Choosing a name for a girl can be exciting, but some names have meanings that might be seen as unfortunate. These names often come from stories, cultures, or histories where they symbolize challenges or hardships. Learning about these names can help you understand their backgrounds and significance.
Today, we will look at a list of girl names that carry meanings of misfortune. Whether you’re curious about their origins or just want to know more, this list can provide insight into names that tell deeper stories. Let’s get started and uncover the meanings behind these unique names!
Girl Names That Mean Unfortunate
1. Mara
The name Mara means ‘bitter’ in Hebrew. In the Bible, Naomi took this name to reflect her misfortunes, symbolizing sorrow and hardship.
2. Malina
Originating from Slavic roots, Malina means ‘raspberry’, but in some cultures, it is associated with misfortune and sadness due to its bittersweet taste.
3. Devika
A name from Sanskrit, Devika means ‘little goddess’, but it can also imply destructive qualities, making it a name that carries the weight of unfortunate circumstances.
4. Calla
While Calla means ‘beautiful’, it is often linked with the tragic death of a beloved, thus signifying misfortune in the context of beauty associated with loss.
5. Alvah
The name Alvah means ‘his highness’ but is also interpreted to indicate ‘unfortunate or unhappiness’ in Biblical verses, giving it a unique duality.
6. Hecate
In Greek mythology, Hecate is associated with magic, ghosts, and the dark side of the moon, linking her name with unfortunate events and trials.
7. Lethia
Lethia means ‘oblivion’ and is associated with forgetfulness, often linked to unfortunate tales of lost memories and tragic outcomes.
8. Lola
While Lola can mean ‘lady’, it is often connected with misfortune due to its rise in popularity through stories of hardship and struggle.
9. Kalia
Kalia can mean ‘beloved’ but in other interpretations is linked to bitterness and misfortune, representing trials in life.
10. Calantha
This name translates to ‘beautiful flower’, yet it has connections to the transient beauty of life and the misfortunes that befall beautiful things.
11. Dolor
As a name derived from Spanish, Dolor means ‘sorrow’ or ‘pain’, making it a direct representation of misfortune.
12. Mallory
The name Mallory means ‘unfortunate’ in Old French. This name carries the weight of unintended hardships in its meaning.
13. Sorrow
Sorrow directly denotes sadness and misfortune, making it a name that embodies the essence of hardship in its simplest form.
14. Lenore
Lenore is linked to Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”, representing lost love and unfortunate events, making it a deeply poignant choice.
15. Bridget
Bridget means ‘exalted one’, yet it has a dark side associated with misfortune and tragedy in Irish folklore.
16. Jabez
The name Jabez means ‘born in pain’, making it synonymous with unfortunate beginnings and struggles in life.
17. Rhea
Although Rhea means ‘flowing’, it is also linked with misfortunes in mythology that involved the goddess facing adversities.
18. Acheron
This name is derived from the river in Greek mythology known as the river of woe, symbolizing unfortunate paths and trials.
19. Drusilla
While its roots are noble, Drusilla is often associated with unfortunate events in history, tied to tales of misfortune.
20. Lorna
The name Lorna has a strong connection to misfortunate tales and literary references that often portray sorrow.
21. Isolde
Isolde means ‘ice ruler’, but it is also depicted in a tragic love story that signifies unfortunate love.
22. Althea
Althea means ‘healer’, but can also symbolize the unfortunate need for healing in the wake of hardships.
23. Demona
The name Demona evokes feelings of misfortune due to its association with the character from the series “Gargoyles”, who faced great trials.
24. Malaya
Malaya means ‘free’, but can also be tied to unfortunate chains of events where freedom is sought yet not attained.
25. Briar
This interesting name reflects beauty but is often connected to search for it through thorns, which symbolizes unfortunate situations.
26. Esme
Esme means ‘esteemed’, but often recounts unfortunate tales of rejection and hardship from classical literature.
27. Pandora
With roots in Greek mythology, Pandora means ‘all gifts’, yet is synonymous with the unfortunate consequences of curiosity.
28. Baccha
Baccha means ‘young girl’ but in mythology represents misfortune through tragic fates.
29. Zara
Zara means ‘radiance’, yet it is often entwined with tales of unfortunate circumstances that lead to loss.
30. Cressida
This name means ‘gold’ but is well-known from Shakespeare’s tale connected to love’s unfortunate paths.
31. Seraphina
Meaning ‘fiery’, Seraphina is associated with unfortunate tales of passion and pain.
32. Tempest
This evocative name implies a storm, often linked with unfortunate weather and tumultuous situations.
33. Guinevere
Guinevere means ‘white shadow’ or ‘fair one’ but carries unfortunate connotations through its tragic love story.
34. Lainey
Lainey means ‘path’, and unfortunately, this path can lead to hardship and trials.
35. Belladonna
Meaning ‘beautiful lady’, Belladonna also refers to toxic plants, signifying beauty entwined with misfortune.
36. Nyx
In Greek mythology, Nyx means ‘night’ and can symbolize the unfortunate events that occur in darkness.
37. Thalia
Thalia means ‘to blossom’, but often embodies the unfortunate side of joy through tragic tales.
38. Damaris
Damaris means ‘gentle’, yet it bears connotations of being placed in unfortunate situations of weakness.
39. Keryn
Keryn means ‘mist’, signifying obscured paths often linked to misfortune.
40. Tempestina
This name reflects turbulence and chaos, tying back to unfortunate life events linked with storms.
41. Ecaterina
While meaning ‘pure’, Ecaterina also has ties to unfortunate fates in historical contexts.
42. Neva
Neva means ‘snow’, often representing the coldness and hereafter of unfortunate events.
43. Aisling
Aisling means ‘dream’, yet can portray unfortunate tales when dreams devolve into nightmares.
44. Vega
Vega means ‘falling’, representing unfortunate paths or circumstances that lead to downfall.
45. Delilah
Delilah means ‘delicate’ but is often associated with tales of betrayal, making it bear an unfortunate meaning.
46. Lament
The name Lament directly signifies mourning and sadness, a very clear representation of misfortune.
47. Vespera
Vespera means ‘evening star’ but holds the connotation of misfortune with the coming of night.
48. Sinead
Sinead or “God’s gracious gift” often evokes the unfortunate tale of its usage in struggles rather than joy.
49. Petronella
Meaning ‘stone’, Petronella can indicate stubbornness often linked to unfortunate situations.
50. Alecto
Alecto, meaning ‘unceasing’, is one of the Furies in Greek mythology, representing punishment for unfortunate acts.
51. Bellatrix
Bellatrix means ‘female warrior’, and is tied to unfortunate battles throughout history.
52. Mariel
This name means ‘beloved’ but can also suggest misfortune through stories of lost loves.
53. Seren
Seren means ‘star’, yet can also portray the misfortune of falling stars.
54. Rimona
The name Rimona means ‘joyful’, but it carries unfortunate history of rejection and sorrow.
55. Isolde
The name Isolde comes from a tragic love story, making it synonymous with unfortunate events in romance.
56. Vespertine
Meaning ‘of the evening’, Vespertine subtly suggests how evening brings misfortune in tales.
57. Shaelyn
Shaelyn means ‘from the fairy palace’, but can relate to unfortunate fairy tales that bring hardship.
58. Vesper
Vesper means ‘evening’, which often relates to unfortunate endings.
59. Ara
Ara means ‘bringer of rain’ but can tie to the misfortunes of storms and floods.
60. Cydalise
Cydalise means ‘brilliant’, yet is often tied to tales of brilliant minds leading to misfortune.
61. Nerida
This name means ‘sea nymph’, but can also allude to unfortunate journeys through treacherous waters.
62. Petunia
The name Petunia signifies a flower that can symbolize misfortune through its toxic properties.
63. Yara
Yara means ‘water lady’, but has folklore associated with misfortunate evenings spent alone by the water.
64. Iphigenia
This name means ‘born of strength’, yet often relates to unfortunate sacrifices in mythology.
65. Leocadia
Leocadia means ‘clear light’, yet its tales are often tied to misfortunes throughout history.
66. Qiana
Qiana may mean a ‘soft fabric’, but the references made in popular culture frequently denote unfortunate circumstances.
67. Sidonie
Sidonie means ‘from Sidon’, encapsulating misfortunate events in historical tales of betrayal.
68. Verity
Verity means ‘truth’, but reflects unfortunate truths in life through stories of haunting revelations.
69. Evelina
Evelina means ‘desired’, yet it can indicate unfortunate fates tied to those desires left unfulfilled.
70. Lilith
This name is associated with night and can be connected to unfortunate tales, often symbolizing loneliness and despair.
71. Theodora
The name Theodora means ‘gift of God’ but carries unfortunate stories of loss during divine gifts.
72. Kaia
Kaia means ‘to rejoice’, yet it can relate to unfortunate stories where joy turned to sorrow.
73. Melisande
Melisande is associated with bees and honey, but often finds its ties in unfortunate stories in folklore.
74. Sabina
Poor Sabina is often remembered in history for unfortunate ties to tragedy and hardship.
75. Rowena
Rowena means ‘famous friend’, but often carries unfortunate stories from literature.
76. Faustina
This name is derived from Latin, meaning ‘fortunate’, but often bears unfortunate narratives throughout history.
77. Xanthe
Xanthe means ‘golden’ but can relate to unfortunate fates when linked to greed.
78. Vega
Vega refers to a star but often conjures unfortunate tales of lost love and fate.
79. Persephone
A name that signifies rebirth, Persephone’s story involves unfortunate capture and struggles in Greek mythology.
80. Destinee
Destinee means ‘fate’, but can embody unfortunate turns of fate stemming from destiny.
81. Faline
Faline means ‘pretty’ but symbolizes unfortunate endings in literature.
82. Zahara
Zahara means ‘flower’ but can signify unfortunate endings due to blooming amidst difficult circumstances.
83. Orenda
Meaning ‘spiritual power’, Orenda can denote unfortunate outcomes when misused.
84. Neria
Neria means ‘to arise’, yet is often tied to unfortunate sacrifices in attaining goals.
85. Tamara
This name means ‘date palm’ but is often intertwined with unfortunate lore in history.
86. Kali
Kali means ‘black’ or ‘dark’, relating to unfortunate aspects of life.
87. Azura
Though Azura means ‘sky blue’, unfortunate storms are often depicted against a blue backdrop.
88. Briella
While Briella means ‘God is my strength’, it can often connect with the unfortunate struggles of finding strength.
89. Odelia
Odelia means ‘I will praise the Lord’ but can reflect the unfortunate hardships faced while seeking praise.
90. Fortuna
Fortuna means ‘fortune’, yet it carries the irony of misfortune impacting the fates of many.
91. Marigold
This name represents the flower, beauty, but has unfortunate ties to tales of decay and loss.
92. Vida
Vida means ‘life’ but can signify the unfortunate journeys of life in struggles.
93. Zinnia
Zinnia means the zing in colors yet can also denote the fleeting nature of beauty associated with misfortune.
94. Hyacinth
Hyacinth has beautiful meanings connected to flowers, but also evokes unfortunate tales of love and loss in mythology.
95. Adrienne
Adrienne means ‘dark one’ and has unfortunate historical implications tied to the omen of darkness.
96. Perseida
This name is connected to the Perseids meteor shower, often reflecting unfortunate events of falling stars.
97. Kyra
Kyra means ‘the lady’, often associated with unfortunate tales of ladies facing trials.
98. Elspeth
Elspeth means ‘God’s promise’, often tied to unfortunate trials faced before the promise is fulfilled.
99. Acacia
Acacia symbolizes resistance but also denotes unfortunate tales in nature and survival.
100. Yasmin
Yasmin refers to jasmine, yet can relate to unfortunate sentiments as it blooms amidst adversity.
101. Thora
Thora means ‘thunder’, representing the unfortunate storms that can be birthed from such forces.
102. Zarina
Zarina is linked with wealth but bears stories of misfortune amongst the rich through greed.
103. Amara
Amara means ‘eternal’ yet carries the weight of unfortunate tales involving loss and mourning.
104. Jinx
This name literally means ‘to cast a spell’, directly relating to unfortunate circumstances.
105. Alea
Alea means ‘to risk’, symbolizing unfortunate decisions that lead to trials.
106. Sable
Sable refers to the dark color often linked with misfortune and darkness.
107. Vespera
Vespera means ‘evening’, often suggesting the unfortunate nightfall that brings troubles.
108. Kismet
This name means ‘fate’ but often reflects the unfortunate turns that fate can take.
109. Thalia
Thalia means ‘to blossom’, testing how unexpected blooms can come from unfortunate seeds.
110. Amira
Amira means ‘princess’, yet can imply the weight of unfortunate royal duties.
111. Damara
This name means ‘gentle girl’, often tied to unfortunate tales of overprotection.
112. Astraea
Astraea means ‘starry night’, which can project unfortunate memories attached to the darkness.
113. Marisol
Marisol means ‘sun and sea’, but often contains unfortunate themes in tales related to storms.
114. Indigo
Indigo means ‘deep blue’, referencing the calm that belies unfortunate undercurrents.
115. Serenity
Ironically, Serenity evokes calmness only to bring into light unfortunate situations hidden beneath.
116. Perdita
Perdita means ‘lost’ directly tying it into unfortunate stories of loss.
117. Elysia
Elysia means ‘blissful’, juxtaposing the unfortunate journey one often takes to find bliss.
118. Zafira
Zafira means ‘victorious’, potentially relating to unfortunate struggles faced on the way to victory.
119. Cressida
Cressida connects to unfortunate tales of broken love and challenges therein.
120. Elara
This name connects with mythological themes illustrating unfortunate plights of a princess.
121. Nyssa
Nyssa means ‘beginning’, yet carries the burden of unfortunate endings tied to beginnings.
122. Solange
Solange means ‘solemn’, often linking to unfortunate tales of stillness amidst chaos.
123. Octavia
This name carries with it historical ties often marked by unfortunate outcomes.
124. Mercado
Meaning ‘market’, Mercado reflects on unfortunate tales surrounding commerce and trade.
125. Meliora
Meliora means ‘better things’, often in direct contrast to unfortunate occurrences.
126. Calypso
Calypso means ‘she who hides’, closely associated with misfortune in her myths.
127. Isidora
This name means ‘gift of Isis’, which can connect stories filled with unfortunate curses related to gifts.
128. Marigold
Marigold signifies the flower but is also often tied with unfortunate tales of decay.
129. Lyra
Lyra means ‘lyre’, which could imply an unfortunate connection with tales of loss.
130. Sapphira
This name means ‘beautiful’, yet reflects tales of unfortunate outcomes amid beauty.
131. Juno
Naming after the Roman goddess connects with unfortunate destinies faced by mothers.
132. Calista
Calista translates to ‘most beautiful’, often bringing unfortunate tales of jealousy.
133. Calliope
Calliope means ‘beautiful voice’, yet can represent unfortunate endings in art.
134. Marisol
Marisol means ‘sea and sun’, but nuances often point to unfortunate stories of maritime tragedies.
135. Freya
Freya means ‘goddess of love’, yet reflects unfortunate tales tied to dark love.
136. Xena
Xena means ‘guest’, representing unfortunate tales involving guests and hospitality.
137. Astra
Astra means ‘star’ yet often connects to unfortunate dreams of reaching for higher places.
138. Elowen
This name means ‘elm tree’, symbolizing growth tied to unfortunate ancestral connections.
139. Avril
Avril means ‘April’, often representing unfortunate struggles tied to changing seasons.
140. Orlaith
Orlaith means ‘golden princess’, a lost title reflecting unfortunate histories.
141. Zipporah
This name means ‘bird’ and evokes unfortunate stories of freedom and entrapment.
142. Adalyn
Adalyn means ‘noble’, often connected to unfortunate fates faced by those in nobility.
143. Harlow
Harlow means ‘army hill’ but embodies unfortunate battles fought in its name.
144. Arianne
Arianne means ‘most holy’, yet unfortunate tales find their way amidst holiness.
145. Renata
Renata means ‘reborn’, often facing unfortunate trials in return.
146. Keira
Keira means ‘little dark one’, reflecting unfortunate associations with darkness.
147. Bijou
Bijou means ‘jewel’ but can also represent unfortunate outcomes in pursuit of beauty.
148. Octavia
Octavia means ‘eighth’, but is often tied with unfortunate events from history.
149. Tamsin
Tamsin means ‘twin’, but connects to unfortunate tales of separation and loss.
150. Cassia
The name Cassia means ‘cinnamon’, but its bittersweet qualities relate to unfortunate destinies.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a name with deep meanings can reveal unique stories, and names that mean unfortunate carry significant weight in expressing life’s challenges. Each name listed has its connection to narratives of hardship, resilience, and beauty juxtaposed with sorrow. Its important to reflect on how these meanings can influence perceptions. Understanding these names and their stories can lead to a greater appreciation of their complexities.
If you’re inspired by these meanings and would like to explore more in-depth topics, consider checking out names that mean unfortunate or names that mean misfortune.
Each name tells a story, and knowing those stories can lead to thoughtful choices in naming. No matter the circumstances, every name has its beauty and significance.