251+ Names That Mean Regret or Sorrow

Choosing a name imbued with deep meanings can have a significant impact on a child’s identity. Names that mean regret or sorrow reflect a profound sense of reflection and emotion. This blog post explores over 251+ Names That Mean Regret or Sorrow from various cultures that embody these themes. Whether you’re looking for something traditional or unique, this list provides a rich variety of options to consider.

Origins of Names Meaning Regret / Sorrow

Names associated with regret and sorrow often draw from various linguistic, cultural, and mythological roots. These names can embody feelings of loss, remembrance, and the complexity of human emotions. From ancient mythologies to modern interpretations, the meanings behind these names can offer depth and significance. Here are some names categorized by their origins, showcasing how diverse and poignant these meanings can be.

Traditional Names Meaning Regret / Sorrow

• Brennan

Meaning: Descendant of Braonán; signifies sadness or sorrow.

Origin: Irish.

• Saul

Meaning: Asked for; reflects a sense of longing.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Tristan

Meaning: Tumult or outcry; associated with sorrow in legend.

Origin: Welsh.

• Mallory

Meaning: Unfortunate; indicates a sense of misfortune.

Origin: French.

• Jabez

Meaning: Born in pain; symbolizes sorrowful beginnings.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Asha

Meaning: Hope; represents hope amidst sorrow.

Origin: Sanskrit.

• Brenna

Meaning: Descendant of Braonán; signifies sadness.

Origin: Irish.

• Devon

Meaning: Poet; often linked with melancholic themes.

Origin: English.

• Mara

Meaning: Bitter; associated with sorrow.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Lenore

Meaning: Light; often symbolizes the longing for lost love.

Origin: Greek.

• Isolde

Meaning: Ice ruler; linked to tragic love stories.

Origin: Welsh.

• Ronan

Meaning: Little seal; associated with melancholic folklore.

Origin: Irish.

• Dolores

Meaning: Sorrows; directly reflect the theme of sorrow.

Origin: Spanish.

• Achilles

Meaning: Pain; is linked to sorrow and loss in mythology.

Origin: Greek.

• Brenin

Meaning: King; often associated with the burden of leadership and sorrow.

Origin: Welsh.

• Claudia

Meaning: Unimpressive; reflects themes of sorrow in certain contexts.

Origin: Latin.

• Brenna

Meaning: Descendant of Braonán; signifies sadness or sorrow.

Origin: Irish.

• Niamh

Meaning: Bright; reflects beauty amidst sorrow in Irish legends.

Origin: Irish.

• Leah

Meaning: Weary; reflects a sense of burden and sorrow.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Mallory

Meaning: Unfortunate; indicates a sense of misfortune.

Origin: French.

Names from Mythology Meaning Regret / Sorrow

• Echo

Meaning: Sound; reflects themes of loss and longing in mythology.

Origin: Greek.

• Persephone

Meaning: Bringer of destruction; symbolizes loss and sorrow in the underworld.

Origin: Greek.

• Dido

Meaning: One who is beloved; linked to tragic love stories.

Origin: Phoenician.

• Hecuba

Meaning: A mother in sorrow; symbolizes loss in Greek mythology.

Origin: Greek.

• Lament

Meaning: To express sorrow; directly embodies themes of regret.

Origin: Latin.

• Niobe

Meaning: Mourning; reflects sorrow over lost children.

Origin: Greek.

• Morpheus

Meaning: God of dreams; often linked to sorrowful dreams.

Origin: Greek.

• Phaedra

Meaning: Bright; linked to tragic love and sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Andromeda

Meaning: Ruler of men; reflects themes of sacrifice and sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Antigone

Meaning: Opposite born; symbolizes the struggle with fate and sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Ariadne

Meaning: Most holy; linked to tragic stories of love.

Origin: Greek.

• Bellerophon

Meaning: Killer of the Chimera; reflects themes of regret in mythology.

Origin: Greek.

• Medea

Meaning: Cunning; symbolizes regret over love lost.

Origin: Greek.

• Cassandra

Meaning: Shining upon man; reflects sorrow and betrayal.

Origin: Greek.

• Isolde

Meaning: Ice ruler; linked to tragic love stories.

Origin: Welsh.

• Desdemona

Meaning: Unlucky; associated with tragic love.

Origin: Greek.

• Eurydice

Meaning: Wide justice; symbolizes loss and longing in the underworld.

Origin: Greek.

• Calliope

Meaning: Beautiful voice; associated with sorrowful stories.

Origin: Greek.

• Tantalus

Meaning: To suffer; represents eternal regret and sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Morpheus

Meaning: God of dreams; often linked to sorrowful dreams.

Origin: Greek.

Names from Different Languages Meaning Regret / Sorrow

• Sorrow

Meaning: Deep sadness; directly embodies the theme of sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Sadira

Meaning: Thorny; represents pain and sorrow.

Origin: Persian.

• Chione

Meaning: Goddess of snow; reflects coldness and sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Devereux

Meaning: From the oak; symbolizes strength in sorrow.

Origin: French.

• Branwen

Meaning: A beautiful raven; symbolizes sorrow in Welsh mythology.

Origin: Welsh.

• Cynara

Meaning: Artichoke; reflects themes of loss and sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Kenta

Meaning: Strong; reflects the strength to overcome sorrow.

Origin: Japanese.

• Runa

Meaning: Secret; symbolizes hidden sorrow.

Origin: Scandinavian.

• Leif

Meaning: Heir; represents legacy and regret.

Origin: Scandinavian.

• Kara

Meaning: Friend; can symbolize support through sorrow.

Origin: Italian.

• Luz

Meaning: Light; can symbolize hope amidst sorrow.

Origin: Spanish.

• Aisling

Meaning: Dream or vision; reflects longing and sorrow.

Origin: Irish.

• Rafaela

Meaning: Healed by God; signifies recovery from sorrow.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Vanya

Meaning: God is gracious; and can symbolize hope after sorrow.

Origin: Russian.

• Zaira

Meaning: A flower; can symbolize beauty amidst sorrow.

Origin: Arabic.

• Kahlo

Meaning: One who cries; symbolizes deep emotional expression.

Origin: Spanish.

• Khalida

Meaning: Eternal; represents enduring sorrow.

Origin: Arabic.

• Sorsha

Meaning: Freedom; reflects overcoming sorrow.

Origin: Irish.

• Suki

Meaning: A loved one; signifies love amidst loss.

Origin: Japanese.

• Eri

Meaning: Blessed; can symbolize hope through sorrow.

Origin: Japanese.

Literary Names Meaning Regret / Sorrow

• Ophelia

Meaning: Help; linked to themes of tragedy in Shakespearean literature.

Origin: English.

• Dorian

Meaning: Of the sea; associated with a life of regret.

Origin: Greek.

• Gatsby

Meaning: From the town of Gatsby; symbolizes lost love and regret.

Origin: English.

• Estella

Meaning: Star; linked to themes of lost love in “Great Expectations.”

Origin: Latin.

• Hester

Meaning: The star; represents the burden of sin and sorrow.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Cathy

Meaning: Pure; linked to tragic love in “Wuthering Heights.”

Origin: English.

• Heathcliff

Meaning: Cliff by a heath; embodies sorrow and isolation.

Origin: English.

• Eeyore

Meaning: A donkey; symbolizes deep melancholy.

Origin: English.

• Edna

Meaning: Rejuvenation; reflects the struggle against societal norms.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Hawthorne

Meaning: From the hedged enclosure; reflects themes of sorrow in literature.

Origin: English.

• Tess

Meaning: Harvester; symbolizes tragic fate in “Tess of the d’Urbervilles.”

Origin: English.

• Moby

Meaning: Derived from Moby Dick; represents the pursuit of unattainable goals.

Origin: English.

• Holden

Meaning: Hollow Valley; reflects deep existential sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Scarlett

Meaning: Red; is associated with passion and regret in “Gone with the Wind.”

Origin: English.

• Beatrice

Meaning: She who brings joy; represents the loss of happiness.

Origin: Latin.

• Faust

Meaning: Fist; symbolizes a pact with regret.

Origin: German.

• Ishmael

Meaning: God will hear; represents isolation and sorrow in “Moby Dick.”

Origin: Hebrew.

• Miriam

Meaning: Rebellion; signifies the struggle against fate.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Frankenstein

Meaning: Stone of the Franks; symbolizes the consequences of regret.

Origin: German.

• Clarisse

Meaning: Bright; symbolizes lost potential in literature.

Origin: Latin.

Contemporary Names Meaning Regret / Sorrow

• Sadie

Meaning: A princess; can symbolize a bittersweet life.

Origin: English.

• Lennon

Meaning: Small cloak; associated with themes of loss.

Origin: Irish.

• Jaxon

Meaning: God has been gracious; signifies hope amidst sorrow.

Origin: American.

• Cora

Meaning: Maiden; linked to themes of nostalgia and loss.

Origin: Greek.

• Everly

Meaning: Boar meadow; signifies strength through sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Lyric

Meaning: Words of a song; reflect the sorrow in storytelling.

Origin: English.

• Kiera

Meaning: Dark; symbolizes the complexity of emotions.

Origin: Irish.

• Tatum

Meaning: Cheerful; can symbolize overcoming sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Harley

Meaning: Hare meadow; represents freedom amidst sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Riley

Meaning: Valiant; signifies strength through hardship.

Origin: Irish.

• Axton

Meaning: Ash tree town; symbolizes resilience in sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Kylie

Meaning: Boomerang; reflects the return of sorrow.

Origin: Australian.

• Sienna

Meaning: Reddish brown; symbolizes earthiness and loss.

Origin: Italian.

• Harlow

Meaning: Army Hill; signifies strength through trials.

Origin: English.

• Tessa

Meaning: Harvester; represents reaping what is sown.

Origin: English.

• Skylar

Meaning: Scholar; signifies the pursuit of knowledge despite regret.

Origin: Dutch.

• Lila

Meaning: Night; reflects themes of darkness and sorrow.

Origin: Arabic.

• Sage

Meaning: Wise; symbolizes understanding through sorrow.

Origin: Latin.

• Rowan

Meaning: Little redhead; represents the bittersweet nature of life.

Origin: Irish.

• Zara

Meaning: Blossom; signifies beauty that emerges from sorrow.

Origin: Arabic.

Unique Names Meaning Regret / Sorrow

• Amara

Meaning: Eternal; reflects the lasting nature of sorrow.

Origin: Igbo.

• Zara

Meaning: Princess; signifies beauty amidst sorrow.

Origin: Arabic.

• Lirael

Meaning: Lyric; reflects themes of longing.

Origin: Fantasy.

• Soleil

Meaning: Sun; represents light amidst sorrow.

Origin: French.

• Indigo

Meaning: Deep blue; signifies depth of emotion.

Origin: Greek.

• Ailani

Meaning: The high chief; symbolizes strength in sorrow.

Origin: Hawaiian.

• Elysia

Meaning: Blissful; reflects the contrast of joy and sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Zinnia

Meaning: Flower; symbolizes beauty that grows from pain.

Origin: Latin.

• Calantha

Meaning: Beautiful flower; represents rebirth from sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Cypress

Meaning: The tree of life; symbolizes endurance through sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Alaric

Meaning: Ruler of all; signifies the burden of leadership and sorrow.

Origin: German.

• Eira

Meaning: Snow; represents purity amidst sorrow.

Origin: Welsh.

• Jules

Meaning: Youthful; can symbolize lost youth and regret.

Origin: French.

• Kael

Meaning: Mighty warrior; signifies strength through sorrow.

Origin: Irish.

• Leontine

Meaning: Lioness; symbolizes courage in facing sorrow.

Origin: Latin.

• Sonya

Meaning: Wisdom; reflects the knowledge gained through sorrow.

Origin: Russian.

• Tahlia

Meaning: Morning dew; signifies freshness after sorrow.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Thalia

Meaning: To blossom; symbolizes new beginnings after sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Yara

Meaning: The small butterfly; represents transformation through sorrow.

Origin: Arabic.

• Zafira

Meaning: Successful; symbolizes overcoming challenges.

Origin: Arabic.

Names Inspired by Nature Meaning Regret / Sorrow

• Willow

Meaning: Graceful; reflects flexibility and sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Linden

Meaning: Lime tree; symbolizes protection amidst sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Cedar

Meaning: Strong; signifies resilience in sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Cypress

Meaning: The tree of life; represents endurance through sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Birch

Meaning: To shine; symbolizes hope amidst sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Rowan

Meaning: Little redhead; represents the bittersweet nature of life.

Origin: Irish.

• Fern

Meaning: Sorrow; directly reflects the theme of sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Laurel

Meaning: Honor; symbolizes the burden of expectation and sorrow.

Origin: Latin.

• Holly

Meaning: The Holly plant; signifies resilience amidst sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Sage

Meaning: Wise; symbolizes understanding through sorrow.

Origin: Latin.

• Aspen

Meaning: The quaking tree; reflects the fragility of life.

Origin: English.

• Clover

Meaning: Luck; can symbolize hope amidst sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Hazel

Meaning: The hazel tree; symbolizes wisdom gained through sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Juniper

Meaning: Young; reflects the innocence lost in sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Petal

Meaning: Flower part; symbolizes beauty that emerges from pain.

Origin: English.

• Aster

Meaning: The star; symbolizes hope amidst sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Dahlia

Meaning: The Dahlia flower; reflects beauty amidst sorrow.

Origin: Swedish.

• Lavender

Meaning: Purity; symbolizes serenity after sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Briar

Meaning: Thorny bush; represents pain and sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Poppy

Meaning: Sleep; symbolizes peace after sorrow.

Origin: English.

Historical Names Meaning Regret / Sorrow

• Cleopatra

Meaning: The glory of the father; symbolizes tragedy in history.

Origin: Greek.

• Nefertiti

Meaning: The beautiful one has arrived; reflects loss in history.

Origin: Egyptian.

• Marie

Meaning: Bitter; linked to themes of loss.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Catherine

Meaning: Pure; symbolizes lost purity in history.

Origin: Greek.

• Virginia

Meaning: Maiden; signifies innocence lost.

Origin: Latin.

• Elizabeth

Meaning: God is my oath; reflects themes of loyalty and sorrow.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Hildegarde

Meaning: Battle maiden; represents the sorrow of war.

Origin: German.

• Victoria

Meaning: Victory; reflects the bittersweet nature of triumph.

Origin: Latin.

• Boudica

Meaning: Victory; symbolizes the struggle against oppression.

Origin: Celtic.

• Florence

Meaning: Prosperous; linked to themes of loss in history.

Origin: Latin.

• Marie Antoinette

Meaning: Bitter; reflects themes of tragedy.

Origin: French.

• Joan

Meaning: God is gracious; symbolizes loss in history.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Margaret

Meaning: Pearl; symbolizes lost beauty.

Origin: Greek.

• Simone

Meaning: Hearing; signifies listening to sorrow.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Clara

Meaning: Bright; reflects lost potential in history.

Origin: Latin.

• Anastasia

Meaning: Resurrection; symbolizes hope after sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Adelaide

Meaning: Noble; reflects the burden of nobility.

Origin: German.

• Irene

Meaning: Peace; signifies the longing for peace amidst sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Odessa

Meaning: Wrathful; reflects the pain of loss.

Origin: Greek.

• Athena

Meaning: Wisdom; reflects the knowledge gained through sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

Cultural Names Meaning Regret / Sorrow

• Naya

Meaning: New; reflects renewal after sorrow.

Origin: Arabic.

• Aisling

Meaning: Dream; reflects longing and sorrow.

Origin: Irish.

• Esmeralda

Meaning: Emerald; symbolizes beauty amidst sorrow.

Origin: Spanish.

• Anaya

Meaning: Caring; signifies compassion amidst sorrow.

Origin: Sanskrit.

• Kaida

Meaning: Little dragon; symbolizes strength through sorrow.

Origin: Japanese.

• Zuri

Meaning: Beautiful; reflects beauty amidst sorrow.

Origin: Swahili.

• Kaimana

Meaning: The power of the sea; signifies strength through sorrow.

Origin: Hawaiian.

• Saoirse

Meaning: Freedom; symbolizes overcoming sorrow.

Origin: Irish.

• Zara

Meaning: Blossom; symbolizes beauty that emerges from sorrow.

Origin: Arabic.

• Xiomara

Meaning: Ready for battle; signifies strength in sorrow.

Origin: Spanish.

• Amani

Meaning: Peace; symbolizes hope amidst sorrow.

Origin: Swahili.

• Alina

Meaning: Bright; signifies hope amidst sorrow.

Origin: Slavic.

• Fatima

Meaning: Captivating; symbolizes the enduring nature of sorrow.

Origin: Arabic.

• Shira

Meaning: Song; reflects the power of music in expressing sorrow.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Nia

Meaning: Purpose; reflects the importance of finding purpose in sorrow.

Origin: Swahili.

• Talia

Meaning: The Dew of God; symbolizes freshness after sorrow.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Kiara

Meaning: Clear; signifies clarity amidst sorrow.

Origin: Italian.

• Anaya

Meaning: Caring; signifies compassion amidst sorrow.

Origin: Sanskrit.

• Indira

Meaning: Beauty; reflects the complexity of emotions.

Origin: Sanskrit.

• Kia

Meaning: To arise; symbolizes overcoming challenges.

Origin: African.

Unique & Modern Names Meaning Regret / Sorrow

• Asha

Meaning: Hope; represents hope amidst sorrow.

Origin: Sanskrit.

• Koda

Meaning: Friend; symbolizes companionship in sorrow.

Origin: Native American.

• Rhea

Meaning: Flowing; symbolizes the passage of time and regret.

Origin: Greek.

• Zadie

Meaning: Prosperity; signifies hope amidst loss.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Niamh

Meaning: Bright; reflects beauty amidst sorrow.

Origin: Irish.

• Cleo

Meaning: Glory; symbolizes the burden of glory.

Origin: Greek.

• Kyra

Meaning: Lord; reflects the search for meaning in sorrow.

Origin: Greek.

• Adira

Meaning: Strong; symbolizes strength through sorrow.

Origin: Hebrew.

• Tamsin

Meaning: Twin; reflects the duality of joy and sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Indigo

Meaning: Deep blue; signifies depth of emotion.

Origin: Greek.

• Sable

Meaning: Black; reflects themes of sorrow and darkness.

Origin: French.

• Lyric

Meaning: Words of a song; reflect the sorrow in storytelling.

Origin: English.

• Lynx

Meaning: Wildcat; symbolizes wild emotions.

Origin: English.

• Raven

Meaning: Dark bird; reflects mystery and sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Misty

Meaning: Foggy; symbolizes the haze of sorrow.

Origin: English.

• Faye

Meaning: Fairy; reflects the ethereal nature of sorrow.

Origin: French.

• Celine

Meaning: Heavenly; symbolizes the longing for the divine.

Origin: French.

• Zephyr

Meaning: A gentle breeze; symbolizes the passage of time.

Origin: Greek.

• Zinnia

Meaning: Flower; symbolizes beauty that grows from pain.

Origin: Latin.

• Aurora

Meaning: Dawn; signifies new beginnings after sorrow.

Origin: Latin.

Conclusion

Choosing a name that means regret or sorrow can evoke a rich tapestry of emotions and stories. Each name carries with it a unique history and significance, allowing parents to select a name that resonates with their personal experiences or aspirations. From traditional names steeped in history to contemporary and unique options, the names listed here reflect a spectrum of feelings associated with sorrow and regret. As you contemplate these names, consider the depth and meaning they might impart to your child’s identity, embodying both the challenges and beauty of life. Happy naming!