If you want names that feel deliciously spooky and full of story, there are so many fun places to dig. I tend to start in three lanes: mythology and folklore, classic gothic literature, and curated name sites. Mythic names like Hecate (goddess of crossroads and witchcraft), Morrigan (Irish ‘‘phantom queen’’, associated with fate and battle), and Persephone (queen of the underworld who bridges death and rebirth) carry built-in atmosphere. From literature, Lenore and Annabel (think of Poe’s mournful circles in 'The Raven' and 'Annabel Lee') or Mina and Lucy (from 'Dracula') immediately feel haunted and timeless.
For practical hunting, I flick between Behind the Name for solid etymologies, Nameberry for stylish lists, and Project Gutenberg or Google Books for free scans of Victorian name books and gothic novels—those old baby-name compendia are gold for vintage and obscure names. If pronunciation matters, Forvo helps. For extra texture, I comb Victorian census records or parish registers via online archives to see real historical usages—sometimes the creepiest gems are ordinary names that fell out of fashion.
If you’re crafting a character or a baby name, I also play with combining roots: ‘‘Luna’’ + ‘‘morte’’ vibes give things like Ravenna (raven), Morticia (a created name that leans into Latin mort- 'death'), or Selene (moon) with a darker surname. Pinterest and Etsy have mood boards and curated lists if you want visuals. I love this kind of name archaeology—it turns a single syllable into a whole mood, and sometimes I catch myself inventing an entire backstory for a name before my coffee’s even cold.