Choosing a name for a boy can be exciting, but some names carry meanings that might not be so bright. Certain names are linked to misfortune or bad luck across different cultures and languages. These names can come from stories, myths, or historical figures that had unfortunate endings. Understanding these meanings can help parents make informed choices about what they wish to call their child.
Today, we’ll look at some names that mean misfortune for boys. From ancient tales to modern interpretations, these names offer interesting insights into their origins. By knowing these meanings, you can find alternatives that reflect positivity and hope for the future.
Names That Mean Misfortune Boy
1. Mallory
The name Mallory means ‘unfortunate’ or ‘ill-fated’ in French. This name has a melancholic charm, reminding us of stories that don’t always end well.
2. Jabez
Jabez is a Hebrew name meaning ‘sorrow’ or ‘pain’. The Biblical figure associated with this name had a life filled with struggles, which adds to its meaning of misfortune.
3. Brennan
Brennan has an Irish origin meaning ‘descendant of Braonán’, which translates to ‘sorrow’ or ‘sadness’. This name holds a weight of history that might not be cheerful.
4. Tristram
This old name means ‘sad’ or ‘sorrowful’. Associated with the tragic love story of Tristan and Isolde, it carries a sense of misfortune.
5. Acheron
Acheron is a river in Greek mythology associated with pain and sorrow. This name evokes the darker aspects of mythological stories, linking it to misfortune.
6. Laban
In Hebrew, Laban means ‘white’ but is often associated with the more negative connotation of ‘desolate’ or ’empty’, implying a sense of misfortune.
7. Sorrow
Though it directly means ‘sorrow’, this name is quite rare and unusual, emphasizing the feeling of unfortunate events in life.
8. Malachi
Malachi means ‘my messenger’ in Hebrew, but it often refers to those who bear bad news, giving it a connection to misfortune.
9. Bane
The name Bane means ‘ruin’ or ’cause of distress’. It holds a strong relation to the idea of bringing misfortune to oneself or others.
10. Alvah
Alvah is another Hebrew name meaning ‘his highness’, but can also mean ‘unfortunate’, making it a complex choice for parents.
11. Caedmon
With its Old English roots, Caedmon means ‘battle-ready’, but can evoke a sense of misfortune and struggle in its heavy past.
12. Jareth
This unique name combines ‘Jeremiah’ and ‘Gareth’, but hints at the misfortune and struggles from its roots.
13. Loki
${Loki is a name from Norse mythology associated with mischief and chaos, leading to unfortunate events. This name carries a sense of rebelliousness that can reflect misfortune.
14. Calvyn
The name Calvyn means ‘bald’, but it also has associations with misfortune in some cultures due to the baldness of their ancestors.
15. Mortimer
This name translates to ‘dead sea’ or ‘boundary of death’, imbuing it with a heavy weight of misfortune.
16. Devlin
Devlin is an Irish name meaning ‘unlucky’. Its direct connection to misfortune makes it a compelling choice.
17. Hecatomb
In ancient Greece, Hecatomb referred to a great sacrifice that might suggest ill fortune. Hence, it carries a sense of chance and misfortune.
18. Boaz
This name can mean ‘swiftness’ in Hebrew, but its association with the death of several family members adds a layer of misfortune.
19. Ichabod
Meaning ‘the glory has departed’, Ichabod comes from a Biblical context that implies a sense of lost fortune and tragedy.
20. Bram
Bram is a Dutch name meaning ‘father of a multitude’, but historically, it has ties to figures with misfortunate tales.
21. Ravindra
This name has Indian roots meaning ‘lord of the clouds,’ but due to the circumstances linked with its few historical figures, it can also imply misfortune.
22. Dorian
Dorian means ‘from Doris’, but it can also be tied to unfortunate tales due to its association with certain stories in literature.
23. Lugh
Lugh, an Irish name, signifies brightness and skill, but in mythology, it is also tied to battles with unfortunate outcomes.
24. Braxton
This trendy name translates to ‘Broc’s town’, but the stories tied to it often reflect hardships.
25. Corbin
Corbin means ‘raven’ in Latin and has connotations of omens, bringing forth the idea of misfortune.
26. Acheron
This name comes from Greek mythology, representing a river of sorrow, linking it directly to misfortune and ill fate.
27. Meara
This Irish name means ‘sea’, but also has outdated associations with unfortunate events which can give it a burdensome nature.
28. Balthazar
Although Balthazar means ‘Baal protects the king’, it also has been tied to misfortune in numerous stories.
29. Blaise
The name Blaise means ‘lisping’ in Latin but is also linked to tragic tales, thus resonating with misfortune.
30. Kavanagh
This Irish name means ‘battle might’, and its association with the tumultuous past implies a touch of misfortune.
31. Wraith
Wraith, meaning ghost, carries heavy ties to misfortune, as it symbolizes loss and sorrow.
32. Tafari
From Ethiopian origin, Tafari means ‘one who is to be feared’, hinting toward unfortunate events.
33. Azazel
A name with Hebrew origin meaning ‘scapegoat’, which relates to ideas of misfortune in the ancient context.
34. Mordecai
From Hebrew, it means ‘warrior’, but is connected historically to hardship and difficult times, embodying misfortune.
35. Echo
The name Echo derives from Greek mythology and is tied to tragic love stories, linking back to misfortune.
36. Heathcliff
Heathcliff is tied to the famous character in literature who faces numerous misfortunes in life.
37. Quillon
This name means ‘crossing swords’, implying battles fought that may lead to misfortune.
38. Hades
Hades is tied to the god of the underworld, representing death and misfortune, giving a dark edge to the name.
39. Thorne
As a last name turned first, Thorne reflects hardship and can often symbolize misfortune due to its harsh sound.
40. Raven
Similar to Corbin, this name signifies a bird associated with omens and dark elements linking to misfortune.
41. Loki
The trickster from Norse mythology is emblematic of chaos and misfortune, providing a bold choice.
42. Crowley
Crowley means ‘from the round hill,’ but its associations with misfortunes and dark themes give it an edge.
43. Harlow
This name means ‘from the army hill’, but associations with historical battles make it a nod to misfortune.
44. Kenzo
While Kenzo means ‘wise’ in Japanese, stories associated with Kenzo connect it to misfortunes that challenge one’s wisdom.
45. Oslo
As a name, Oslo doesn’t carry a literal misfortune meaning, but its cold Nordic roots evoke feelings of struggle.
46. Eeyore
Eeyore is a character from children’s literature known for his pessimism and unfortunate circumstances, making the name synonymous with misfortune.
47. Kane
In Hebrew, Kane means ‘sorrow’, and its strong sound often implies a sense of misfortune in modern times.
48. Wren
This small bird may symbolize freedom but its connections to solitude link it back to feelings of misfortune.
49. Azrael
Named after the angel of death, Azrael literally relates to misfortune and mortality.
50. Rune
While Rune can mean ‘secret’ in Old Norse, its associations with ancient magic often reflect unfortunate events.
51. Ewan
Ewan has Scottish origins meaning ‘young warrior’, but also carries stories of misfortune through its history.
52. Sweeney
The name Sweeney means ‘savage’ which can reflect harsh traits, connecting it to a possible misfortunate lineage.
53. Abel
Abel from the Biblical story represents misfortune as he is known for his tragic fate.
54. Gormley
This name means ‘descendant of Gormghall’. The historical challenges of the Gormleys tie them to misfortune.
55. D’Artagnan
This name can mean ‘from Artagnan’, but the stories often face tragic outcomes, reflecting misfortune.
56. Puck
Puck is known for being a mischievous fairy in literature, leading to events of misfortune for others.
57. Drake
This name means ‘dragon’ but can also imply individuals who have faced misfortune during their life journeys.
58. Gideon
Often seen as a Biblical warrior, Gideon’s story is filled with war and misfortune, tying this name to hardship.
59. Cato
Cato means ‘all-knowing’ in Latin, but also has associations with difficult histories, hinting at misfortune.
60. Roderick
This name means ‘famous ruler’, but variations in legends often involve misfortune or betrayal.
61. Knox
Knox means ’round hill’, often symbolizing struggles faced by those living in elevated areas.
62. Victor
Victor means ‘winner’, yet it can point to those who face unfortunate challenges to gain that victory.
63. Lennox
Lennox means ‘with elm trees’, but carries historical tales of misfortune that draw from its roots.
64. Brannigan
This name holds the meaning ‘descendant of Bran’, linking back to warriors who often encountered misfortune in battles.
65. Eliphaz
From Hebrew origins, Eliphaz means ‘my God is fine gold’, yet is noted in Biblical tales filled with misfortune.
66. Milo
Milo can mean ‘soldier’ in Latin. But some historical figures tied to the name have faced considerable misfortune.
67. Parcel
While not typical, the name Parcel, suggesting ‘of the earth’, can reflect unfortunate agricultural issues.
68. Jarek
With Slavic origins meaning ‘fierce’, Jarek is often tied to historical hardships and misfortunes.
69. Kato
Kato can mean ‘the second of twins’, and stories integrating twins often involve unfortunate events.
70. Waverley
This name has connections to stories of struggle, echoing back to tales laced with misfortunes.
71. Zarek
Zarek can mean ‘God protects’, but some stories associated with it reveal deep misfortunes.
72. Thaddeus
Thaddeus means ‘courageous heart’, contrasting with tales of betrayal that can indicate misfortune.
73. Pl,ato
This philosopher’s name connects to struggles and intellectual debates, hinting at lives filled with misfortune.
74. Charon
A figure from Greek mythology, Charon ferries souls, thus closely tied to themes of misfortune and death.
75. Otis
Otis is derived from Old German meaning ‘wealthy’, yet some stories connected to the name reveal periods of hardship.
76. Roland
This name brings to mind the legendary knight whose demise suggests misfortune through battle.
77. Lethan
Lethan can be flagged as a twist on ‘Lethe’, the river in Greek mythology that symbolizes forgetfulness and misfortune.
78. Corvus
Corvus means ‘raven’ in Latin. It’s often associated with foreboding omens linked to misfortune.
79. Erdoğan
The Turkish name Erdoğan means ‘brave warrior’, yet carries stories of battles, entwined with hardships and misfortune.
80. Campbell
Campbell means ‘crooked mouth’ in Gaelic and some lore indicate misfortunate associations.
81. Harland
This name means ‘from the army land’, and the history tied to armies often reveals unfortunate events.
82. Lark
A name symbolizing joy, however, it can hide the struggles of survival through early mornings and dark perspectives.
83. Cyrus
Cyrus means ‘sun’ in Persian but links to rulers and tales filled with misfortunes and tragedies.
84. Rune
As an old Germanic name, Rune means ‘secret’ and relates to many misfortunes through ancient tales.
85. Asher
Asher is Hebrew for ‘fortunate’, though historically, characters with this name frequently confront hardship.
86. Gerald
This name means ‘rule of the spear’, reminding us of battles fought and struggles endured leading to misfortune.
87. Kieran
Kieran derives from ‘little dark one’, sharing historical ties to those whose lineage knows misfortune.
88. Perrin
Perrin means ‘rock’ and provides a sturdy sound, yet those bearing it have encountered misfortune through history.
89. Silas
Though Silas means ‘wood’, the biblical character often faces significant misfortunes in the stories.
90. Browning
Carrying connotations of darkness or sadness, Browning invokes a sense of hardship linking it to misfortune.
91. Cooper
Cooper means ‘barrel maker’ yet can evoke feelings tied to misfortunate circumstances throughout history.
92. Hartley
This name means ‘a place where deer are kept’, but deer often symbolize vulnerability, linking it to misfortune.
93. Aamma
A name symbolizing ‘grace’, yet many from this name are associated with tragedy casting shadows of misfortune.
94. Salvatore
While meaning ‘savior’ in Italian, tales linked to it hold many who have struggled, marking its edges with misfortune.
95. Neville
Neville means ‘new town’ but carries historical narratives filled with trials and misfortunes.
96. Sigmund
This name means ‘victorious protector’, yet many bearers have faced unfortunate circumstances in tales.
97. Zeke
Zeke is often short for Ezekiel, yet stories from this heritage often evoke elements of misfortune.
98. Quade
Quade means ‘the fourth’ but is often tied to misfortunes associated with competition and rivalry.
99. Keller
An occupational surname meaning ‘cellar’, Keller can evoke feelings linked to confinement and misfortune.
100. Draven
While Draven appears modern, its roots can reflect issues tied to historical misfortunes within family lines.
101. Dorian
Although it can mean ‘of Doris’, it also carries a hint of misfortune when tied to the character from literature.
102. Eckhardt
This name means ‘sword’ in German, associated with both battles and the misfortunes that come with them.
103. Sweeney
Sweeney means ‘sugar’ in Irish but often referred to those who faced unfortunate circumstances in folklore.
104. Tiberius
Although it translates to ‘of the Tiber river’, the hints of misfortune in the name can relate to tumultuous histories.
105. Rex
This name meaning ‘king’ can also tie to rulers faced with misfortune in history, allowing connection to burdens.
106. Ira
This name means ‘watchful’, but often ties back to narratives experiencing unfortunate events.
107. Callum
Callum means ‘dove’ in Scottish, but doves also imply fragility intertwined with misfortune.
108. Holden
This name means ‘from the hollow valley’, often associated with darker stories and misfortunes.
109. Angharad
With a Welsh origin meaning ‘much loved’, it is also tied to unfortunate tales along the centuries.
110. Hagan
Hagan relates to the Irish meaning of having ‘strong energy’ but many stories tied to it carry hints of misfortune.
111. Phelan
Phelan means ‘wolf’, often representing a wild nature linked to misfortunate circumstances in historical tales.
112. Castor
This name means ‘beaver’ in Greek yet often offers reflections on the hardships tied to domestic challenges in literature.
113. Fenton
This name carries roots meaning ‘marsh town’, implying struggles associated with survival and misfortune.
114. Orson
This name refers to ‘bear cub’, although is often known through narratives filled with misfortunes around family ties.
115. Gideon
Gideon carries a connotation of ‘mighty warrior’, yet is also interlinked with misfortune encountered in battles.
116. Lennard
This name can mean ‘brave as a lion’ but often hints at historical narratives where bravery faced misfortunes.
117. Aidan
Aidan means ‘little fire’. However, the flames are often depicted in the stories reflecting historical misfortunes.
118. Jareth
This name holds connotations of strength but can be tied back to figures facing unfortunate events.
119. Doran
Doran means ‘stranger’ in Irish, echoing the hardships faced by many wanderers through history.
120. Alaric
In German, Alaric means ‘ruler of all’, tied to mighty tales, many reflecting unfortunate histories.
121. Lochlan
Lochlan means ‘from the fjord-land’, resonating with stories filled with struggle linking it to misfortune.
122. Houston
This name relates ‘Hugh’s town’ but its historical contexts often tie to misfortunes faced by the town.
123. Darian
Darian can mean ‘upholder of good’, but many who held such roles faced unfortunate outcomes throughout history.
124. Thorne
Thorne translates to ‘thorny bush’, which alludes to struggles and misfortunes associated with the name.
125. Drystan
A unique twist on Tristan, sharing its ties to unfortunate stories of love and loss.
126. Jorah
This name means ‘early rain’ yet brings to mind tales where rain brought misfortune in dry lands.
127. Darius
Darius means ‘possessor’, but historical elements show rulers bearing this name often faced struggles and misfortunes.
128. Blane
This name exemplifies bright features yet stems from environments often filled with hardship and misfortune.
129. Devereaux
Meaning ‘from the riverbank’, Devereaux connects stories that include misfortunes associated with waterways.
130. Florian
Florian means ‘blossom’, yet many flower companions face struggles before coming to bloom.
131. Orson
A name meaning ‘bear cub’, alluding to tender yet often unfortunate tales of growth.
132. Royce
While Royce means ‘son of the king’, many royal stories don’t shy from deep misfortunes.
133. Tristian
Tristian shares the same tale of sadness and tragedy as Tristram, closely tied with misfortunes.
134. Flavien
This name means ‘yellow-haired’, but can draw associations with unfortunate events linked to those with this trait.
135. Wulf
This name means ‘wolf’, a creature associated with struggle and many unfortunate encounters historically.
136. Valencia
While it means ‘brave’, the stories behind it often showcase battle struggles leading to misfortunes.
137. Cassidy
This name representing ‘clever’ carries historical narratives where cleverness led to unfortunate fates.
138. Dunn
This name meaning ‘dark’ holds associated tales that often encompass sorrow and misfortune, particularly in folklore.
139. Sterling
The name Sterling means ‘of high quality’ yet many who bore it faced unfortunate circumstances through history.
140. Bronson
This name means ‘son of the brown one’, often linked to darker historical tales reflecting misfortunes of those families.
141. Seattle
As a name that carries connotations of ‘sacred’, the stories of its origin often hint at misfortunes tied to the land.
142. Oberon
The name Oberon comes from Shakespearean literature, often entwined with magical misfortunes in tales.
143. Lennox
While it means ‘with elm trees’, stories tied to it invoke elements of misfortune through history.
144. Idris
Idris means ‘interpreter’ and has depth but relates to many struggles in stories tied to interpretations leading to misfortune.
145. Alfie
Alfie translates to ‘wise counselor’, but historical contexts reveal links to unfortunate events faced by counselors.
146. Magnus
This name means ‘great’ in Latin, yet some who bore it found themselves facing unfortunate fates due to their strength.
147. Lars
Lars carries Norse heritage and while it means ‘laurel’, it also connects to histories filled with misfortunes.
148. Riordan
With a meaning of ‘poet’, this name often brings misfortunes faced by artists throughout history.
149. Lewis
The name Lewis means ‘renowned warrior’, but many such figures faced significant misfortune in their tales.
150. Hadrian
Hadrian means ‘dark-haired’ and reflects tales throughout history where those blessed with this trait faced unfortunate troubles.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a name for your child is an important task, and while some names carry meanings that indicate misfortune, they also come with rich histories and stories. Understanding the background of these names with ties to misfortune can provide a new perspective. Whether you find a name that resonates positively from the list above or seek alternatives that reflect optimism, remember that a name is just the beginning of what defines a person. Explore beyond these meanings and find something that will inspire hope and strength throughout life.
If you’re interested in diving deeper, consider reading about names that mean misfortune or even explore the realm of cursed names to see how names play a significant role in cultural perceptions and interpretations.