Names carry deep meanings, and some reflect strong emotions like sadness and struggle. Names that mean “anguish” show how pain can be expressed through language. These names may come from different cultures and can resonate with personal stories. Understanding these names can give us insight into human experiences and help us connect with the feelings behind them.
Today, we’ll look at various names that signify anguish or suffering. We will share their origins, meanings, and any interesting stories behind them. Whether for naming a character in a story or just out of curiosity, these names reveal a powerful side of human emotion.
Names That Mean Anguish
1. Alvah
This Hebrew name means “his pain” and signifies deep sorrow, making it a poignant choice for conveying emotional struggle.
2. Brione
With roots in Celtic mythology, Brione suggests “a source of sorrow” and represents the burden that life can sometimes carry.
3. Brenna
This Irish name means “descendant of Braonán,” which translates to “sorrow.” It perfectly embodies the theme of anguish.
4. Jabez
Meaning “sorrow” in Hebrew, Jabez tells the story of grief and the struggle to overcome it, making it deeply meaningful.
5. Mallory
This name of French origin translates to “unfortunate” or “ill-fated,” encapsulating a sense of anguish and adversity.
6. Acheron
A name from Greek mythology, Acheron means “river of sorrow,” often associated with the pain of the underworld.
7. Mara
This Hebrew name means “bitter,” often representing sadness, loss, and the anguish that can arise from them.
8. Rina
While this name is commonly known to mean “joy,” it also signifies “sorrow” in Hebrew folklore, reminding us of life’s duality.
9. Jorah
The name Jorah means “the first of many,” but specifically in certain contexts, it also represents the anguish of unfulfilled expectations.
10. Alva
This name means “elf warrior” in Old Norse, but it also relates to sorrowful histories in various cultures.
11. Lenore
This name has literary roots and is often associated with Edgar Allan Poe’s poem, representing deep melancholy and anguish.
12. Jinx
The term means “a spell causing trouble,” signifying the pain and anguish that can come from difficult circumstances.
13. Akira
This Japanese name can mean “bright,” but it is also connected to deeper themes of anguish in certain interpretations.
14. Zarek
Originating from Slavic roots, Zarek is associated with “God protects,” but can also symbolize the emotional struggles one faces.
15. Aisling
This Irish name means “dream” or “vision,” but often carries an undertone of sorrow linked to unfulfilled dreams.
16. Celeste
While meaning “heavenly,” celestial names can also allude to the pain of longing for a lost paradise.
17. Aidan
This name means “little fire,” but in certain tales relates directly to anguish and strife within its historical narrative.
18. Soren
Of Scandinavian origin, Soren translates to “stern” which can suggest enduring pain and inner struggles.
19. Dale
This English name means “valley,” a metaphorical representation of the lows that life can bring, tied to a sense of sorrow.
20. Aelia
Latin for “sun,” Aelia can also reflect the longing feelings associated with light lost amidst grief.
21. Maliyah
This unique name means “the one who cries,” embodying a direct connection to anguish and emotional depth.
22. Bellamy
This name means “handsome friend,” but can hold a deeper meaning of loss or sorrow if it relates to an absent friend.
23. Vale
This English name translates to “valley,” often used to describe the troughs of life filled with anguish.
24. Halima
This Arabic name means “gentle,” but can sometimes hint at pain hidden beneath a calm facade.
25. Tristan
This name, stemming from Latin, translates to “sorrowful” and has roots in the tragic love story of Tristan and Isolde.
26. Adira
This Hebrew name means “strong,” and can also signify the ability to endure and face anguish with resilience.
27. Kenna
This name means “born of fire” but is linked to many tales of heartache and anguish from warrior times.
28. Elara
This name, associated with a moon of Jupiter, can symbolize the loneliness and anguish of distance.
29. Boris
This Slavic name means “short” but has historical ties to kings who faced great anguish in their reigns.
30. Carys
While Carys usually denotes “love,” it carries an element of sadness when love is lost or unreciprocated.
31. Rue
This flower name also pulls in associations with regret and sorrow, making it a potent name choice.
32. Nyx
The Greek goddess of night, Nyx, embodies darkness and the often-connected anguish that comes with it.
33. Jorah
Jorah means “to be a week away,” but carries the weight of anticipation mixed with the anguish of waiting.
34. Josslyn
This name means “a member of the Gauts tribe,” associated with sorrow in various historical contexts.
35. Devlin
Originating from Irish, this name means “unlucky,” reflecting the sense of anguish commonly felt in such narratives.
36. Nevaeh
This name, which is “heaven” spelled backward, implies a longing for something lost or painful.
37. Kira
Kira means “shining,” but also alludes to the pain of contrast against dark times.
38. Echo
From Greek mythology, Echo represents the pain of longing and unfulfilled love, matching our theme of anguish.
39. Sinéad
This Irish variation of Jane means “God is gracious,” but can represent someone’s anguish when they feel abandoned.
40. Maraia
This name, rooted in Hebrew, means “bitter” or “sad,” fitting perfectly within our exploration of anguish.
41. Raven
This name connects to the deep psychological understanding of grief and can often represent emotional struggles.
42. Melancholy
This word also turns into a name that signifies “deep sadness,” perfectly relating to our topic on anguish.
43. Lila
This name translates to “night” in some cultures, which can evoke feelings of loneliness and anguish.
44. Talia
Talia means “dew from God,” but in certain tales, the name enfolds pain and sorrow.
45. Calista
While meaning “most beautiful,” Calista can also represent the internal anguish of beauty and societal expectations.
46. Kalani
This Hawaiian name means “the heavens,” and implies the pain of separation from the divine.
47. Mabel
This name’s meaning, “lovable,” hints at the anguish of unreciprocated love.
48. Vale
Simplistically meaning “valley,” Vale represents the peaks and valleys of life, often filled with anguish.
49. Devereaux
This French name translates to “of the oak,” often connected with sorrow through its associations with age-old tales.
50. Aislin
This Gaelic name means “dream” but can connect deeply with emotional valleys of heartbreak.
51. Daxton
A modern name that symbolizes changing times, and often implied anguish during transitions in life.
52. Dermot
This name means “free man,” but its roots can also invoke stories filled with pain and struggle.
53. Kahlo
This is a tribute to Frida Kahlo, whose art expressed deep emotional anguish and pain.
54. Elysia
A name that evokes paradise, yet carries historical ties to the anguish of separation from that paradise.
55. Vesper
Meaning “evening star,” Vesper signifies the impending darkness that can be connected to feelings of sorrow.
56. Phaedra
In mythology, Phaedra is known for her tragic love story, illustrating pain and anguish.
57. Astra
This name means “star,” and often holds a connection to emotional guidance amidst personal struggles.
58. Alea
This name means “sublime” but can also embrace the weight of emotional sorrow in its context.
59. Verity
This name means “truth,” but it often highlights the emotional pain of facing harsh realities.
60. Sable
As a name, Sable relates to deep shades of darkness, implicating the psychological aspects of anguish.
61. Sheba
This name means “oath” but can also represent anguish due to lost promises and unfulfilled vows.
62. Draven
This name suggests “hunter,” and carries connotations of sorrow through terms used in literature.
63. Ulysses
This character’s name represents a journey filled with hardship and anguish, creating a historical resonance.
64. Whisper
A unique name that evokes the fragility of voice often connected to the pain of silence and sorrow.
65. Tempest
This name suggests “storm,” encompassing the emotional turmoil and anguish one faces in life.
66. Eamon
This Gaelic name means “wealthy protector” but can also symbolize the pain found within protective roles.
67. Azrael
This name signifies “helper of God,” but is also an angel of death associated with anguish.
68. Kinsey
This name connects to “king’s field” but often tells stories of struggle stemming from noble pursuits.
69. Thorne
This nature-based name invokes pain as it directly refers to thorny plants that can cause anguish.
70. Briar
Similar to Thorne, Briar represents unyielding struggles and emotional anguish tied to beauty.
71. Riven
This name means “split,” implying an inner emotional divide that can symbolize anguish.
72. Petronella
This name means “rock,” often representing stability amid the internal anguish life can present.
73. Oren
This Hebrew name symbolizes “pine tree,” yet the historical context often brings connections to grief.
74. Tamsin
A variation of Thomas, meaning “twin,” invokes the idea of loss when separation occurs, linking directly to anguish.
75. Zephyr
This name translates to “west wind,” often romantically linked with feelings of longing and emotional pain.
76. Amani
The name means “peace” but often reflects the anguish felt in pursuit of that peace.
77. Sullivan
Meaning “dark-eyed,” this name encapsulates the painful complexities of identity and heritage.
78. Seren
This Welsh name means “star,” and can denote the anguish of distant dreams.
79. Aurora
While symbolizing dawn, it can also signify the night’s emotional hardships.
80. Hecate
A name deeply rooted in mythology that relates to issues of loss and anguish in ancient tales.
81. Egan
This Irish name means “little fire,” hinting at the warmth often overshadowed by anguish.
82. Isolde
This renowned name means “ice ruler,” symbolizing the anguish that often comes with cold-hearted love stories.
83. Lorne
A Scottish name meaning “from the small glen,” capturing the essence of emotional struggles in nature.
84. Cadence
This name signifies rhythm but may relate to the ups and downs of navigating through periods filled with anguish.
85. Liora
The name means “light” in Hebrew, often reflecting the hardship of finding light amidst the darkness of anguish.
86. Lazaro
This name means “God has helped,” often alluding to the struggle of finding solace amidst pain.
87. Naeema
A name meaning “tranquility” that can also symbolize the contrasts felt before and after anguish.
88. Morwenna
This Cornish name means “maiden” but also evokes tales of heartbreak that often accompany romantic innocence.
89. Vencel
A unique name of Slavic origin meaning “star,” yet connected with earthly struggles and emotional hardships.
90. Oona
This name means “one” but often reflects the feeling of loneliness that can lead to anguish.
91. Zinnia
Though a flower name, Zinnia can highlight the struggles and pains that lead to blossoming into beauty.
92. Vespera
A variation of Vesper, meaning “evening star,” evokes a sense of sadness as day turns into night.
93. Talitha
Meaning “little girl” in Aramaic, it also reflects intensely emotional stories of childhood struggles.
94. Drusilla
This name means “strong,” but carries tales of hardship in its history that relate to emotional pain.
95. Luanne
This name means “gracious,” often serving as a reminder of the difficulties one might face on paths toward grace.
96. Zarek
A name of Hebrew origin meaning “God protects,” but linked closely to the anguish of those needing protection.
97. Armel
This name means “bear” and “warrior,” often embodying painful struggles faced in protecting one’s own.
98. Selene
This name means “moon,” symbolizing the stillness that often accompanies emotional anguish.
99. Valentino
The name means “healthy” but symbolizes the pain one faces to attain that health.
100. Talia
This name means “morning dew,” often tying it to sadness with early mornings bringing fresh starts after anguish.
101. Callista
This name means “most beautiful,” often reflecting societal pressures that lead to emotional pain.
102. Faelan
This Irish name symbolizes “little wolf,” often depicting the struggle and anguish tied to being misunderstood.
103. Bellatrix
A name meaning “female warrior,” reflecting the grief that often accompanies battles.
104. Deirdre
This Irish name implies “sorrowful,” making it a direct representation of anguish.
105. Yara
This name means “small butterfly,” connecting to the fragility of life and emotional anguish.
106. Lyra
Originated from the name of a constellation, it represents the trials and emotional burdens faced by dreamers.
107. Arwen
This Elvish name means “noble maiden,” but carries legends filled with anguish and sacrifice.
108. Kallisti
Means “the most beautiful” in Greek, but often brings tales of lost beauty tied to emotional struggles.
109. Sonya
This Russian name means “wisdom,” reflecting the consequences and realizations of painful journey.
110. Aislinn
Meaning “dream” in Irish, often linking its struggles with aspirations that face resistance.
111. Rhea
This name harkens back to Greek mythology, often associated with loss and the pain of motherhood.
112. Zara
A name that means “blooming flower,” often contrasting with the pain before the blossoming can occur.
113. Columba
This name means “dove,” symbolizing peace but often surrounded by stories of enduring pain.
114. Lullaby
While it’s typically a soothing term, it can evoke the pain of sleepless nights filled with anguish.
115. Ines
A name that means “pure,” yet often highlights the struggles seen alongside the pursuit of purity.
116. Alaric
This historical name connects to kings whose legacy often comes with tales filled with anguish and heartache.
117. Romy
The name means “dew” but can highlight the emotional weight tied to those fleeting moments of sorrow.
118. Amara
Meaning “eternal,” but often relates to the pain of enduring through troubled times.
119. Cleora
This name means “glory,” but often embodies the anguish that accompanies those who seek it.
120. Ai
A Japanese name meaning “love,” often connected with the pain experienced alongside deep affection.
121. Eira
This name translates to “snow,” often capturing the stillness that follows a storm of emotional anguish.
122. Lachlan
This Scottish name means “from the land of lakes,” but is tied to numerous tales of struggle and pain.
123. Harlow
Meaning “army hill,” this name connects with the sacrifice often resulting in emotional struggle.
124. Iflash
This name means “a moment” but can signify the enduring pain found in fleeting happiness.
125. Tristana
This name directly echoes the word “triste,” capturing the essence of sadness and anguish.
126. Anwen
An old Welsh name signifying “very beautiful,” but often tells tales of loss and pain.
127. Adira
The name means “noble,” yet embodies the struggles one faces on the path to nobility.
128. Calista
This name means “most beautiful,” often carrying poignant stories of emotional anguish linked with beauty standards.
129. Lenora
Meaning “light” but often reflects the difficulty of holding onto hope amidst the dark times of anguish.
130. Naomi
This Hebrew name means “pleasantness,” contrasting sharply with the anguish found within her narrative.
131. Isadora
The name means “gift of Isis,” but directly ties to tales filled with emotional distress and sacrifice.
132. Angelo
This name means “angel,” but often stands in stark contrast to the grief angels are associated with.
133. Taleb
This Arabic name means “student,” implying the anguish tied to the learning process.
134. Anika
This name means “grace,” hinting at the struggle for grace amidst life’s tumultures.
135. Selah
This name means “pause,” often reflecting moments of contemplation amidst emotional turmoil.
136. Tansy
This flower name represents sorrow and remembrance, connecting profoundly with the theme of anguish.
137. Chandra
The meaning “moon” conveys the silent beauty and anguish of light against darkness.
138. Elaena
A name meaning “torch,” indicating the pain experienced in seeking illumination in darkness.
139. Rivka
This Hebrew name meaning “to tie” often brings connections to relationships filled with anguish.
140. Soraya
This Persian name translates to “jewel,” reminding us of the struggles faced to achieve valuable things.
141. Ambrosia
This name means “immortal,” contrasting the anguish and mortality of life experiences.
142. Aster
A name meaning “star,” evokes a desire often filled with anguish for things that feel out of reach.
143. Zuleika
This exotic name carries a meaning of “fair,” connecting to struggles of societal beauty standards and their weight.
144. Lyric
This name reflects poetry and music, often the outlet for pain expressed through lyrics.
145. Medina
A name meaning “city,” but tied with struggles and stories of wars and pain in history.
146. Cyra
This name means “sun,” often illustrating the hope that comes with anguish when all appears lost.
147. Brielle
This name translates to “God is my strength,” often tied to overcoming anguish through faith.
148. Corinna
This name means “maiden,” reflecting the pain often associated with youth and sacrifices.
149. Leandra
This name means “lioness,” often embodying the struggle and emotional fragility underneath strength.
150. Ruadh
This name means “red-haired,” but often also connects with narratives filled with the burden of anguish.
Final Thoughts
Names that mean anguish carry powerful stories behind them. Each name serves as a reminder of life’s struggles, pain, and emotional depth. They resonate with those who have experienced sorrow and evoke empathy in others. Exploring these names allows us to connect with the emotions that drive human experiences.
Whether choosing a name for a character or considering personal significance, the stories tied to these names show the nuances of grief and resilience. It reminds us all that moments of anguish often lead to profound personal growth and understanding.
If you’re fascinated by names and their meanings, consider exploring more names that mean sad or suffering. You might find insights that resonate with you or your journey.