What's Your Name?

A name is just a name, right? Well, behind each name, there's a history—and some names have darker meanings than others. Can you find yours on this list?

Rue

"Rue" is a beautiful and simple name. However, if you delve into the name's English and Greek roots, you'll learn that it means "regret".

Melvin

The name "Melvin" goes way back. It comes from a French town called Malleville, which unfortunately means "bad town". Fittingly, the residents of Malleville had to deal with unsuitable farming land.

Tracy

There's one overarching theme when it comes to the name "Tracy". Whether it be from Greek mythology, or the Irish surname "O'Treasaigh" or the French-Norman surname "Thrace"—"Tracy" is is always associated with conflict and war.

Mara

There are many meanings for "Mara". On the lighter side, in Gaelic, it means "sea". However, Mara is the Hindu goddess of destruction, winter, and death. And in Hebrew, the name translates to "sorrow" or "bitter".

Douglas

"Douglas" comes from the Scottish Gaelic term "dubh glas". It translates to "black river," "black water," or "dark stream". It was used to describe bodies of water that were dark, suspicious, and mysterious.

Kennedy

"Kennedy" is one of the most famous names in American history. Surprisingly, it comes from an Irish clan called "Cinnéidigh". While it means "chief with a helmet," it also has a more unsavory translation: "misshapen head".

Portia

"Portia's" latin roots are not too glamorous. The name refers to a Roman clan who specialized in working with hogs. "Portia" can be translated to "hog" or "pig".

Emily

A form of the name "Emily" comes from one of the most famous ancient Roman families—the Aemilius family. This may have come from "aemulus," a Latin word meaning "rival". It may also have roots in "aimylos," a Greek word meaning "persuasive".

Mallory

"Mallory" comes from an Old French word—"malheure". It can mean "unhappy," "unlucky," and even "ill-omened".

Tristan

"Tristan" means "outcry" or "tumult"—and was the protagonist of a Celtic story. You might also recognize the name "Tristan" from the tragic tale of Tristan and Isolde—found in French and and German literature. It can also mean "sad" or "melancholy".

Calvin

Though many might think of the Protestant Reformist John Calvin when they think of the name "Calvin," it also comes from a Latin word—"calvus"—translating to "hairless" or "bald".

Brennan

With an Irish Gaelic origin, the name "Brennan" comes from the word "Braonáin". It means "teardrop" or "sorrow".

Mary

Considering how popular "Mary" is, this might be one of the more surprising names on this list. However, if we look at the name's ancient Hebrew roots, we'll see that it can mean "rebellion" or "bitterness". On a more positive note, "Mary" also means "wished-for child".

Molly

There's something so seemingly sweet about the name "Molly," but it also come from a Hebrew term that means "bitter".

Melanie

"Melanie" has Greek roots and means "black" or "dark". The name refers to a Greek goddess who anticipated the newness of the spring season, while lamenting the dark months of winter.

Cecilia

"Cecilia" has its roots in "Caecilius," a Roman clan name. As well, many associate the name with the religious woman St Cecilia, who was both musical and blind.

Lola

"Lola" is short for the name "Dolores". It has Spanish roots. The Spanish Catholics called Mary, the mother of Jesus, "Nuestra Señora de los Dolores," which translated to "Our Lady of Sorrows".

Courtney

The name "Courtney" has two origin stories. Firstly, it could come from the Old French "curt" or "court". Tag on the word "nes," and it describes a person with a short nose. Secondly, "Courtney" could also have Latin roots in the "domain of Curtenas," meaning "broken".

Adrienne

"Adrienne" is an ancient name—and its original purpose was to identify someone from Adria, which was an area close to the Adriatic Sea. It can also be translated to the word "dark". 

Blake

"Blake" comes from the Old English word "blac," which is quite puzzling because it can translate to "pale" or white" and to "black" or "dark".

Claudia

Thanks to the Bible, "Claudia" has been a long-time favorite baby name. But many forget that, based on its Roman and Latin origins, "Claudia" can be translated to "enclosure" or "lame".

Belinda

"Belinda" can mean "pretty one," but also "beautiful snake". The name comes from Babylonian mythology. The snake used to have a more positive connotation as a symbol of intelligence and immortality.

Cesar

When we think of the name "Cesar" we immediately think of "Julius Caesar," one of the most prominent historical figures. However, the name itself has a rather underwhelming meaning: "long-haired" or "head of hair".

Brody

"Brody" means "muddy place" or "ditch". The name comes from a Scottish clan who lived in a region that produced scotch and malt whiskey.

Jacob

"Jacob" is a very traditional name with religious roots. It can mean "overreacher" or "supplanter" in ancient Hebrew.