While some parents might prefer to choose a name with a positive or uplifting meaning, others find beauty in names that evoke a sense of darkness or mystery. After all, fear is a universal human experience, and it can be a powerful and evocative emotion to capture in a name.
In this article, we’ll showcase a variety of names that mean fear and discuss some of the potential benefits and drawbacks of choosing a fear-related name. So if you’re ready to explore the darker side of baby names, let’s dive right in!
Names That Mean Fear for Boys
| Name | Origin | Meaning & Associations |
| Shax | Islamic | This name comes from Islamic folklore and is associated with a demon who is said to cause nightmares and terrifying visions. |
| Dugald | Scottish | “dark stranger” or “fearsome ruler” |
| Kyrios | Greek | This name means “lord” or “master,” and was often used to address powerful or fearsome figures. |
| Morgath | Welsh | This name means “terror” or “horror” and is associated with a legendary Welsh king who was a master of dark magic. |
| Amalek | Hebrew | This Hebrew name means “people who lick blood” and is linked to an ancient enemy of the Jewish people. |
| Kikimora | Slavic | This name means “witch” or “spirit” and is associated with a mischievous creature from Slavic folklore that can cause chaos and mischief if angered. |
| Angra Mainyu | Persian | This name means “destructive spirit” or “fiendish spirit,” and it’s the name of a powerful demon in Zoroastrianism. |
| Balor | Irish | This name means “the deadly one” and is associated with a powerful giant from Irish mythology who had an evil eye that could kill anyone who looked at it. |
| Miedo | Spanish | This name means “fear” in Spanish |
| Ma’awiya | Arabic | This name means “fearful” or “terrifying,” and it’s the name of a historical figure who was known for his military prowess. |
| Neifion | Welsh | This name means “terror” or “dread,” and it’s the name of a Welsh prince who was said to be a fearsome warrior. |
| Eryx | Greek | This name means “terror” and is associated with a mountain in Sicily that was said to be home to the god of terror. |
| Morgoth | Tolkien | This name means “the black foe of the world” and is the name of the main antagonist in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Silmarillion.” |
| Mavuto | African | This name means “trouble” or “fear,” and it’s often used to describe a situation or event that causes distress or anxiety. |
| Ogmios | Celtic | This name means “terrifying” or “dreadful,” and it’s associated with the power of words to inspire fear or awe. In Celtic mythology, Ogmios was a god of eloquence and storytelling. |
| Iku | Japanese | This Japanese name means “fear” or “dread.” |
| Balam | Mayan | This name means “jaguar” or “fear” in Mayan. |
| Bolverk | Norse | This name means “evil worker,” and is the name of a Norse god known for his cunning and deceitful nature. |
| Samael | Hebrew | This name means “venom of God” or “poison of God,” and it’s the name of an archangel in Jewish and Christian traditions. |
| Aamon | Egyptian | This name means “the hidden one” or “the invisible one,” and it’s the name of a demon in Egyptian mythology. |
| Ymir | Norse | This Norse name means “scream” or “howl” and is linked to a giant in Norse mythology who was the first creature to ever exist in the world. |
| Phobos | Greek | In Greek mythology, Phobos was the personification of fear. The name means “fear” or “panic.” |
| Hel | Norse | This name means “hidden” or “concealed,” and it’s the name of the goddess of the underworld in Norse mythology. |
| Thanatos | Greek | This name means “death” and is the name of the Greek god of death. |
| Timor | Latin | This name means “fear” and has roots in ancient Rome. In Roman mythology, Timor was the god of fear. |
Names That Mean Fear for Girls
| Name | Origin | Meaning & Associations |
| Eris | Greek | This name means “strife” or “discord,” and it was the name of the Greek goddess of chaos. |
| Pavora | Latin | This name translates to “fear” or “dread” and comes from the Latin word “pavor” which means “terror.” |
| Helsa | German | This name means “God of the dead” and is often associated with fear and the afterlife. |
| Erytheia | Greek | In Greek mythology, Erytheia was an island associated with fear and danger |
| Hecate | Greek | Hecate was a goddess of witchcraft, magic, and the night who was often associated with fear and terror. |
| Kyana | Japanese | This name means “fearful” or “anxious” and is derived from the Japanese word “kya,” which means “fear.” |
| Akuma | Japanese | This name means “devil” or “demon” and is often used to convey a sense of fear or terror. |
| Trepidia | Latin | This name means “trepidation” or “fear” and is derived from the Latin word “trepidus” which means “alarmed” or “nervous” |
| Aila | Scottish | This name means “from the strong place of fear” |
| Vismaya | Hindi | This name means “fear” or “wonder” and is derived from the Hindi word “vismay,” which means “amazement.” |
| Grima | Old Norse | This name means “mask,” but it can also be translated as “fear” or “horror.” |
| Morrigan | Irish | Morrigan was a goddess of war and death who was often associated with fear and terror. |
| Belladonna | Italian | This name means “beautiful woman,” but it is also the name of a poisonous plant. |
| Baimuratova | Kazakh | derived from the Kazakh word “baimuraty,” which means “to frighten” or “to intimidate.” |
| Wyntir | English | comes from the Old English word “wintan” which means “to be afraid” |
| Amorette | French | “Little love of fear” |
| Onyeka | Igbo | “Who is greater than one’s fears” |
| Lysandra | Greek | Lysandra was woman punished by the gods for her arrogance and fear and changed into a beast. |
| Ligeia | Greek | Ligeia was a siren in Greek mythology who enticed sailors to their doom |
| Deirdre | Irish | Deirdre was a tragic heroine who was said to have died of a broken heart. |
| Tarina | Sanskrit | derived from the Sanskrit word “tara,” which means “fear.” |
| Arika | Japanese | This name means “bright and fearful” and is often given to girls who are born during difficult times. |
| Sable | French | This name means “black” and is often associated with mystery and fear. |
| Teuta | Albanian | This name means “queen,” but can also be translated as “fear” or “terror” |
| Zalma | Hebrew | derived from the Hebrew word “zalmah,” which means “terror” or “panic” |
| Lilith | Hebrew | Lilith was a female demon who was often associated with fear and terror. |
| Conwenna | Cornish | This name means “white terror,” and it comes from the Cornish word “kon,” which means white, and “wenna,” which means terror. |
| Morana | Slavic | Morana was a goddess of winter and death who was often associated with darkness and fear. |
| Mavisa | Indian | “Terror” |
| Keres | Greek | In Greek mythology, the Keres were female spirits of death and doom, and their name means “destruction” or “violent death”. |
Pros and Cons of Naming Your Child after Fear
Pros
Choosing a name that means fear might seem like an unconventional choice for many parents, but there are a few reasons why some might be drawn to this type of name.
For starters, many parents simply find beauty in the darker or more intense emotions. They might appreciate the symbolism and power that a fear-related name can bring, or they might simply enjoy the unique and striking sound of these types of names.
Fear is a complex and multifaceted emotion that alerts us to potential harm and drives us into action. Parents may believe that by giving their child a name that implies fear, they would instill in them virtues such as courage, resilience, and bravery. It also helps foster a deeper sense of self-awareness and encourages reflection on the power of emotions
Cons
Of course, it’s worth noting that there are potential drawbacks to choosing a name that means fear. Some people might find these names too intense or off-putting, and there’s always a risk that a child might feel burdened by a name with such weighty connotations.
Additionally, choosing a name that means fear could attract unwanted attention and potentially lead to teasing. It may also be challenging to spell or pronounce, resulting in uncomfortable exchanges and frustration.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the decision to choose a name that means fear is a personal one that is influenced by a range of factors including cultural background, personal preferences, and family traditions. Nonetheless, for those who are drawn to these types of names, we hope this list of fear-related baby names has inspired you and provided you with some ideas for your own naming journey.
