100 Unique Names That Mean Dark
There is a certain mystery and enchantment that comes with names that mean dark.
Whether your attraction to dark is in the beauty of the night, in the shadows of the unknown, or perhaps simply in the depth of color and emotion, names with dark meanings are powerful.
Dark names often convey strength, mystery, elegance, or even protective qualities.
The following is a list of names from various cultures that capture darkness—perfect for anyone looking for a name that is dark, deep, intense, or intriguing.
boy names that mean dark
Donovan – Associated with dark-haired or dark complexion
Maurice – Means dark-skinned or Moorish descent
Blake – Refers to someone with dark hair or a dark complexion
Colburn – Means dark brook or stream
Kieran – Signifies little dark one in Irish origin
Dougal – Derived from dark stranger or dark foreigner
Bran – Associated with raven or dark bird
Sullivan – Means dark-eyed or little dark one
Tynan – Refers to dark or dusty in origin
Achilles – Interpreted as dark or shadowy warrior
Ciaran – Irish name meaning little dark one
Darcel – Means dark in complexion or tone
Mauricio – Spanish form meaning dark-skinned
Melano – Comes from Greek for black or dark
Tennyson – Means son of Dennis, linked to darkness
Jett – Refers to a deep black gemstone
Hadrian – Associated with dark features or complexion
Rajani – Sanskrit for dark or night
Orpheus – Mythological name tied to the underworld
Duncan – Means dark warrior or chieftain
Erebus – Greek deity of deep darkness and shadow
Zulfiqar – Name linked to darkness and valor
Kohl – Dark eye cosmetic, symbolic of shadow
Chiaran – Variant of Ciaran, meaning dark-haired
Amaya – Though unisex, can mean night rain
Melanthios – Greek for dark blossom or flower
Kalon – Can mean dark beauty or shadowy elegance
Morven – Refers to a dark-haired or dusky one
Keir – Scottish name for dusky or dark
Sable – Refers to black or deep dark fur
Tenebris – Latin for shadow or deep darkness
Nox – Latin goddess of night and darkness
Duskin – Meaning twilight or shadowed
Tama – Polynesian name for dark or night
Velkan – Fictional name meaning shadowed strength
Umbra – Latin term for shadow or darkness
Vesper – Associated with evening star or dark time
Zevrin – Invented name linked to shadow essence
Corbin – Means raven or dark-haired
Saulėnas – Lithuanian name linked to twilight
Mallory – Refers to ill-fated or dark destiny
Drustan – Celtic origin meaning dark-haired warrior
Moro – Spanish for dark-skinned or moor
Melville – Means dark settlement or shaded town
Devlin – Irish for unlucky or dark misfortune
Brennan – Derived from dark descendant or rain
Cimmerian – From a mythical people of eternal darkness
Nighton – Invented name meaning night town
Shyam – Indian name meaning dark or blue-black
Darien – Name linked to dark origin or night
girl names that mean dark
Melania – Greek origin meaning dark or black
Lilith – Mythical figure associated with night and mystery
Kali – Hindu goddess associated with darkness and time
Maureen – Means dark-skinned or dark-haired
Ciara – Irish name meaning dark or black
Raven – Symbolic of the dark bird and mystery
Lela – Swahili name meaning night or dark beauty
Morwenna – Means maiden of the dark sea
Nyx – Greek goddess of night and darkness
Dusana – Slavic name meaning spirit of the dark
Sable – Refers to black fur, associated with luxury
Tamala – African-American name meaning dark tree
Zillah – Biblical name associated with shadow
Amaris – Can mean child of the moon or darkness
Melantha – Greek for dark flower or black blossom
Samara – Name tied to night and protection
Layla – Arabic for night or dark beauty
Ebonee – Refers to deep black wood or darkness
Delaney – Means dark challenger or descendent
Noirine – Invented name meaning little darkness
Keira – Variant of Ciara, meaning dark or black
Onyx – A black gemstone name with powerful vibes
Darcel – Feminine version meaning dark or shadowed
Nisha – Sanskrit for night or darkness
Zoraida – Means enchanting or dark beauty
Tenebrae – Latin for shadows or darkness
Cimmeria – Feminine of Cimmerian, land of darkness
Lamya – Arabic for dark-lipped or mysterious
Tynisha – Modern name linked to dark night
Velda – German name meaning dark rule
Umbra – Latin word meaning shadow
Melora – Blend meaning dark beauty or night song
Selene – Moon goddess often linked with dark skies
Nocturne – Inspired by night music and darkness
Zuleika – Means brilliant yet dark beauty
Ereba – Mythical name from Erebus, darkness
Morana – Slavic goddess of winter and death
Asra – Arabic for one who travels by night
Branwen – Celtic name associated with ravens
Yamika – Hindi for night or midnight
Koko – Native American name for dark bird
Noxara – Invented name inspired by night
Duska – Slavic for twilight or dusk
Vespera – Latin name meaning evening star
Chiarra – A play on chiaroscuro, dark and light
Zelenka – Slavic name with shadowed grace
Lylah – Variant of Layla, meaning night
Melissea – Dark honeyed one, mysterious sweetness
Ombra – Italian for shadow
Zephyra – Wind of the dark west or dusk
