Names hold a lot of power, and some can even carry a dark meaning. Certain names are believed to bring bad luck or misfortune. These names often have origins in history, mythology, or cultural stories that warn of hardship. From haunting legends to unfortunate tales, the weight of these names can impact how people view them.
Today, we’ll look at some names that are associated with misfortune. Whether you’re curious about their meanings or just want to learn more, you’ll find that these names come with interesting backgrounds. Join us as we unpack the stories behind them.
Names That Mean Misfortune
1. Keturah
The name Keturah means ‘the one who is bound’. This name is often associated with conflict and difficulties, hinting at misfortune in relationships.
2. Mallory
This name means ‘unfortunate’ or ‘ill-fated’ in Old French. People named Mallory often carry the burden of their name’s dark meaning.
3. Jabez
Jabez means ‘sorrow’ in Hebrew. According to the Bible, he was born into misfortune, giving the name a heavy connotation.
4. Banshee
In Irish folklore, a banshee is a female spirit known for foretelling death. Naming someone Banshee carries a strong association with misfortune.
5. Acheron
The name Acheron comes from Greek mythology and refers to a river of sorrow. This name symbolizes deep misfortune and despair.
6. Trisha
Trisha is associated with sadness and tragedy, often relating it to misfortune in life. Its etymology conveys emotional struggles.
7. Malina
This name can be translated to mean ‘the one who brings misfortune’. Those named Malina may feel the heavy weight of this meaning.
8. Mara
In Hebrew, Mara means ‘bitter’. This name represents hardship and misfortune, reflecting the struggles of life.
9. Saúla
A name derived from a haunting figure, Saúla can indicate misfortune and sorrow. It has links to dark tales and legends.
10. Calamity
Named for disaster, Calamity expresses misfortune in a very direct manner. This unusual name is fraught with cautionary tales.
11. Dolor
With a straightforward meaning of ‘sorrow’ in Spanish, the name Dolor embodies feelings of grief and misfortune.
12. Ravi
The name Ravi can mean ‘the sun’ but also carries associations with sorrow in some cultures, highlighting a dual nature of misfortune.
13. Desdemona
In Shakespeare’s works, Desdemona has been linked to tragedy and misfortune. The name itself means ‘ill-starred’ in Greek.
14. Kali
The Hindu goddess Kali is associated with destruction and misfortune, representing the darker side of life’s cycle.
15. Cressida
From another Shakespearean tragedy, Cressida symbolizes treachery and misfortune. Her tales often end with sorrow.
16. Lungile
In Zulu, Lungile means ‘good’ but can also reflect struggles and misfortune if the context of living is taken into account.
17. Zita
This name has been linked with the idea of ‘little girl’ but has also been seen as misfortune due to historical figures named Zita.
18. Tatum
The name Tatum means ‘cheerful one’ but has heavy connections to tumultuous events in life, indicating misfortune.
19. Clytemnestra
This name means ‘famous’ but represents a figure from Greek mythology associated closely with infamy and misfortune.
20. Adira
While Adira means ‘strong’ in Hebrew, it is often linked with stories of personal struggles and misfortune among those who bear it.
21. Rachael
The name Rachael means ‘ewe’ but has connections to many tales involving conflict and misfortune.
22. Jorah
Though its meaning is ‘to be empty’, the name is also tied to negative narratives, reflecting uncertainty and misfortune in literature.
23. Leora
Although it translates to ‘light’ in Hebrew, Leora is also connected to stories that evoke a sense of foreboding and misfortune.
24. Sorrow
A name that is quite direct, Sorrow possesses an overt association with misfortune and grief.
25. Tybalt
This name from Shakespeare signifies ‘Prince of Cats’ but is mainly linked with violent misfortune in the play “Romeo and Juliet”.
26. Mavine
The name Mavine implies being ‘downtrodden’, which connects it to notions of misfortune and hardship.
27. Cleo
The name Cleo means ‘glory’ but can also carry implications of misfortune in stories where characters with this name face great loss.
28. Nyx
In Greek mythology, Nyx is the goddess of night, often associated with darkness and misfortune, serving as a harbinger of bad times.
29. Amara
This name means ‘eternal’ but can represent deep ties to struggles and misfortune in certain cultural tales.
30. Harmonia
While this name implies ‘harmony’, it historically links to a tale of pain and misfortune in related myths.
31. Dryope
Stemming from Greek mythology, Dryope’s tale is one of transformation and hardship, leading her down a path of misfortune.
32. Vespera
Meaning ‘evening’ in Latin, Vespera can also evoke feelings of impending misfortune as darkness descends.
33. Elara
This name hints at beauty, however, its background connects it to themes of misfortune in several mythological texts.
34. Elric
While it can mean ‘noble ruler’, the name Elric is often associated with dark stories and misfortunes faced by those who hold power.
35. Orpheus
In mythology, Orpheus symbolizes love and music but also bears the heavy load of misfortune due to his tragic story.
36. Lament
A very direct name, Lament signifies mourning and connects closely to feelings of loss and misfortune.
37. Belladonna
This name means ‘beautiful woman’ but also refers to a poisonous plant, highlighting a mix of allure and misfortune.
38. Isolde
Isolde bears the meaning of ‘ice ruler’ but is primarily known from stories filled with tragic love and misfortune.
39. Atila
This name means ‘little father’ but is also tied to tales of great conquerors facing struggles and misfortune.
40. Maraika
The name Maraika is associated with bitter experiences, effectively tying it to the theme of misfortune.
41. Dorian
Dorian means ‘of Doris’ but represents a character that encountered extreme misfortune in literature.
42. Chione
Named after the goddess of snow, Chione is linked to wintry misfortunes that come with harsh climates.
43. Thalia
Thalia means ‘to flourish’ but in certain stories conveys an ironic twist of fate leading to misfortune.
44. Tragedy
A name that directly relates to misfortune, Tragedy showcases tales of sorrow and loss that carry weight through stories.
45. Azrael
Often seen as the angel of death, Azrael’s association clearly connects to themes of misfortune and endings.
46. Mordecai
This name means ‘warrior’ but is often tied to misfortunes as seen in historical contexts.
47. Marlow
With roots meaning ‘drained lake’, the name Marlow can symbolize transformation through misfortune.
48. Sidon
This name bears historical weight, as ancient cities commonly faced hardships, linking Sidon to misfortune.
49. Pandora
Pandora is known for releasing evils into the world; thus, the name symbolizes boundless misfortune.
50. Apollyon
A name representing destruction, Apollyon signifies the bringer of calamities and misfortunes.
51. Vex
The name Vex literally means ‘to annoy or frustrate’; hence it captures the essence of small misfortunes seen in life.
52. Sable
This name reflects darkness, often connected with misfortune and loss.
53. Ceres
Though representing agriculture and abundance, Ceres also symbolizes the misfortunes caused by famine.
54. Cordelia
This name may mean ‘heart’, but in literature, it has often faced misfortune and tragedy.
55. Maleficent
The name means ‘doing evil’, directly connecting to misfortune and the act of causing hardship.
56. Jenner
This name has connections to historical context where great misfortunes unfolded during times of turmoil.
57. Janus
In Roman mythology, Janus is known for duality, reflecting both beginnings and endings, thus misfortunes.
58. Nox
This name means ‘night’ in Latin, often linked to misfortune occurring in darkness.
59. Alecto
A Greek name linked to fury, Alecto stands for unrest and misfortunes in various mythologies.
60. Nemesis
Nemesis represents retribution and is associated with misfortune in tales of vengeance.
61. Elysium
Elysium often embodies paradise, but it also contains stories where failures lead to great misfortune.
62. Jinx
A name that means ‘curse’, directly linked to the concept of misfortune.
63. Vitiate
This name means ‘to spoil or impair’, which connects it to unfortunate events and misfortunes.
64. Omen
Omen suggests foretelling, indicating misfortune or disaster ahead.
65. Fury
This name represents wrath and often signifies misfortune and chaos in stories and legends.
66. Woe
Woe reflects profound distress, aptly connecting to severe levels of misfortune.
67. Cursed
This name directly connects to the concept of misfortune, serving as a stark reminder of ill fate.
68. Nyssa
Though it can mean ‘to become’, Nyssa has connections to tragic narratives embodying misfortune.
69. Eclipse
This name represents shadowing and darkness, often linking to themes of misfortune that arise.
70. Famine
A name not typically chosen, Famine reflects deep misfortune and hardship from scarcity.
71. Raven
This name evokes darkness and mystery, often correlating with misfortune in tales.
72. Ruin
The name Ruin signifies destruction and loss, linking it directly to the concept of misfortune.
73. Thorne
The name Thorne represents a prickly surface, alluding to troubles and misfortune encountered.
74. Lavinia
A name often tied to tragic narratives in literature, linking Lavinia to misfortune.
75. Isadora
Though it sounds beautiful, Isadora has ties to misfortune through tragic tales within mythology.
76. Cormac
This name can translate to ‘charioteer’ but also reflects stories of conflicts leading to misfortunes.
77. Lysistrata
With roots leading to peaceful resolution, the darker stories associated evoke feelings of misfortune.
78. Sorrowful
As a name, Sorrowful implies deep grief and clearly ties to misfortune.
79. Feral
The name Feral indicates a wild, untamed condition, often associated with misfortune and chaos.
80. Snag
Signifying a hindrance or difficulty, Snag aptly reflects encounters with misfortune.
81. Despair
This direct name highlights the depths of feeling without hope, connecting to significant misfortune.
82. wretched
This dire name conveys misery and deep emotional struggle, linking to the concept of misfortune.
83. Perdita
Meaning ‘lost’, Perdita ties directly with tales of abandonment and misfortune.
84. Vale
Vale suggests a valley, representing low points in life tied to unfortunate experiences.
85. Cursed
This name is very directly tied to misfortune, symbolizing a life that may not be easy.
86. Niamh
Although it means ‘bright’, its historical connections relate to tragic stories and misfortunes.
87. Delilah
A name associated with betrayal in the Bible, Delilah connects to significant misfortune and downfall.
88. Nightshade
Originally a plant, Nightshade has connotations of toxicity, linking it to misfortune.
89. Garrick
This name can mean ‘spear’ but depicts tales layered with misfortune from historical contexts.
90. Euphony
While meaning pleasant sound, it contrasts with many stories of misfortune laden in the past.
91. Fenris
A name related to the wolf in Norse mythology, Fenris represents chaos and inevitable misfortune awaiting.
92. Melancholy
As a title as much as a name, Melancholy signifies deep sadness and a life encased in misfortune.
93. Hypnos
The Greek god of sleep often represents a deep state of despair, correlating with misfortune in stories.
94. Nyx
Symbolizing night, Nyx conveys themes of mystery and darkness, linking closely to misfortune.
95. Quarla
This name is linked to tales of hardship and much struggle, embodying the essence of misfortune.
96. Eira
The name Eira means ‘snow’, which can also symbolize challenges and struggles tied to harsh conditions.
97. Regan
Though it means ‘little king’, Regan has been noted for misfortunes reflected in different narratives.
98. Echo
This name hints at repetition, often symbolizing long-lasting misery tied to misfortune.
99. Thanos
Meaning ‘death’ in Greek, the name directly signifies misfortune and heartbreak.
100. Envy
The name Envy connects directly to feelings of jealousy, which can lead to misfortune in relationships.
101. Seleucus
This name can symbolize conflict and struggle due to historical battles faced.
102. Lethe
In Greek mythology, Lethe is a river of forgetfulness, connecting to themes of sorrow and misfortune.
103. Calypso
This name holds ties to a goddess who caused sailors much misfortune with her enchanting voice.
104. Tempest
The name Tempest evokes feelings of unrest and turmoil, symbolizing misfortunes through storms.
105. Zephyr
This name means ‘west wind’ but has also been associated with change often leading to unexpected misfortunes.
106. Felon
The name Felon connects to crime and misdeeds, representing the unfortunate paths in life.
107. Wraith
This name symbolizing a ghost brings deep connections to stories of loss and misfortune.
108. Deceit
As a name, Deceit directly implies falsehoods leading to hardships and misfortunes.
109. Grieve
Reflecting the act of mourning, Grieve portrays the turmoil of loss and connects to misfortune.
110. Grendel
A figure in Beowulf, Grendel represents misfortune and destruction through his monstrous actions.
111. Nemesis
This name symbolizes revenge and connects deeply with stories of karmic misfortune.
112. Warlock
The figure of the Warlock carries connotations of dark magic and misfortune throughout folklore.
113. Echo
A name indicative of sound repetition, sometimes signaling misfortune in various tales.
114. Winger
A title connecting to chaos and uncertainty often tied to misfortunes.
115. Lament
A direct representation of mourning, Lament embodies deep-seated misfortune in its essence.
116. Abyss
The name Abyss signifies a deep void, representing the depth of misfortune faced.
117. Shade
This name implies darkness and shadow, linking it to unfortunate events or circumstances.
118. Desperation
This name vividly embodies deep longing and struggle associated with misfortune.
119. Fracture
Fracture represents brokenness and separation linked directly to misfortune.
120. Disgrace
This name ties closely to shame and failure, encapsulating the essence of misfortune.
121. Ruin
Ruins symbolize lost hopes and dreams, offering notable connections to misfortunes faced.
122. Echo
Echo stands for repeated sounds, often signifying lingering misfortunes in narratives.
123. Ravi
A name meaning ‘to make life difficult’ fits well within the context of misfortune.
124. Lamenta
Derived from the experience of mourning, Lamenta speaks to the sorrow often linked to misfortune.
125. Mourning
As a name, Mourning directly indicates loss and sorrow, representing fundamental aspects of misfortune.
126. Crypt
This name reflects burial grounds, often directly connecting to the misfortunes of death.
127. Rayne
Rayne represents an element of precipitation but is often tied to dark stories of misfortune in literature.
128. Weary
The name Weary embodies exhaustion and tiredness often accompanying long-term misfortunes.
129. Haze
Haze symbolizes obscurity, linking it to confusion and misfortune in various contexts.
130. Nacht
A name meaning night in German, Nacht suggests darkness connected to misfortunes.
131. Blight
This name signifies destruction, reflecting deep links to misfortune and decay.
132. Wisp
Wisp suggests the concept of something fleeting, linking it to misfortunes that often appear unexpectedly.
133. Recklessness
This direct name speaks to the implications of impulsive actions leading to misfortune.
134. Malice
A name meaning ‘evil intent’, Malice strongly connects to misfortune brought upon by wrongdoings.
135. Grief
This name conveys a profound state of sorrow directly linked to the main theme of misfortune.
136. Sable
The name Sable presents dark imagery, closely tied to misfortune in life.
137. Seraphine
Though often seen as angelic, it reflects a deep longing and sorrow linked to unfortunate stories.
138. Rift
The name Rift symbolizes a break or division associated directly with misfortunes in relationships or conflicts.
139. Shiver
This evokes fear or uncertainty, aptly connecting to misfortunes faced in life.
140. Bane
As a name meaning ‘cause of harm’, Bane directly conveys themes of misfortune.
141. Abyssal
This name suggests depth and darkness, often tied to multiple misfortunes faced by individuals.
142. Ruin
Ruin conveys a lost state or destruction, closely associating it with the realm of misfortune.
143. Sorrowine
An invented variation of sorrow that resonates deeply with the themes of misfortune.
144. Accursed
A very direct name, Accursed signifies ill fate and connects closely to concepts of misfortune.
145. Cadence
A name that denotes rhythm, its association with dissonance may link it with misfortune.
146. Cursed
This name captures the essence of misfortune very directly, symbolizing ongoing difficulties.
147. Ghost
Linking directly to tales of the undead, Ghost symbolizes lingering misfortunes and troubles.
148. Thistle
The name Thistle represents a prickly plant, symbolizing struggles and misfortunes faced.
149. Shadow
Shadow implies lurking darkness, connecting deeply to the concept of misfortune in life.
150. Vesper
Meaning evening star, Vesper hints at darkness falling, often associated with misfortunes that arise during twilight.
Final Thoughts
There are many names that carry the weight of misfortune, each telling a unique story. Whether from mythology, history, or literature, these names represent a myriad of struggles faced throughout time. Their meanings offer insights into how society views luck and hardships. From the somber to the tragic, these names remind us that every name carries a piece of its own narrative.
Exploring names associated with misfortune can lead to discoveries in history and culture. Names can shape perceptions and impact lives, often carrying legacies of their own. If you’re intrigued by darker meanings behind names, consider looking into names that mean death or names that mean evil for further exploration.
Embracing these stories helps us understand the depth behind names and their potential impact on individuals and society.