Some female names can be filled with bad fortune. There may be absolutely nothing wrong with these women, but their names carry an unlucky meaning that is hard to shake off. Here are the most unfortunate girls’ names that might lead to someone going by their middle name instead if they learn the meaning.
1. Lorelai
You might think of “Gilmore Girls” when you hear this name, but the meaning of Lorelai is “luring rock,” which comes from old mythology about a siren who would lure boaters traveling the Rhine River to death.
2. Portia
Although this is a common name derived from the Roman family name Porcius, it doesn’t mean precious, as you might think. Instead, it means…pig. Despite the fact that pigs are cute, who wants to be named Miss Piggy?
3. Courtney
Although this is one of the most common names, it has bizarre meanings. One meaning is “broken,” and the other is “short nose,” so these really aren’t the most flattering descriptors.
4. Persephone
This name directly translates to “bringer of death,” so you might not consider this name lucky. Although Greek mythological names are hot right now, do you really want this name trailing your child for the rest of their lives?
5. Kennedy
This is a famous president’s name, and it’s also a popular name for boys and girls. However, it directly translates to “ugly head.” As long as no one asks you what it means, you should be fine, but this isn’t the biggest confidence booster…
6. Tristan
This gender-neutral name has multiple meanings. The first is “sorrowful,” and the other is “noise.” Noise isn’t that bad, but “sorrowful” is a heavy label to carry around for the rest of your life. In Spanish, the name Tristana translates to “sad.”
7. Badriyah
In Arabic, this name translates to “misfortune” or “full moon.” Although “full moon” is a form of beauty, some Middle Eastern cultures believe people with this name to be harbingers of misfortune due to the other meaning!
8. Banshee
In Irish legends, the banshee might directly translate to “fairy woman,” but it refers to a mythological woman who wails as a warning of impending death. Who knew the saying “howl like a banshee” actually has roots in a name?
9. Cassandra
A seemingly normal name that means “shine” or “to excel,” Cassandra was a Greek mythological creature who had a lifelong curse. She would always be able to predict the truths of the future, but no one would believe her, leading to a tragic ending.
10. Dolores
In Spanish, Dolores translates to “sorrows” and is meant to highlight the suffering of the Virgin Mary. It’s a beautiful name, but who wants to be known as sorrowful for the rest of their lives?
11. Raven
Raven, or Ravenna, is tied to the raven bird, which is considered a symbol of bad luck. This creature is seen as a gloomy one and a bad omen with connotations of misfortune.
12. Pandora
Pandora is a popular name, and it’s also in the name of a well-known jewelry store. It translats to “all gifts,” but let’s not forget that it was a tale about a girl who unleashed chaos after she opened up a cursed box.
13. Mara
In Hebrew, Mara means “bitter.” It’s known as such because of the Biblical tale of Naomi and the personal loss that it represents.
14. Hilda
The name Hilda means “battle woman.” Although this might not seem so bad (female warriors are quite cool, right?), in folklore, it’s sometimes related to turbulent times. In contemporary usage, it might imply that someone is eager for a confrontation.
15. Melinoe
In Greek, this means “dark thought.” Melinoe is a mythological figure who is the goddess of ghosts and nightmares. She is known for haunting anyone she encounters. Yikes!
