Names That Mean Black

Names that mean black include Cole, Melanie, Kali, Krishna, Adham, Aswad, Kuro, Ciara, Blake, Keir, Ebony and Onyx. They come from English, Greek, Sanskrit, Arabic, Japanese and Irish, and they give a child a deep, strong and elegant identity.

Quick Picks

Boy Names That Mean Black

• Cole: English name meaning coal black.
• Adham: Arabic name meaning black.
• Aswad: Arabic word for black.
• Krishna: Sanskrit name meaning dark or black.
• Shyam: Hindi name meaning dark, also a title of Krishna.
• Keir: Gaelic name meaning dark.
• Kieran: Irish name meaning little dark one.
• Doyle: Irish name meaning dark stranger.
• Duncan: Scottish name meaning dark warrior.
• Maurice: Latin name linked to a dark complexion.

Girl Names That Mean Black

• Melanie: Greek name meaning black.
• Melania: Variation of Melanie.
• Melaina: Greek word for dark and black.
• Kali: Sanskrit name meaning black.
• Ciara: Irish name meaning dark.
• Sawda: Arabic name meaning black.
• Shyama: Feminine form of Shyam, meaning dark.
• Ebony: English name inspired by black wood.

Unisex Names That Mean Black

• Kuro: Japanese for black.
• Blake: Old English name that can mean black or pale.
• Kala: Sanskrit word meaning black and also time.
• Sable: Black fur and a color of heraldry.
• Jet: Jet-black gemstone.
• Noir: French for black.

Names That Mean Dark

If you want a softer way to say black, these names fit.

• Keir: Dark.
• Darcy: Irish name linked to dark.
• Donovan: Irish name meaning dark.
• Kieran: Dark-haired.

Names That Mean Night

• Layla: Arabic for night.
• Nisha: Sanskrit for night.
• Nyx: Greek goddess of night.
• Yoru: Japanese for night.

Names Inspired by Black Birds

• Raven: Black bird known for intelligence.
• Bran: Welsh and Irish name meaning raven.
• Corvin: Latin-linked name from the word for raven.

Gemstone and Material Names

Black gems and woods make elegant names.

• Onyx: Black stone often used for protection.
• Jet: Polished black gem.
• Ebony: Dark, dense wood.
• Obsidian: Volcanic glass, rare and bold.

Arabic and Urdu Names

These are the easiest choices in Pakistan.

• Adham for black.
• Aswad for black.
• Sawda for black.
• Layla for night.

Sanskrit and Hindi Names

• Krishna: Dark.
• Shyam: Dark and deep-colored.
• Kali: Black.
• Kala: Black.

These are also names of Hindu deities, so use them with respect and cultural awareness.

Irish and Scottish Names

• Ciara: Dark.
• Keir: Dark.
• Kieran: Little dark one.
• Doyle: Dark stranger.
• Duncan: Dark warrior.

Greek and Latin Names

• Melanie, Melania, Melaina: Black.
• Maurice: Dark-skinned.
• Morris: Variant of Maurice.

Japanese Names

• Kuro: Black.
• Yoru: Night.
• Kokoro: Heart, often chosen as a contrast to dark names.

Native and Aboriginal Names

• Enoli: Cherokee name meaning black fox.
• Maroochy: Aboriginal Australian name meaning black swan.

English Surname Names

• Cole: Coal black.
• Blake: Black or pale.
• Blackwell: Dark well or stream.
• Blackburn: Dark brook.

Names for Pets

Many people search for black names for cats, dogs and horses.

• Onyx for a sleek black cat.
• Jet for a fast dog.
• Sable for a dark, glossy coat.
• Kuro for any black pet.
• Ebony for a gentle horse.

How to Choose

• Check the meaning: Name sites often copy each other, so confirm with a trusted language source.
• Say it aloud: Test it with your surname.
• Be aware of deities: Names like Kali and Krishna have deep religious meaning.
• Think about tone: Cole and Blake feel modern, while Melaina feels classic.
• Consider nicknames: Melanie can become Mel or Mellie.

FAQs

What name means black?

Cole, Melanie, Kali, Adham, Aswad and Kuro all mean black. Each comes from a different language.

What is a boy name that means black?

Cole, Adham, Aswad and Krishna are strong options. Adham and Aswad are common in Pakistan.

What is a girl name that means black?

Melanie, Kali, Ciara and Sawda are good picks. Melanie is the most widely used.

What is a unisex name that means black?

Kuro, Blake and Sable work for any gender. Kuro is short and distinctive.

What name means dark?

Keir, Kieran, Darcy and Donovan all mean dark. They are mostly Irish and Gaelic.

What gemstone names mean black?

Onyx, Jet and Obsidian are black gemstones. Onyx is the most popular as a name.

What name means black bird?

Raven is the best known. Bran means raven in Welsh and Irish.