Names have power, and some names carry deep meanings tied to ancient beliefs and mythologies. The underworld, a realm found in various cultures, represents mystery, darkness, and sometimes, transformation. Many names reflect this concept, connecting individuals to the rich stories of gods, spirits, and the afterlife. These names can evoke a sense of strength, intrigue, or even fear.
Today, we’ll look at a selection of names that mean “underworld.” Each name tells a story and offers a glimpse into the cultural significance behind the idea of the underworld. Whether you’re searching for a unique name or simply curious, these names provide captivating insights.
Names That Mean Underworld
1. Hades
The name Hades comes from Greek mythology and refers to the god of the underworld. It signifies the realm of the dead and carries a strong association with darkness and mystery.
2. Pluton
Also derived from Greek mythology, Pluton means ‘wealth-giver’ but is often used interchangeably with the god of the underworld, reflecting the connection between the underworld and agricultural riches.
3. Persephone
Persephone is the queen of the underworld in Greek mythology. Her name reflects the duality of life and death, representing spring’s growth and the underworld’s shadows.
4. Osiris
Osiris is an ancient Egyptian god associated with the afterlife and resurrection. His name embodies the connection to the underworld and eternal life beyond death.
5. Hel
In Norse mythology, Hel is the goddess who rules over the underworld. Her name personifies the realm of the dead, making it an appropriate name for the underworld.
6. Anubis
Anubis is the ancient Egyptian god of embalming and the dead. His name is directly tied to the practices surrounding the underworld and the afterlife.
7. Namtaru
Namtaru, from Sumerian mythology, represents the deity of the underworld. His name connects to the deep, shadowy world beneath the earth.
8. Styx
Styx is the name of the river that separates the living from the dead in Greek mythology. It’s associated with the underworld and the journey of souls.
9. Acheron
Acheron is another river in the Greek underworld, known as the ‘river of pain.’ Its name is steeped in the underworld’s sorrowful themes.
10. Lethe
The Lethe river symbolizes forgetfulness in the Greek underworld. Its name implies the forgetting of earthly memories in the realm of the dead.
11. Mictlantecuhtli
Mictlantecuhtli is the Aztec god of the underworld. His name carries the heavy weight of death and the afterlife in Aztec culture.
12. Shivai
In Hinduism, Shiva is associated with dissolution and transformation. His connection to the cycle of life and death relates to the themes of the underworld.
13. Yama
Yama is the Hindu god of death and ruler of the underworld. His name signifies the ultimate destination for souls after their earthly journey.
14. Charon
Charon is the ferryman of the dead in Greek mythology, guiding souls across the river Styx. His name embodies the journey into the underworld.
15. Nergal
Nergal is a Mesopotamian god associated with the underworld. His name indicates strength and darkness connected to the realm of the dead.
16. Erebus
Erebus is a primordial deity in Greek mythology representing darkness. His name circles back to concepts of the underworld.
17. Thanatos
Thanatos is the Greek personification of death. His name correlates with the underworld, signifying the eternal sleep of death.
18. Djinn
In Arabian folklore, Djinn can be beings that dwell in the unseen world, often connecting to darker realms beneath the surface.
19. Beelzebub
Beelzebub is often interpreted as a ruler of demons and associated with the underworld in various texts. His name evokes feelings of fear and darkness.
20. Abaddon
Abaddon is found in biblical texts, portraying a place of destruction and the abyss, evoking associations with the underworld.
21. Scylla
Scylla, from Greek mythology, is associated with perilous sea monsters that lurk near the underworld. Her name highlights danger and mystery.
22. Charybdis
Charybdis is a counterpart to Scylla, presenting a whirlpool that symbolizes the chaotic forces surrounding the underworld.
23. Sekhmet
In ancient Egypt, Sekhmet represents both destruction and healing, relating to the complex relationships between life and the underworld.
24. Baal
Baal, worshipped in ancient cultures, was sometimes associated with the underworld and deity of storms, igniting themes of chaos and death.
25. Caín
Caín, representing the biblical figure known for his dark story, passes into themes connected with the underworld.
26. Astaroth
Astaroth is known in demonology as a powerful prince of the underworld, evoking fear and fascination.
27. Lilith
Lilith, often associated with night demons and the dark, hovers in the themes of the underworld in folklore.
28. Gorgonia
Gorgonia relates back to the Gorgon sisters from Greek myths, symbolizing the dark realm often linked with the underworld.
29. Necropolis
This name literally means “city of the dead,” representing burial sites and the connection to the underworld.
30. Cimmerian
The term Cimmerian associates with a mythical people living in perpetual darkness, reminiscent of the underworld.
31. Gehenna
Gehenna was associated with a cursed place, drawing connections to the underworld in biblical texts.
32. Grendel
Grendel, the monster from “Beowulf,” symbolizes darkness and death, often linked to underworld concepts.
33. Niflheim
Niflheim is the realm of mist and ice in Norse mythology, closely tied to the underworld and the dead.
34. Valhalla
Valhalla serves as a hall for the slain warriors, presenting an aspect of the Viking afterlife linked to the underworld.
35. Tartaros
Tartaros is the deep abyss in Greek mythology, symbolizing punishment and the gloomy aspects of the underworld.
36. Angrboda
Angrboda, a figure associated with Loki in Norse mythology, can tie back into themes of the dark forces associated with the underworld.
37. Elysium
Elysium refers to a paradise in the afterlife, contrasting sharply with the darker aspects of the underworld.
38. Morrigan
The Morrigan is a goddess associated with war and fate, embodying elements of death and the underworld.
39. Acheron
Acheron, also known as one of the rivers in the underworld, signifies pain and suffering, presenting key themes of the underworld.
40. Nidhogg
Nidhogg is a dragon that gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil, the world tree, bringing deep connections to the underworld.
41. Mors
Mors is a personification of death in Roman mythology, deeply entwined with themes of the underworld.
42. Azo’ra
Azo’ra, a unique name, can connect to concepts of the underworld with a mystical and otherworldly feel.
43. Mara
Mara, in Buddhist traditions, represents temptation and death, evoking a deep connection to the ideas of the underworld.
44. Hecate
Hecate, a goddess of magic, often represents the threshold between realms of the living and the underworld.
45. Wealthy
Wealthy, though often associated with riches, can evoke the connection to the mythological wealth found in the underworld.
46. Morwenna
Morwenna signifies ‘waves of the sea,’ linking back to dark waters associated with the underworld.
47. Vesper
With its tie to evening star, Vesper evokes nighttime themes often associated with the shadows of the underworld.
48. Aeshma
Aeshma, representing chaos in Zoroastrianism, evokes themes present in the turbulence of the underworld.
49. Ra’shemesh
This name derives from Hebrew meaning ‘sun, of the underworld,’ illustrating the duality of light and dark.
50. Malphas
Malphas, in demonology, is linked to the underworld through its definitions and characteristics of darkness.
51. Daemons
Daemons are often considered spirits or souls that can transport beings to various realms, including the underworld.
52. Azrael
Azrael, the angel of death, serves as a transition from the land of the living to the underworld.
53. Orpheus
Orpheus is famous for his tragic journey to the underworld to retrieve his beloved Eurydice, capturing the heart of underworld themes.
54. Davy
Davy does not stand alone, carrying the narrative of Davy Jones from folklore, associated with death and the underworld.
55. Eurydice
Eurydice is a figure from Greek mythology who descended to the underworld, forever symbolizing connection to death.
56. Banshee
The banshee from Irish folklore is a wailing spirit foretelling death, often associated with the underworld.
57. Cerberus
Cerberus is the three-headed dog guarding Hades’ entrance, symbolizing protection and understanding of the underworld.
58. Asmodeus
Asmodeus is a demon often referred to in texts connected with darkness and the abyss of the underworld.
59. Rhyme
The name Rhyme can symbolize the artistic expressions often found within tales about the underworld and its mysteries.
60. Marbas
Marbas is a being in demonology connected with the underworld, representing hidden knowledge and transformation.
61. Woland
Woland, from Bulgakov’s “Master and Margarita,” presents dark connections to the underworld through a demonic character.
62. Scylla
Scylla illustrates dangers lying at the edges of the realms symbolizing the underworld, emphasizing fatal encounters.
63. Nefertum
Nefertum, the Egyptian deity associated with the beautiful and the underworld, offers duality in themes of existence.
64. Erishkigal
Erishkigal is a Sumerian goddess ruling the underworld, emphasizing roles within realms of death.
65. Wyrd
Wyrd, or fate, reflects the connections of events leading to the underworld in various mythological texts.
66. Yyrkan
This name brings in mysterious elements depicted in stories of shadows and the depths below, aligning with the underworld.
67. Azura
Azura carries an enigmatic air, hinting at themes of mystery often affiliated with the underworld.
68. Nisha
Nisha, meaning ‘night’ in various languages, signifies darkness and ties to the underworld.
69. Fenrir
Fenrir, the monstrous wolf in Norse mythology, connects to themes of fated death and chaos associated with the underworld.
70. Gloom
The name Gloom evokes the shadows that drape the underworld, presenting a strong connection to darkness.
71. Luna
Luna, representing the moon, signifies mysteries linked to night and darkness, connecting it subtly to the underworld.
72. Shade
Shade directly connects to the spirits of the underworld, presenting an element of mystery and the afterlife.
73. Nocturne
Nocturne signifies night music, embodying the enchanting yet eerie qualities associated with the underworld.
74. Thanatia
Thanatia blends the associations with death and the underworld, presenting an enthralling name.
75. Amortia
Amortia suggests themes of mortality and ties seamlessly back to narratives around the underworld.
76. Selene
Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon, reflects the mysterious attributes tied to the night and the underworld.
77. Moros
Moros represents doom in Greek mythology, showcasing narratives enveloped with themes linked to the underworld.
78. Vespera
Vespera ties directly to evening themes, suggesting the arrival of night and connection with the underworld.
79. Khonsu
Khonsu is the Egyptian god of the moon, symbolizing the ethereal quality and darkness associated with the underworld.
80. Sombra
Sombra translates to “shadow,” denoting dark realms and connections to the themes of the underworld.
81. Lorelei
The Lorelei is a figure known for luring sailors to destruction, connecting her story to the underworld by the wisdom of death.
82. Nyx
Nyx is the primordial goddess of the night, deepening the themes connected to shadows and the underworld.
83. Aida
Aida, with its roots in storytelling, illustrates characters that traverse paths to the underworld.
84. Levania
Levania can reflect the mystical often present in tales surrounding the underworld.
85. Vesperine
Vesperine evokes themes of twilight, representing the transition symbolically leading to the underworld.
86. Obsidian
Obsidian represents darkness and mystery, reflecting the depths of the underworld beautifully.
87. Morticia
Morticia, derived from ‘mort,’ signifies death, connecting directly to themes of the underworld.
88. Nox
Nox, meaning ‘night,’ evokes images of darkness connected closely to the underworld’s shadowy concepts.
89. Balthazar
Balthazar, one of the Magi, signifies mystery and depth often linked to afterlife tales of the underworld.
90. Ashaya
Ashaya translates to “gift of life,” presenting themes often summarized with the cycles moving through the underworld.
91. Chione
Chione represents snow, suggesting coldness associated with the depths of the underworld.
92. Faustus
Faustus, relating to the idea of fate, connects to the narratives intertwined with the underworld and beyond.
93. Xibalba
Xibalba is the Maya underworld, indicating the rich cultural themes surrounding death and the afterlife.
94. Pazuzu
Pazuzu is a demon known for protection against evil, representing ties to darker underworld themes.
95. Hincmar
Hincmar signifies shadows and connections to worlds beyond our own, resonating with themes of the underworld.
96. Lauchlan
Lauchlan is steeped in legend, suggesting deep connections to underworld tales and adventures.
97. Selkie
Selkie represent myths of shapeshifting and transformation, offering strands led through the underworld.
98. Calliope
Calliope denotes beautiful voices often tied to poetry, which can include sorrowful themes from the underworld.
99. Guinevere
Guinevere represents a figure of loss, often seen in tales linking to the mysterious depths of the underworld.
100. Calypso
Calypso signifies a connection to ocean depths and enchantments leading to underworld mysteries.
101. Moray
Moray signifies exploration of the depths under the shadows, embodying themes affiliated with the underworld.
102. Selene
Selene represents the moon, ensnaring themes often linking to night and underworld realms.
103. Cygnus
Cygnus reflects the majestic swan association, often depicting narratives woven through the underworld.
104. Astraea
Astraea shines with the ideas of justice and balance, linking back to connections with mortality and the underworld.
105. Atalanta
Atalanta signifies endurance through darkness, reflecting narratives intertwined with the ideals of the underworld.
106. Echo
Echo signifies reverberations, present in tales of the underworld and communication beyond life.
107. Uriel
Uriel signifies an angelic presence, potentially guiding souls traversing from life to underworld scenarios.
108. Minerva
Minerva represents wisdom, often illuminated with concepts of life beyond and integrating the underworld.
109. Starla
Starla evokes celestial connections that can lend perspectives reflective of the underworld.
110. Trismegistus
Trismegistus means “thrice-great,” invoking ancient wisdom related to knowledge of the underworld.
111. Camellia
Camellia signifies beauty and resilience, often associated with seasons and cycles reflecting the underworld.
112. Tannhauser
Tannhauser embodies the artistry of stories recalled from the underworld in varied poetry and legend.
113. Wraith
The name Wraith evokes spirits associated with the underworld, bridging themes of specters from the dead.
114. Ugarit
Ugarit represents ancient cultures that retold tales from the underworld reflecting rich traditions in literature.
115. Zara
Zara signifies flowering amidst darkness, combining elements from various myths linked to underworld stories.
116. Nyto
Nyto signifies night, presenting exciting linkages to thoughts surrounding shadows and the underworld.
117. Myrrh
Myrrh, a component found in ancient burial rituals, evokes connections with the underworld and mystical practices.
118. Mordred
Mordred signifies tales of downfall and loss, revealing shadows of connection to the underworld.
119. Cricket
Cricket symbolizes voices of the unseen, echoing themes associated with the underworld.
120. Nebula
Nebula signifies cosmic mysteries that add layers resonating with the underworld’s invisible realms.
121. Kaida
Kaida evokes dragons often symbolizing guardians of the depths, including those of the underworld.
122. Chione
Chione embodies winter and frost, connecting to aspects of desolation surrounding the underworld.
123.thorne
Thorne represents boundaries between realms, projecting stories of rich narratives linked to the underworld.
124. Quicksilver
Quicksilver signifies fluidity between life and death, enhancing elements surrounding the underworld.
125. Sayuri
Sayuri, meaning ‘small lily,’ subtly connects to themes of transient beauty and the underworld.
126. Zephyr
Zephyr reflects the light breeze which might encircle the graveyards, hinting at the underworld connections.
127. Raia
Raia carries meanings of flowing water, a metaphor often linked with spirits in the underworld.
128. Ursa
Ursa signifies a celestial bear linked with the night sky and hints towards the enigma of the underworld.
129. Tethys
Tethys, linked to the sea goddess, conveys imagery associated with the vast, dark waters of the underworld.
130. Ellaria
Ellaria draws a connection to the ethereal, hinting at the beauty found within the darker undertones of the underworld.
131. Gerda
Gerda symbolizes beauty encapsulated within winter’s chill, hinting subtly at motives surrounding the underworld.
132. Theia
Theia offers connections to the divine and light, contrasting beautifully with darkness tied to the underworld.
133. Pallas
Pallas embodies wisdom and strategy, often revered within myths depicting travels through the underworld.
134. Beatrix
Beatrix brings forth meanings of joy and reawakening, overlaying themes addressing the cycle of life from the underworld.
135. Elara
Elara, linked to the cosmos, can add connections to vast realms, including the haunting underworld.
136. Halcyon
Halcyon represents peace, reflecting the duality of sorrow found amid the underworld’s narratives.
137. Vesperus
Vesperus captures essence linked to dusk rituals traditionally connected to the underworld.
138. Astraeus
Astraeus is a figure from Greek mythology associated with stars, reflecting eternal cycles tied through the underworld.
139. Namir
Namir means ‘tiger’ in Arabic, offering fierce themes often tied to stories associated with the underworld.
140. Selina
Selina, relating to moon goddesses, hints towards themes surrounding life cycles tied through the underworld.
141. Elysian
Elysian signifies blissful afterlife connections woven within stories of beauty and depth found in the underworld.
142. Azrael
Azrael, in various mythologies, represents death, associated deeply with the journeys into the underworld.
143. Galadriel
Galadriel brings forth ethereal beauty, signifying layers deeply linked to shadows of the underworld.
144. Ishtar
Ishtar is an ancient goddess associated with love and war, embodying transitions into the underworld.
145. Trixie
Trixie evokes delightful tricks, weaving moments of wonder associated with the realm beneath life.
146. Arwen
Arwen, known from Tolkien’s work, captures themes connecting to death alongside stories involving the underworld.
147. Thalia
Thalia, representing joy, grants connections back to tales surrounding beauty and despair amid the underworld.
148. Fable
Fable encompasses storytelling, drawing insight from multiple narratives, including those that weave through the underworld.
149. Nova
Nova signifies striking brightness that emerges from depths, linking with tales addressing the underworld.
150. Ephemera
Ephemera denotes transient moments, portraying experiences that echo themes linked with the afterlife and the underworld.
Final Thoughts
Exploring names that mean underworld opens doors to rich histories, mythologies, and intriguing narratives surrounding life and death. Each name reflects deep connections to ancient beliefs and cultural significances often associated with the underworld.
With names ranging from Hades to Selene, the common thread is a weave of mystery, transformation, and sometimes darkness. These names are not merely labels; they tell stories and represent the endless cycle of life and death.
As you contemplate these names, you might also be interested to explore names that mean death or even names that mean undead. There’s a world of meanings that await discovery!