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Looking for the perfect gothic baby name that’s dark, romantic, and just a little bit mysterious? This list is full of enchanting options – from Victorian elegance to literary heroines to names inspired by moonlit nights.
Here’s what’s in store –
Gothic names have a timeless appeal that never quite fades. And with Wednesday returning for another season and the stunning new Nosferatu hitting theaters, it’s no surprise that dark, romantic names are having a serious moment right now. Add in the dark romance book trend that’s taken over BookTok, and suddenly names like Evangeline, Cassius, and Ophelia are everywhere – for good reason.
These aren’t your typical baby names. They have depth, history, and just the right amount of edge. Whether you want something dramatically Victorian, softly mysterious, or straight out of your favorite gothic novel, I’ve gathered up my absolute favorite gothic baby names for girls, boys, and gender-neutral options.
Gothic Girl Names
Romantic, mysterious, and undeniably elegant.
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: bearer of good news
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: light
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: helper
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: sea circle
- Origin: Latin/Celtic
- Meaning: heart; daughter of the sea
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: woman of Rome
- Origin: Germanic/Welsh
- Meaning: fame and joy
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: fiery; burning ones
- Origin: Germanic
- Meaning: ice ruler
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: bringer of destruction
- Origin: English
- Meaning: dark-haired; the bird
- Origin: Assyrian
- Meaning: of the night
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: beautiful lady
- Origin: English
- Meaning: deep red color
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: ill-fated
- Origin: Spanish/Germanic
- Meaning: all true
- Origin: French
- Meaning: woman of the people
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: far off
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: phantom queen
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: numbness; daffodil
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: peace
- Origin: English
- Meaning: violent storm
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: evening star
- Origin: English
- Meaning: Woden’s day
- Origin: Dakota Sioux
- Meaning: firstborn daughter
- Origin: English
- Meaning: the flowering vine
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: divinely beautiful
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: bright; clear
Gothic Boy Names
Strong, dramatic names with dark romantic appeal.
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: hollow; vain
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: of the sea
- Origin: English
- Meaning: wealthy spear
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: treasurer; the gemstone
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: immortal
- Origin: Germanic
- Meaning: ruler of all
- Origin: Greek/Latin
- Meaning: man of Attica
- Origin: English
- Meaning: at the byres
- Origin: English
- Meaning: of the Caspian Sea
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: enduring
- Origin: American
- Meaning: hunter
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: helper
- Origin: Welsh/Greek
- Meaning: strong lord; mythical creature
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: lion man
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: light
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: great
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: rising in the sky; hunter
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: oracle
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: enthusiasm; ardor
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: wood; forest
- Origin: English
- Meaning: thorn bush
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: conqueror
- Origin: Slavic
- Meaning: renowned prince
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: west wind
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: defender of the people
- Origin: Greek/Latin
- Meaning: venerable
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: from Cyprus
- Origin: Greek/Russian
- Meaning: follower of Demeter
Gender-Neutral Gothic Names
Dark, mysterious names that work beautifully for anyone.
- Origin: Irish/Scottish
- Meaning: little red one; rowan tree
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: wise; the herb
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: dark red; the mythical bird
- Origin: English
- Meaning: small bird
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: black gemstone
- Origin: Norse
- Meaning: secret; mystical symbol
- Origin: English
- Meaning: tempest; violent weather
- Origin: English
- Meaning: ash tree farm
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: plain; field
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: dark one
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: benevolent
- Origin: English
- Meaning: safe place
- Origin: English
- Meaning: driftwood
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: night
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: traveler; pilgrim
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: counsel; wisdom
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: raider
Gothic Names from Literature
Names straight from the pages of gothic novels and poetry.
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: garden
- Origin: English
- Meaning: cliff near a heath
- Origin: English
- Meaning: field of thorns
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: pure
- Origin: English
- Meaning: rocky fortress
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: lovable
- Origin: Anne Rice creation
- Meaning: invented name
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: lame; enclosure
- Origin: French
- Meaning: pointed hill
- Origin: English
- Meaning: doorkeeper
- Origin: English
- Meaning: thorn town
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: thunder
Choosing the Perfect Gothic Name
Finding the right gothic name is about balance. You want something with depth and drama, but it also needs to work in everyday life – on school rosters, job applications, and shouted across playgrounds.
Consider the nickname potential. A name like Persephone is stunning, but can she be Percy or Seph when she’s learning to write her name? Evangeline becomes Evie. Alaric becomes Al or Rick. Having options helps a dramatic name feel livable.
Think about middle name pairings. Gothic first names often pair beautifully with simpler middle names – and vice versa. Ophelia Grace. James Alaric. Wednesday Rose. The contrast can be striking.
Say it out loud with your last name. Some combinations flow better than others. Edgar Allen (too on the nose?) vs. Edgar James Chen. Lenore works with some surnames better than others.
Trust your instincts. If a name gives you that flutter – that feeling of yes, this is the one – that matters more than any naming rule.
Final Thoughts
Gothic baby names offer something special: a connection to history, literature, and a certain romantic darkness that never goes out of style. Whether you choose a name dripping with Victorian elegance like Evangeline or Cassius, something mythologically powerful like Persephone or Orion, or a modern favorite like Wednesday or Draven – you’re giving your child a name with depth and story.
The best name is one that feels right to you. One you can imagine whispering at 2 a.m. and calling across a crowded room. One that grows with your child from tiny baby to confident adult.
I hope this list helps you find exactly what you’re looking for.
