Names can carry powerful meanings, and some names are downright badass. If you’re looking for names that resonate with strength and an edgy vibe, names that mean death can be a unique choice. These names often have roots in mythology, culture, and history, giving them a rich background. When someone hears a name that means death, it often sparks curiosity and admiration.
Today, we’ll look at some of the most striking names that symbolize death. Whether you’re naming a character in a story or just love the sound of these powerful names, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here. Let’s get into these fierce and unforgettable names!
Badass Names That Mean Death
1. Mara
Mara is a name that means ‘bitter’ or ‘death’ in Hebrew, which gives it a strong and intense vibe that connects with the concept of mortality.
2. Mortis
Mortis literally translates to ‘death’ in Latin, making it a powerful choice for someone with a fierce presence.
3. Thanatos
Thanatos is the Greek personification of death, lending an air of mythology and depth to the name.
4. Kali
Kali, from Hindu mythology, is a goddess associated with destruction and death, making her name evoke strength and power.
5. Azrael
Azrael is often referred to as the angel of death in various religious texts, giving it a mystical and badass edge.
6. Lethe
In Greek mythology, Lethe is the river of forgetfulness and associated with death, perfect for a mysterious character.
7. Dempsey
Dempsey means ‘proud’ and has connections to death through its Gaelic roots, giving it a dual meaning that adds depth.
8. Kieran
Kieran means ‘little dark one’ in Irish, symbolizing mortality in a refined and sophisticated way.
9. Mortimer
Mortimer means ‘dead sea’, a powerful name with an obvious connection to death and the sea.
10. Nihil
Nihil means ‘nothing’ in Latin, directly connecting to the concept of death and loss with a minimalistic twist.
11. Banshee
The Banshee is an Irish mythological figure who foretells death, making it a hauntingly beautiful name.
12. Hades
Hades is the ruler of the underworld in Greek mythology, strongly associated with death and the afterlife.
13. Malachi
Malachi means ‘messenger of death’ in some interpretations, making it a name that carries weight.
14. Raven
Ravens are often seen as omens of death, adding a dark and lovely twist to this name.
15. Grim
Grim, as in Grim Reaper, is directly linked to death, evoking a powerful and badass energy.
16. Shinigami
This Japanese term translates to ‘death god’, a fierce name with strong fantasy connections.
17. Zahara
Zahara means ‘flower that is a symbol of death’, making it a poetic yet edgy choice.
18. Cale
Cale means ‘pure’, but is associated with death through the Hebrew meaning linked to the grave.
19. Keres
Keres are female death deities in Greek mythology, adding a fierce, feminine touch to the name.
20. Persephone
Persephone, as queen of the underworld in Greek mythology, is a powerful name associated with both life and death.
21. Djinn
Djinn in some cultures can bring death, making this name mysterious and alluring.
22. Acheron
Acheron is one of the rivers of the underworld in Greek mythology, symbolizing death and passage.
23. Nox
Nox means ‘night’ in Latin and symbolizes death’s connection with darkness.
24. Ereshkigal
Ereshkigal is the Sumerian goddess of the underworld, a commanding name with a deep historical background.
25. Hela
In Norse mythology, Hela is the goddess of the underworld, carrying a powerful and fierce connotation.
26. Amon
Amon is associated with death in various mythologies, giving it a wicked edge.
27. Cairo
Cairo means ‘victorious’, but its connection to the City of the Dead gives it a unique twist.
28. Kuro
Kuro means ‘black’ in Japanese, often associated with the unknown and death.
29. Neoma
Neoma means ‘new moon’, linked to death as the moon goes cycles through darkness.
30. Deveraux
Deveraux translates to ‘from the riverbank’, but it’s closely associated with death in various historical contexts.
31. Lethia
Lethia means ‘oblivion’, closely linked with the concept of forgetting and death.
32. Soraya
Soraya means ‘princess’, but its associations with myth and death add a layer of complexity.
33. Nyx
Nyx is the Greek goddess of the night, closely connected to death and darkness.
34. Vale
Vale refers to a valley, often used as metaphorical poetry for a place of death.
35. Cabeza
Cabeza means ‘head’, but it’s often used in contexts relating to death and mortality.
36. Tane
Tane means ‘God of forests’, symbolizing the cycle of life and death.
37. Leila
Leila means ‘night’, a time often associated with the unknown, death, and rest.
38. Ender
Ender indicates an ending, closely tied to death and finality.
39. Bran
Bran means ‘raven’, a bird often associated with death and omens.
40. Destin
Destin relates to destiny, bringing elements of fate and death into consideration.
41. Elaith
Elaith means ‘death shadow’, giving it a dark and edgy connotation.
42. Belenus
Belenus is a god of healing and also of the underworld in some myths, linking life and death intricately.
43. Keres
Keres are mythological spirits of violent death in Greek history, evoking fierce imagery.
44. Fenris
Fenris is a monstrous wolf in Norse mythology, associated with death and destruction, making it a powerful name.
45. Obsidian
Obsidian, a volcanic glass, often symbolizes the mystery of death in many cultures.
46. Morpheus
Morpheus is the god of dreams, often intertwined with themes of death.
47. Thorne
Thorne symbolizes pain and protection, making it an edgy name that connects to death indirectly.
48. Sabine
Sabine has historical ties to tragic events and death, making it a somewhat ominous name.
49. Varuna
Varuna is a Hindu god representing the sky but also holding connections to the depths of the underworld.
50. Caius
Caius means ‘rejoice’, but its historical associations often connect it to dark themes of death.
51. Nyssa
Nyssa has ties to death as it can refer to a ‘death’s head’ flower, adding a unique touch.
52. Sable
Sable means ‘black’, often symbolizing a connection to death and mourning.
53. Darian
Darian means ‘gift’, yet its connections in history relate to themes of mortality.
54. Demetra
Demetra is related to agriculture, but in mythology, she has a strong connection to the cycle of death and rebirth.
55. Ines
Ines has meanings that connect it to the underworld, a poignant yet beautiful name.
56. Cinda
Cinda relates to the sunsets and endings, symbolizing both beauty and death.
57. Morrigan
Morrigan is a powerful figure in Irish mythology associated with war and death.
58. Zephyrus
Zephyrus means ‘west wind,’ symbolizing the end of day and associated with themes of death.
59. Siobhan
Siobhan means ‘hill’, but its ties to tragic tales can evoke themes of loss.
60. Salvia
Salvia, a type of sage, is associated with protecting from death, offering a unique contrast.
61. Ixchel
Ixchel is the Mayan goddess of death and fertility, bridging life and death in a powerful way.
62. Sigrid
Sigrid means ‘victory,’ often related to events involving death in history.
63. Seraphim
Seraphim are celestial beings sometimes associated with death in mysticism.
64. Ravenna
Ravenna, named after a city known for its mausoleums, connects deeply with themes of death.
65. Vida
Vida means ‘life’, but its historical ties remind us of its counterpart, death.
66. Thalassa
Thalassa signifies the sea, linked closely with mythological tales of ships lost to death.
67. Torin
Torin means ‘chief’ or ‘from the land of hills’, giving it a fierce imagery connected to clans who once battled for dominance and loss of life.
68. Lilith
Lilith is often associated with darkness and has ties to folklore about death and the unknown.
69. Selene
Selene is the goddess of the moon, often linked with death and the night.
70. Asher
Asher means ‘blessed’, yet has historical contexts relating to loss and grief.
71. Zarek
Zarek means ‘God protects’, linking death with a guardian’s narrative in folklore.
72. Phobos
Phobos is the personification of fear but also relates to the fears around death in horror narratives.
73. Ceathair
Ceathair means ‘the fourth’, and in Irish folklore, often relates to heroic tales involving death.
74. Hespera
Hespera means evening star, symbolizing the end of the day and metaphors for death.
75. Jacek
Jacek means ‘one who heals’, linking it with the theme of life’s fleeting nature and mortality.
76. Dei
Seeing ‘Dei’ brings a connection to deities associated with the afterlife or death rituals.
77. Fenna
Fenna represents a protector associated with the dead in various cultural legends.
78. Callum
Callum means ‘dove’, often associated with peace surrounding the themes of death.
79. Zephyra
Zephyra is linked to the west wind, symbolizing endings and death in literature.
80. Marinus
Marinus connects to the sea and its many tales of loss, making it a pivotal name.
81. Niamh
Niamh translates to ‘brightness’, but it’s tied to several tales of tragic loss in Irish mythology.
82. Enyo
Enyo is the Greek goddess of war and associated with death and destruction.
83. Laelia
Laelia ties into historical significance and connections with loss and monumental moments.
84. Zinnia
Zinnia is a flower that often symbolizes remembrance of those who have died.
85. Zara
Zara means ‘prince’, but its historical narratives often pull threads of mortality.
86. Elara
Elara connects with myths about the dead and their journey, giving it that mysterious edge.
87. Loki
Loki, the god who brings chaos, has associations with death in mythological stories.
88. Astra
Astra means ‘star’, representing fateful destinies often tied to death in poetry.
89. Tarquin
Tarquin has roots linked with kings but also tragic stories of downfall and death.
90. Leda
Leda has connections to transformation and loss, strongly tied to myth and fate.
91. Serafina
Serafina means ‘fiery’, associated with passionate tales of loss and heartache.
92. Maeve
Maeve relates to legendary queens and heroic battles that often led to death.
93. Tenebris
Tenebris is Latin for darkness, connecting closely to shadows of death.
94. Isolde
Isolde is linked to tragic love tales that end in loss and mortality.
95. Bellamy
Bellamy, in a way, connects to beautiful yet tragic stories of love and loss.
96. Nyssa
Nyssa connects with the elements of dead trees, linking it to nature’s cycle of life and death.
97. Varvara
Varvara connects with various interpretations of death’s spirit in folklore.
98. Nerys
Nerys means ‘lady’, a title often reflecting upon legacy and loss through history.
99. Cheyne
Cheyne means ‘oak tree’, symbolizing strength yet fragility against mortality.
100. Ziehg
Ziehg connects with tales of shadows and endings, intertwining with darker narratives.
101. Ada
Ada means ‘noble’, often used in connections to characters who have faced trials of loss.
102. Clio
Clio, as the muse of history, documents the tales of death and legendary moments.
103. Icarus
Icarus symbolizes rising high, but also faces the narratives of inevitable death in myth.
104. Astraea
Astraea connects with goddess themes often intertwined with judgement after death.
105. Enigma
Enigma invokes curious mysteries surrounding death’s unknowns.
106. Isadora
Isadora hints at enclosure and sanctuary, tied to feelings regarding mortality.
107. Arwen
Arwen evokes elegant themes and challenge tied to mortality.
108. Kato
Kato means ‘pure’, and yet carries the weight of history’s tragic ends.
109. Brigid
Brigid, the goddess of healing and fire, ties death to resilience.
110. Circe
Circe shows connections with transformation, symbolic of life and death cycles.
111. Aisling
Aisling means ‘dream’ and connects to subconscious thoughts surrounding death.
112. Sekhmet
Sekhmet is a lioness goddess associated with war and mortality in Egyptian lore.
113. Vespera
Vespera means ‘evening’, reminiscent of day’s end and the transition into death.
114. Theia
Theia symbolizes visions of light but has connections to metrics around mortality.
115. Elowen
Elowen means ‘elm tree’, relating to forest types often connected with death folklore.
116. Freya
Freya is associated with battles and often serves as a figure linked to tourism.
117. Tybalt
Tybalt means ‘brave people’, often represented in stories about loss and heroism.
118. Thranduil
Thranduil, known from literature, connects with love and heartache tied to mortality in its arcs.
119. Bellatrix
Bellatrix means ‘female warrior’, symbolizing strength amidst life’s lose.
120. Remi
Remi means ‘oarsman’, symbolizing journeys, including those taken post-death.
121. Nixie
Nixie reflects water spirits, invoking themes tied to the unknown afterlife.
122. Rhea
Rhea symbolizes motherhood in myth, encompassing each life’s journey toward death.
123. Kaida
Kaida means ‘little dragon’, a figure often used in stories about death and power.
124. Talon
Talon conveys imagery related to wild natures, often connecting with the violence of death.
125. Astraeus
Astraeus is the god of dusk and heavenly bodies, symbolizing the transition between life and death.
126. Calder
Calder means ‘rocky water’, often symbolizing the inevitable passage of death for its weight.
127. Nymeria
Nymeria refers to a fierce warrior queen, often in tales that reflect mortality.
128. Xael
Xael translates to ‘shadow’, evoking darkness often associated with the unknown of death.
129. Kiyoko
Kiyoko means ‘pure child’, intertwined narratives often pivot on young lives lost.
130. Solara
Solara means ‘of the sun’, again linking to end cycles, representing death’s dual nature.
131. Zaria
Zaria’s name reflects ‘rose’, yet hints at life’s impermanence, intertwining death.
132. Mairead
Mairead means ‘pearl’, often related to tales of loss, symbolizing the beauty of memories.
133. Rue
Rue symbolizes regret but connects strongly with loss and the passage of time.
134. Eowyn
Eowyn embodies heroism often linked to heavy themes of sacrifice and mortality.
135. Seraphine
Seraphine connotes heavenly beings, often linked to narratives of death.
136. Rei
Rei connects with royalty, yet carries echoes of tragic endings involved with power and mortality.
137. Melisande
Melisande draws connections between beauty and themes of love lost and mortality.
138. Assad
Assad means ‘lion’, referencing stories surrounding power but often losses in battles.
139. Lucian
Lucian means ‘light’, often symbolizing the presence of light amidst stories of death and despair.
140. Freyja
Freyja embodies love and war, invoking potent themes connected with life’s fragility.
141. Ivanna
Ivanna means ‘God is gracious’, yet its tragic tales surrounding loss evoke contemplation of death.
142. Thalia
Thalia symbolizes flourishing, intertwined often with tales of death’s inescapable nature.
143. Blaise
Blaise means ‘to lisp’, often told in history about lives cut tragically short.
144. Darcie
Darcie relates to endings, symbolically linked to death’s inevitability in storytelling.
145. Nero
Nero means ‘black’, often connecting to themes around dark endings and mourning.
146. Anouk
Anouk carries meanings invoking younger generations, often associated through tragic mortality connections in tales.
147. Sadira
Sadira means ‘the end’, closely following themes surrounding death and finality.
148. Vesper
Vesper means ‘evening star’, solidly tying night and its somber features with death.
149. Atlas
Atlas is greatly known to carry the weight of the world, a strong metaphor extending into themes of loss and death.
150. Oswin
Oswin means ‘God’s friend’, often associated with narratives about friendship and sacrifice in battles leading to death.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a name that means death can be a striking and meaningful decision. Each name listed above has deep roots and connections to various myths, cultures, and histories. These badass names can evoke emotions and spark interest while also symbolizing the inevitability of death. Names like Mara and Thanatos capture the duality of life and death in a powerful way. They resonate with strength and mystery, making them truly unforgettable choices.
Selecting such a name allows for creativity whether you are naming a character or even considering it for a child. If you enjoyed exploring names that signify death, you might also be interested in diving into more names that mean death or discovering gender-neutral names that mean death.
Ultimately, the name you select should reflect the unique qualities that resonate with you most deeply. Names symbolize identity, and these badass choices invoke themes of strength, history, and the intricate dance between life and death.