130 Emo Names for Girls, Boys, and Nonbinary Babies

Emo emerged from the Washington, D.C., hardcore punk scene in the mid-1980s and reached a much wider audience in the early 2000s. Its emotional lyrics and expressive style later became associated with a broader music and fashion scene.

As a millennial mom, I remember blasting My Chemical Romance and Mayday Parade on my iPod Nano and scribbling lyrics in my notebook. Names such as Helena, Gerard, and Avril still carry that nostalgia for many parents.

This list uses “emo” broadly for names connected to the music, its wider aesthetic, and memorable characters with a dark or alternative edge. The 130 choices are divided into girl, boy, nonbinary, singer-inspired, anime, movie, literary, and nickname sections.

13 Emo Girl Names

These girl names lean into the softer and darker sides of the emo aesthetic. Alice, Luna, and Willow feel romantic, while Amethyst, Ebony, and Scarlett add color and contrast.

Related: Badass Girl Names

1. Alice — This is a name of German origin meaning “noble” or “exalted.”

2. Amethyst — This is a variety of purple quartz. The name means “not drunk” in Greek.

3. Autumn — This English word name refers to the season between summer and winter. The word ultimately comes from the Latin “autumnus.”

4. Cambria — This is the Latinized name for Wales and a nod to the band Coheed and Cambria.

5. Delilah — This Hebrew name is often interpreted as “delicate.”

6. Ebony — This English word name refers to the dense, dark wood of the ebony tree.

7. Jade — This gemstone name comes from the Spanish phrase “piedra de la ijada,” meaning “stone of the flank.” Jade is best known for its green varieties.

8. Kat — This short form of Katherine is traditionally connected with the meaning “pure.”

9. Luna — Luna is the Latin word for “moon.”

10. Norah — This spelling of Nora is often used as a short form of Honora or Eleanor.

11. Orchid — This is an English name for the flowering plant that symbolizes beauty and strength.

12. Scarlett — This English name developed from an occupational surname associated with scarlet cloth.

13. Willow — This English nature name comes from the willow tree.

14 Emo Boy Names

These boy names pair familiar choices such as Atticus and Ezra with darker references such as Onyx, Orion, and Osiris. Some were selected for their sound and imagery rather than a direct connection to emo music.

Related: Badass Boy Names

1. Atticus — A Greek name meaning “man from Attica.”

2. Axel — This Scandinavian form of Absalom means “father of peace.”

3. Bastian — This short form of Sebastian is of German origin and means “venerable.”

4. Dexter — This is a Latin name for someone right-handed.

5. Drake — This English name can mean “male duck” or “dragon.”

6. Ezra — This name means “helper” in Hebrew.

7. Grey — This English color and surname name was historically used as a nickname for someone with grey hair.

8. Lincoln — An English name for “lake colony.”

9. Onyx — This black gemstone name comes from a Greek word meaning “claw” or “fingernail.”

10. Orion — In Greek mythology, Orion was a hunter who became associated with the constellation bearing his name.

11. Osiris — In Egyptian mythology, Osiris was the god of the dead and the afterlife.

12. Ryker — This modern surname-style name is a Dutch variant of Riker, which comes from a Germanic name element meaning “powerful.”

13. Ryland — This Old English name means “where rye is grown.”

14. Trace — This English word name can also be used as a short form of Tracy.

18 Emo Nonbinary Names

These choices work across genders and draw from surnames, nature, mythology, and word names. Ash, Blake, Echo, and Shadow all fit naturally within an emo-inspired list.

1. Ash — This nonbinary name is of English origin and means “ash tree.”

2. Blake — This English name can mean “dark” or “fair-haired.”

3. Blaze — This English word name evokes fire. Blaise is a separate name with Latin roots.

4. Cameron — This is a Scottish Gaelic name meaning “crooked nose.”

5. Casey — This Irish Gaelic name is traditionally associated with the meaning “vigilant.”

6. Charlie — Of German origin, meaning “free man.”

7. Dakota — This name comes from the Dakota people and is often translated as “friend” or “ally.”

8. Dani — This short form of Daniel or Danielle comes from Hebrew and means “God is my judge.”

9. Devin — An Irish name that means “poet.”

10. Echo — In Greek mythology, Echo was a mountain nymph whose name became associated with a reflected sound.

11. Harley — This Old English name means “the long field” or “hare meadow.”

12. Jagger — This modern given name comes from an English occupational surname meaning “carter” or “peddler.”

13. Jesse — This biblical Hebrew name belonged to the father of King David; its original meaning is uncertain.

14. Jet — This English word name refers to the deep-black gemstone.

15. Lennon — An Irish name that means “lover.”

16. Reign — This English word name means “rule” or “sovereign authority.”

17. Shadow — This English name means “shade from the sun.”

18. Skyler — This modern spelling of Schuyler comes from a Dutch surname meaning “scholar.”

17 Emo Nicknames and Screen Names

This section moves beyond conventional baby names. Broken Angel, Dusk Soul, and Midnight Riot work better as screen names, character aliases, pet names, or playful alter egos.

1. Anonymous

2. Black Rose

3. Broken Angel

4. Dark Angel

5. Darkness

6. Dusk Soul

7. Ember

8. Fallen Tears

9. Helena

10. Ink Heart

11. Mayhem

12. Midnight Riot

13. Nightshade

14. Rave

15. Rebel

16. Star

17. Yoshi

22 Emo Names Inspired by Singers

These names nod to singers associated with the 2000s emo, pop-punk, and post-hardcore scene. Hayley, Gerard, Avril, and Brendon will be instantly familiar to many listeners.

1. Ashlee — Ashlee Simpson became a major pop-rock name in the early 2000s.

2. Avril — Avril Lavigne became one of the best-known voices of early-2000s pop-punk.

3. Ben — Ben Gibbard is the lead singer of the band Death Cab for Cutie.

4. Bert — Bert McCracken is the lead vocalist of The Used.

5. Brendon — Brendon Urie is the singer and songwriter behind Panic! at the Disco.

6. Chris — Chris Carrabba is the lead singer of Dashboard Confessional.

7. Danny — Danny Worsnop is best known as the longtime frontman of Asking Alexandria.

8. Davey — Davey Havok is the lead vocalist of AFI.

9. Derek — Derek Sanders is the lead vocalist of Mayday Parade.

10. Gerard — The lead singer of the band My Chemical Romance is Gerard Way.

11. Hayley — Hayley Williams sings for the band Paramore.

12. Joel — Joel Madden is the lead vocalist of pop-punk band Good Charlotte.

13. Jordan — The lead singer of the band New Found Glory is Jordan Pundik.

14. JT — JT Woodruff is the lead vocalist of Hawthorne Heights.

15. Kellin — Kellin Quinn is the lead vocalist of Sleeping With Sirens.

16. Oli — Singer and songwriter Oli Sykes is the frontman for the band Bring Me the Horizon.

17. Pierre — Pierre Bouvier is the lead vocalist of Simple Plan.

18. Ronnie — The lead singer of Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is Ronnie Winter.

19. Ryan — Ryan Key is the lead vocalist of Yellowcard.

20. Shane — Shane Told is the lead vocalist of Silverstein.

21. Tom — Tom DeLonge shares vocal duties and plays guitar in Blink-182; he also fronts Angels & Airwaves.

22. Travis — Travis Clark is the lead vocalist of We the Kings.

21 Emo Names from Anime and Manga Characters

These names belong to characters known for complicated loyalties, dark storylines, or unmistakable visual styles. The list includes characters from “Naruto,” “Tokyo Ghoul,” “Death Note,” and other anime and manga series.

1. Akeno — Akeno Himejima is a central “High School DxD” character with fallen-angel ancestry.

2. Crona — In “Soul Eater,” Crona is partnered with the Demon Sword Ragnarok.

3. Gaara — Gaara is a major shinobi character in the “Naruto” series.

4. Kaneki — Ken Kaneki is the central protagonist of “Tokyo Ghoul.”

5. Light — Light Yagami is the central character in the anime and manga series “Death Note.”

6. Mikasa — Mikasa Ackerman is one of the central characters of the series “Attack on Titan.”

7. Misa — Misa Amane is a major character in “Death Note” known for her Gothic-inspired style.

8. Nana — Nana Osaki is one of the two central characters in “Nana” and the lead singer of the punk band Black Stones.

9. Otosaka — Yuu Otosaka is the protagonist of the anime series “Charlotte.”

10. Rei — Rei Ayanami is an Eva pilot and central character in “Neon Genesis Evangelion.”

11. Rin — The main character of “Blue Exorcist” is Rin Okumura.

12. Rukia — Rukia Kuchiki is a Soul Reaper and central character in “Bleach.”

13. Sanji — Sanji, whose full name is Vinsmoke Sanji, is the Straw Hat Pirates’ cook in “One Piece” and is known as Black Leg.

14. Sasuke — Sasuke Uchiha is a central “Naruto” character whose story is shaped by the murder of his clan and his pursuit of revenge.

15. Touka — Touka Kirishima is a ghoul and central character in “Tokyo Ghoul.”

16. Ulquiorra — Ulquiorra Cifer is an antagonist in “Bleach.”

17. Uta — Uta is a ghoul and mask-maker in “Tokyo Ghoul.”

18. Vegeta — Vegeta is a Saiyan warrior and central character in the “Dragon Ball” franchise.

19. Yumi — Yumi Shirayanagi is a student who appears in the anime series “Charlotte.”

20. Zeref — Zeref Dragneel is a powerful dark mage and major antagonist in “Fairy Tail.”

21. Zero — In “Vampire Knight,” Zero Kiryu is a vampire hunter.

12 Emo Names Inspired by Movie Characters

These movie-inspired choices come from characters whose dark styling, outsider status, or cult following fits the emo aesthetic, including Edward Scissorhands, Lydia Deetz, and Ramona Flowers.

1. Donnie — Donnie Darko is the title character of the cult film of the same name.

2. Edward — Edward Scissorhands is the title character of Tim Burton’s film of the same name.

3. Eric — Eric Draven is the central character in “The Crow.”

4. Jack — Jack Skellington is the central character in the animated film “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

5. Janis — Janis Ian is the sharp-witted outsider who befriends Cady in “Mean Girls.”

6. Jasper — Jasper Hale is a member of the Cullen family in the “Twilight” books and films.

7. Lisbeth — Lisbeth Salander is the central character in Stieg Larsson’s “Millennium” novels and their film adaptations.

8. Lydia — Lydia Deetz is the goth teenager at the center of “Beetlejuice.”

9. Nancy — Nancy Downs is a central character in “The Craft” and returns in a smaller role in “The Craft: Legacy.”

10. Ramona — Ramona Flowers appears in Bryan Lee O’Malley’s “Scott Pilgrim” graphic novels, the film “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” and the Netflix anime “Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.”

11. Sally — Sally is a rag-doll creation and Jack Skellington’s love interest in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

12. Wednesday — Wednesday Addams is known for her macabre interests, deadpan humor, and dark style.

13 Emo Names Inspired by Gothic and Dark Literature

This section reaches beyond strictly Gothic novels to include tragic plays, dark fantasy, poetry, and medieval romance. Edgar, Ophelia, Raven, and Victor all carry literary associations that suit the mood.

1. Bellatrix — Bellatrix Lestrange is a witch and Death Eater in the “Harry Potter” series.

2. Desdemona — Desdemona is Othello’s wife in William Shakespeare’s tragedy “Othello.”

3. Draco — Draco Malfoy is Harry Potter’s school rival and a recurring antagonist in the series.

4. Dracula — Count Dracula is the title character of Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel.

5. Edgar — This name honors Edgar Allan Poe, the poet and author of “The Raven.”

6. Guinevere — In the Arthurian legend, Queen Guinevere is the wife of King Arthur.

7. Horace — Horace Walpole wrote “The Castle of Otranto,” widely regarded as the first Gothic novel.

8. Ophelia — Ophelia is a central character in William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

9. Raven — This name references “The Raven,” Edgar Allan Poe’s narrative poem.

10. Rebecca — Daphne du Maurier published the Gothic novel “Rebecca” in 1938.

11. Tempest — This name is inspired by the play “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare.

12. Tristan — Tristan is one of the central figures in the medieval romance of Tristan and Isolde.

13. Victor — Victor Frankenstein is the scientist who creates the creature in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.”

Emo names can come from a favorite musician, a memorable character, or a word that captures the mood you want. Once you have a shortlist, say each choice with your baby’s middle and last names and consider whether it still feels right beyond the newborn years.

For more ideas, browse our gender-neutral names and witchy names, or visit our baby names hub.