants left behind after destruction, symbolizing loss and bad luck.
139. Rift
Rift signifies a break or split, often relating to divisions and misfortunes within tales.
140. Eclipse
An eclipse signifies darkness over light, symbolizing challenges and bad luck in various contexts.
141. Jinxed
This name signifies being cursed or doomed, directly linking to the notion of bad luck.
142. Hopeless
This name reflects a state of despair, naturally resonating with themes of bad luck.
143. Shade
Shade implies darkness and concealment, hinting toward bad luck through hidden trespasses.
144. Nemesis
Nemesis is often seen as an agent of retribution, clearly portraying aspects of bad luck.
145. Comet
In history, comets were often omens of disaster, linking them to bad luck and ill fortune.
146. Scar
Reflecting injury and pain, Scar evokes memories of bad luck and hurtful experiences.
147. Gamble
This name implies taking risks, often associated with unexpected and unfortunate outcomes, reinforcing bad luck.
148. Censure
Censure means disapproval or criticism, often tied to bad luck in one’s endeavors.
149. Marred
The name Marred signifies damage, closely associating it with misfortune.
150. Vexation
Vexation means annoyance or frustration, embodying significant ties to bad luck and challenges.
Final Thoughts
Throughout history, various names have emerged that are rooted in themes of misfortune and bad luck. From mythological figures to ones tied to historical events, each name carries its own unique story. While some might wear these names proudly, others may avoid them due to their overshadowing reputations.
It’s fascinating to consider how names embody deeper meanings and implications, sometimes reflecting the destinies of those who carry them. Whether for a new child, a pet, or even a fictional character, being aware of the associations behind these names offers a crucial understanding of their impact.
If you want to learn more about the darker meanings behind names, take a look at names that mean evil or bad or delve into the realm of names that mean cursed. Every name has its story, and exploring them offers a journey into culture and history.