Names carry powerful meanings, and some are linked to the idea of death. This topic can feel a bit dark, but understanding these names can be interesting and even enlightening. Many cultures have specific names that connect to death, loss, or the afterlife. Some of these names are rooted in history, mythology, or storytelling.
Today, we will look at various names associated with death, their origins, and what they signify. From ancient times to modern interpretations, each name tells a story. Whether used in literature, mythology, or real life, these names reflect different cultural beliefs and ideas about mortality.
Names That Mean Death
1. Abaddon
Abaddon is a name from Hebrew meaning ‘place of destruction’. In the Bible, it signifies a realm associated with death and the afterlife.
2. Azrael
Azrael comes from Arabic and means ‘helper of God’. He is often identified as the angel of death, emphasizing the connection to mortality.
3. Malo
Malo is a name of Hawaiian origin meaning ‘the grim’. It has connotations related to death and endings.
4. Mortez
Mortez is derived from the word for death in several languages, making it a bold choice for those embracing the darker side of life.
5. Mortimer
Mortimer is an English name meaning ‘still water’ or ‘dead sea’, directly linking it to concepts of death.
6. Malik
In Arabic, Malik means ‘king’, but when referring to Malik al-Mawt, it translates to the angel of death, showcasing its connection to mortality.
7. Melinoë
This name is rooted in Greek mythology, representing a goddess associated with ghosts and the restless dead, illustrating the theme of death.
8. Thanatos
Thanatos is the Greek personification of death, representing a powerful figure in understanding mortality and the afterlife.
9. Mara
Mara is a Hebrew name meaning ‘bitter’, often associated with loss and hardship, linking it to themes of death and grief.
10. Morta
Morta comes from Latin, meaning ‘death’. As a name, it straightforwardly relates to its theme of mortality.
11. Duvessa
Duvessa is rooted in some Celtic origins, meaning ‘dark’ or ‘shadow’, often relating to themes of death.
12. Kira
Kira has Slavic roots meaning ‘dark’ or ‘black’, which can symbolize death or the unknown.
13. Nebiros
Nebiros derives from demonology, often associated with death and the underworld in various mythologies.
14. Leila
Leila means ‘night’ in Arabic, symbolizing themes associated with death as night often signifies endings.
15. Banshee
Banshee refers to the folklore spirit in Ireland who heralds death, making this name deeply entwined with mortality.
16. Cypris
Cypris is associated with the goddess of love and war but also signifies transition, capturing aspects of life and death.
17. Rune
In Old Norse, rune refers to a letter symbolizing mystical knowledge, including the lore of death.
18. Jabez
From Hebrew, Jabez means ‘sorrow’, reflecting themes of loss and death in biblical narratives.
19. Nyx
In Greek mythology, Nyx is the goddess of night, and her association with darkness can connect to concepts of death.
20. Selene
Selene is the goddess of the moon in Greek mythology, often associated with nighttime and shadow, linking to death themes.
21. Kali
Kali is a Hindu goddess meaning ‘black’ and is also viewed as a force of destruction, reflecting on death and rebirth.
22. Mortimer
Mortimer translates to ‘the dead sea’, symbolizing peace after life and a direct connection to death.
23. Cimmerian
This name refers to the mythic place of shadows in Greek mythology, relating closely to death and the afterlife.
24. Lachlan
Lachlan is of Scottish origin, meaning ‘from the fjord-land’, often linked to battles and loss of life in history.
25. Lilith
Lilith, in Jewish mythology, is said to be a symbol of death as she embodies night and the despair of loss.
26. Deyja
Deyja is a Norse name meaning ‘to die’, perfectly epitomizing the themes of mortality.
27. Namtaru
Namtaru is an ancient Sumerian name signifying ‘gods of death’, making it closely related to mortality.
28. Usher
Usher means ‘doorkeeper’, often symbolizing the threshold between life and death, emphasizing the transition.
29. Delphi
Delphi refers to the ancient Greek site known for oracles, associated with fate and the concept of mortality.
30. Damaris
Damaris means ‘gentle’ and can symbolize the gentle transition from life to death.
31. Tamas
Tamas in Sanskrit means ‘darkness’, often correlating with death and endings.
32. Vesper
Vesper means ‘evening star,’ signifying the end of the day and linking to themes of mortality.
33. Hel
Hel in Norse mythology is the goddess who presides over the realm of the dead, directly connecting the name with death.
34. Faustus
Faustus is a Latin name associated with the idea of fate and destiny, often linked to mortal endings.
35. Darya
Darya means ‘sea’ in Persian, but it can also represent transition and losses encountered at sea.
36. Nephilim
The Nephilim are mentioned in biblical texts and often associated with death and the fall of angels.
37. Obsidian
Obsidian is a dark volcanic glass often connected to the ancient themes of death and the underworld.
38. Elysium
Elysium refers to the final resting place for heroes in Greek mythology, tightly linked to concepts of life after death.
39. Chione
Chione is the Greek goddess of snow, often associated with the cold stillness of death.
40. Grendel
Grendel is a monster from Beowulf, representing death and the struggle between life and mortality.
41. Umber
Umber refers to a shade of earthy color, potentially symbolizing the graves that hold the dead.
42. Mortis
Mortis translates to ‘death’ in Latin, making it a direct representation of mortality.
43. Gloom
Gloom symbolizes shadows and darkness, connecting to the themes of death and despair.
44. Morwenna
Morwenna is a Welsh name meaning ‘waves of the sea’, tying its meaning to the themes of life’s ebb and flow, including death.
45. Yama
Yama is the Hindu god of death, reflecting the inevitability of mortality.
46. Nox
Nox is the Latin name for night, often associated with death and the end of life.
47. Leimomi
Leimomi translates to ‘the delicate flower’, signifying the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
48. Kaliya
Kaliya is connected to serpents in Hindu mythology, often referenced in tales of death and life struggles.
49. Persephone
Persephone is the queen of the underworld in Greek mythology, representing death and the afterlife.
50. Styx
Styx is the name of the river in Greek mythology that souls must cross to reach the underworld, symbolizing death and transition.
51. Jinn
Jinn in Arabic folklore are spirits that reside in the world between life and death.
52. Reaper
Reaper represents the figure who collects souls, a strong embodiment of death.
53. Ender
Ender signifies an ending or conclusion, an apt representation of mortality.
54. Niamh
Niamh means ‘bright’ in Irish but is often connected to tales of loss and death.
55. Kaira
Kaira, meaning ‘peace’, can signify the peace that follows death.
56. Anubis
Anubis is the ancient Egyptian god of the dead, directly linking to death and the afterlife.
57. Asher
Asher means ‘happy’ in Hebrew, but in biblical scripture, it highlights the joy after the trials of mortality.
58. Mortis
Mortis translates to ‘death’ in Latin, strongly emphasizing the theme of mortality.
59. Kamala
Kamala means ‘lotus’ in Sanskrit, but it is also associated with the cycle of life and death.
60. Kismet
Kismet translates to ‘fate’, emphasizing the concept of mortality and destiny.
61. Geri
Geri is a Norse name meaning ‘spear’, often correlated with battles and loss of life.
62. Lilt
Lilt means ‘rhythm’, symbolizing the flow of life and, ultimately, death.
63. Grim
The name Grim represents the grim reaper, a direct symbol of death.
64. Equipoise
Equipoise suggests balance in life and death, a philosophical approach to mortality.
65. Lethe
Lethe is a river in Greek mythology associated with forgetfulness and the afterlife.
66. Kiva
Kiva can mean ‘life’ in some cultures but serves as a reminder of the impermanence of life, thus linking to death.
67. Dallara
Dallara is of Italian origin meaning ‘to be dead’, strongly relating to death.
68. Céleste
Céleste means ‘heavenly’, often signifying the connection between life and the afterlife.
69. Zephyrus
Zephyrus is the Greek god of the west wind, often associated with seasonal change and death.
70. Tanith
Tanith is a Phoenician goddess associated with death and transformation.
71. Nihil
Nihil means ‘nothing’ in Latin, an effective representation of death and the end.
72. Endora
Endora means ‘hazelnut’, symbolizing something that may bloom but also wither, relating to mortality.
73. Quillon
Quillon means ‘cross swords’, often correlating with battles, death, and endings.
74. Morricone
Morricone derives from ‘death’ or ‘sorrow’, reflecting themes of loss in various cultures.
75. Ixtab
Ixtab is the Mayan goddess of suicide and death, demonstrating the cultural connections to mortality.
76. Jormungand
Jormungand is a mythological serpent related to the end of the world, symbolizing death and destruction.
77. Dolos
Dolos is the personification of trickery, often leading to downfall and death in ancient stories.
78. Orpheus
Orpheus is a figure in Greek mythology who journeyed to the underworld, symbolizing death and the afterlife.
79. Antigone
Antigone is a tragic heroine in Greek literature, associated with death and defiance against mortality.
80. Acheron
Acheron is known as the river of pain in Greek mythology, relating closely to the themes of death.
81. Thanatophobia
Thanatophobia translates to the fear of death, emphasizing the importance of mortality in human experience.
82. Lucian
Lucian means ‘light’, a contrast to death but also symbolizes the passing of life into the afterlife.
83. Skye
Skye can evoke thoughts of the vastness of heaven, symbolizing the journey after death.
84. Zola
Zola means ‘quiet peace’, often associated with the calmness that follows death.
85. Talia
Talia in Hebrew translates to ‘dew from heaven’, symbolizing the cycle of life and death.
86. Mortimer
Mortimer translates to ‘dead sea’, symbolizing peace after life and linking directly to death.
87. Destiny
Destiny signifies the course of events, often leading to life’s end and reflecting mortality.
88. Drezda
Drezda means ‘to arise’, an interesting juxtaposition as it suggests renewal after death.
89. Malika
Malika means ‘queen’, often associated with those who have passed on.
90. Nomina
Nomina means ‘name’, but it can symbolize identity and the legacy left after death.
91. Shyam
Shyam means ‘dark’, which can symbolize the onset of death.
92. Vanitas
Vanitas refers to the transience of life, directly correlating to death.
93. Gnawer
Gnawer signifies decay, reminding of the inevitability of death.
94. Zarek
Zarek means ‘God protects’, which can relate to the essence of death in religious beliefs.
95. Ligeia
Ligeia is a name from Greek mythology that often signifies death and the sea.
96. Vespera
Vespera translates to ‘evening’, reminding us of life’s end and the concept of death.
97. Morta
Morta comes from Latin, meaning ‘death’, delivering a clear connection to mortality.
98. Zael
Zael means ‘God’s power’, often referring to defending souls after death.
99. Malkuth
Malkuth means ‘kingdom’, often associated with the afterlife in some philosophies.
100. Marlowe
Marlowe translates to ‘drained of a lake’, symbolizing the emptiness associated with death.
101. Rhea
Rhea, in mythology, is the mother of gods connected to cycles of life and death.
102. Kinishba
Kinishba means ‘the land where the dead reside’, a strong name referring to the afterlife.
103. Nacht
Nacht means ‘night’ in German, symbolically tied to themes of death and the afterlife.
104. Elysian
Elysian refers to Elysium, a peaceful afterlife in Greek mythology.
105. Denton
Denton can mean ‘valley town’, often depicted in art and literature as places of mourning.
106. Kybella
Kybella refers to a form of death through beauty loss, symbolizing the end of youthful grace.
107. Agony
Agony signifies intense pain often accompanied by death, strongly associated with suffering.
108. Dine
Dine can mean ‘to perish’, a direct tie to the concept of death.
109. Zaman
Zaman means ‘time’, often referenced in the context of the end of days.
110. Cambria
Cambria, tied to the ancient Celts, symbolizes life and death’s cyclical nature.
111. Venom
Venom evokes images of death through poison, referring to dangerous and fatal outcomes.
112. Nox
Nox means ‘night’, directly tying it to themes of death.
113. Elysium
Elysium is known as a place of rest within the afterlife, directly reflecting death sentiments.
114. Toskana
Toskana refers to the realm of the dead in some mythological narratives.
115. Menace
Menace signifies danger and can directly reference death in various contexts.
116. Naphtali
Naphtali is one of the tribes of Israel, representing stories of struggle and mortality.
117. Mortis
Mortis translates directly as ‘death’ in Latin, perfect for understanding mortality.
118. Obitus
Obitus means ‘departure’ in Latin, representing the journey away from life.
119. Keres
Keres are spirits of violent death in Greek mythology, aligning closely with the themes of mortality.
120. Wendigo
Wendigo is a spirit associated with winter and death, emphasizing the connection of nature and mortality.
121. Marisol
Marisol means ‘sea and sun’, but the sea often relates to mysteries of life and death.
122. Maelstrom
Maelstrom refers to a powerful whirlpool, symbolically tying to the whirlpool of life and death.
123. Virgil
Virgil means ‘to flourish’, but in literature, can underscore the theme of mortality.
124. Cimmerian
Cimmerian refers to a land of darkness, often symbolizing death and despair.
125. Fenix
Fenix suggests rebirth from ashes, an indirect reference to death’s inevitability.
126. Beryl
Beryl can signify the preciousness of life, which directly relates to mortality.
127. Achlys
Achlys refers to the mist of death in Greek mythology, drawing a direct connection to mortality.
128. Adhara
Adhara means ‘virgin’ yet is closely tied to stories of loss and death in different cultures.
129. Namtaru
Namtaru represents ancient deities that symbolize transitions between life and death.
130. Fae
Fae often relates to spirits and the ethereal, linking them to the afterlife and death.
131. Melampus
Melampus is a character in mythology associated with death and the supernatural also symbolizing change.
132. Viti
Viti signifies ‘to perish’, conjuring themes of death and loss.
133. Cascade
Cascade refers to a waterfall, but can symbolize the finality and beauty found in death.
134. Coeus
Coeus means ‘to know’, often touching on the understanding of mortality.
135. Ash
Ash symbolizes remains after a fire, representing life’s end and death.
136. Revenant
Revenant signifies a spirit that has returned from the dead, deeply connected to the themes of mortality.
137. Lyra
Lyra means ‘lyre’, often used in stories about life’s end and transitions.
138. Astrid
Astrid means ‘beautiful, beloved’, indirectly referencing the beauty lost through death.
139. Crescent
Crescent signifies phases of life and death, reminding us that death is a part of the cycle.
140. Clio
Clio is the muse of history, often chronicling battles and mortality through time.
141. Ghast
Ghast signifies fear and dread, directly relating to death in storytelling and folklore.
142. Maras
Maras translates to ‘bitter’, typically linking feelings with loss and mortality.
143. Vale
Vale means ‘valley’, symbolically recognized as a final resting place or a place where the living meet the dead.
144. Xochitl
Xochitl means ‘flower’ in Nahuatl, symbolizing life’s beauty and the transience of death.
145. Loki
Loki from Norse mythology often embodies chaos and can symbolize the dark side of life and death.
146. Asphodel
Asphodel is a flower associated with the dead in Greek mythology, representing mortality.
147. Withelan
Withelan has roots meaning ‘battle’, often associated with struggles leading to death.
148. Noctis
Noctis means ‘night’ in Latin, symbolically linked to death and darkness.
149. Fenris
Fenris is a wolf in mythology prophesized to bring death, relating strongly to mortality themes.
150. Jedediah
Jedediah means ‘beloved of the Lord’ but has deeper connections in stories where death impacts narratives.
Final Thoughts
Understanding names that mean death helps shed light on various cultural perspectives regarding mortality.
Each name tells a unique story, reflecting how different societies view life and death.
From mythology to modern interpretations, these names serve as reminders of life’s transience.
To expand your knowledge, you might want to check out some more names for both genders. Discover female names that mean death and male names that mean death for a deeper understanding of this intriguing topic.