I once tried to rename myself Nyx Shadowthorn after a single Hot Topic visit in 2008. It didn’t stick—my mom kept calling me “Rachel” and said I looked like I fell in a Sharpie factory. But the vibe? Still with me.
Goth names aren’t just spooky accessories. They’re a whole dang mood. They whisper secrets. They light candles without matches. They probably own at least three velvet cloaks. So whether you’re naming a baby, a D&D character, your cat who only eats at midnight, or yourself in the comments section—this guide’s for you.
Why Goth Names Slap (and Sting a Little)
There’s something about goth names that makes your spine straighten just a little. Maybe it’s the ancient echoes. Maybe it’s the vampire LARP flashbacks. Or maybe—it’s just that they sound cool as hell.
- They stand out. Like, you won’t find five kids named Morgana in a daycare center. Unless that daycare is run by witches. In which case: adopt me?
- They mean something. Often rooted in myth, tragedy, or some old book that smells like mildew and poetry.
- They’re adaptable. For characters, usernames, pets, alter egos, that plant you accidentally keep alive somehow…
Anyway, I went digging for names that feel like fog and candle wax and heartbreak at a masquerade ball. I found 200+. Here are the best of the best.
(P.S. I’ll say goth names 30 times in this article. You know, SEO and all that digital witchcraft.)
Literary Goth Names: Where It All Begins (and Sometimes Ends in a Haunted Abbey)
Some of the best goth names were born in novels where someone definitely dies in a thunderstorm.
Names That Smell Like Old Books
- Lenore – She was loved. She’s dead now. Edgar Allan Poe said so.
- Heathcliff – Screams on moors and poor life choices. Also a cat?
- Drusilla – Sounds like she hexes socks off people. Probably does.
- Victor – Not subtle. Built a guy from corpses. #ScienceFail
These names give big “tragic prom” energy. And honestly? I’m into it.
Mythical, Historical, Slightly Cursed
Back when people believed in dragons and leeches cured sadness (jury’s still out tbh), names meant something. These ones still do.
- Lilith – Adam’s first wife. Got tired of his nonsense and left. Icon.
- Morgana – Sorceress. Sister. Mood.
- Lucien – Technically means “light,” but sounds like he’s plotting under candlelight.
- Vlad – We all know what he did. Sharp teeth. War crimes. Dracula fan club president.
These goth names come with built-in mystery. Like the kind of names that demand thunder when spoken aloud.
Goth Girl Names That Slay (Sometimes Literally)
If you’ve ever wanted a name that sounds like black lace and blood orange perfume, hi. Welcome.
The Elegantly Doomed
- Seraphina – Fancy. Could bless you or burn you. No way to know.
- Isolde – Tragic love story. Harp music. Probably owns a dagger.
- Ophelia – Drowned in a poem and still a vibe.
- Nyx – Night incarnate. Also my failed gamer tag in 2013.
The Soft-Goth Baddies
- Elvira – Wig game strong.
- Belladonna – Pretty. Poisonous. Like every goth I’ve dated.
- Ravenna – Queen energy. Probably owns ravens.
- Sable – Lux and lethal.
I tried naming my fish Belladonna once. She floated belly-up in three days. Too powerful, maybe.
Goth Boy Names with Brooding Energy
Guys, these names are wearing a leather trench coat in July levels of committed.
The Walking Novels
- Damien – Feels like he knows Latin. Might summon stuff for fun.
- Lucifer – Risky pick. But also… kinda hot?
- Dorian – Never ages. Keeps secrets in the attic.
- Orpheus – Went to hell for love. Forgot to read the fine print.
The Poetic Bruisers
- Alaric
- Thorne
- Ash
- Crowley – Aleister, not Supernatural. Or both.
These goth names don’t ask for attention. They command it. With eyeliner and a slow turn.
Gender-Neutral Goth Names: Because Darkness is for Everyone
Look, not every name needs a bowtie or lipstick. Sometimes you just want something that feels like staring at the moon from a fire escape. Enter the neutrals.
- Echo – Named after a voice. Lonely but dramatic.
- Salem – Obvious? Yes. Still works? Absolutely.
- Storm – Loud. Chaotic. Me during every Mercury retrograde.
- Onyx – Gemstone. Also a great name for a stubborn cat or chaotic toddler.
These goth names say “don’t label me unless it’s with a haunted font.”
For Fictional Characters, RPGs, and That One OC You Never Let Go
You know who you are. You still have that binder. The lore. The fanart.
Goth Names for When You Need Vibes, Not Logic
- Zephyra – Wind witch. Probably glows slightly.
- Nocturne – Heavily armed bard or moon-obsessed assassin.
- Alistair – Gentleman. Will duel you for fun.
- Morwen – Old soul. Has a potion for everything.
I named my Skyrim horse Vesper. He died tragically. I logged off for a week.
Pet Goth Names for Familiars, Real or Imagined
Your cat deserves a spooky name. Or your gecko. Or your sourdough starter. (RIP Gary, 2020–2020.)
- Bram – Short for Stoker. Or Bramwell. Or “Bram, get off the bookshelf.”
- Hex – It’s short and it slaps.
- Vesper – Latin for evening. Elegant napper.
- Crimson – For the pet that bites.
- Luna – Basic? Yes. Timeless? Also yes.
- Mordecai – Biblical and broody.
- Ember – Small but burns.
I tried yelling “Hex, NO!” at my cat once. The neighbors still look nervous.
How to Actually Pick a Goth Name Without Spiraling
Here’s the messy truth: choosing from 5,000 goth names can turn your brain to mush. So here’s how I survived it:
- Meaning Matters. Like, don’t pick Lucifer if your mom still prays over your dinner.
- Sound it out. Some names look cooler than they sound. “Astaroth” sounds like a throat disease.
- Make it Yours. If it doesn’t feel like you, chuck it.
- Don’t be a jerk. Some names are sacred to cultures that ain’t yours. Google before you regret.
Also: yell it out loud. In the shower. At your plants. See what sticks.
The Language Game: Where These Names Come From
Most goth names aren’t just made-up vibes. They come from real old languages that survived plagues and poetry.
- Latin/Greek: Think Persephone, Orion, Cassius. Dramatic and eternal.
- Celtic: Bronwen, Rowan, Ciaran. Feels like moss and fairy wars.
- Norse: Astrid, Sigurd, Loki. Ice, fire, runes.
- Slavic: Viktor, Milena, Ivana. Harsh and haunting.
Fun fact: The Victorians thought talking to ferns kept you sane. I talk to my begonias now. Just in case.
Pop Culture Goths: Thank You, Tim Burton
Where would we be without TV and movies giving us permission to name ourselves after emotional damage?
- Morticia, Wednesday, Gomez – The Addams Family, aka goth royalty.
- Drusilla, Angel, Spike – Buffy taught me everything about love and stakes.
- Morpheus, Delirium – The Sandman made me want to wear boots in summer.
- Damon, Rosalie, Stefan – Twilight & Vampire Diaries made these names hot. And angsty.
Real talk: I tried going by “Wednesday” in college. It lasted 12 hours and one failed group project.
Make Your Own Name—Witchcraft 101
Sometimes, the perfect goth name doesn’t exist. So you make it. Here’s how I do it:
- Mash stuff together: Raven + Ella = Ravella.
- Add drama endings: -wyn, -riel, -thorne. Just sprinkle and stir.
- Google Old Norse dictionaries: But don’t name yourself Björkthulhu unless you mean it.
Or steal from a dream. I once dreamed I named my alter ego Thistlegrave. Still not sure if that was genius or indigestion.
