250+ Names That Mean Bat: Literal, Mythical & Night-Inspired Ideas

Bats are fascinating creatures that play essential roles in our ecosystems, yet they often remain misunderstood. Let’s Explore 250+ names that mean bat, exploring literal, mythical, and night-inspired options.

Whether you’re looking for names for bats or seeking unique inspiration for creative projects, this comprehensive list offers something for everyone. By the end, you’ll discover intriguing names that reflect the mystique and charm of these nocturnal wonders.

What Does It Actually Mean For A Name To “Mean Bat”?

After working through dozens of naming lists for this piece, the recurring problem is conflation treating “sounds gothic” the same as “means bat.” In practice, there are four honest categories: names that are literal translations of the word “bat,” real names whose actual meaning is night/dark/moon (a bat-adjacent theme), real mythological figures genuinely tied to bats or the underworld, and invented, stylized names built for fantasy characters or pets.

Names That Literally Mean “Bat” Around The World

These are real translations of the word “bat,” plus scientific genus names built from Greek and Latin roots for actual bat species.

• Komori — Japanese word for bat (蝙蝠)
• Murciélago — Spanish word for bat
• Morcego — Portuguese word for bat
• Fledermaus — German word for bat, literally “flutter mouse”
• Chauve-souris — French word for bat, literally “bald mouse”
• Pipistrello — Italian word for bat, also a real bat genus
• Vleermuis — Dutch word for bat, literally “flying mouse”
• Yarasa — Turkish word for bat
• Nietoperz — Polish word for bat
• Netopýr — Czech word for bat
• Denevér — Hungarian word for bat
• Lepakko — Finnish word for bat
• Fladdermus — Swedish word for bat
• Flagermus — Danish and Norwegian word for bat
• Leðurblaka — Icelandic word for bat, literally “leather flapper”
• Ystlum — Welsh word for bat
• Popo — Swahili word for bat
• Nychterída — Greek word for bat
• Letuchaya Mysh — Russian term for bat, literally “flying mouse”
• Läderlapp — poetic Swedish alternate term for bat
• Vespertilio — Latin word for bat, root of the bat family Vespertilionidae
• Chiroptera — the scientific order name for bats, from Greek “cheir” (hand) + “pteron” (wing)
• Myotis — bat genus meaning “mouse-eared”
• Pteropus — flying-fox bat genus, meaning “winged foot”
• Rhinolophus — horseshoe bat genus, meaning “nose crest”
• Desmodus — vampire bat genus, meaning “linked tooth”
• Molossus — mastiff bat genus
• Noctilio — bulldog bat genus, from Latin “nox” (night)
• Lasiurus — hairy-tailed bat genus
• Tadarida — free-tailed bat genus
• Nyctalus — noctule bat genus, from Greek “nyktos” (night)
• Barbastella — barbastelle bat genus
• Antrozous — pallid bat genus, meaning “cave-dwelling”
• Miniopterus — long-winged/bent-wing bat genus
• Rousettus — Egyptian fruit bat genus
• Eptesicus — serotine bat genus, meaning “house flier”
• Corynorhinus — big-eared bat genus, meaning “club-nosed”
• Nycteris — slit-faced bat genus, directly from the Greek word for bat
• Vesper — shortened form drawn from Vespertilionidae, the largest bat family

Boy Names Meaning Night, Darkness, Shadow, Or The Moon

These real names don’t translate to “bat,” but each carries a genuine night, dark, or moon meaning the same symbolic territory bats occupy. If you’re drawn to the darker end of the naming spectrum, you’ll probably enjoy our boy names that mean evil roundup too. It digs into names with sinister or villainous roots, perfect if you want something bolder than just “night-themed.”

• Erebus — Greek, primordial god personifying darkness
• Kieran — Irish, “little dark one”
• Ciaran — Irish variant, “dark-haired”
• Duncan — Scottish, “dark warrior”
• Douglas — Scottish, “dark river” (from “dubh glas,” black water)
• Blake — Old English, disputed dual meaning of “dark” or “pale”
• Morris — English, historically linked to “Moor” and dark complexion
• Maurice — French form of Morris, same root
• Chandra — Sanskrit, “moon” (used for both boys and girls)
• Tariq — Arabic, “one who knocks at night,” also linked to the morning star
• Qamar — Arabic, “moon”
• Sirius — Greek, “glowing,” the brightest star in the night sky
• Orion — Greek mythology, a hunter constellation prominent at night
• Draco — Latin, “dragon/serpent,” also a night-sky constellation
• Altair — Arabic, “the flying eagle,” a bright night-sky star
• Rigel — Arabic, “foot,” a star in the Orion constellation
• Phoenix — Greek, mythological bird of death and rebirth, echoing bat rebirth symbolism
• Raven — English, the bird’s name, symbolically tied to night and omen
• Onyx — Greek, a black gemstone used as a word-name
• Jet — English, a black gemstone/word-name
• Cole — Old English, “coal-black”
• Nox — Latin word for “night,” used directly as a given name
• Knight — English word-name, common in modern dark-aesthetic naming
• Shadow — English word-name
• Midnight — English word-name, mostly used for characters
• Lucian — Latin, actually means “light” — included because it’s a staple of vampire fiction despite the ironic meaning
• Damon — Greek, “to tame or subdue,” widely used in vampire pop culture
• Vlad — Slavic, “to rule with glory,” tied historically to Vlad the Impaler, Dracula’s inspiration
• Bram — Dutch short form of Abraham, “father of many” — notable as Bram Stoker’s name
• Griffin — Welsh/English, “strong lord,” also a mythical winged creature
• Zephyr — Greek, “west wind”
• Storm — English word-name
• Talon — English word-name, “claw”
• Hunter — English word-name, nocturnal-predator association
• Wolfe — English/German, “wolf,” another common nocturnal predator
• Corbin — French, derived from “corbeau” (raven)
• Merlin — Welsh, “sea fortress,” tied to night magic in Arthurian legend
• Salem — place name strongly tied to witch-trial and Halloween imagery
• Crow — English word-name, a bird tied to night and omens
• Raiden — Japanese, “thunder and lightning”

Girl Names Meaning Night, Darkness, Shadow, Or The Moon

Explore beautiful girl names inspired by the mystery of night, darkness, shadows, and the moon. For more options in this same moody, atmospheric lane, check out our list of girl names that mean darkness or death. It expands on names like Nyx and Lilith with even more folklore-rich picks, great for anyone building out a gothic or nocturnal naming theme.

• Nyx — Greek, primordial goddess of night
• Selene — Greek, goddess of the moon
• Luna — Latin, “moon”
• Layla — Arabic, “night”
• Lilith — Mesopotamian and Jewish folklore, a night-demon figure
• Yamini — Sanskrit, “night”
• Ratri — Sanskrit, Vedic goddess of night
• Zorya — Slavic, guardian goddesses associated with dawn and dusk
• Nótt — Old Norse, personification of night
• Cynthia — Greek, epithet of Artemis/the moon goddess
• Diana — Roman, goddess of the moon and hunt
• Artemis — Greek, goddess of the moon and hunt
• Hecate — Greek, goddess of magic, night, and crossroads
• Vesper — Latin, “evening,” root of the bat family name Vespertilionidae
• Vespera — Latin-styled elaboration of “evening”
• Stella — Latin, “star”
• Estelle — French, from Latin “star”
• Seren — Welsh, “star”
• Aster — Greek, “star”
• Vega — Arabic-derived, name of a bright star
• Andromeda — Greek mythology, a princess and a constellation
• Cassiopeia — Greek mythology, a queen and a night-sky constellation
• Maia — Greek, one of the Pleiades star nymphs
• Electra — Greek, another Pleiades star, “amber/shining”
• Nova — Latin, “new,” used for a star’s sudden brightening
• Umbra — Latin, “shadow”
• Ombra — Italian, “shadow”
• Sable — English, word-name for black
• Onyxia — stylized elaboration of “onyx”
• Raven — bird name tied to night and mystery, also used for girls
• Winter — English word-name, evokes long dark nights
• Eve — Hebrew, true meaning is “living,” commonly (though incorrectly) associated with “evening” by sound
• Aurora — Latin, “dawn” — the night’s bookend, tied to the Northern Lights
• Morrigan — Irish mythology, goddess of war and fate, often shown with a crow
• Freya — Norse, goddess linked to love, war, and death
• Persephone — Greek mythology, queen of the underworld
• Circe — Greek mythology, sorceress associated with night magic
• Elvira — Spanish/Germanic, “elf/noble,” widely tied to gothic pop culture
• Carmilla — literary origin (Sheridan Le Fanu’s 1872 gothic novella), a foundational vampire-fiction name

Mythical & Folklore Names Linked To Bats, Night, And The Underworld

Step into a world of ancient myths and folklore with names connected to bats, the night, and the mysterious underworld. Underworld deities are only part of the picture our mysterious names guide rounds up names carrying an air of intrigue and secrecy across cultures. It’s a natural next stop if Camazotz, Hecate, or Erebus caught your eye.

• Camazotz — Mayan bat god, ruler of the underworld cave of bats in the Popol Vuh
• Erebus — Greek personification of primordial darkness
• Lilith — Mesopotamian/Jewish folklore night demon, sometimes linked to nocturnal creatures
• Morrigan — Irish goddess of war and fate, associated with crows and death omens
• Anubis — Egyptian god of the underworld and mummification
• Hades — Greek god of the underworld
• Persephone — Greek queen of the underworld
• Thanatos — Greek personification of death
• Nemesis — Greek goddess of retribution, often depicted winged
• Selene — Greek moon goddess
• Diana — Roman moon and hunt goddess
• Hel — Norse goddess ruling the underworld realm of the same name
• Loki — Norse trickster god associated with shapeshifting
• Freya — Norse goddess linked to death and mystery
• Baron Samedi — Haitian Vodou loa of the dead
• Mictlantecuhtli — Aztec god of the underworld and death
• Xolotl — Aztec god of lightning and death, often depicted with animalistic traits
• Ah Puch — Mayan god of death
• Izanami — Japanese goddess of creation and death, ruler of the underworld Yomi
• Yama — Hindu and Buddhist god of death and the underworld
• Kali — Hindu goddess of time, death, and destruction
• Set — Egyptian god of chaos, darkness, and storms
• Nephthys — Egyptian goddess of mourning and the dead
• Erlik — Turkic/Siberian mythological ruler of the underworld
• Charon — Greek ferryman of the dead across the river Styx
• Cerberus — Greek three-headed hound guarding the underworld
• Banshee — Irish folklore spirit whose wail foretells death
• Dullahan — Irish folklore headless rider, a death omen
• Baba Yaga — Slavic folklore witch associated with night and forests
• Krampus — Alpine folklore figure tied to dark winter nights
• Nosferatu — folkloric/literary vampire archetype rooted in Eastern European legend
• Dracula — literary vampire count created by Bram Stoker, the most famous bat-associated fictional figure
• Vlad the Impaler — historical 15th-century Wallachian ruler who inspired Dracula
• Strix — Roman folklore night-bird omen creature, root of a real bat and owl genus term
• Empusa — Greek folklore shape-shifting night demon in Hecate’s retinue
• Lamia — Greek mythology night demon, later a broader folklore figure
• Alkonost — Slavic folklore bird-woman spirit
• Sirin — Slavic folklore bird-woman spirit associated with night songs
• Nachzehrer — German folklore undead night creature
• Cailleach — Gaelic folklore hag-goddess associated with winter and dark seasons

Death and the underworld show up constantly in bat lore, so it’s worth browsing our Japanese girl names that mean death list as well. It offers a culturally specific angle that complements the broader mythological names covered here.

Unique & Creative Bat-Inspired Names

These are original, stylized name coinages not real translations or historical names built from bat- and night-related word roots. If you like coining evocative, otherworldly names, you might also like our names that mean insane collection it leans into the same wild, unconventional energy as invented names like Nyxwing or Duskveil, just from a different emotional angle.

• Noctivane
• Vesperil
• Umbrafang
• Nyxwing
• Duskori
• Shaderoost
• Wingshade
• Batrallis
• Chiroval
• Vamperia
• Noctura
• Fangvire
• Wraithwing
• Gloamwing
• Nightspar
• Mothgloom
• Batrielle
• Vesperion
• Shadowmoth
• Nightkin
• Fluttermourn
• Duskveil
• Cavecaller
• Echofang
• Nocturi
• Batessa
• Wingnyx
• Dreadwing
• Gloomcaller
• Sablewing
• Batrix
• Nyctoria
• Vesperyn
• Shadowfleet
• Duskrender
• Batalorien
• Wingmourn
• Nocturnia
• Cryptbat
• Hollowfang
• Batrivera
• Moonclaw
• Shadowvex
• Nightglider
• Batherion
• Vespermoth
• Duskspire
• Nyctelle
• Fangloom
• Batrona
• Wingshroud

Cute & Fun Pet Bat Names

Playful, everyday-friendly picks for a pet bat, plush toy, or classroom mascot.

• Pip
• Boo
• Fang
• Echo
• Nibbles
• Squeaky
• Waffles
• Mochi
• Peanut
• Biscuit
• Noodle
• Pancake
• Marshmallow
• Cocoa
• Pudding
• Button
• Muffin
• Wiggles
• Flap
• Flappy
• Swoop
• Puff
• Bitsy
• Tiny
• Chip
• Nugget
• Bramble
• Clover
• Pebble
• Truffle
• Cinnamon
• Ziggy
• Momo
• Bingo
• Pippin
• Snickers
• Toffee
• Honey
• Sunny
• Miso

Tips For Choosing A Bat-Inspired Name

• Decide first whether you want a literal translation, a symbolic night/moon name, a mythological reference, or a purely creative coinage mixing categories without knowing it is how most “bat name” lists go wrong
• Say the name out loud in context (with a surname, in a sentence, shouted across a park) before committing
• For baby names, check that a “cool-sounding” mythological figure’s full story fits the tone you want some underworld deities have violent or unsettling legends attached
• For genus-based names (Myotis, Nyctalus), lean into the “no one else has this” appeal they are real but rarely used as personal names
• For pets and characters, creative coinages give you freedom competitors’ invented “real meanings” don’t actually have

Conclusion

Names that mean bat can provide a wonderful way to connect with these enigmatic creatures. In examining various names for bats, we’ve highlighted choices that range from whimsical to symbolic, allowing for a deeper appreciation of their role in nature.

Each name on our list not only emphasizes the beauty of bats but also invites exploration into their diverse symbolism across cultures. Whether it’s for a pet, a character, or simply as a source of inspiration, the names that mean bat are sure to spark your imagination.

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