75 Female Names That Mean Darkness: Origins, Meanings, and Symbolism Explained

Names carry stories, power, and meaning, and female names that mean darkness often hold a special allure. These names are not simply bleak or negative; instead, they are deeply symbolic, representing mystery, transformation, and resilience. From mythology to world cultures and even modern variations, these names reveal how societies across history have tied femininity to the mystique of night, shadow, and the unknown.

Female Names From Mythology That Mean Darkness

Throughout mythology, many goddesses and legendary women were associated with the night, shadow, or underworld. Female names drawn from these stories often carry meanings tied to darkness, yet they also convey strength, divinity, and power. Choosing such a name can connect someone to a sense of mythic grandeur and timeless symbolism.

Nyx – Greek goddess of the night.
Nox – Roman goddess of the night.
Hecate – Greek goddess of magic, witchcraft, and night.
Persephone – Queen of the underworld in Greek mythology.
Kali – Hindu goddess associated with time, death, and darkness.
Erebusia – feminine form linked to Erebus, god of deep darkness.
Achlys – Greek figure representing the eternal night or mist of death.
Melinoe – daughter of Persephone, associated with ghosts.
Mara – figure from Norse mythology linked to nightmares.
Hel – Norse goddess ruling the underworld.
Morana – Slavic goddess of winter, death, and darkness.
Lamia – Greek mythological figure connected with night terrors.
Leuce – a mythological nymph of the underworld.
Ereshkigal – Sumerian goddess of the underworld.
Proserpina – Roman equivalent of Persephone.
Trivia – Roman epithet of Hecate, tied to night crossroads.
Nótt – Norse goddess embodying the night.
Melanthia – meaning “dark flower,” tied to mythological imagery.
Tisiphone – one of the Greek Furies linked to punishment and shadows.
Alecto – another Fury associated with eternal anger.
Megaera – Fury tied to jealousy and vengeance, a dark force.
Ebonee – inspired by ebony wood, often linked to mythic night.
Pandora – though famous for her jar, her name connects with hidden, often dark consequences.
Circe – Greek enchantress known for her shadowy, magical arts.
Lilith – a legendary dark figure from Jewish folklore.

Female Names From Different Cultures

Around the world, names meaning darkness or night emerge from diverse traditions. These names reflect local beliefs, environmental symbolism, and linguistic beauty. They often express mystery and elegance, making them memorable choices for those who value heritage and depth.

Zelda – Yiddish origin, often interpreted as “dark battle.”
Layla – Arabic for “night.”
Laila – Persian variant of Layla, meaning “dark beauty.”
Samhain – Celtic festival name tied to the darker half of the year.
Chhaya – Sanskrit for “shadow.”
Tama – Japanese name meaning “darkness.”
Duvessa – Irish for “dark beauty.”
Ciara – Irish, meaning “dark-haired.”
Kiera – another Irish name for “dark.”
Sauda – Swahili for “dark beauty.”
Esmeray – Turkish, “dark moon.”
Amaya – Japanese/Spanish, “night rain” or “the end.”
Zuleika – Arabic for “brilliant, fair, but mysterious,” often tied to shadows.
Kaliopa – Greek-inspired, linked to darkness.
Onyx – gemstone associated with blackness.
Ravenna – Italian place name, associated with ravens and shadow.
Midna – inspired by twilight in legend, with Slavic tones.
Darcel – French, “dark.”
Brunhilde – Germanic mythic name tied to darkness and battle.
Tynisha – African-American usage, linked with “night.”
Nisha – Sanskrit for “night.”
Shyama – Sanskrit for “dark-skinned, dark-colored.”
Samira – Arabic for “companion of night.”
Morwenna – Cornish, “dark maiden.”
Tenebris – Latin word for “darkness,” adapted as a name.

Modern Female Names With Dark Meanings

Modern naming trends often take inspiration from ancient roots but adapt them for a contemporary feel. Parents or writers may choose these names for their originality, elegance, or subtle association with mystery. These names combine the timeless pull of darkness with modern creativity.

Ebony – modern name from the deep black wood.
Shadow – English word name tied to mystery.
Noir – French word for “black.”
Midnight – evocative of the darkest time of night.
Onyxia – modern variant inspired by the gemstone Onyx.
Raven – bird associated with omens and night.
Stormy – tied to dark weather and moods.
Tempest – linked to turbulent storms.
Obsidian – volcanic black stone, adapted as a name.
Sable – word for black fur, chic as a name.
Cimmeria – referencing the mythological people of eternal darkness.
Veloura – derived from “velour,” evoking richness and shadows.
Mistyra – modern invention tied to mist and obscurity.
Nocturna – modern word name for night.
Umbra – Latin for “shadow.”
Twila – inspired by twilight.
Indigo – dark blue shade used as a modern name.
Jet – from jet-black gemstone.
Raina – tied to rain and dark skies.
Selima – modern-sounding but linked to moonlit night.
Zoraida – name with Spanish/Arabic origin, tied to mystery and dusk.
Caligo – Latin for mist or darkness, updated as a unique name.
Noctis – meaning “night” in Latin, adapted for modern use.
Vespera – inspired by “vesper,” evening star.
Astridra – a modern combination, evoking dark stars.

The Allure of Names That Mean Darkness

Female names that mean darkness have always fascinated people because they suggest depth, individuality, and mystery. Parents may choose them to honor cultural traditions, to convey resilience and strength, or simply to celebrate the beauty of the night. Writers often prefer such names when crafting characters with enigmatic or powerful qualities. Darkness, far from being purely negative, often symbolizes transformation, the unknown, and inner power. Choosing a name tied to darkness is a way of embracing mystery and elegance in identity.