25 Names With Surprisingly Dark Meanings

Originally a Scottish Gaelic term, “Douglas” formed from dubh glas. Translated to “black water,” “black river,” or “dark stream,” the phrase was commonly used to describe murky, muddy, untrustworthy bodies of water holding secret mysteries in their depths. 

Several translations exist for the name “Mallory,” and none sound very pleasant. Stemming from the Old French word malheure, the popular name means “ill-omened,” “unfortunate,” “unlucky,” or “unhappy.”

Originally spelled as “Braonáin,” the name “Brennan” has Irish Gaelic roots. Parents hoping their child's name will help mold their life should be wary of choosing this option, as it means “sorrow” or “teardrop.”

In the early 12th century, the Normans brought “Melville” to Scotland, where it made its transition to the first name of “Melvin.” Melville's origin stemmed from a town called Malleville in Northern France, which literally translates to “bad town.” The people living there suffered the fate of their namesake when the land proved infertile for farming. 

While “Mara” is the Gaelic word for “sea,” the name also has much darker interpretations. In Hindu tradition, Mara is the goddess of, among other things, death, destruction, and winter. The Hebrew translation also leans toward the dark side, with a meaning of “bitter” or “sorrow.”

“Molly” has held a place in the top 500 girl names in the US since 1880, with recent peaks in 1991 and 2011. While name charts prove its popularity, it originates from a Hebrew term that translates to “bitter.”