211+ Boy Names That Mean Death

Choosing a name connected to death themes might seem unusual, but these names carry deep cultural meaning. I’ve researched hundreds of names from ancient civilizations, mythology, and spiritual traditions that relate to mortality, the afterlife, and darker aspects of existence.

In this guide, you’ll find over 211 names associated with death, darkness, and endings from languages and belief systems worldwide.

Each name reflects concepts of mortality, underworld deities, or transitions between life and death. These names come from historical figures, mythological beings, and cultural stories about the cycle of existence.

I’ll show you names organized by origin and meaning, plus practical tips for choosing the right one for your baby boy. 

Let’s find a name that captures the profound themes of mortality and transformation.

Why Choose Names That Mean Death for Your Baby Boy?

Names related to death carry powerful symbolism that resonates across cultures. They represent endings, transitions, and the natural cycle of existence. 

These names acknowledge mortality as part of the human experience rather than avoiding this reality.

Death-themed names appear in mythology, literature, and spiritual traditions worldwide. They come from ancient gods, underworld rulers, and historical figures associated with mortality. These names give your son a connection to profound philosophical concepts.

Your son’s name becomes part of his identity. A death-related name signals strength, depth, and acceptance of life’s darker aspects. The name itself carries weight and meaning that sets him apart.

211+ Boy Names That Mean Death for Your Baby

Find the perfect mortality-inspired name that captures the profound themes of endings and transitions for your baby boy.

Names Directly Meaning Death or Mortality



1. Mors: Latin name meaning death, Roman personification of mortality.
2. Thanatos: Greek god meaning death, personifies peaceful end of life.
3. Mort: French name meaning death, simple reference to mortality.
4. Morty: English diminutive meaning death, shortened form with friendly sound.
5. Mortem: Latin name meaning death, direct reference to ending.
6. Mabuz: Welsh name meaning death, brings Celtic mortality reference.
7. Azrael: Hebrew name meaning angel of death, Islamic and Jewish tradition.
8. Azriel: Hebrew variant meaning help of God, associated with death angel.
9. Dabria: Hebrew name meaning angel of death, lesser-known mortality angel.
10. Samael: Hebrew name meaning venom of God, angel of death reference.
11. Anubis: Egyptian god meaning death, jackal-headed deity of afterlife.
12. Osiris: Egyptian god meaning powerful, ruler of underworld and death.
13. Seth: Egyptian god meaning dazzle, associated with death and chaos.
14. Mot: Canaanite god meaning death, ancient Near Eastern deity.
15. Yama: Sanskrit name meaning twin, Hindu god of death.
16. Mrityu: Sanskrit name meaning death, Hindu personification of mortality.
17. Kalaraja: Sanskrit name meaning king of death, brings royal mortality meaning.
18. Shiva: Sanskrit name meaning benign, Hindu god associated with destruction.
19. Rudra: Sanskrit name meaning howler, Vedic god of storms and death.
20. Veles: Slavic god meaning ox, associated with death and underworld.
21. Marzanna: Slavic goddess meaning death, winter deity of mortality.
22. Morana: Slavic name meaning death, goddess of winter and endings.
23. Cichol: Irish name meaning fog, associated with death and darkness.
24. Donn: Irish god meaning brown, dark one, ruler of the dead.
25. Arawn: Welsh name meaning silver tongue, king of otherworld and death.

Names From Greek Mythology About Death and Underworld



26. Hades: Greek god meaning unseen, ruler of underworld and dead.
27. Pluto: Greek god meaning wealth, Roman name for underworld ruler.
28. Charon: Greek name meaning fierce brightness, ferryman of the dead.
29. Hypnos: Greek god meaning sleep, twin brother of death.
30. Erebus: Greek god meaning darkness, primordial deity of shadow and death.
31. Nyx: Greek goddess meaning night, mother of death and darkness.
32. Cronus: Greek titan meaning time, associated with mortality and endings.
33. Moros: Greek god meaning doom, personification of impending death.
34. Thanatus: Greek variant meaning death, alternative form of mortality god.
35. Tartarus: Greek name meaning deep place, lowest region of underworld.
36. Lethe: Greek name meaning forgetfulness, river of oblivion in the underworld.
37. Styx: Greek name meaning hate, river of underworld and death.
38. Acheron: Greek name meaning river of woe, underworld river of pain.
39. Phlegethon: Greek name meaning burning, river of fire in the underworld.
40. Cocytus: Greek name meaning lamentation, river of wailing in the underworld.
41. Orcus: Greek god meaning oath, punisher of broken promises in death.
42. Thanix: Greek name meaning death, modern variation of mortality theme.
43. Morios: Greek name meaning fate, associated with death and destiny.
44. Keres: Greek spirits meaning death spirits, female demons of violent death.
45. Achlys: Greek goddess meaning mist, personification of death mist and poison.
46. Chthon: Greek name meaning earth, relating to underworld and death.
47. Melanos: Greek name meaning black, dark, associated with death.
48. Melas: Greek name meaning black, dark one, death reference.
49. Thanar: Greek name meaning death bringer, modern death association.
50. Haemon: Greek name meaning bloody, associated with death and violence.

Names From Norse Mythology About Death and Afterlife



51. Hel: Norse goddess meaning hidden, ruler of underworld and death.
52. Odin: Norse god meaning fury, master of death and war.
53. Loki: Norse god meaning trickster, associated with death and chaos.
54. Fenrir: Norse wolf meaning fen-dweller, brings death at Ragnarok.
55. Jormungandr: Norse serpent meaning huge monster, brings death at world’s end.
56. Baldr: Norse god meaning prince, killed god whose death starts Ragnarok.
57. Nidhogg: Norse dragon meaning malice striker, gnaws at world tree and dead.
58. Garm: Norse hound meaning rag, guards gates of underworld.
59. Modgud: Norse name meaning furious battle, guards bridge to death realm.
60. Naglfar: Norse name meaning nail ship, ship of the dead at Ragnarok.
61. Niflheim: Norse realm meaning mist home, world of ice and death.
62. Valhalla: Norse hall meaning hall of slain, afterlife for warriors.
63. Folkvangr: Norse field meaning field of host, afterlife realm ruled by Freya.
64. Ragnar: Norse name meaning warrior judgment, associated with death in battle.
65. Gunnar: Norse name meaning warrior, brave in death and battle.
66. Valdis: Norse name meaning goddess of dead, female death deity.
67. Helmar: Norse name meaning protector of Hel, guardian of death realm.
68. Randgrid: Norse valkyrie meaning shield destroyer, chooser of slain.
69. Skogul: Norse valkyrie meaning high-towering, brings death in battle.
70. Geirskogul: Norse valkyrie meaning spear-skogul, death bringer in combat.
71. Gondul: Norse valkyrie meaning wand-wielder, selects warriors for death.
72. Hermod: Norse god meaning war spirit, travels to realm of the dead.
73. Vegtam: Norse name meaning wanderer, Odin’s name when visiting dead.
74. Draugr: Norse name meaning ghost, undead creature from Norse folklore.
75. Gjoll: Norse river meaning resounding, separates living from dead.

Names Meaning Darkness, Shadow, or Night



76. Erebos: Greek name meaning darkness, primordial god of shadow.
77. Sable: English name meaning black, associated with darkness and death.
78. Dusk: English name meaning twilight, time between light and darkness.
79. Raven: English name meaning dark bird, associated with death omens.
80. Corbin: Latin name meaning raven, dark bird of death.
81. Corvus: Latin name meaning raven, constellation and death bird.
82. Bran: Welsh name meaning raven, Celtic god associated with death.
83. Midnight: English name meaning darkest hour, time of death and mystery.
84. Obsidian: English name meaning volcanic glass, black stone of darkness.
85. Onyx: Greek name meaning claw, black gemstone associated with death.
86. Cole: English name meaning coal black, dark one.
87. Colby: English name meaning coal town, dark place reference.
88. Maurice: Latin name meaning dark-skinned, Moorish, brings darkness meaning.
89. Morris: English name meaning dark-skinned, variant of Maurice.
90. Darcy: Irish name meaning dark one, brings Celtic shadow reference.
91. Darrell: French name meaning dear one, dark one, combines affection with darkness.
92. Darian: Persian name meaning possessing good, dark one reference.
93. Kali: Sanskrit name meaning black one, Hindu goddess of death and time.
94. Krishna: Sanskrit name meaning black, dark, Hindu deity.
95. Shyam: Sanskrit name meaning dark, black, brings Indian darkness reference.
96. Kieran: Irish name meaning little dark one, brings Celtic shadow meaning.
97. Ciaran: Irish name meaning little dark one, saint name with darkness.
98. Dolan: Irish name meaning dark defiance, brings rebellious darkness.
99. Duibhne: Irish name meaning darkness, ancient Celtic dark reference.
100. Blake: English name meaning dark, pale, contradictory darkness meaning.

Names From Egyptian Mythology About Death and Afterlife



101. Anpu: Egyptian name meaning decay, alternative name for Anubis.
102. Ammit: Egyptian demon meaning devourer, eats hearts of unworthy dead.
103. Apep: Egyptian serpent meaning to slither, chaos snake of darkness.
104. Sokar: Egyptian god meaning one who is on his sand, death deity of Memphis.
105. Wepwawet: Egyptian god meaning opener of ways, guides the dead to afterlife.
106. Khenti-Amentiu: Egyptian name meaning foremost of westerners, lord of dead.
107. Imiut: Egyptian name meaning he who is in his wrappings, death deity.
108. Nehebkau: Egyptian snake god meaning harness of spirits, guards underworld.
109. Kek: Egyptian god meaning darkness, primordial god of night.
110. Aken: Egyptian god meaning ferry keeper, pilot of underworld boat.
111. Bes: Egyptian god meaning protector, guards against death and evil.
112. Hapi: Egyptian god meaning Nile, death deity of mummification.
113. Imsety: Egyptian god meaning beloved of his mother, canopic guardian.
114. Duamutef: Egyptian god meaning who praises his mother, canopic guardian.
115. Qebehsenuef: Egyptian god meaning who cools his brother, canopic guardian.
116. Taweret: Egyptian goddess meaning great female, protected in death.
117. Serqet: Egyptian goddess meaning she who causes the throat to breathe, scorpion death deity.
118. Mafdet: Egyptian goddess meaning runner, executioner goddess of death.
119. Seker: Egyptian god meaning shut in, death god of darkness.
120. Khnum: Egyptian god meaning creator, guards gates of the underworld.
121. Atum: Egyptian god meaning complete, creator associated with death cycle.
122. Ra: Egyptian god meaning sun, travels through the underworld nightly.
123. Amon: Egyptian god meaning hidden one, associated with death mysteries.
124. Ptah: Egyptian god meaning opener, associated with death and rebirth.
125. Thoth: Egyptian god meaning he who is like ibis, guides dead souls.

Names From Celtic Mythology About Death and Otherworld



126. Balor: Irish name meaning deadly one, god with death-dealing eye.
127. Bile: Irish god meaning sacred tree, god of death and underworld.
128. Crom: Irish god meaning bent one, death god of ancient Ireland.
129. Dullahan: Irish name meaning dark man, headless death herald.
130. Gwyn: Welsh name meaning white, blessed, ruler of the underworld.
131. Hafgan: Welsh name meaning summer song, underworld king rival.
132. Pwyll: Welsh name meaning sense, ruler of the underworld realm.
133. Cernunnos: Celtic god meaning horned one, lord of death and nature.
134. Sucellos: Celtic god meaning good striker, god of death and afterlife.
135. Dis Pater: Celtic god meaning rich father, god of dead and underworld.
136. Arubianus: Celtic god meaning plowed field, death and agriculture deity.
137. Grannus: Celtic god meaning sun, healing god associated with death.
138. Belenus: Celtic god meaning bright one, death and healing deity.
139. Nemetona: Celtic goddess meaning sacred grove, associated with death.
140. Taranis: Celtic god meaning thunder, death through lightning.
141. Esus: Celtic god meaning master, requires human sacrifice.
142. Teutates: Celtic god meaning god of tribe, associated with sacrifice.
143. Goibniu: Celtic god meaning smith, rules over otherworld feasts.
144. Manannan: Irish god meaning sea, guards entrance to otherworld.
145. Midir: Irish god meaning judge, otherworld king associated with death.
146. Tethra: Irish god meaning sea god, king of the underworld and dead.
147. Neit: Irish god meaning battle, war god associated with death.
148. Morrigan: Irish goddess meaning phantom queen, death goddess of battle.
149. Bodach: Scottish name meaning old man, death omen spirit.
150. Banshee: Irish name meaning woman of fairy mound, death herald.

More Death-Inspired Names From World Mythology

Here are additional mortality-themed names from Asian, Aztec, Mayan cultures and names meaning destruction and endings.

• Enma
• Emma-O
• Izanami
• Shinigami
• Yanluo
• Diyu
• Yomi
• Mezu
• Gozu
• Naraka
• Niraya
• Yamaraja
• Kala
• Mahakala
• Vajrabhairava
• Yamantaka
• Citipati
• Vetala
• Bhuta
• Preta
• Rakshasa
• Asura
• Mara
• Pishacha
• Guishen
• Mictlan
• Mictlantecuhtli
• Ah Puch
• Kisin
• Cizin
• Yum Cimil
• Ixtab
• Hun-Came
• Vucub-Came
• Xibalba
• Tezcatlipoca
• Xolotl
• Coatlicue
• Mixcoatl
• Chalchiuhtotolin
• Abaddon
• Apollyon
• Perdita
• Perditio
• Khaos
• Atropos
• Alastor
• Nemesis
• Ares
• Mars
• Typhon
• Set
• Azazel
• Belial
• Moloch
• Dagon
• Baal
• Chemosh
• Mammon
• Asmodeus
• Mortimer
• Morton
• Morven
• Mordekai
• Mordred

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Death-Related Name for Your Boy

Death-themed names require careful thought about cultural context and social acceptance. A name creates immediate impressions that last throughout your son’s life.

• Say the name aloud multiple times with your last name. Test if it sounds natural in different situations. Make sure family members feel comfortable with the choice.
• Research the cultural background thoroughly. Each name carries specific meanings from its origin. Understanding this context adds depth to your son’s identity.
• Consider nickname options early. Some death-related names sound intense in full form. Test if shorter versions provide more flexibility for daily use.
• Check how the name pairs with middle names and surnames. Write the full name several times. Avoid combinations that feel too heavy when said together.
• Think about how the name affects your son’s experiences. Will teachers, coaches, and friends react positively? Consider if the name serves him well in professional settings.

Conclusion

I hope this guide helped you find mortality-themed names that fit your baby boy perfectly. These names carry weight from ancient beliefs, mythology, and cultural stories about life’s cycles.

Your son deserves a name that reflects depth and meaning from the first mention. When I help parents choose names, I always suggest testing the name in real situations. Does it feel appropriate when you introduce him to others? Does it match your values and beliefs?

Think about how the name serves your family. Will people understand your choice? Share your favorite death-related name in the comments below. I’d love to hear which one resonates with your family most.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a good death-related name for a baby boy?

A good death-related name has a clear connection to mortality, endings, or afterlife concepts. It should be pronounceable, culturally appropriate, and match your family’s values and beliefs.

Can I use mythological death names in modern times?

Yes, mythological names work in any era. Many parents use names like Anubis or Osiris. Just make sure the name fits your cultural context and feels comfortable for your family.

Are death-themed names too intense for my baby?

Consider your social context carefully. Some death names carry strong associations that might affect your son’s experiences. Research current attitudes toward these names before deciding.

How do I avoid names that sound too dark?

Research multiple cultural traditions to find names with softer death associations. Look at names connected to transitions or afterlife rather than violent endings. Test the name with trusted friends.

Should middle names also relate to death?

No, middle names don’t require death meanings. Consider balancing a death-themed first name with a more conventional middle name to give your son options.