Names That Mean Dark

On one hand, Saturnine is a bright and golden French name, ultimately derived from the Roman God Saturn, associating it with agriculture, renewal, time, and abundance, along with the planet. On the other, it is an English word name, referring to a person, a place, or an occasion that is dark, sombre, and gloomy.

In Greek mythology, Nyctimene was pursued by her own father, and therefore fled to find safety in the shadows of the woods. She was later transformed into an owl by the goddess Athena, out of punishment or pity, depending on which variation of the myth you read.

Not to be confused with the Hebrew name, Chhaya (also spelled Chaya) is a name of Indian origin, derived from Sanskrit chāyā, meaning "shadow, light, reflection". The personification of the Hindu goddess of shadow, Chhaya is a popular choice in India and is notably borne by actress Chhaya Kadam and singer Chhaya Ganguli. Malay and Indonesian names Cahaya and Cahya derive from the same root.