Discover 117 Names That Mean Fear for Boys and Girls

Choosing the perfect name for your child is an exciting journey, and names that mean fear can add a unique and powerful touch. These names, steeped in myth and culture, symbolize strength, mystery, and depth.

Whether you’re drawn to the dark allure of ancient legends or the intriguing meanings behind these names, there’s something captivating about them. Explore our list of names that mean fear to find the perfect one that resonates with your child’s unique personality and spirit.

Names That Mean Fear for Girls

1. Lilith

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Night monster or ghost
  • Description: In Jewish folklore, Lilith is a demon who preys on pregnant women and infants, symbolizing fear and darkness.

2. Mara

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Bitter
  • Description: In Scandinavian folklore, Mara is a spirit that causes nightmares, symbolizing fear during sleep.

3. Hecate

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Far-reaching
  • Description: The Greek goddess of witchcraft, magic, and ghosts, Hecate is associated with fear of the unknown and the supernatural.

4. Melaina

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Dark, black
  • Description: In Greek mythology, Melaina is a nymph with a name that symbolizes darkness and the fear associated with it.

5. Keres

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Death spirits
  • Description: In Greek mythology, Keres are female spirits of violent death, embodying fear and doom.

6. Lamia

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Vampire
  • Description: A mythological monster who preys on children, symbolizing fear and horror.

7. Nerina

• • Origin: Italian
  • Meaning: Sea nymph
  • Description: Associated with the dark and mysterious depths of the sea, symbolizing hidden fears.

8. Thana

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Death
  • Description: Derived from Thanatos, the Greek personification of death, symbolizing fear of the end.

9. Bellona

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: War goddess
  • Description: Roman goddess of war, symbolizing the fear and chaos of battle.

10. Desdemona

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Ill-fated
  • Description: Made famous by Shakespeare’s “Othello,” symbolizing fear of tragic destiny.

11. Morticia

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Death
  • Description: Popularized by “The Addams Family,” symbolizing a gothic and eerie sense of fear.

12. Drusilla

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Dewy-eyed
  • Description: Often associated with vampires and dark characters, symbolizing a mysterious fear.

13. Morta

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Fate
  • Description: One of the Roman Fates, associated with the fear of destiny and death.

14. Kali

• • Origin: Sanskrit
  • Meaning: Black
  • Description: Hindu goddess of destruction and time, embodying fearsome power and change.

15. Medea

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: To think, to plan
  • Description: A sorceress in Greek mythology known for her vengeful nature, symbolizing fear and retribution.

16. Morana

• • Origin: Slavic
  • Meaning: Death
  • Description: Slavic goddess of death and winter, symbolizing the fear of the cold and end.

17. Circe

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Bird
  • Description: A sorceress in Greek mythology who turns men into animals, symbolizing fear of transformation.

18. Ereshkigal

• • Origin: Sumerian
  • Meaning: Lady of the great earth
  • Description: Goddess of the underworld in Mesopotamian mythology, embodying fear of the afterlife.

19. Jezebel

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Not exalted
  • Description: A queen in the Bible known for her wickedness, symbolizing fear of betrayal and evil.

20. Nyx

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Night
  • Description: Greek goddess of the night, symbolizing fear of darkness.

21. Pandora

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: All-gifted
  • Description: The mythological figure who opened a box releasing all evils into the world, symbolizing fear of the unknown.

22. Persephone

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Bringer of destruction
  • Description: Queen of the underworld, symbolizing fear of death and rebirth.

23. Samara

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Guarded by God
  • Description: Popularized by the horror film “The Ring,” symbolizing an eerie sense of fear.

24. Lilitu

• • Origin: Akkadian
  • Meaning: Of the night
  • Description: A demoness in Mesopotamian mythology, symbolizing night terrors and fear.

25. Ammit

• • Origin: Egyptian
  • Meaning: Devourer of the dead
  • Description: A demoness in Egyptian mythology who consumes the hearts of the wicked, symbolizing fear of judgment.

26. Medusa

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Guardian
  • Description: A gorgon whose gaze turns people to stone, symbolizing paralyzing fear.

27. Chandra

• • Origin: Sanskrit
  • Meaning: Moon
  • Description: Often associated with the moon and its eerie glow, symbolizing fear of the night.

28. Gorgon

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Terrible
  • Description: Mythical creatures with hair of living snakes, symbolizing terror and fear.

29. Electra

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Shining
  • Description: Known from the Electra complex in psychology, symbolizing complex fears.

30. Nimue

• • Origin: Welsh
  • Meaning: Lady of the lake
  • Description: A mystical figure in Arthurian legend, symbolizing fear of the unknown.

31. Stheno

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Strong
  • Description: One of the Gorgons, symbolizing monstrous fear.

32. Akeldama

• • Origin: Aramaic
  • Meaning: Field of blood
  • Description: Symbolizing a place of horror and fear.

33. Ligeia

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Clear-voiced
  • Description: One of the sirens, symbolizing fear through enchantment and danger.

34. Ulalume

• • Origin: Literary
  • Meaning: Derived from Edgar Allan Poe’s poem
  • Description: Symbolizing an eerie and haunting sense of fear.

35. Charna

• • Origin: Slavic
  • Meaning: Black
  • Description: Symbolizing darkness and the fear associated with it.

36. Onyx

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Claw or fingernail
  • Description: A dark gemstone, symbolizing protection and fear.

37. Ravenna

• • Origin: Italian
  • Meaning: Raven
  • Description: Associated with the dark bird, symbolizing fear and mystery.

38. Carmilla

• • Origin: Literary
  • Meaning: Derived from Sheridan Le Fanu’s novel
  • Description: A vampire character, symbolizing fear and allure.

39. Zephyra

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: West wind
  • Description: Often associated with stormy weather, symbolizing fear and change.

40. Morwenna

• • Origin: Welsh
  • Meaning: Waves of the sea
  • Description: Associated with the powerful and sometimes fearful nature of the sea.

Names That Mean Fear for Boys

1. Draven

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Hunter
  • Description: Modern name often associated with dark, edgy characters, symbolizing fear.

2. Ciaran

• • Origin: Irish
  • Meaning: Little dark one
  • Description: Symbolizes darkness and the fears associated with it.

3. Bram

• • Origin: Dutch
  • Meaning: Father of a multitude
  • Description: Associated with Bram Stoker, author of “Dracula,” symbolizing horror and fear.

4. Zepar

• • Origin: Demonology
  • Meaning: Demon of war
  • Description: Symbolizes fear through his associations with conflict and strife.

5. Thanatos

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Death
  • Description: Personification of death in Greek mythology, symbolizing fear of the end.

6. Moros

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Doom
  • Description: Personification of impending doom in Greek mythology, symbolizing inevitable fear.

7. Azrael

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Help of God
  • Description: Angel of death in various religious texts, symbolizing fear and the afterlife.

8. Zillah

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Shadow
  • Description: Symbolizes the fear of darkness and the unknown.

9. Alastor

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Avenger
  • Description: In Greek mythology, associated with vengeful spirits, symbolizing fear of retribution.

10. Balor

• • Origin: Irish
  • Meaning: The deadly one
  • Description: A giant in Irish mythology with a destructive gaze, symbolizing fear.

11. Charon

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Of keen gaze
  • Description: Ferryman of the dead in Greek mythology, symbolizing fear of the underworld.

12. Damian

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: To tame
  • Description: Often associated with the devil, especially through the film “The Omen,” symbolizing fear.

13. Hades

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Unseen
  • Description: God of the underworld, symbolizing fear of death and the afterlife.

14. Loki

• • Origin: Norse
  • Meaning: Trickster god
  • Description: Known for his mischief and chaos, symbolizing unpredictable fear.

15. Lucifer

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Light-bringer
  • Description: Name often associated with the devil, symbolizing fear and rebellion.

16. Moloch

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: King
  • Description: Ancient deity associated with child sacrifice, symbolizing fear and dread.

17. Orpheus

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Darkness of night
  • Description: A tragic figure in mythology who ventured into the underworld, symbolizing fear of loss.

18. Samael

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Venom of God
  • Description: Angel of death in Jewish lore, symbolizing fear and destruction.

19. Tarquin

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Of the Tarquin kings
  • Description: Associated with tyrannical rulers, symbolizing fear and oppression.

20. Vlad

• • Origin: Slavic
  • Meaning: Ruler
  • Description: Associated with Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula, symbolizing fear.

21. Zagan

• • Origin: Demonology
  • Meaning: Demon king
  • Description: Associated with transformation and deceit, symbolizing fear.

22. Abaddon

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Destruction
  • Description: An angel of the abyss in the Bible, symbolizing fear and chaos.

23. Ahriman

• • Origin: Persian
  • Meaning: Evil spirit
  • Description: Spirit of darkness and destruction in Zoroastrianism, symbolizing fear.

24. Apollyon

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Destroyer
  • Description: A biblical angel of the bottomless pit, symbolizing fear and ruin.

25. Cerberus

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Demon of the pit
  • Description: Three-headed dog guarding the underworld, symbolizing fear and protection.

26. Erebus

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Darkness
  • Description: Primordial deity of darkness, symbolizing fear of the unknown.

27. Fenrir

• • Origin: Norse
  • Meaning: Fen-dweller
  • Description: A monstrous wolf in Norse mythology, symbolizing fear and chaos.

28. Grendel

• • Origin: Old English
  • Meaning: Unknown
  • Description: A monstrous creature in “Beowulf,” symbolizing fear and terror.

29. Jormungand

• • Origin: Norse
  • Meaning: Giant serpent
  • Description: The world serpent in Norse mythology, symbolizing fear and destruction.

30. Judas

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Praised
  • Description: Known for his betrayal of Jesus, symbolizing fear of treachery.

31. Keket

• • Origin: Egyptian
  • Meaning: Darkness
  • Description: Goddess of the night in Egyptian mythology, symbolizing fear of the dark.

32. Mammon

• • Origin: Aramaic
  • Meaning: Wealth
  • Description: Demon of greed, symbolizing fear of avarice and corruption.

33. Nergal

• • Origin: Mesopotamian
  • Meaning: Great hero
  • Description: God of war and pestilence, symbolizing fear and destruction.

34. Oberon

• • Origin: Germanic
  • Meaning: Elf ruler
  • Description: King of the fairies, often associated with mischief and fear.

35. Set

• • Origin: Egyptian
  • Meaning: Dazzle
  • Description: God of chaos and violence, symbolizing fear and disorder.

36. Shaitan

• • Origin: Arabic
  • Meaning: Adversary
  • Description: Term for Satan, symbolizing fear and opposition.

37. Voldemort

• • Origin: Literary
  • Meaning: Flight of death
  • Description: Dark wizard in “Harry Potter,” symbolizing fear and evil.

38. Asmodeus

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Demon of wrath
  • Description: King of demons, symbolizing fear and destruction.

39. Bael

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Lord
  • Description: Demon king in various mythologies, symbolizing fear and power.

40. Beelzebub

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Lord of the flies
  • Description: Another name for the devil, symbolizing fear and chaos.

Gender-Neutral Names That Mean Fear

1. Nox

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Night
  • Description: Symbolizes darkness and the fear associated with it.

2. Raven

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Dark bird
  • Description: Associated with mystery and fear, especially in literature.

3. Shadow

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Dark area
  • Description: Symbolizes fear of the unknown and what lurks in the dark.

4. Panic

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Sudden fear
  • Description: Derived from the Greek god Pan, who caused sudden fear.

5. Salem

• • Origin: Hebrew
  • Meaning: Peace
  • Description: Historically associated with the Salem witch trials, symbolizing fear.

6. Blair

• • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Field
  • Description: Known from “The Blair Witch Project,” symbolizing fear and horror.

7. Tempest

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Storm
  • Description: Symbolizes the fear and chaos of a storm.

8. Storm

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Violent weather
  • Description: Symbolizes fear and the power of nature.

9. Indigo

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Dark blue
  • Description: Often associated with depth and mystery.

10. Jinx

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Spell
  • Description: Symbolizes fear of bad luck and curses.

11. Nebula

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Cloud
  • Description: Symbolizes mystery and the unknown.

12. Obsidian

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Volcanic glass
  • Description: A dark, mysterious stone, symbolizing protection and fear.

13. Remy

• • Origin: French
  • Meaning: Oarsman
  • Description: Often associated with mysterious and dark characters.

14. Sable

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Black
  • Description: Symbolizes darkness and the fear associated with it.

15. Thorne

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Prickly bush
  • Description: Symbolizes protection and the fear of being hurt.

16. Vesper

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Evening star
  • Description: Symbolizes the onset of night and associated fears.

17. Zephyr

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: West wind
  • Description: Often associated with sudden, unpredictable fear.

18. Ash

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Tree
  • Description: Symbolizes transformation and fear of the unknown.

19. Echo

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Reverberating sound
  • Description: Symbolizes haunting and lingering fear.

20. Phoenix

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Mythical bird
  • Description: Symbolizes rebirth and overcoming fear.

21. Rain

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Rain
  • Description: Often associated with gloomy weather and fear.

22. Rune

• • Origin: Old Norse
  • Meaning: Secret
  • Description: Symbolizes mystery and hidden fears.

23. Sage

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Wise
  • Description: Symbolizes wisdom and the fear of the unknown.

24. Silver

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Precious metal
  • Description: Often associated with mystery and protection from evil.

25. Skye

• • Origin: Scottish
  • Meaning: Island of clouds
  • Description: Symbolizes vastness and the fear of the unknown.

26. Solstice

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Sun standing still
  • Description: Symbolizes the fear and mystery of seasonal change.

27. Sorrel

• • Origin: French
  • Meaning: Reddish-brown
  • Description: Often associated with autumn and the fear of change.

28. Sterling

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Little star
  • Description: Symbolizes light in darkness and overcoming fear.

29. Winter

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Winter season
  • Description: Symbolizes the cold and the fear associated with it.

30. Wren

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Small bird
  • Description: Symbolizes resilience and overcoming fear.

31. Avalon

• • Origin: Celtic
  • Meaning: Island of apples
  • Description: Associated with myth and mystery.

32. Briar

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Thorny bush
  • Description: Symbolizes protection and fear of harm.

33. Cypress

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Cypress tree
  • Description: Associated with mourning and fear of loss.

34. Fable

• • Origin: Latin
  • Meaning: Story
  • Description: Symbolizes myths and the fear they can invoke.

35. Haven

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Safe place
  • Description: Symbolizes safety and the fear of losing it.

36. Lyric

• • Origin: Greek
  • Meaning: Songlike
  • Description: Symbolizes the haunting nature of certain melodies.

37. Midnight

• • Origin: English
  • Meaning: Middle of the night
  • Description: Symbolizes the fear of darkness and the unknown.