128 Names with Bad Meanings You Didn’t Know About
Choosing a name for a child is a big decision, and it’s important to consider the meaning behind the name. While many names have beautiful and positive meanings, some names come with negative or unfortunate associations.
Understanding names with bad meanings can help you avoid potential pitfalls and ensure that the name you choose carries positive vibes. Let’s explore some names with bad meanings and uncover their origins and implications.
Male Names with Bad Meanings
1. Cameron
Meaning: Crooked nose
Origin: Scottish
The name Cameron comes from the Gaelic “cam sròn,” meaning “crooked nose.” It refers to someone with a distinctive nose shape.
2. Zane
Meaning: God is gracious
Origin: Hebrew
Zane is a variant of John, meaning “God is gracious.” However, in some cultures, it has developed negative connotations related to arrogance or brashness.
3. Brennan
Meaning: Descendant of Braonán (sorrow)
Origin: Irish
Brennan comes from the Irish surname Ó Braonáin, meaning “descendant of Braonán,” which is derived from “braon,” meaning “sorrow.”
4. Calvin
Meaning: Bald
Origin: French
Calvin originates from the French surname “Cauvin,” which is derived from the Latin “calvinus,” meaning “bald.”
5. Kennedy
Meaning: Misshapen head
Origin: Irish
Kennedy comes from the Gaelic “Cinnéidigh,” meaning “misshapen head.”
6. Tristan
Meaning: Sad
Origin: Welsh
Tristan is believed to be derived from the Welsh name Drystan, associated with the Latin “tristis,” meaning “sad” or “sorrowful.”
7. Blaine
Meaning: Thin, lean
Origin: Scottish
Blaine is derived from the Gaelic word “bláán,” meaning “thin” or “lean.”
8. Brendan
Meaning: Prince or stinking hair
Origin: Irish
Brendan has dual meanings; it is commonly associated with “prince,” but another interpretation relates to “stinking hair.”
9. Claudio
Meaning: Lame
Origin: Latin
Claudio is derived from the Latin name “Claudius,” meaning “lame” or “crippled.”
10. Draco
Meaning: Dragon, serpent
Origin: Greek
Draco comes from the Greek word “drakon,” meaning “dragon” or “serpent,” often associated with evil in Western culture.
11. Harold
Meaning: Army ruler
Origin: Old English
Harold originates from the Old English name “Hereweald,” meaning “army ruler.” While not inherently negative, it is sometimes linked to warlike connotations.
12. Jabez
Meaning: Sorrow
Origin: Hebrew
Jabez comes from the Hebrew name “Yabetz,” meaning “sorrow” or “pain.”
13. Levin
Meaning: Dear friend or lightning
Origin: Germanic
Levin has dual meanings; it means “dear friend” in some contexts, but in others, it relates to “lightning,” suggesting suddenness or volatility.
14. Melvin
Meaning: Council protector or bad town
Origin: Celtic
Melvin is derived from the Celtic word “mael,” meaning “council protector,” but another interpretation is “bad town.”
15. Porter
Meaning: Gatekeeper
Origin: Latin
Porter comes from the Latin word “portarius,” meaning “gatekeeper.” While not inherently negative, it can imply servitude or menial work.
16. Ronan
Meaning: Little seal
Origin: Irish
Ronan is derived from the Irish word “rón,” meaning “seal.” The diminutive form can imply insignificance.
17. Seth
Meaning: Appointed or placed
Origin: Hebrew
Seth comes from the Hebrew name “Shet,” meaning “appointed” or “placed.” While not negative in itself, the Biblical Seth’s lineage led to the great flood.
18. Tristram
Meaning: Sad
Origin: Celtic
Tristram is a variant of Tristan, sharing the same root meaning “sad” or “sorrowful.”
19. Uriah
Meaning: God is my light
Origin: Hebrew
Uriah means “God is my light” in Hebrew. Although positive, Uriah in the Bible was betrayed by King David, giving the name a tragic association.
20. Volker
Meaning: People’s guard
Origin: German
Volker comes from the Germanic elements “folk,” meaning “people,” and “heri,” meaning “army” or “warrior,” which can imply conflict.
21. Wolfgang
Meaning: Wolf path
Origin: German
Wolfgang is derived from the Old High German words “wolf” (wolf) and “gang” (path). While it can symbolize strength, the association with wolves can also imply aggression or danger.
22. Bardolph
Meaning: Bright wolf
Origin: English
Bardolph comes from the Old English words “beorht” (bright) and “wulf” (wolf). The name has a dual connotation, with “wolf” often carrying negative associations of fierceness and cunning.
23. Mortimer
Meaning: Dead sea
Origin: French
Mortimer originates from the Old French “mort” (dead) and “mer” (sea). The name literally means “dead sea,” which can imply a lifeless or desolate place.
24. Clinton
Meaning: Settlement on a hill or fenced settlement
Origin: English
Clinton comes from the Old English words “clif” (cliff) and “tun” (settlement). While the name itself is not inherently negative, historical associations with political scandals have given it a less favorable connotation.
25. Cassius
Meaning: Hollow, vain
Origin: Latin
Cassius is derived from the Latin word “cassus,” meaning “hollow” or “vain.” It implies emptiness or lack of substance.
26. Desmond
Meaning: From South Munster (region in Ireland) or “Gracious defender”
Origin: Irish
Desmond comes from the Irish “Deas-Mhumhna,” referring to South Munster. Though the name itself is neutral, it can sometimes carry historical and regional connotations.
27. Devin
Meaning: Poet or fawn
Origin: Irish
Devin is derived from the Irish word “damh,” meaning “poet” or “fawn.” In some interpretations, it can imply naivety or fragility.
28. Donovan
Meaning: Dark, brown-haired chieftain
Origin: Irish
Donovan comes from the Irish surname Ó Donnabháin, meaning “descendant of Donnabhán,” where “donn” means “dark” or “brown.” The name can carry a somber or mysterious tone.
29. Herman
Meaning: Army man
Origin: German
Herman is derived from the Germanic words “heri” (army) and “man” (man). The name can imply a martial or warlike character.
30. Icarus
Meaning: Follower
Origin: Greek
Icarus comes from Greek mythology, where Icarus is known for flying too close to the sun and falling into the sea. The name symbolizes overambition and recklessness.
31. Jareth
Meaning: Descent or “Bled of water”
Origin: English
Jareth, while not having a traditional meaning, is often associated with negative characters in popular culture, such as the Goblin King in the movie “Labyrinth.”
32. Judas
Meaning: Praised
Origin: Hebrew
Judas means “praised” in Hebrew. Despite the positive meaning, the name is infamously associated with Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, giving it a strong negative connotation.
33. Kane
Meaning: Little battler
Origin: Irish
Kane is derived from the Irish word “cathán,” meaning “little battler.” It implies conflict and struggle.
34. Rex
Meaning: King
Origin: Latin
Rex means “king” in Latin. While generally a strong name, it can imply arrogance or a domineering nature in some contexts.
35. Soren
Meaning: Severe, stern
Origin: Danish
Soren comes from the Latin name “Severus,” meaning “severe” or “stern.” It implies a strict or harsh personality.
36. Thaddeus
Meaning: Heart
Origin: Aramaic
Thaddeus is derived from the Aramaic word “taddai,” meaning “heart.” Despite its positive meaning, historical associations with less favorable Biblical characters can give it a negative context.
37. Ulysses
Meaning: Wrathful
Origin: Greek
Ulysses comes from the Latin form of Odysseus, meaning “wrathful.” Known for his long and arduous journey in Greek mythology, the name implies struggle and adversity.
38. Zedekiah
Meaning: God is my righteousness
Origin: Hebrew
Zedekiah means “God is my righteousness.” Despite its positive meaning, Zedekiah was a Biblical king who faced tragic downfall and betrayal, casting a shadow over the name.
Female Names with Bad Meanings
1. Cecilia
Meaning: Blind
Origin: Latin
Cecilia comes from the Latin word “caecus,” meaning “blind.” It originally referred to a family’s ancestral blindness.
2. Claudia
Meaning: Lame, crippled
Origin: Latin
Claudia is derived from the Latin name “Claudius,” meaning “lame” or “crippled.”
3. Delilah
Meaning: Delicate, languishing
Origin: Hebrew
Delilah means “delicate” in Hebrew. In the Bible, Delilah betrayed Samson, giving the name a connotation of deceit.
4. Desdemona
Meaning: Ill-fated
Origin: Greek
Desdemona comes from the Greek “dysdaimon,” meaning “ill-fated.” The name is associated with the tragic character in Shakespeare’s “Othello.”
5. Hecate
Meaning: Far-reaching
Origin: Greek
Hecate is the name of the Greek goddess of witchcraft and magic, often associated with the underworld and dark powers.
6. Jezebel
Meaning: Not exalted
Origin: Hebrew
Jezebel means “not exalted” in Hebrew. It is infamous for the Biblical queen who promoted idol worship and was associated with wickedness.
7. Lilith
Meaning: Night monster
Origin: Akkadian
Lilith comes from the Akkadian “lilītu,” meaning “night monster” or “storm demon.” She is often depicted as a demonic figure in various mythologies.
8. Lola
Meaning: Sorrow
Origin: Spanish
Lola is a diminutive of Dolores, meaning “sorrows” in Spanish, derived from “Nuestra Señora de los Dolores” (Our Lady of Sorrows).
9. Mara
Meaning: Bitter
Origin: Hebrew
Mara means “bitter” in Hebrew. In the Bible, Naomi adopts this name to express her grief and sorrow.
10. Mallory
Meaning: Unfortunate
Origin: Old French
Mallory is derived from the Old French word “malheure,” meaning “unfortunate” or “unlucky.”
11. Molly
Meaning: Bitter
Origin: Hebrew
Molly is a diminutive of Mary, which can mean “bitter” in Hebrew.
12. Persephone
Meaning: Bringer of destruction
Origin: Greek
Persephone’s name is linked to Greek words meaning “to destroy” and “slaughter,” reflecting her role as the queen of the underworld.
13. Portia
Meaning: Pig
Origin: Latin
Portia is derived from the Latin “porcus,” meaning “pig.”
14. Rue
Meaning: Regret
Origin: English
Rue means “regret” in English and is also a herb associated with sorrow.
15. Sorrow
Meaning: Sadness
Origin: English
Sorrow directly translates to “sadness” or “grief” in English.
16. Trixie
Meaning: Bringer of joy or she who brings happiness
Origin: Latin
Trixie, derived from Beatrix, means “bringer of joy,” but can also carry the connotation of being a trickster.
17. Trista
Meaning: Sad
Origin: Celtic
Trista is derived from the Celtic word “tristis,” meaning “sad” or “sorrowful.”
18. Valeria
Meaning: Strength or to be strong
Origin: Latin
Valeria means “strength” in Latin, but historically, many with the name suffered tragic fates, giving it a somber tone.
19. Veda
Meaning: Knowledge
Origin: Sanskrit
Veda means “knowledge” in Sanskrit, but can also imply “burdened with knowledge.”
20. Leah
Meaning: Weary
Origin: Hebrew
Leah means “weary” in Hebrew, reflecting a sense of tiredness or fatigue.
21. Lorna
Meaning: Forsaken
Origin: Scottish
Lorna is derived from the Scottish place name Lorne, and is sometimes associated with loneliness or being forsaken.
22. Lorelei
Meaning: Luring rock
Origin: German
Lorelei is associated with a rocky cliff on the Rhine River and a siren who lured sailors to their deaths.
23. Marcia
Meaning: War-like
Origin: Latin
Marcia comes from Mars, the Roman god of war, and means “war-like.”
24. Melisande
Meaning: Strength or honey bee
Origin: Germanic
Melisande means “strength” or “honey bee” in Old German, but medieval tales associate it with tragic and sorrowful stories.
25. Ophelia
Meaning: Help
Origin: Greek
Ophelia means “help” in Greek, but the name is famously linked to the tragic character in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”
26. Raven
Meaning: Dark-haired or bird
Origin: English
Raven is associated with the bird, which is often seen as an omen of death or misfortune.
27. Tempest
Meaning: Storm
Origin: English
Tempest means “storm” in English, implying tumultuous or turbulent conditions.
28. Thana
Meaning: Death
Origin: Arabic
Thana means “death” in Arabic, carrying a direct and dark connotation.
29. Ulva
Meaning: Wolf
Origin: Scandinavian
Ulva is derived from Old Norse “úlfr,” meaning “wolf,” often associated with wildness and danger.
30. Vampira
Meaning: Vampire
Origin: English
Vampira is derived from “vampire,” evoking images of the undead and darkness.
31. Zilla
Meaning: Shadow
Origin: Hebrew
Zilla means “shadow” in Hebrew, suggesting darkness or obscurity.
32. Loretta
Meaning: Laurel or bay tree
Origin: Latin
Loretta means “laurel” or “bay tree” in Latin, but has been associated with sorrow in various literary works.
33. Lillith
Meaning: Night monster
Origin: Akkadian
Lillith comes from the Akkadian “lilītu,” meaning “night monster” or “storm demon.” She is often depicted as a demonic figure in various mythologies.
34. Diana
Meaning: Divine
Origin: Latin
Diana means “divine” in Latin, but as the Roman goddess of the hunt, she is also associated with wildness and untamed nature.
35. Ember
Meaning: Spark, burning low
Origin: English
Ember means “spark” or “burning low,” implying something that is fading away or nearly extinguished.
36. Alma
Meaning: Nourishing or soul
Origin: Latin
Alma means “nourishing” in Latin, but in Spanish, it can also mean “soul,” and has connotations of melancholy.
37. Alecto
Meaning: Unceasing anger
Origin: Greek
Alecto is one of the Furies in Greek mythology, and her name means “unceasing anger.”
38. Amara
Meaning: Bitter
Origin: Latin
Amara means “bitter” in Latin, despite being a beautiful-sounding name.
39. Corinne
Meaning: Maiden
Origin: Greek
Corinne means “maiden” in Greek, but has been associated with sorrowful literary characters.
40. Desiree
Meaning: Desired
Origin: French
Desiree means “desired” in French, but has been linked to tragic and unfulfilled desires in various stories.
Names with Bad Meanings in Literature and Pop Culture
1. Voldemort
Meaning: Flight of death
Origin: French
In J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series, Voldemort is the dark wizard whose name means “flight of death.” He embodies evil and fear.
2. Regan
Meaning: Little king
Origin: Irish
In Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” Regan is one of Lear’s treacherous daughters who betrays him.
3. Goneril
Meaning: Unknown
Origin: Literary
Another treacherous daughter from Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” Goneril is known for her ruthlessness and cruelty.
4. Lucifer
Meaning: Light-bringer
Origin: Latin
In Christian theology, Lucifer is the fallen angel who becomes Satan, representing ultimate evil.
5. Scar
Meaning: Scar
Origin: English
In Disney’s “The Lion King,” Scar is the villainous lion who kills his brother Mufasa and takes over the Pride Lands.
6. Norma Bates
Meaning: Normal
Origin: English
In Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” Norma Bates is the name of Norman Bates’ mother, whose influence drives him to madness and murder.
7. Grendel
Meaning: Unknown
Origin: Old English
In the epic “Beowulf,” Grendel is the monstrous creature who terrorizes the mead hall of King Hrothgar.
8. Medusa
Meaning: Guardian, protectress
Origin: Greek
In Greek mythology, Medusa is the Gorgon whose gaze turns people to stone, symbolizing deadly beauty.
9. Cruella
Meaning: Derived from “cruel”
Origin: English
In Dodie Smith’s “101 Dalmatians,” Cruella de Vil is the villainess who wants to make a coat out of dalmatian puppies.
10. Hannibal
Meaning: Grace of Baal
Origin: Phoenician
In Thomas Harris’ novels, Hannibal Lecter is a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer.
11. Iago
Meaning: Supplanter
Origin: Spanish
In Shakespeare’s “Othello,” Iago is the manipulative antagonist who deceives Othello and brings about his downfall.
12. Smeagol/Gollum
Meaning: Burrowing, cave-dweller
Origin: Old English
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” Gollum, once known as Smeagol, is a creature corrupted by the One Ring.
13. Medea
Meaning: To ponder, cunning
Origin: Greek
In Greek mythology, Medea is a sorceress who kills her own children to avenge her husband’s betrayal.
14. Moriarty
Meaning: Sea warrior
Origin: Irish
In Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes” series, Professor Moriarty is the criminal mastermind and archenemy of Sherlock Holmes.
15. Joffrey
Meaning: Peace of a stranger
Origin: Germanic
In George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones,” Joffrey Baratheon is a cruel and sadistic young king.
16. Ratched
Meaning: Derived from “wretched”
Origin: English
In Ken Kesey’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Nurse Ratched is the oppressive and manipulative head nurse.
17. Freddy Krueger
Meaning: Peaceful ruler
Origin: Germanic
In the “A Nightmare on Elm Street” series, Freddy Krueger is a supernatural killer who haunts and kills teenagers in their dreams.
18. Carrie
Meaning: Free man
Origin: Germanic
In Stephen King’s “Carrie,” Carrie White is a telekinetic teenager who takes revenge on her tormentors.
19. Norman Bates
Meaning: North man
Origin: Germanic
In Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” Norman Bates is the disturbed proprietor of the Bates Motel who has a split personality.
20. Patrick Bateman
Meaning: Nobleman
Origin: Irish
In Bret Easton Ellis’ “American Psycho,” Patrick Bateman is a wealthy, psychopathic New York City investment banker and serial killer.
21. Maleficent
Meaning: Doing evil
Origin: Latin
In Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty,” Maleficent is the evil fairy who curses Princess Aurora.
22. Bellatrix
Meaning: Female warrior
Origin: Latin
In J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series, Bellatrix Lestrange is a loyal Death Eater and one of Voldemort’s most dangerous followers.
23. Anakin
Meaning: Warrior
Origin: Sanskrit
In the “Star Wars” series, Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader, a powerful Sith Lord.
24. Damien
Meaning: To tame, subdue
Origin: Greek
In “The Omen” series, Damien Thorn is the Antichrist, destined to bring about the apocalypse.
25. Dexter
Meaning: Right-handed, skilled
Origin: Latin
In Jeff Lindsay’s “Dexter” series, Dexter Morgan is a forensic analyst who leads a secret life as a vigilante serial killer.
26. Sauron
Meaning: Abhorred
Origin: Quenya (Tolkien’s Elvish language)
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” Sauron is the dark lord who creates the One Ring to dominate Middle-earth.
27. Cersei
Meaning: Bird, hawk
Origin: Greek
In George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones,” Cersei Lannister is a manipulative and power-hungry queen.
28. Joker
Meaning: One who jests
Origin: English
In DC Comics, the Joker is a psychopathic criminal mastermind and the archenemy of Batman.
29. Lecter
Meaning: Derived from “lectern,” a reading desk
Origin: English
In Thomas Harris’ novels, Hannibal Lecter is a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer.
30. Ahab
Meaning: Father’s brother
Origin: Hebrew
In Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick,” Captain Ahab is the obsessed and vengeful captain pursuing the white whale.
31. Frankenstein
Meaning: Derived from “Frank’s stone”
Origin: German
In Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” Victor Frankenstein is the scientist who creates the monster, often referred to by his creator’s name.
32. Griffith
Meaning: Strong chief
Origin: Welsh
In Kentaro Miura’s “Berserk,” Griffith is a charismatic leader who becomes the demonic Femto, representing ambition and betrayal.
33. Jadis
Meaning: Sorceress
Origin: French
In C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia,” Jadis, the White Witch, rules Narnia with an iron fist and brings eternal winter.
34. Dorian
Meaning: Of the sea
Origin: Greek
In Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” Dorian Gray remains youthful while his portrait ages, symbolizing vanity and moral decay.
35. Lestat
Meaning: Joy, estate
Origin: French
In Anne Rice’s “The Vampire Chronicles,” Lestat de Lioncourt is a charismatic but morally ambiguous vampire.
36. Morgana
Meaning: Sea-born
Origin: Welsh
In Arthurian legend, Morgana (or Morgan le Fay) is a powerful sorceress often depicted as an antagonist to King Arthur.
37. Gollum
Meaning: Burrowing, cave-dweller
Origin: Old English
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” Gollum, once known as Smeagol, is a creature corrupted by the One Ring.
38. Tybalt
Meaning: Brave people
Origin: Germanic
In Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Tybalt is a hot-headed Capulet who provokes conflict and is ultimately killed by Romeo.
39. Regina George
Meaning: Queen
Origin: Latin
In the movie “Mean Girls,” Regina George is the manipulative and controlling leader of the Plastics.
40. Heathcliff
Meaning: Heath near a cliff
Origin: English
In Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights,” Heathcliff is a brooding and vengeful character who causes much suffering.
41. Dracula
Meaning: Son of the dragon
Origin: Romanian
In Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” Count Dracula is a vampire who preys on the living to sustain his immortality.
42. Rumpelstiltskin
Meaning: Little rattle stilt
Origin: German
In the fairy tale “Rumpelstiltskin,” the character is a cunning and manipulative imp who demands a high price for his magical services.
43. Saruman
Meaning: Man of skill
Origin: Old English
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” Saruman is a powerful wizard who betrays the forces of good.
44. Rasputin
Meaning: Debauchee
Origin: Russian
In Russian history and various adaptations, Rasputin is portrayed as a sinister and manipulative figure with a notorious reputation.
45. Beelzebub
Meaning: Lord of the flies
Origin: Hebrew
In religious texts and literature, Beelzebub is a demon or devil associated with corruption and evil.
46. Steerpike
Meaning: Derived from “steer” (to guide) and “pike” (a sharp weapon)
Origin: English
In Mervyn Peake’s “Gormenghast” series, Steerpike is a cunning and ambitious character who manipulates others for his own gain.
47. Vlad
Meaning: To rule
Origin: Slavic
Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure behind the Dracula legend, is known for his brutal and violent reign.
48. Tywin
Meaning: Derived from “Ty” (from Typhon) and “win” (friend)
Origin: Literary
In George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones,” Tywin Lannister is a ruthless and power-hungry lord.
49. Azazel
Meaning: Scapegoat, strong one
Origin: Hebrew
In various religious texts, Azazel is a fallen angel or demon associated with sin and corruption.
50. Stryver
Meaning: To strive
Origin: English
In Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities,” Mr. Stryver is a self-serving lawyer whose ambition is more notable than his ethics.