Names That Mean Bat
The best names that mean bat are Zotz, Pekapeka, Komori, Popo, Ystlum and Vespertilio. Zotz is a Maya word for bat, Pekapeka is Māori, Komori is Japanese, Popo is Swahili, Ystlum is Welsh and Vespertilio is the Latin word. True given names meaning bat are rare, so many parents also choose night names like Nyx, Vesper and Luna.
Quick List of Names That Mean Bat
Here are the most direct choices at a glance.
- Zotz: Maya word for bat, linked to a bat god.
- Pekapeka: Māori word for bat.
- Komori: Japanese word for bat, written 蝙蝠.
- Popo: Swahili word for bat.
- Ystlum: Welsh word for bat.
- Vespertilio: Latin word for bat, linked to the word vesper, meaning evening.
- Tzinacan: Nahuatl word linked to bats.
- Myskia: Old Swedish word recorded as meaning bat.
Do Any Real Names Mean Bat?
Very few do. Bats do not have a long tradition as baby names, so most options are animal words from other languages or names that suggest the night. This list focuses on real words and honest meanings, and it avoids made up names that only sound like bat.
Girl Names That Mean Bat
Girl names can be soft and mysterious.
- Pekapeka: Playful and rhythmic, and a real Māori word.
- Komori: Short and graceful, and easy to pronounce.
- Vespera: A feminine form built on the Latin idea of evening.
- Nyx: Not literally bat, but the Greek goddess of night is a close match.
- Vesper: Means evening and fits the bat’s hours.
Boy Names That Mean Bat
Boy names are bold and short.
- Zotz: Strong and unusual, from Maya culture.
- Popo: Cute and short, though it works better as a nickname in English.
- Vespertilio: Dramatic and scientific.
- Tzinacan: Rooted in Nahuatl, for bold families who like rare names.
- Noctis: Latin for of the night.
Unisex Names That Mean Bat
These names suit any child.
- Komori
- Pekapeka
- Zotz
- Vesper
- Nyx
- Dusk
Names That Mean Bat in Different Languages
Almost every language has its own word for bat, and some sound beautiful.
- Murciélago: Spanish, from Latin words for mouse and blind.
- Morcego: Portuguese
- Chauve-souris: French
- Pipistrello: Italian
- Fledermaus: German
- Vleermuis: Dutch
- Nychterida: Greek
- Vespertilio: Latin
- Chamgadar: Urdu and Hindi
- Khuffash: Arabic
- Shabpareh: Persian, meaning night flyer
- Yarasa: Turkish
- Komori: Japanese
- Bianfu: Chinese
- Popo: Swahili
- Atalef: Hebrew
- Ystlum: Welsh
- Pekapeka: Māori
- Kelelawar: Indonesian
Urdu, Arabic and Persian Words for Bat
Families in Pakistan and the Middle East may like to know these words.
- Chamgadar: The Urdu and Hindi word for bat.
- Khuffash: The Arabic word, written خفاش.
- Shabpareh: A poetic Persian word for bat, meaning night flyer.
- Shab: The Persian word for night, used in names like Shabnam, which means dew.
These words are not common as first names, but Shab inspired names are lovely if you want a night theme.
Mythological Names Linked to Bats
Bats appear in many old myths.
- Camazotz: A bat god from Maya stories, often explained as death bat.
- Zotz: The Maya word for bat.
- Tzinacan: A Nahuatl word linked with bats and place names.
- Itzpapalotl: An Aztec goddess whose name is often translated as obsidian butterfly, sometimes linked to a bat like image.
- Popobawa: A Swahili legend about a bat winged spirit.
These names have a dark and powerful history, so they suit characters and fantasy stories more than babies.
Japanese and Chinese Names Linked to Bats
In East Asia, bats are a happy symbol.
- Komori: The Japanese word for bat.
- Bianfu: The Chinese word for bat.
- Fu (福): Means good fortune in Chinese and sounds like the word for bat.
Because of the sound link, bats are shown on Chinese art as signs of luck, so Fu is a meaningful choice for families who love this tradition.
Names Inspired by Night and Dusk
Bats come out at dusk, so night names are the best match.
- Nyx: Greek goddess of night.
- Vesper: Evening star, from Latin.
- Nox: Latin for night.
- Noctis: Latin, of the night.
- Luna: The moon.
- Selene: Greek moon goddess.
- Dusk: A simple word name.
- Eventide: The evening, an old word name.
Gothic Names for Bat Lovers
These names feel dark, elegant and cosmic.
- Lilith: A figure of night in old folklore.
- Raven: A dark bird often paired with bats in art.
- Damien: Classic and moody.
- Lucian: Means light, a sweet contrast.
- Morgana: A mystical name.
- Ebony: The color black.
- Onyx: A black stone.
Bat Species Names
Real bat species have some lovely names.
- Pipistrelle: From the Italian word for bat.
- Noctule: Related to night.
- Serotine: Means of the evening.
- Myotis: A bat group, meaning mouse ear in Greek.
- Flying Fox: A large fruit bat.
- Pallid: A pale desert bat.
- Pip: A cute nickname for a pipistrelle.
Names That Start With Bat But Do Not Mean Bat
Many names begin with Bat, but they come from other roots.
- Batu: A Mongolian and Turkic name meaning firm or prevailing. In Malay it means rock.
- Batuhan: A Turkish name linked to the Mongol words for hero and ruler.
- Batsheva: A Hebrew name meaning daughter of the oath.
- Bathilda: An old Germanic name, with no bat meaning.
- Batman: An English surname, probably from a short form of Bartholomew.
In Hebrew, bat means daughter, so names that start with Bat in Hebrew are not about the animal at all.
Last Names That Mean Bat
There are no widely known surnames that clearly mean bat. A few come close.
- Bate: Comes from a short form of Bartholomew.
- Bateman: Also from Bartholomew.
- Batman: Likely from the same root, though some say it might refer to the animal.
- Fledermaus: A rare German form.
Unique Names That Mean Bat
If you want something unusual, consider these.
- Pekapeka
- Zotz
- Komori
- Tzinacan
- Vespertilio
- Ystlum
Bat Names for Pets
Bats make cute pet names, especially for black cats and small dogs. Good choices are Batty, Pip, Echo, Shadow, Midnight, Nyx, Zotz and Vesper. Echo is a fun one because bats use echolocation.
How to Choose a Bat Name
Think about whether you want a literal word or a night feeling. Literal names like Zotz and Pekapeka are rare and have real roots. Night names like Nyx and Vesper are easier for everyday use. Always check the pronunciation and the culture behind the word. Then say the full name aloud with the surname, and consider nicknames such as Peka, Kom, Zo or Vee.
FAQs
What is a name that means bat?
Zotz, Pekapeka, Komori and Popo are real words for bat in Maya, Māori, Japanese and Swahili. Vespertilio is the Latin word.
What does Zotz mean?
Zotz is the Maya word for bat. It is also linked to the bat god Camazotz in Maya mythology.
What is the Urdu word for bat?
The Urdu word for bat is chamgadar. The Arabic word is khuffash.
Is Nyx a name that means bat?
No. Nyx is the Greek goddess of night, but it is a popular choice because bats are creatures of the night.
What does Vesper mean?
Vesper means evening in Latin. The Latin word for bat, vespertilio, comes from the same root.
Does Batu mean bat?
No. Batu is a Mongolian and Turkic name meaning firm or prevailing. In Malay, it means rock.
What is the Japanese name for bat?
The Japanese word for bat is komori. It is written 蝙蝠 and has a soft, rhythmic sound.
What are good bat names for pets?
Batty, Pip, Echo, Shadow, Midnight, Nyx and Vesper are popular, and they suit dark colored pets very well.
