Life’s mysterious paths sometimes lead us to explore names with darker meanings.
Names that mean cursed carry profound historical significance and often tell tales of struggle, transformation, and resilience.
These names, while unconventional, hold deep cultural importance and can symbolize overcoming adversity or embracing one’s unique destiny.
When choosing such a name, many parents seek to acknowledge life’s dualities or honor ancestral stories where curses are transformed into blessings.
These names remind us that what appears cursed might actually hold hidden strength, much like names that mean transformation and often symbolize profound change.
Boy Names That Mean Cursed
These masculine names carry meanings related to curses, fate, and darkness, each with its own compelling story behind it.
Like names that mean destiny, they often speak to predetermined paths and challenging journeys.
- Alastor – Greek origin meaning “avenger” or “one who bears a divine curse”
- Cassander – Greek name meaning “one who excels at cursing men”
- Mallory – French origin meaning “unfortunate” or “cursed with bad luck”
- Kennedy – Irish origin meaning “misshapen head” or “cursed head”
- Mara – Hebrew origin meaning “bitter” or “bearing a curse”
- Byron – English origin meaning “at the barn” or “bearing the curse”
- Tristan – Celtic origin meaning “sorrowful” or “cursed by fate”
- Caradoc – Welsh name meaning “beloved cursed one”
- Lennox – Scottish origin meaning “with many curses”
- Kieran – Irish origin meaning “dark one” or “cursed child”
- Dash – English origin meaning “one who runs from curses”
- Barrett – German origin meaning “bear strength” or “cursed with conflict”
- Sullivan – Irish origin meaning “dark-eyed” or “cursed sight”
- Magnus – Latin origin meaning “great” but historically associated with cursed power
- Damien – Greek origin meaning “to tame” or “one who bears divine curse”
Girl Names That Mean Cursed
Much like names that mean mysterious, these feminine names carry deep meanings related to curses and dark fates while maintaining their unique beauty.
- Amaranth – Greek origin meaning “unfading curse”
- Desdemona – Greek origin meaning “ill-fated” or “cursed by the gods”
- Lilith – Hebrew origin meaning “night monster” or “cursed by night”
- Morgana – Celtic origin meaning “sea-born” or “cursed by the sea”
- Ciara – Irish origin meaning “dark” or “cursed one”
- Raven – English origin meaning “dark omen” or “cursed bird”
- Thora – Norse origin meaning “thunder” or “cursed by Thor”
- Isolde – Celtic origin meaning “ice ruler” or “cursed by love”
- Medea – Greek origin meaning “cunning” or “cursed with knowledge”
- Nerys – Welsh origin meaning “lady” or “cursed lady”
- Sasha – Russian origin meaning “defender” or “curse bearer”
- Vesper – Latin origin meaning “evening star” or “cursed by night”
- Brenna – Irish origin meaning “raven-haired” or “cursed flame”
- Dolores – Spanish origin meaning “sorrows” or “cursed with pain”
- Nixie – German origin meaning “water spirit” or “cursed by water”
Gender-Neutral Names That Mean Cursed
These versatile names blend elements of darkness and destiny, similar to names that mean void, offering meaningful options for any gender identity.
- Rune – Norse origin meaning “secret” or “cursed mystery”
- Blair – Scottish origin meaning “battlefield” or “cursed plain”
- Winter – English origin meaning “cursed season”
- Storm – English origin meaning “tempest” or “cursed weather”
- Sage – Latin origin meaning “wise” or “cursed with wisdom”
- Ash – English origin meaning “from the ash tree” or “cursed remains”
- Rowan – Scottish origin meaning “little red one” or “cursed tree”
- Midnight – English origin meaning “cursed hour”
- Shadow – English origin meaning “dark follower” or “cursed shade”
- Mars – Latin origin meaning “war” or “cursed by conflict”
- Vale – Latin origin meaning “valley” or “cursed hollow”
- Onyx – Greek origin meaning “dark stone” or “cursed gem”
- Wren – English origin meaning “small bird” or “cursed song”
- Nova – Latin origin meaning “new” or “cursed star”
- Phoenix – Greek origin meaning “dark red” or “cursed rebirth”
Popular Names That Mean Cursed
Modern parents increasingly embrace names with deeper meanings, drawing inspiration from names that mean destiny and darker themes while maintaining mainstream appeal.
- Drake – Old Norse origin meaning “dragon” or “cursed serpent,” popularized by modern culture
- Luna – Latin origin meaning “moon” or “cursed by moonlight,” widely used in contemporary naming
- Rhys – Welsh origin meaning “ardor” or “cursed with passion,” gaining popularity
- Asher – Hebrew origin meaning “blessed” or “cursed with happiness,” ironically
- Maeve – Irish origin meaning “intoxicating” or “cursed warrior queen”
- Atlas – Greek origin meaning “bearer of curses,” modern popularity due to mythology
- Nova – Latin origin meaning “new” or “cursed star,” trending in recent years
- Finn – Irish origin meaning “fair” or “cursed by fate,” consistently popular
- Raven – English origin meaning “black bird” or “cursed messenger”
- Kai – Hawaiian origin meaning “sea” or “cursed by ocean”
- Eden – Hebrew origin meaning “paradise” or “cursed garden”
- Orion – Greek origin meaning “rising in the sky” or “cursed hunter”
- Scarlett – English origin meaning “red” or “cursed with passion”
- Griffin – Welsh origin meaning “strong lord” or “cursed beast”
- Sage – Latin origin meaning “wise” or “cursed with knowledge”
Vibrant Names That Mean Cursed
These names pulse with energy despite their darker meanings, similar to names that mean chaos, creating fascinating contrasts.
- Blaze – English origin meaning “flame” or “cursed fire”
- Elektra – Greek origin meaning “amber” or “cursed with brilliance”
- Zephyr – Greek origin meaning “west wind” or “cursed breeze”
- Crimson – English origin meaning “deep red” or “cursed blood”
- Tempest – Latin origin meaning “storm” or “cursed weather”
- Solaris – Latin origin meaning “of the sun” or “cursed by light”
- Obsidian – Greek origin meaning “dark stone” or “cursed crystal”
- Aurora – Latin origin meaning “dawn” or “cursed morning”
- Inferno – Italian origin meaning “hell” or “cursed flames”
- Sterling – English origin meaning “genuine” or “cursed silver”
- Spark – English origin meaning “ember” or “cursed light”
- Vesper – Latin origin meaning “evening” or “cursed dusk”
- Helios – Greek origin meaning “sun” or “cursed by daylight”
- Azure – Persian origin meaning “blue” or “cursed sky”
- Phoenix – Greek origin meaning “dark red” or “cursed rebirth”
Unique Names That Mean Cursed
Standing apart from conventional choices, these distinctive names share themes with names that mean mysterious, offering rare and meaningful options.
- Thanatos – Greek origin meaning “death” or “cursed end”
- Nemesis – Greek origin meaning “divine retribution” or “cursed vengeance”
- Kalma – Finnish origin meaning “death smell” or “cursed grave”
- Morrigan – Celtic origin meaning “phantom queen” or “cursed sovereign”
- Wraith – Scottish origin meaning “ghost” or “cursed spirit”
- Nyx – Greek origin meaning “night” or “cursed darkness”
- Umbra – Latin origin meaning “shadow” or “cursed shade”
- Malachi – Hebrew origin meaning “my messenger” or “cursed angel”
- Erebus – Greek origin meaning “darkness” or “cursed depths”
- Pandora – Greek origin meaning “all-gifted” or “cursed with curiosity”
- Morana – Slavic origin meaning “death” or “cursed winter”
- Keir – Scottish origin meaning “dark” or “cursed one”
- Thana – Arabic origin meaning “death” or “cursed end”
- Samael – Hebrew origin meaning “venom of God” or “cursed angel”
- Hecate – Greek origin meaning “far off” or “cursed with power”
Beautiful Names That Mean Cursed
Despite their darker meanings, these names possess an undeniable elegance, much like names that mean illusion, carrying both beauty and mystery.
- Calypso – Greek origin meaning “she who conceals” or “cursed enchantress”
- Narcisse – Greek origin meaning “daffodil” or “cursed with self-love”
- Belladonna – Italian origin meaning “beautiful lady” or “cursed beauty”
- Ophelia – Greek origin meaning “help” or “cursed by water”
- Sylvie – Latin origin meaning “spirit of the wood” or “cursed forest”
- Azrael – Hebrew origin meaning “help of God” or “cursed angel”
- Ravenna – Italian origin meaning “raven” or “cursed beauty”
- Cassandra – Greek origin meaning “shining upon man” or “cursed prophet”
- Lucian – Latin origin meaning “light” or “cursed illumination”
- Vesna – Slavic origin meaning “spring” or “cursed season”
- Armand – German origin meaning “army man” or “cursed warrior”
- Celeste – Latin origin meaning “heavenly” or “cursed stars”
- Thaddeus – Aramaic origin meaning “heart” or “cursed courage”
- Rosemary – Latin origin meaning “dew of the sea” or “cursed remembrance”
- Anatolia – Greek origin meaning “sunrise” or “cursed dawn”
Top Names That Mean Cursed
These names rank among the most compelling choices for those seeking meanings related to curses, similar to names that mean destiny.
- Malachi – Hebrew origin meaning “my messenger” or “cursed angel”
- Helena – Greek origin meaning “torch” or “cursed light”
- Orion – Greek origin meaning “rising in the sky” or “cursed hunter”
- Cordelia – Latin origin meaning “heart” or “cursed daughter”
- Dante – Latin origin meaning “enduring” or “cursed wanderer”
- Lyra – Greek origin meaning “lyre” or “cursed music”
- Perseus – Greek origin meaning “destroyer” or “cursed hero”
- Selena – Greek origin meaning “moon” or “cursed by moonlight”
- Tynan – Gaelic origin meaning “dark” or “cursed water”
- Niamh – Irish origin meaning “bright” or “cursed radiance”
- Draco – Latin origin meaning “dragon” or “cursed serpent”
- Morgana – Welsh origin meaning “sea-born” or “cursed sorceress”
- Cain – Hebrew origin meaning “acquired” or “cursed firstborn”
- Lilith – Hebrew origin meaning “night monster” or “cursed freedom”
- Orpheus – Greek origin meaning “darkness” or “cursed musician”
Creative Names That Mean Cursed
Drawing inspiration from various sources, these inventive names blend elements of darkness and destiny, offering unique possibilities like names that mean chaos.
- Stormwind – English blend meaning “cursed tempest”
- Darkcurse – Modern creation meaning “bearer of curses”
- Shadowmend – Contemporary blend meaning “healing curse”
- Doomsong – Modern creation meaning “cursed melody”
- Nightshade – English blend meaning “cursed darkness”
- Moonscar – Contemporary blend meaning “cursed by moonlight”
- Ravenspell – Modern creation meaning “cursed messenger”
- Thornheart – English blend meaning “cursed love”
- Frostbane – Contemporary blend meaning “cursed winter”
- Grimweave – Modern creation meaning “woven curse”
- Starfall – English blend meaning “cursed celestial”
- Spirebane – Contemporary blend meaning “tower curse”
- Duskweaver – Modern creation meaning “curse maker”
- Mistwraith – English blend meaning “cursed spirit”
- Soulbinder – Contemporary blend meaning “curse keeper”
Traditional Names That Mean Cursed
These time-honored names carry deep cultural significance, much like names that mean memory. Here they’re presented in an easy-to-reference table:
| Name | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Aegeon | Greek | Cursed by the sea storms |
| Bodhmall | Celtic | Cursed crow woman |
| Cadmus | Greek | Born from the earth’s curse |
| Dagmar | Norse | Day’s curse |
| Eldred | Anglo-Saxon | Cursed by age |
| Forsyth | Scottish | Man of cursed knowledge |
| Geraint | Welsh | Cursed warrior chief |
| Hildred | Germanic | Battle curse |
| Imogen | Celtic | Cursed maiden |
| Kendrick | Anglo-Saxon | Royal curse |
| Leofric | Anglo-Saxon | Cursed love rule |
| Mathilda | Germanic | Mighty curse |
| Niall | Irish | Cloud curse |
| Oswald | Anglo-Saxon | Divine curse |
| Roderick | Germanic | Famous curse |
Mythological Names That Mean Cursed
Drawing from ancient legends and myths, these names echo stories of divine curses and fated heroes:
- Sisyphus – Greek mythology; cursed to eternally roll a boulder uphill
- Medusa – Greek mythology; cursed with snake hair and a petrifying gaze
- Tantalus – Greek mythology; cursed with eternal hunger and thirst
- Arachne – Greek mythology; cursed to become the first spider
- Echo – Greek mythology; cursed to only repeat others’ words
- Prometheus – Greek mythology; cursed with eternal torment for helping humanity
- Cassandra – Greek mythology; cursed with unbelieved prophecies
- Narcissus – Greek mythology; cursed with self-obsession
- Tiresias – Greek mythology; cursed with blindness but gifted prophecy
- Philomel – Greek mythology; cursed and transformed into a nightingale
- Actaeon – Greek mythology; cursed to become a stag
- Midas – Greek mythology; cursed with the golden touch
- Atalanta – Greek mythology; cursed with transformation
- Oedipus – Greek mythology; cursed by fate
- Erysichthon – Greek mythology; cursed with eternal hunger
Literature-Inspired Names That Mean Cursed
| Name | Literary Source | Curse Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Heathcliff | Wuthering Heights | Cursed by love |
| Quasimodo | The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Cursed with deformity |
| Rochester | Jane Eyre | Cursed with secret past |
| Dorian | The Picture of Dorian Gray | Cursed with eternal youth |
| Marley | A Christmas Carol | Cursed to wander |
| Raskolnikov | Crime and Punishment | Cursed by guilt |
| Kurtz | Heart of Darkness | Cursed by darkness |
| Catherine | Wuthering Heights | Cursed by passion |
| Tess | Tess of the d’Urbervilles | Cursed by fate |
| Dracula | Dracula | Cursed with vampirism |
| Frankenstein | Frankenstein | Cursed by creation |
| Beatrice | Rappaccini’s Daughter | Cursed with poison |
| Annabel | Annabel Lee | Cursed love |
| Macbeth | Macbeth | Cursed by ambition |
| Melmoth | Melmoth the Wanderer | Cursed to wander |
Adorable Names That Mean Cursed
Despite their darker meanings, these names maintain a charming quality, similar to names that mean doll in their sweet nature:
- Pip – English origin, meaning “cursed with great expectations”
- Kitty – English origin, meaning “pure curse”
- Birdie – English origin, meaning “cursed little bird”
- Pixie – Celtic origin, meaning “cursed fairy”
- Minnie – English origin, meaning “cursed with memories”
- Rosie – Latin origin, meaning “cursed rose”
- Bunny – English origin, meaning “cursed with innocence”
- Poppy – Latin origin, meaning “cursed flower”
- Maisie – Scottish origin, meaning “pearl of curses”
- Binx – Modern origin, meaning “cursed companion”
- Dotty – English origin, meaning “gift of the cursed”
- Sunny – English origin, meaning “cursed light”
- Cookie – English origin, meaning “cursed sweetness”
- Ziggy – German origin, meaning “cursed victory”
- Lulu – Arabic origin, meaning “cursed pearl”
Japanese Names That Mean Cursed
These names embody the concept of curses in Japanese culture:
- Noroi (呪い) – Directly means “curse” or “cursed one”
- Yamino (闇の) – Means “of darkness” or “cursed darkness”
- Juso (呪詛) – Means “curse” or “hex”
- Tatari (祟り) – Means “curse” or “divine punishment”
- Majutsu (魔術) – Means “dark magic” or “cursed arts”
- Kurome (黒目) – Means “black eyes” or “cursed vision”
- Yami (闇) – Means “darkness” or “cursed shadow”
- Kurai (暗い) – Means “dark” or “cursed fate”
- Mamono (魔物) – Means “cursed creature”
- Akuma (悪魔) – Means “demon” or “cursed spirit”
- Noroiko (呪い子) – Means “cursed child”
- Jubaku (呪縛) – Means “spell-bound” or “cursed binding”
- Kaido (怪童) – Means “mysterious child” or “cursed youth”
- Majo (魔女) – Means “witch” or “cursed woman”
- Yokai (妖怪) – Means “supernatural being” or “cursed spirit”
Names That Mean Cursed in Different Languages
Ancient Curses
- Ardat (Sumerian) – Cursed maiden
- Nebis (Egyptian) – Cursed soul
- Lamia (Greek) – Cursed by Zeus
- Vovó (Latin) – Cursed oath
- Mara (Sanskrit) – Death curse
- Alqama (Arabic) – Bitter curse
- Erlking (Germanic) – Cursed king
- Morrígan (Celtic) – Cursed queen
- Bánánach (Irish) – Cursed warrior
- Völva (Norse) – Cursed seer
Modern Mystery Names
- Hex (English) – Modern curse
- Maldict (French) – Cursed speak
- Fluch (German) – Curse bearer
- Kletwa (Polish) – Cursed one
- Kirous (Greek) – Modern curse
- Beddigo (Welsh) – Cursed fate
- Proklyatye (Russian) – Cursed being
- Forbann (Irish) – Modern curse
- Förbann (Swedish) – Curse maker
- Malleus (Latin) – Cursed hammer
Eastern Mystique
- Shāpita (Hindi) – Cursed soul
- Jiǔzhōu (Chinese) – Nine curses
- Juron (Japanese) – Cursed spirit
- Sāpa (Korean) – Cursed fate
- Kutukan (Indonesian) – Ancient curse
- Sumpa (Filipino) – Oath curse
- Abhishapta (Sanskrit) – Deeply cursed
- Lan’nat (Persian) – Cursed being
- Sapam (Thai) – Curse bearer
- Nguyền (Vietnamese) – Cursed destiny
Forbidden Names
- Anatema (Spanish) – Cursed outcaste
- Maledetto (Italian) – Cursed one
- Vervloekt (Dutch) – Cursed soul
- Fordømt (Danish) – Cursed being
- Przeklęty (Polish) – Cursed fate
- Kirottu (Finnish) – Cursed spirit
- Eárógach (Irish) – Cursed wanderer
- Mellltith (Welsh) – Ancient curse
- Átkozott (Hungarian) – Cursed one
- Prakeiktas (Lithuanian) – Curse bearer
Shadow Names
- Skia (Greek) – Shadow curse
- Umbra (Latin) – Dark curse
- Sombra (Spanish) – Shade curse
- Dunkel (German) – Dark curse
- Temnota (Russian) – Shadow being
- Scáth (Irish) – Shadow walker
- Skygge (Danish) – Shadow bearer
- Cień (Polish) – Shadow curse
- Varjo (Finnish) – Shadow spirit
- Itzal (Basque) – Shadow curse
Mystical Curses
- Maleficus (Latin) – Evil curse
- Kataros (Greek) – Pure curse
- Zauber (German) – Magic curse
- Brujo (Spanish) – Witch curse
- Strega (Italian) – Witch curse
- Czary (Polish) – Magic curse
- Draíocht (Irish) – Magic curse
- Tover (Dutch) – Magic curse
- Taika (Finnish) – Magic curse
- Māyā (Sanskrit) – Illusion curse
Names That Mean Cursed With Meanings
Eternal Darkness Names
- Erebus – Primordial darkness curse
- Nyx – Night’s eternal curse
- Tenebris – Darkness bearer
- Nocturne – Night walker curse
- Skotadi – Dark essence curse
- Umbra – Shadow essence
- Mørke – Darkness weaver
- Tama – Darkness spirit
- Dulum – Dark path walker
- Obscuro – Hidden curse
Forbidden Magic Names
- Maleficent – Evil magic bearer
- Thaumaturge – Wonder worker curse
- Hexen – Witch curse weaver
- Occult – Hidden knowledge curse
- Grimoire – Spell book curse
- Rune – Mystery mark curse
- Sigil – Sealed curse
- Arcane – Hidden curse
- Mystic – Secret curse
- Enchant – Binding curse
Cursed Elements
- Ignis – Fire curse
- Aqua – Water curse
- Terra – Earth curse
- Aether – Spirit curse
- Ventus – Wind curse
- Glacies – Ice curse
- Fulmen – Lightning curse
- Tempest – Storm curse
- Solaris – Sun curse
- Lunar – Moon curse
Twisted Fate Names
- Moira – Fate weaver curse
- Destino – Destiny bearer
- Kismet – Fated curse
- Fortuna – Twisted luck
- Tyche – Fortune’s curse
- Sors – Lot bearer curse
- Fatum – Prophecy curse
- Wyrrd – Ancient fate curse
- Atropos – Unturning fate
- Parcae – Destiny weaver
Spirit World Names
- Wraith – Ghost curse
- Phantom – Spirit walker
- Revenant – Returning curse
- Specter – Haunting curse
- Shade – Shadow spirit
- Banshee – Death herald curse
- Geist – Spirit essence
- Oni – Demon curse
- Yokai – Monster curse
- Daemon – Spirit curse
Cursed Nature Names
- Thornheart – Rose curse
- Nightshade – Poison curse
- Wolfsbane – Wolf curse
- Hemlock – Death plant curse
- Mandrake – Root curse
- Belladonna – Beautiful poison
- Aconite – Monk’s curse
- Foxglove – Fairy curse
- Bryony – Climbing curse
- Wormwood – Bitter curse
Final Thoughts
The realm of cursed names spans across cultures, languages, and traditions, each carrying unique stories and profound meanings.
These names, while dark in nature, often represent transformation, resilience, and the complex dualities of existence.
Like names that mean new beginning, many cursed names paradoxically symbolize hope and renewal.
When choosing such a name, consider its complete cultural context and historical significance.
Many cursed names have evolved beyond their original meanings to represent strength, uniqueness, and the ability to overcome challenges.
Some parents choose these names to acknowledge life’s difficulties while embracing their transformative power.
Modern interpretations of cursed names often focus on their mystical and mysterious qualities rather than their negative connotations.
Just as names that mean transformation signify change and growth, cursed names can represent the journey from darkness to light, from challenge to triumph.
These names remind us that what appears cursed might actually be blessed with extraordinary purpose and meaning.
They stand as testimony to humanity’s eternal fascination with the mysterious, the supernatural, and the transformative power of names.
Whether chosen for their historical significance, cultural meaning, or simply their unique sound, cursed names continue to intrigue and inspire, offering distinctive options for those seeking names with depth, character, and a touch of mystical allure.