100+ Names That Mean “Death” (Female, Male, Unisex & Surnames)

In every culture, the concept of death holds profound significance, weaving through myths, legends, and daily life with a mysterious allure. While it might carry frightening connotations for many people, often death is not considered an end, but a transition to a new state of being. This fascination with the afterlife and what lies beyond has given rise to names that capture the essence of death itself.

While choosing a name that means (or is associated with death) might seem unconventional – or, let’s be real, even a bit morbid – it can be a powerful way to connect with the deeper, often overlooked aspects of existence. It can also be great for naming characters! So, wether ya’re drawn to the gothic charm, seeking a name with a strong presence, or exploring the rich tapestry of cultural beliefs, these names inspired by death offer a unique blend of beauty and solemnity.

Female Names That Mean Death

When exploring names that echo the enigmatic essence of death, ya’ll find that many of these names throughout cultures embody the beauty of transition, transformation, and the profound mystery of the end of life.

• Morrigan: In Irish mythology, the Morrigan is associated with fate and death in battle.
• Morgana: Similar to Morrigan, Morgana is associated with fate and often depicted as a sorceress with powers over life and death.
• Lilith: A name with roots in Jewish folklore, often linked to the night and regarded as a figure who presides over death.
• Kali: Derived from Hindu mythology, Kali is a powerful deity representing time, change, and destruction.
• Persephone: A name from Greek mythology symbolizing the queen of the underworld, embodying the cycle of life and death.
• Hecate: In ancient Greek mythology, Hecate is associated with magic, crossroads, and ghosts.
• Selene: While primarily known as the goddess of the moon in Greek mythology, Selene’s embrace encompasses the final sleep, linking her to the domaine of death.
• Freya: Though often associated with love and beauty, Freya in Norse mythology also presides over the afterlife domaine of Fólkvangr.
• Izanami: From Japanese mythology, Izanami is a creator goddess who also becomes queen of the underworld.
• Octavia: A Latin name meaning “eighth,” historically associated with omens and the spiritual domaine due to its numeric significance.
• Morticia: Popularized by “The Addams Family” franchise, Morticia is a name derived from the Latin word “mort,” meaning death.
• Mortana: A variation of Morticia, emphasizing the association with death.
• Mortissa: Another variation of Morticia, emphasizing the association with death.
• Belladonna: Meaning “beautiful lady” in Italian, Belladonna is also the name of a poisonous plant, reinforcing its association with death.
• Ereshkigal: In Mesopotamian mythology, Ereshkigal is the queen of the underworld, governing the domaine of the dead.
• Hel: In Norse mythology, Hel is the goddess who rules over Helheim, the domaine of the dead, where she receives a portion of the dead.
• Macha: In Irish mythology, Macha is a goddess associated with war, sovereignty, and fate, including death.
• Melinoe: In Greek mythology, Melinoe is a chthonic nymph associated with ghosts and the underworld, often depicted with a pale complexion.
• Morana: In Slavic mythology, Morana is a goddess associated with winter, death, and rebirth.
• Oya: In Yoruba mythology, Oya is a goddess associated with storms, death, and rebirth, often depicted as a warrior queen.
• Manea: In Roman mythology, Manea is the goddess of the dead and the underworld, often associated with insanity and the restless spirits of the deceased.
• Shinigami: In Japanese folklore, Shinigami are death spirits or gods who guide souls to the afterlife.
• Morta: In Roman mythology, Morta is one of the Parcae, or Fates, associated with death and the cutting of the thread of life.
• Pandora: In Greek mythology, Pandora is the first mortal woman created by the gods, whose curiosity unleashed evil into the world, including death.
• Thanathea: Derived from “Thanatos,” the Greek personification of death, Thanathea emphasizes the association with mortality.
• Valkyrie: In Norse mythology, Valkyries are female figures who choose those slain in battle to be taken to Valhalla, the hall of Odin, emphasizing their connection to death in warfare.

Male Names That Mean Death

You’ll find many names hold profound meanings tied to death, the afterlife, and the mystical. These names aren’t just steeped in lore, but offer a connection to the enigmatic and powerful aspects of life’s cycle.

• Thanatos: Greek mythology presents Thanatos as the personification of death.
• Mort: Derived from the French word for death, “mort.”
• Anubis: The name of the ancient Egyptian god associated with mummification and the afterlife.
• Hades: Though often associated with the domaine of the dead rather than death itself, Hades’ name carries a heavy weight in mythology.
• Loki: Norse mythology portrays Loki as a trickster god with ties to death and the end of the world.
• Mars: While primarily known as the god of war, Mars also has connections to death through the battlefield.
• Osiris: Another figure from Egyptian mythology, Osiris rules over the afterlife.
• Pluto: The Roman counterpart to Hades, god of the underworld.
• Samael: Often regarded as the angel of death in Jewish lore, Samael’s name is profound and mysterious.
• Tyr: A god of war in Norse mythology, representing the violent and inevitable end of life.
• Orcus: A Roman god punishing oath breakers, often associated with the Underworld.
• Vanth: Etruscan mythology describes Vanth as a guide for the souls of the dead.
• Mictlan: In Aztec mythology, Mictlan is the underworld.
• Erebus: In Greek mythology, Erebus is a primordial deity representing darkness and the deep shadows of the underworld.
• Cerberus: In Greek mythology, Cerberus is the multi-headed hound that guards the gates of the underworld, preventing the dead from leaving.
• Yamaraja: In Hindu mythology, Yamaraja is the lord of death and the king of Dharma, responsible for overseeing the cycle of death and rebirth.
• Mors: In Roman mythology, Mors is the personification of death, often depicted as a grim reaper figure.
• Nergal: In Mesopotamian mythology, Nergal is the god of war, pestilence, and the underworld, ruling over the land of the dead.
• Lugus: In Celtic mythology, Lugus is a deity associated with various domains including death and the afterlife, with some interpretations linking him to the transition between life and death.

Unisex Names That Mean Death

Some of the most compelling names that resonate with the themes of death and the afterlife are unisex. These names blur the lines between genders, offering versatile and modern options for yar little one.

• Ankou: In Breton mythology, Ankou is a personification of death, often depicted as a skeletal figure or a shadowy presence.
• Enma: In Japanese Buddhist mythology, Enma is the ruler of the underworld and judge of the dead, determining their fate in the afterlife.
• Charon: In Greek mythology, Charon is the ferryman who transports the souls of the deceased across the river Styx to the underworld.
• Azrael: In Islamic tradition, Azrael is the angel of death who separates the soul from the body at the time of death.
• Yama: In Hindu mythology, Yama is the god of death.
• Morwen: In Tolkien’s legendarium, Morwen is a character associated with loss, grief, and the shadow of death.
• Thana: Meaning “death” in Arabic, Thana carries a stark yet profound connotation with it.
• Nyx: In Greek mythology, Nyx is the primordial goddess of the night, embodying darkness and the unknown, often associated with the passage into death.
• Arawn: In Welsh mythology, Arawn is the ruler of Annwn, the Welsh underworld.
• Vidar: In Norse mythology, Vidar is a god associated with vengeance and silence, who survives Ragnarok (the end of the world) and plays a role in its aftermath.
• Mimir: In Norse mythology, Mimir is a wise being associated with knowledge and the underworld, guarding the well of wisdom beneath the world tree Yggdrasil.
• Phoenix: Associated with rising from ashes and transcending mortality.

Surnames That Mean Death

When diving into the world of names that carry the mark of death, mystery, or the afterlife, surnames hold their ground with intriguing historical backgrounds and meanings. Unlike given first names, surnames often tell stories of lineage, occupation, or traits that were significant enough to stand the test of time.

As ya explore surnames that resonate with death or the mystical, ya might find a connection to a distant past or uncover a narrative that speaks volumes about human fascination with the end and the unknown.

• Blackwood: Evoking images of dense, shadow-filled forests, a surname associated with both mystery and death.
• Cromwell: This name hints at a historical figure known for significant and sometimes grim changes.
• Graves: Directly connected to the final resting places, this surname needs no further explanation.
• Grimm: Reflecting the darker aspects of folklore and fairy tales, suggesting a connection to death and the supernatural.
• Harrow: A name that implies desolation or harvest, both linked to ends and transitions.
• Mortem: Derived from the Latin word for death, it’s as direct as it gets.
• Mortlock: Similar to “Mortem,” this surname directly alludes to death.
• Ravenwood: Combining the portent of ravens with the mystery of the woods.
• Sable: A name that symbolizes darkness and mourning.
• Shroud: Referring to the cloth used to wrap the dead, suggests a family with ties to funeral rites or mortality.
• Thorne: Though it speaks more to pain or protection, thorns are often associated with death in folklore.
• Vale: Suggesting a valley, often used poetically to refer to the journey to the afterlife.
• Winter: A season often symbolizing the end of life or dormancy, leading to renewal.

Fictional Surnames

If ya’re writing a book or creating another fictional property, ya might be drawn to one of these fictional last names with deathly connotations.

• Darkwater: Conjuring images of ominous, shadowy waters associated with death and mystery.
• Shadowgrave: Combining the concepts of darkness and the final resting place, emphasizing the solemnity of death.
• Draven: Popularized by fictional tales, it suggests a bridge between the living and the spectral.
• Dreadwood: Evoking a sense of fear and foreboding, with undertones of death lurking within the dense woods.
• Stygian: Named after the River Styx in Greek mythology, whiich serves as the boundary between the world of the living and the domaine of the dead.
• Netherwood: Implying a connection to the underworld or the shadowy depths of the forest, where spirits may wander.
• Wraith: A surname associated with ghostly apparitions or specters, hinting at a connection to death and the supernatural.
• Ebonheart: Symbolizing a heart or center of darkness, alluding to the somber aspects of death and mourning.

Each of these death-inspired names is a bearer of history, shadows, and, sometimes, whispers of the ancestors who once bore them.