75+ Unique Names That Mean "Black" or "Dark"

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Naming expert Natalie Mulholland shares her picks for unique names associated with the color black

Co-authored by Natalie Mulholland and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: March 20, 2026 Fact Checked

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For Boys

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For Girls

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Gender Neutral

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"Dark" or "Night" Boy Names

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"Dark" or "Night" Girl Names

Black is definitely an underrated color! Not only can it be beautiful in the right shades and lighting, but it's also associated with positive characteristics like strength, confidence, mystery, and even beauty. If you're thinking that a name meaning "black" would be perfect for your boy or girl, you're in luck! Keep reading to discover boy and girl names that mean black, plus names that mean "dark" or "night" with suggestions from naming expert Natalie Mulholland.

What are names that mean the color black?

Naming expert Natalie Mulholland suggests gender-neutral names like Shadow and Onyx for their associations with darkness. Here are some other great options for boy and girl names that mean "black":

Blake
Cole
Jett
Brynne
Cierra
Raven

Section 1 of 5:

Boy Names That Mean "Black"

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Strong names that mean "black" for boys include Blake, Cole, and Jett. People often associate the color black with boys because it conveys strength and steadiness, qualities many parents hope to instill in their sons. You might also be surprised at how many normal, everyday boy names mean "black," including Blake, Cole, and Jett! Below is a full list of names from different cultures:
- Adham (Arabic)
- Caliban (Romani)
- Ciaran (Irish)
- Cole or Colson (English)
- Cyran (English or Celtic)
- Daiyu (Chinese)
- Dewayne (Irish)
- Doyle (Irish)
- Enoli (Cherokee)
- Jett (English)
- Keir (Scottish)
- Kieran (Irish)
- Kirigan (Irish)
- Kuro (Japanese)
- Nero (Latin)
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Natalie Mulholland is a naming expert with a lifelong interest in the topic. She also creates content about names' origins, meanings, categories, notable people, and more.

Section 2 of 5:

Girl Names That Mean "Black"

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Beautiful names for girls that mean "black" are Brynne, Cierra, and Raven. Black isn't just a color for boys—far from it! This dark color has close ties to feminine strength, mystery, and beauty. Some of the most beautiful and unique girl names, like Brynne, Cierra, and Raven, are associated with black. For some girls, it's the perfect fit! Check out a long list of female names that mean "black" below:
- Brynne (Celtic)
- Carey (Gaelic)
- Ciara (Irish)
- Cierra (Spanish American)
- Ebony (English)
- Jetta (English)
- Kali (Hindu)
- Kanika (Indian)
- Kara (Turkish)
- Keira (Irish)
- Krishna (Hindu)
- Inola (Cherokee)
- Melanie or Melania (Greek)
- Nigella (English)
- Sable (French)

Section 3 of 5:

Gender Neutral Names Meaning "Black" or "Dark"

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Go for something unconventional like Shadow or Onyx. Mulholland suggests Shadow for a more subtle interpretation of "black" as a meaning. She also recommends Onyx after the glittering black gemstone.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Natalie Mulholland
Naming Expert

Expert Interview} Below are some other names associated with "black," "darkness," and "night" that work for both boys and girls.
- Adrian (Latin): Means "dark"
- Arrats (Basque): Means "dusk"
- Ash (Old English): Refers to an ash tree; can also refer to ashes from a fire
- Blake or Blakeley (Old English): Means "dark"
- Darcy (Irish): Means "dark"
- Kerri (Irish): Means "dark" or "little dark one"
- Maurie (Latin): Means "dark-skinned"
- Midnight: Refers to 12 AM
- Nox (Latin): Means "night"
- Onyx:^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Natalie Mulholland
  Naming Expert
  
  Expert Interview} Refers to the black gemstone
- Phoenix (Greek): Means "dark red"
- Raven: Refers to the black bird
- Rook: Refers to a crow (a black bird) or the chess piece
- Shadow^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Natalie Mulholland
  Naming Expert
  
  Expert Interview}
- Tamesis (Celtic): Means "dark one" or "dark, murky river"

Section 4 of 5:

Boy Names That Mean "Dark" or "Night"

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"Dark" or "night" names for boys include Collyer, Douglas, and Vesper. If "black" isn't quite the vibe you're after, perhaps one of its close associations, "dark" or "night," is more up your alley! Don't worry, both of these words can have positive meanings for boys. For example, you might want to name your son "Vesper," meaning "evening," because that's when he was born! Collyer, meaning "dark," could also be a good name meaning for a boy with dark hair or eyes. Here are some other good options:
- Colburn (Old English): Means "dark brook"
- Collyer (Old English): Means "dark"
- Dougal (Scottish): Means "dark stranger"
- Donovan (Irish): Means "dark"
- Douglas (Scottish): Means "dark water"
- Duff (Irish): Means "dark"
- Duncan (Scottish): Means "dark warrior"
- Gethin (Welsh): Means "dark"
- Hadrian (Latin): Means "dark"
- Maurice (Latin): Means "dark-skinned"
- Rajani (Sanskrit): Means "night"
- Sauda (Swahili): Means "dark complexion"
- Sullivan (Irish): Means "dark eyes"
- Tamas (Sanskrit): Means "darkness"
- Topher (Greek): Means "dark-skinned"
- Vesper (Latin): Means "evening"

Section 5 of 5:

Girl Names That Mean "Dark" or "Night"

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Choose from Amaya, Nyx, or Twyla for a girl's name that means "dark" or "night." Give your daughter a name that resonates with the beauty and mystique of deep shadows and starlit twilights. Names like Amaya, Nyx, and Twyla are lovely examples of how to translate a "dark" meaning into something sweet and beguiling. Below are other girl names with "dark" or "night" meanings.
- Adriane (Latin): Means "dark one"
- Amaya (Basque): Means "night rain"
- Annika (Hebrew): Means "darkness"
- Charna (Yiddish): Means "dark"
- Delaney (Irish): Means "dark defiance"
- Layla (Arabic): Means "night" or "dark beauty"
- Lilith (Hebrew): Means "belonging to the night"
- Lisha (Arabic): Means "darkness before midnight"
- Isra (Arabic): Means "nocturnal journey"
- Maura (Latin): Means "dark-skinned"
- Nisha (Sanskrit): Means "night"
- Nyx (Greek): Refers to the goddess of the night
- Sorcha (Gaelic): Means "dark"
- Twyla (American): Means "twilight"
- Zillah (Hebrew): Means "shadow"