25 Names That Have Chilling Meanings

March 21, 2024 | Sarah Ng

25 Names That Have Chilling Meanings


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?

Chilling-Names-Msn

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".

Rue

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.

Melvin

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.

Tracy

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".

Mara

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.

Douglas

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".

Kennedy

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".

Portia

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".

Emily

Mallory

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

Mallory

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".

Tristan

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".

Calvin

Brennan

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

Brennan

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".

Mary

Molly

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

Molly

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.

Melanie

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.

Cecilia

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".

Lola

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".

Courtney

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". 

Adrienne

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".

Blake

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".

Claudia

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.

Belinda

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".

Cesar

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.

Brody

Jacob

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

Jacob

 


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