Gothic Immortal

Names in this category are vampires and werewolves, occultists and warlocks, angels and demons, ghosts and mediums - immortal beings from the pages of Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, Edgar Allen Poe, etc. Colors and textures are shadow and smoke, charcoal and mist; the iridescent black of raven feathers and the passionate red of pomegranate seeds; ornate goblets filled with wine (or is it blood?); lush red velvet and black brocade; statues of angels weeping over mausoleums; scrying mirrors made of depthless obsidian; elaborate candelabras dripping with wax; spirit boards and seance tables; walls of portraits that follow you with their eyes; grimoires filled with occult symbols; the sound of wolves howling on the moors.
  1. Abraxas
    • Origin:

      Persian mythology name
    • Description:

      Abraxas is a sci-fi-sounding name with earthly possibilities, but some playground challenges.
  2. Adonis
    • Origin:

      Greek, from Semitic Adonai
    • Meaning:

      "lord"
    • Description:

      The name of a figure from Greek mythology, Adonis is a high-pressure name often synonymous with masculine beauty. Nonetheless, many mythological names that would have previously been deemed off limits have made their way up the popularity charts—for instance, Penelope currently ranks highly for girls. And indeed, Adonis was one of the fastest-rising boys' names of 2016, moving up 307 spots on the U.S. popularity chart in just one year.
  3. Adrian
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "man of Adria"
    • Description:

      Adrian is one of those names that’s easy to picture on all kinds of people. From an active and energetic five-year-old to your great grandpa, from the coolest, breeziest guy you know, to the quiet, serious one, it’s no wonder Adrian has always made the US Top 500 since the early 20th century.
  4. Adriel
    • Origin:

      Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "God is my master"
    • Description:

      This biblical name is getting wider notice. While Adrian has had its time in the limelight since the late 70s, parents are beginning to look for fresher alternatives. In the Bible, Adriel was the husband of Merab, a daughter of King Saul. Adriel, like other names ending in -el like Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel, is also the name of an angel. The angel Adriel is known as the Angel of Death. Adriel entered the charts in 2002, and has risen now into the Top 200.
  5. Alaric
    • Origin:

      German
    • Meaning:

      "all-powerful ruler"
    • Description:

      Alaric is an ancient regal name that sounds modern enough to be considered. Alaric was a traditional name for the kings of the Ostrogoths, the most famous of whom was Alaric I, the King of the West Goths who sacked Rome in 410.
  6. Alasdair
    • Origin:

      Scottish variation of Alexander
    • Meaning:

      "defending men"
    • Description:

      In this country, more recognizable with the Alistair spelling.
  7. Aleister
    • Alexandros
      • Algernon
        • Origin:

          French
        • Meaning:

          "moustached man"
        • Description:

          While this name came into being in the Victorian era as a nickname for a man with whiskers, the name was quickly embraced as a true name by the Victorians and is likely most familiar to you as the name of Oscar Wilde's fabulous character in The Importance of being Earnest . However, Algernon is not confined to the fictional world of satire; many real world namesakes exist including US footballer Algernon Crumpler (aka Alge Crumpler), British impressionist painter Algernon Talmage, and Canadian astrophysicist Joseph Algernon Pearce, who discovered many thinks about the Milky Way. Plus, who can go past the adorable nickname Algie?
      • Aloysius
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "famous warrior"
        • Description:

          This name is a classic example of an underused golden oldie that ticks so many boxes - unusual yet traditional, heaps of cute nicknames, a statement name that exudes retro cool. Aloysius is the Latin form of many more common names like Louis, Luis, Luigi and the uncommon but symphonically familiar Ludwig.
      • Alphonse
        • Origin:

          French from German
        • Meaning:

          "noble, ready for battle"
        • Description:

          Rarely used, and for good reason. Alonzo is a preferable choice.
      • Altair
        • Origin:

          Arabic
        • Meaning:

          "falcon"
        • Description:

          The eleventh brightest star in the sky has a celestial feel, but also could be the name of a commercial airline.
      • Amadeus
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "lover of God"
        • Description:

          Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's middle name could make an interesting pick for music-loving parents--if only in middle place. Amadeus is the title of a Peter Shaffer play which became an award-winning film in 1984.
      • Ambrose
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "immortal"
        • Description:

          Gentle but grandiose and beloved by British novelists including Evelyn Waugh and P. G. Wodehouse, Ambrose was a fast rising name in 2022. Entering the UK Top 1000 for the first time and proving popular among Nameberry users, its elegance, softness, and vintage style means it fits in with popular Theodore, Sebastian, and Jeremiah.
      • Amias
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "loved"
        • Description:

          Amias or Amyas is a unique name with an attractive sound and feel and a lovely meaning. Though it might sound like a Biblical name, it is not, but is a surname that may be related to Amadeus or even be a male version of Amy--which would make it one of the few boys' names to be derived from a girls'.
      • Amon
        • Origin:

          Hebrew, Arabic, Greek from Egyptian
        • Meaning:

          "the hidden one; invisible"
        • Description:

          In Egyptian mythology, Amon is a major god associated with creation and the air. He was later fused with the Sun god, Ra, and became Amun-Ra.
      • Angelus
        • Origin:

          Latin
        • Meaning:

          "angel"
        • Description:

          The Latin word for an angel (and the male form of Angela) is a rare but smart and stately name. The Angelus is a Catholic devotion, and the name is also used for the church bell that traditionally accompanies it. In pop culture, Angelus is a previous incarnation of Angel in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe.
      • Ansel
        • Origin:

          German
        • Meaning:

          "with divine protection"
        • Description:

          Ansel, primarily associated with the great western photographer Ansel Adams, famed for his magnificent photographs of the Yosemite Valley, could make a creative artist-hero choice. For Adams it was a family name – he was named after his uncle, Ansel Easton. And, in turn, Adams was the namesake of young heartthrob Ansel Elgort, son of a photographer.
      • Anselm
        • Origin:

          German
        • Meaning:

          "with divine protection"
        • Description:

          A somewhat solemn appellation, Anselm is a saint's name, connected to the twelfth century archbishop of Canterbury, and in modern times tied to the German neo-expressionist painter Anselm Kiefer.
      • Antoine
        • Origin:

          French variation of Anthony
        • Meaning:

          "priceless one"
        • Description:

          Antoine is a venerable French name that is still stylish in its native habitat, where it is in the Top 30. In the US, it was most popular in the 1970s and '80s, reaching Number 262 in 1985.