142 Unique Names That Mean Misfortune for Boys and Girls

Sometimes, names carry meanings beyond the ordinary, connecting us to stories of life’s ups and downs. For many cultures, names reflect more than just identity—they tell tales of resilience, challenges, or moments of sorrow. While some might avoid these meanings, others find beauty in the complexities they represent.

Whether you’re drawn to names with rich histories or curious about unique name origins, exploring names tied to misfortune can reveal fascinating insights into culture and tradition. Here, we’ll dive into a list of names that mean misfortune, each with its own unique story and background.

Girl Names That Mean Misfortune

Names for girls often reflect deep meanings, including those tied to themes of sorrow or hardship. Across various cultures, certain names have been associated with misfortune, carrying a unique, almost poetic significance. Let’s explore a few intriguing girl names that embody these themes.

Mallory – From Old French, meaning “unfortunate” or “ill-fated.”
Thana – Of Arabic origin, meaning “death” or “end.”
Mara – A name found in various cultures, often meaning “bitter” or associated with sorrow in Hebrew.
Deirdre – From Irish mythology, Deirdre is a tragic figure, her name meaning “sorrowful” or “broken-hearted.”
Tristana – Related to the Latin root “triste,” meaning “sad” or “sorrowful.”
Dolores – Spanish in origin, meaning “sorrows” or “pains,” often associated with the Virgin Mary.
Aella – Greek for “whirlwind” or “storm,” suggesting turbulent emotions or events.
Persephone – Greek goddess of the underworld, whose name represents captivity and the changing seasons.
Desdemona – A tragic character in Shakespeare’s Othello, her name means “ill-fated” or “misery.”
Lilith – A figure in ancient mythology associated with darkness and rebellion.
Claudia – Of Latin origin, meaning “lame” or “disabled,” hinting at limitation or misfortune.
Achlys – Greek for “mist” or “darkness,” representing sorrow or the end of life.
Jela – From African roots, meaning “suffering” or “hardship.”
Keres – From Greek mythology, the Keres were spirits of doom and death.
Leah – Hebrew for “weary” or “tired,” symbolizing sadness or hardship.
Hecate – Greek goddess of witchcraft and crossroads, often linked to death and the supernatural.
Pandora – Greek for “all-gifted,” though her story relates to bringing misfortune by releasing evils upon the world.
Kali – A Hindu goddess associated with destruction and transformation, representing both power and fear.
Sidero – From Latin, meaning “iron,” Sidero was a cruel figure in Greek mythology, symbolizing harshness.
Melaina – Greek for “dark” or “black,” associated with night and mystery.
Branwen – Welsh origin, meaning “blessed raven,” but linked to a tragic story of loss and sorrow.
Azazel – Of Hebrew origin, often associated with a “scapegoat” or misfortune.
Lorelei – Germanic, referring to a siren or spirit known for luring sailors to their doom.
Zilla – Hebrew origin, meaning “shadow” or “darkness.”
Jezebel – A historical and biblical name often associated with a tragic fate or downfall.
Belladonna – Italian for “beautiful lady,” but also a poisonous plant associated with danger.
Medusa – In Greek mythology, a Gorgon cursed with a tragic fate and associated with terror.
Lamia – A figure in Greek mythology who was cursed, associated with sorrow and darkness.
Circe – An enchantress in Greek myth who led others into misfortune.
Hela – Norse goddess of the underworld, representing death and endings.
Tisiphone – One of the Furies in Greek mythology, representing vengeance and punishment.
Huldra – A creature from Scandinavian folklore, often linked to forest spirits and tragic encounters.
Nyx – Greek goddess of the night, representing darkness and mystery.
Tempest – An English word for “storm,” suggesting chaos or turbulent emotions.
Narcissa – A name derived from Narcissus, connected to vanity and eventual despair in Greek myth.
Jinx – An English word associated with bad luck or misfortune.
Ravenna – Derived from “raven,” a bird often linked with omens and sorrow.
Morticia – From Latin “mortis,” meaning “death,” famously associated with the Addams Family.
Zillah – Another form of Zilla, meaning “shade” or “shadow,” symbolizing darkness.
Alecto – One of the Furies in Greek mythology, representing endless anger.
Salome – A name with Hebrew roots, often connected to a tragic biblical story.
Lilitu – A Mesopotamian figure similar to Lilith, representing night spirits.
Zephyrine – Derived from Zephyrus, the gentle wind, though her story is linked to tragic myths.
Medea – A Greek mythological figure known for her tragic story and intense sorrows.
Morana – A Slavic goddess associated with winter and death.
Nephele – In Greek myth, a nymph made of clouds, often symbolizing fleeting sorrow.
Ondine – From European mythology, a water nymph who brings misfortune to those who love her.
Maraiah – Related to Mara, meaning “bitter” or “sorrowful.”
Despair – An English word representing hopelessness and deep sorrow.
Hesperia – A figure in Greek mythology associated with the evening and darkness.

Boy Names That Mean Misfortune

Throughout history, names for boys have often captured both strength and the struggles faced in life. Some names hold meanings related to challenges or difficult experiences, reflecting resilience or hardship. Here are some boy names with meanings connected to misfortune.

Ares – Greek god of war, symbolizing chaos, conflict, and strife.
Tristan – Derived from the Latin “triste,” meaning “sorrowful” or “sad.”
Draven – English origin, associated with dark, mysterious undertones.
Jabez – Hebrew for “sorrow” or “pain,” found in biblical stories.
Mortimer – Of Old French origin, meaning “dead sea,” with gloomy connotations.
Abaddon – Hebrew for “destruction,” often used as a biblical term for the place of the dead.
Sisyphus – A figure from Greek mythology doomed to an eternal struggle, symbolizing endless hardship.
Claude – Latin origin, meaning “lame” or “crippled,” symbolizing limitation.
Hades – Greek god of the underworld, representing death and the afterlife.
Brennan – Irish origin, again included for its connection to “descendant of sorrow.”
Dismas – The name traditionally given to the penitent thief crucified beside Jesus, often symbolizing hardship and redemption.
Samael – In Jewish mythology, an angel associated with death and darkness.
Damien – Often associated with horror due to the movie The Omen, though originally Greek, meaning “to tame” or “subdue.”
Akuji – African origin, meaning “dead and awake,” giving it a haunting quality.
Hakon – Norse origin, meaning “high son,” sometimes linked to tales of battle and misfortune.
Blaz – Slavic origin, meaning “unlucky” or “a person who faces challenges.”
Lilithon – Inspired by Lilith, a figure associated with night and rebellion.
Mishka – Russian diminutive, often meaning “little bear,” sometimes associated with hardship in folklore.
Mallon – Derived from Gaelic, meaning “little strong warrior,” often facing adversity.
Khaalid – Of Arabic origin, meaning “eternal,” sometimes linked to dark legends.
Cain – Biblical name representing the first murderer, tied to misfortune and guilt.
Lucifer – Latin for “light-bringer,” but commonly associated with the fallen angel, symbolizing rebellion and downfall.
Thanatos – Greek personification of death, symbolizing the end and darkness.
Loki – Norse god of mischief and chaos, bringing turmoil in mythology.
Anwir – Welsh origin, meaning “liar,” associated with deceit and distrust.
Seth – Egyptian god linked to chaos, storms, and destruction.
Donahue – Irish origin, meaning “dark warrior,” often associated with shadow and misfortune.
Jareth – Possibly inspired by Welsh mythology, with dark and mysterious connotations.
Erebus – In Greek mythology, Erebus is the personification of darkness and shadow.
Desdemar – French origin, meaning “ill-fated” or “of unfortunate destiny.”
Melanthios – Greek origin, meaning “dark flower,” symbolizing sorrow or gloom.
Ahriman – The evil spirit in Persian mythology, symbolizing darkness and misfortune.
Teivel – Yiddish origin, meaning “devil,” with associations of misfortune.
Morrissey – Irish origin, linked to the “descendant of a sea warrior,” often tied to tragic tales.
Corbin – Latin for “raven,” a bird associated with omens and mystery.
Deimos – Greek god of terror, representing fear and panic.
Vesper – Latin origin, meaning “evening star” or “evening,” symbolizing the end of day.
Leviathan – From Hebrew, a sea monster symbolizing chaos and destruction.
Jolon – Native American origin, meaning “valley of the dead oaks.”
Grendel – From Beowulf, a monstrous figure bringing destruction and misfortune.
Delano – French origin, meaning “of the night,” symbolizing darkness.
Nero – Latin name tied to the infamous Roman emperor, often associated with tyranny and misfortune.
Raiden – Japanese god of thunder and storms, symbolizing turmoil.
Knell – English word meaning “death bell,” symbolizing the end or death.
Phobus – Greek origin, meaning “fear,” linked to the god of fear in mythology.

Gender-Neutral Names That Mean Misfortune

Gender-neutral names often carry special meanings that anyone can relate to, including those linked to life’s challenging moments. Many of these names are connected to experiences of adversity, loss, or sorrow, making them deeply symbolic. Discover some unique gender-neutral names that mean misfortune from various traditions.

Blair – Of Scottish origin, meaning “plain” or “field,” often associated with haunting or mystery, as in The Blair Witch Project.
Phoenix – Mythical bird that rises from its ashes, symbolizing death and rebirth, often after misfortune.
Indigo – Named after the dark, deep blue color, associated with mystery and melancholy.
Raven – Often linked to the bird associated with omens, darkness, and mystery in various cultures.
Shadow – English origin, symbolizing darkness and the unknown.
Storm – Represents turbulent weather and chaotic energy, often symbolizing challenges.
Onyx – A black gemstone, symbolizing strength amidst darkness or adversity.
Ash – Associated with ashes, symbolizing destruction, rebirth, or something left after fire.
Zephyr – Greek origin meaning “west wind,” though winds can be unpredictable and carry sorrow.
Cyan – A blue-green color often associated with coolness and sadness.
Salem – Hebrew origin meaning “peace,” but often linked to the Salem witch trials, representing misfortune.
Echo – Greek mythology character cursed to repeat others’ words, symbolizing longing and loss.
Winter – Associated with the coldest season, symbolizing dormancy, end, or hardship.
Frost – Often connected with winter and cold, representing hardship and stagnation.
Hallow – Derived from “hallowed,” but also associated with darkness and Halloween.
Rune – Mysterious symbols, often associated with magic, fortune-telling, or curses.
Sable – French word for “black,” often symbolizing darkness and elegance.
Rue – English origin meaning “regret” or “sorrow,” associated with mourning.
Riven – English term meaning “split” or “torn,” suggesting brokenness or adversity.
Shade – Symbolizes darkness, mystery, and the unknown.
Midnight – Represents the darkest hour, often associated with the unknown or misfortune.
Ember – Refers to the remains of a fire, symbolizing what’s left after destruction.
Morrigan – Celtic goddess associated with war, death, and fate.
Orion – Greek mythology, a hunter who faces a tragic death and becomes a constellation.
Quill – Associated with writing, but also symbolizing words that can bring sorrow or record history’s darker moments.
Vale – Means “valley,” often symbolizing low points or places of solitude and reflection.
Gethen – From Ursula K. Le Guin’s work, symbolizing cold, isolation, and introspection.
Hydra – A serpent from Greek mythology that regenerates its heads, symbolizing persistent challenges.
Calamity – English word meaning “disaster” or “misfortune.”
Solace – English origin meaning “comfort,” but often sought in times of sorrow or hardship.
Mistral – Refers to a strong, cold wind from southern France, symbolizing harshness.
Ashen – Describes a pale, deathly look or ashes, symbolizing aftermath or destruction.
Velvet – Often a dark, soft fabric, symbolizing mystery or allure tied to darkness.
Solstice – Represents the shortest day or darkest night of the year, often associated with endings.
Requiem – A musical piece for the dead, symbolizing mourning and remembrance.
Cerulean – A shade of deep blue, often associated with melancholic or deep, introspective feelings.
Severin – Derived from Latin, meaning “severe,” symbolizing sternness or adversity.
Lumen – Refers to light, but often in contexts symbolizing hope in the darkness.
Devlin – Irish origin meaning “unlucky” or “mischievous.”
November – The month often associated with late autumn, a time of decline or sorrow.
Cyanide – A toxic compound, symbolizing danger or misfortune.
Haze – Symbolizes obscurity, confusion, or lack of clarity, often creating a mysterious effect.
Erebos – Greek personification of darkness and shadow, symbolizing the primordial dark.
Wraith – A ghost or specter, often symbolizing death or haunting.
Nebula – A cosmic cloud of gas and dust, symbolizing beauty born out of destruction.
Eclipse – Occurs when one celestial body obscures another, symbolizing concealment or darkness.
Sorrow – English word meaning “sadness,” directly embodying misfortune or grief.