Some names carry weight. They tell a story before a single word is spoken. Names that mean broken are exactly that kind of story. They speak of pain, of struggle, of something cracked open. But they also speak of honesty. Life isn’t always smooth. And these names don’t pretend it is.
Maybe you’re drawn to names that mean broken because you’ve been through something hard. Maybe you just love names with real depth. Either way, you’re in the right place. This list covers girl names, boy names, and unisex picks. You’ll find names from different cultures too. Some sound soft. Some sound strong. All of them mean broken in one beautiful way or another. Let’s dive in.
What Do Names That Mean Broken Really Symbolize?
Names that mean broken aren’t about weakness. They often point to survival, honesty, and the beauty found in imperfection. Across cultures, these names capture grief, healing, and the quiet strength it takes to carry on after something shatters.
Here is the list of 30 names that mean broken
Marah
Meaning: Bitter, associated with sorrow
Pronunciation: MAH-rah
Script: מָרָה (Hebrew)
Dolores
Meaning: Sorrows
Pronunciation: doh-LOH-res
Script: Dolores (Latin Script)
Niobe
Meaning: Eternal grief, endless weeping
Pronunciation: NY-oh-bee
Script: Νιόβη (Greek)
Tristan
Meaning: Sorrowful, full of sadness
Pronunciation: TRIS-tan
Script: Tristan (Latin Script)
Kasira
Meaning: One who breaks, broken
Pronunciation: kah-SEE-rah
Script: كسيرة (Arabic)
Bhagna
Meaning: Broken, shattered
Pronunciation: BHUG-nah
Script: भग्न (Devanagari)
Fractus
Meaning: Broken, fractured
Pronunciation: FRAK-tus
Script: Fractus (Latin Script)
Setsuna
Meaning: Fleeting, painfully brief
Pronunciation: set-SOO-nah
Script: 刹那 (Kanji)
Brona
Meaning: Sorrow
Pronunciation: BROH-nah
Script: Brona (Latin Script)
Algea
Meaning: Pain and suffering, from Greek spirits of pain
Pronunciation: AL-jee-ah
Script: Ἄλγεα (Greek)
Ichabod
Meaning: The glory has departed
Pronunciation: ICK-uh-bod
Script: אִיכָבוֹד (Hebrew)
Khandita
Meaning: Broken, fragmented
Pronunciation: khan-DEE-tah
Script: खण्डित (Devanagari)
Kirik
Meaning: Broken
Pronunciation: kee-REEK
Script: Kırık (Turkish Script)
Shang
Meaning: Wound, injury
Pronunciation: SHAHNG
Script: 伤 (Chinese)
Sui
Meaning: Shattered, broken to pieces
Pronunciation: SWAY
Script: 碎 (Chinese)
Delshekan
Meaning: Heartbreaking, one who breaks hearts
Pronunciation: del-sheh-KAHN
Script: دلشکن (Persian)
Huzuni
Meaning: Sorrow, sadness
Pronunciation: hoo-ZOO-nee
Script: Huzuni (Latin Script)
Ibanuje
Meaning: Grief, sorrow
Pronunciation: ee-bah-NOO-jeh
Script: Ìbànújẹ́ (Latin Script)
Pechal
Meaning: Sorrow, sadness
Pronunciation: peh-CHAL
Script: Печаль (Cyrillic)
Sorga
Meaning: Sorrow, grief
Pronunciation: SOR-gah
Script: Sorg (Old Norse, Latin Transliteration)
Fracta
Meaning: Broken (feminine form)
Pronunciation: FRAK-tah
Script: Fracta (Latin Script)
Rhexis
Meaning: A breaking, rupture
Pronunciation: REK-sis
Script: Ῥῆξις (Greek)
Shever
Meaning: Breaking, fracture
Pronunciation: SHEH-ver
Script: שֶׁבֶר (Hebrew)
Inkisar
Meaning: Brokenness
Pronunciation: in-kee-SAR
Script: انكسار (Arabic)
Klishta
Meaning: Afflicted, distressed
Pronunciation: KLISH-tah
Script: क्लिष्ट (Devanagari)
Ruptus
Meaning: Broken, burst
Pronunciation: ROOP-tus
Script: Ruptus (Latin Script)
Slita
Meaning: Torn, one who tears
Pronunciation: SLEE-tah
Script: Slītan (Old English, Latin Script)
Klasma
Meaning: A fragment, broken piece
Pronunciation: KLAHZ-mah
Script: Κλάσμα (Greek)
Marit
Meaning: Bitter
Pronunciation: MAH-rit
Script: Marit (Scandinavian, Latin Script)
Trista
Meaning: Sorrowful
Pronunciation: TRIS-tah
Script: Trista (Latin Script)
Girl Names That Mean Broken and Their Meanings
These girl names carry real weight. Each one comes from a different culture, but they all circle back to the same idea: brokenness doesn’t erase beauty. If anything, it deepens it.
Meaning: Ardor, though folk-linked to breaking free from pain
Pronunciation: REES
Script: Rhys (Welsh Script)
Cumhal
Meaning: Sorrow, grief
Pronunciation: KOO-al
Script: Cumhal (Irish Script)
Hazen
Meaning: Sorrow, grief
Pronunciation: HAH-zen
Script: ሐዘን (Ge’ez)
Kirik
Meaning: Broken
Pronunciation: kee-REEK
Script: Kırık (Turkish Script)
Andooh
Meaning: Grief, sorrow
Pronunciation: an-DOOH
Script: اندوه (Persian)
Klasma
Meaning: Fragment, broken piece
Pronunciation: KLAHZ-mah
Script: Κλάσμα (Greek)
Shever
Meaning: Breaking, fracture
Pronunciation: SHEH-ver
Script: שֶׁבֶר (Hebrew)
Vishirna
Meaning: Scattered, broken apart
Pronunciation: vih-SHEER-nah
Script: विशीर्ण (Devanagari)
Inkisar
Meaning: Brokenness
Pronunciation: in-kee-SAR
Script: انكسار (Arabic)
Skorbi
Meaning: Sorrow, grief
Pronunciation: SKOR-bee
Script: Скорбь (Cyrillic)
Doilie
Meaning: Sorrowful
Pronunciation: DOH-lee
Script: Doilí (Irish Script)
Trallod
Meaning: Affliction, tribulation
Pronunciation: TRAH-lod
Script: Trallod (Welsh Script)
Hüzün
Meaning: Deep melancholy
Pronunciation: hoo-ZOON
Script: Hüzün (Turkish Script)
Sang
Meaning: Wound, hurt
Pronunciation: SAHNG
Script: 상 (Hangul)
Majonzi
Meaning: Grief, sorrow
Pronunciation: mah-JOHN-zee
Script: Majonzi (Latin Script)
Rhegma
Meaning: A tear, rupture
Pronunciation: REG-mah
Script: Ῥῆγμα (Greek)
Kesir
Meaning: Fraction, broken part
Pronunciation: keh-SEER
Script: كسر (Arabic)
Harma
Meaning: Grief, sorrow
Pronunciation: HAR-mah
Script: Harmr (Old Norse, Latin Transliteration)
Setsuna
Meaning: Fleeting, painfully brief
Pronunciation: set-SOO-nah
Script: 刹那 (Kanji)
Lacera
Meaning: Torn, wounded
Pronunciation: lah-CHEH-rah
Script: Lacera (Latin Script)
Wyla
Meaning: Weeping, one who cries
Pronunciation: WY-lah
Script: Wylo (Welsh Script)
Bhagna
Meaning: Broken, shattered
Pronunciation: BHUG-nah
Script: भग्न (Devanagari)
Pechal
Meaning: Sorrow, sadness
Pronunciation: peh-CHAL
Script: Печаль (Cyrillic)
Odyne
Meaning: Pain, ache
Pronunciation: oh-DEE-neh
Script: Ὀδύνη (Greek)
Shekasteh
Meaning: Broken
Pronunciation: sheh-kahs-TEH
Script: شکسته (Persian)
Kanashimi
Meaning: Sadness, sorrow
Pronunciation: kah-nah-SHEE-mee
Script: 悲しみ (Kanji)
Names That Mean Broken in Different Cultures and Languages
Language shapes how we express pain, and that’s clear when you look at names that mean broken across the world. From Sanskrit to Gaelic, every culture has its own word for what it feels like when something inside gives way.
Here is the list of 30 names that mean broken
Vidhvasta
Meaning: Destroyed, broken down
Pronunciation: vid-VUS-tah
Script: विध्वस्त (Devanagari)
Maktu
Meaning: Cut off, broken away
Pronunciation: mahk-TOO
Script: مقطوع (Arabic)
Broskyn
Meaning: Broken, folk-derived from Welsh “brau”
Pronunciation: BROS-kin
Script: Broskyn (Welsh Script)
Katash
Meaning: Crash, shatter
Pronunciation: kah-TAHSH
Script: 型崩れ, root 崩 (Kanji)
Yeoreojin
Meaning: Torn apart
Pronunciation: yuh-REH-jin
Script: 여러진 (Hangul)
Slomljen
Meaning: Broken
Pronunciation: SLOM-lyen
Script: Сломљен (Cyrillic)
Zerbrochen
Meaning: Shattered, broken
Pronunciation: tsehr-BROH-khen
Script: Zerbrochen (German, Latin Script)
Brise
Meaning: Broken
Pronunciation: BREE-zeh
Script: Brisé (French, Latin Script)
Rotto
Meaning: Broken
Pronunciation: ROT-toh
Script: Rotto (Italian, Latin Script)
Roto
Meaning: Broken, torn
Pronunciation: ROH-toh
Script: Roto (Spanish, Latin Script)
Wruk
Meaning: Damaged, broken
Pronunciation: VROOK
Script: Wrak (Polish, Latin Script)
Trasak
Meaning: Cracked, split
Pronunciation: trah-SAHK
Script: Trasak (Slovak, Latin Script)
Bikin
Meaning: Broken apart
Pronunciation: bee-KEEN
Script: Bikin (Indonesian, Latin Script)
Basag
Meaning: Broken, cracked
Pronunciation: bah-SAHG
Script: Basag (Tagalog, Latin Script)
Ababaji
Meaning: One who is shattered, broken open
Pronunciation: ah-bah-BAH-jee
Script: Ababaji (Yoruba, Latin Script)
Hakoret
Meaning: Broken vessel
Pronunciation: hah-koh-RET
Script: הכלי השבור (Hebrew)
Kasrah
Meaning: A break, a fracture
Pronunciation: KAHS-rah
Script: كسرة (Arabic)
Bhang
Meaning: Broken, disrupted
Pronunciation: BUNG
Script: भंग (Devanagari)
Torasu
Meaning: To take apart, broken down
Pronunciation: toh-RAH-soo
Script: 取らす (Kanji)
Chiggeojin
Meaning: Crumbled, broken to bits
Pronunciation: chee-GUH-jin
Script: 찌그러진 (Hangul)
Razbit
Meaning: Smashed, broken
Pronunciation: rahz-BEET
Script: Разбит (Cyrillic)
Kaputt
Meaning: Broken, done for
Pronunciation: kah-POOT
Script: Kaputt (German, Latin Script)
Brisure
Meaning: A break, fracture
Pronunciation: bree-ZURR
Script: Brisure (French, Latin Script)
Spezzato
Meaning: Broken, split
Pronunciation: speh-TSAH-toh
Script: Spezzato (Italian, Latin Script)
Quebrado
Meaning: Broken
Pronunciation: keh-BRAH-doh
Script: Quebrado (Spanish, Latin Script)
Peket
Meaning: Cracked, broken
Pronunciation: PEH-ket
Script: Pęknięty (Polish, Latin Script)
Sobek
Meaning: Broken apart
Pronunciation: SOH-bek
Script: Sobek (Slovak, Latin Script)
Patah
Meaning: Broken, snapped
Pronunciation: PAH-tah
Script: Patah (Malay, Latin Script)
Sirang
Meaning: Broken, damaged
Pronunciation: SEE-rahng
Script: Sira (Tagalog, Latin Script)
Fifo
Meaning: One who is broken open, cracked
Pronunciation: FEE-foh
Script: Fifo (Yoruba, Latin Script)
Names That Mean Broken but Carry a Message of Strength
Not every name in this category feels heavy. Some flip the script entirely. These names admit something broke, but they lean hard into what came after: healing, growth, and quiet resilience.
Here is the list of 30 names that mean broken
Kintsugi
Meaning: Golden repair, beauty in broken places
Pronunciation: kin-TSOO-ghee
Script: 金継ぎ (Kanji)
Shifa
Meaning: Healing, cure
Pronunciation: shee-FAH
Script: شفاء (Arabic)
Rapha
Meaning: To heal, healer
Pronunciation: RAH-fah
Script: רָפָא (Hebrew)
Svastha
Meaning: Restored to wholeness, well again
Pronunciation: SVAHS-thah
Script: स्वस्थ (Devanagari)
Anima
Meaning: Soul that endures, breath of life
Pronunciation: AH-nee-mah
Script: Anima (Latin Script)
Sabar
Meaning: Patience through hardship
Pronunciation: sah-BAHR
Script: صبر (Arabic)
Ganesh
Meaning: Remover of obstacles
Pronunciation: gah-NESH
Script: गणेश (Devanagari)
Naaman
Meaning: Pleasantness after affliction
Pronunciation: NAH-mahn
Script: נַעֲמָן (Hebrew)
Kizuna
Meaning: Bond, unbreakable connection
Pronunciation: kee-ZOO-nah
Script: 絆 (Kanji)
Sabra
Meaning: Tough on the outside, tender within
Pronunciation: SAH-brah
Script: צבר (Hebrew)
Ferox
Meaning: Fierce, unbroken spirit
Pronunciation: FEH-roks
Script: Ferox (Latin Script)
Odalys
Meaning: Wealth of spirit, thriving after hardship
Pronunciation: oh-DAH-lees
Script: Odalys (Spanish, Latin Script)
Anbu
Meaning: Compassion, love that mends
Pronunciation: AHN-boo
Script: அன்பு (Tamil)
Bahir
Meaning: Dazzling, radiant despite the dark
Pronunciation: bah-HEER
Script: باهر (Arabic)
Sthira
Meaning: Steady, firm, unshaken
Pronunciation: STHEE-rah
Script: स्थिर (Devanagari)
Rimon
Meaning: Pomegranate, symbol of renewal after breaking open
Pronunciation: ree-MOHN
Script: רימון (Hebrew)
Kizashi
Meaning: Sign, omen of change for the better
Pronunciation: kee-ZAH-shee
Script: 兆し (Kanji)
Yara
Meaning: Small butterfly, symbol of transformation
Meaning: Broken hope in one dialect, but means “hope” and “life” in Sanskrit
Pronunciation: AH-shah
Script: आशा (Devanagari)
Nadia
Meaning: Linked to sorrow in old Slavic roots, but means “hope” in Arabic
Pronunciation: NAH-dee-ah
Script: نادية (Arabic)
Mira
Meaning: Tied to bitterness in Hebrew roots, but means “wonderful” in Slavic languages
Pronunciation: MEE-rah
Script: Мира (Cyrillic)
Suri
Meaning: Broken away, separated in old Persian, but means “princess” in Persian modern use
Pronunciation: SOO-ree
Script: سوری (Persian)
Freya
Meaning: Rooted in old Norse words for loss, but means “lady” and honors the goddess of love
Pronunciation: FRAY-ah
Script: Freyja (Old Norse, Latin Transliteration)
Kali
Meaning: Linked to destruction and breaking apart, but means “the dark one” and represents transformation
Pronunciation: KAH-lee
Script: काली (Devanagari)
Rue
Meaning: Sorrow and regret in old English, but also names a fragrant healing herb
Pronunciation: ROO
Script: Rue (Latin Script)
Delia
Meaning: Linked to grief in old Greek dialects, but means “from Delos,” a sacred island
Pronunciation: DEE-lee-ah
Script: Δηλία (Greek)
Isolde
Meaning: Tied to sorrowful legends of separation, but means “ice ruler” in old Germanic
Pronunciation: ih-SOLD-eh
Script: Isolde (Germanic, Latin Script)
Layla
Meaning: Associated with heartbreak in classic poetry, but means “night” in Arabic
Pronunciation: LAY-lah
Script: ليلى (Arabic)
Saoirse
Meaning: Once tied to struggle for freedom, but means “freedom” itself
Pronunciation: SEER-shah
Script: Saoirse (Irish Script)
Niamh
Meaning: Linked in old tales to a broken heart, but means “bright” and “radiant”
Pronunciation: NEEV
Script: Niamh (Irish Script)
Zara
Meaning: Rooted in old Arabic words for a wound, but means “princess” or “blooming flower”
Pronunciation: ZAH-rah
Script: زهرة (Arabic)
Elowen
Meaning: Tied to old Cornish words for weeping, but means “elm tree”
Pronunciation: eh-LOH-wen
Script: Elowen (Cornish Script)
Seren
Meaning: Associated with broken silence and sorrow, but means “star” in Welsh
Pronunciation: SEH-ren
Script: Seren (Welsh Script)
Amara
Meaning: Linked to bitterness in Latin roots, but means “eternal” in African languages
Pronunciation: ah-MAH-rah
Script: Amara (Latin Script)
Ondine
Meaning: Tied to tragic water-spirit legends of loss, but means “little wave”
Pronunciation: on-DEEN
Script: Ondine (French, Latin Script)
Briar
Meaning: Linked to a painful thorn and old tales of piercing, but symbolizes protection and beauty
Pronunciation: BRY-er
Script: Briar (English, Latin Script)
Elegy
Meaning: A song of mourning, but also celebrates memory and love
Pronunciation: EL-eh-jee
Script: Elegy (Latin Script)
Winsome
Meaning: Old root ties to struggle, but now means “charming” and “pleasing”
Pronunciation: WIN-sum
Script: Winsome (Old English, Latin Script)
Cinder
Meaning: Remnant of something burned and broken, but symbolizes renewal after fire
Pronunciation: SIN-der
Script: Cinder (English, Latin Script)
Tamsin
Meaning: Old Cornish roots tied to twin sorrow, but means “twin”
Pronunciation: TAM-sin
Script: Tamsin (Cornish Script)
Rhiannon
Meaning: Linked in Welsh myth to grief and loss, but means “great queen”
Pronunciation: ree-AN-non
Script: Rhiannon (Welsh Script)
Marisol
Meaning: Root ties to bitterness (mar), but means “sea and sun”
Pronunciation: mah-ree-SOL
Script: Marisol (Spanish, Latin Script)
Esmeray
Meaning: Tied to old sorrowful moon tales, but means “dark moon” poetically
Pronunciation: es-meh-RAY
Script: Esmeray (Turkish Script)
Calantha
Meaning: Linked to fading beauty and loss, but means “beautiful blossom”
Pronunciation: kah-LAN-thah
Script: Καλάνθη (Greek)
27.求 (Motomu)
Meaning: To seek, rooted in longing after loss, but symbolizes hope in seeking
Pronunciation: moh-toh-MOO
Script: 求 (Kanji)
Solveig
Meaning: Old Norse ties to a lonely path, but means “strong house” or “sun path”
Pronunciation: SOL-vay
Script: Solveig (Old Norse, Latin Transliteration)
Yolanda
Meaning: Tied to violet, symbol of modesty after sorrow, but means “violet flower”
Pronunciation: yoh-LAN-dah
Script: Yolanda (Greek origin, Latin Script)
Emeline
Meaning: Old roots linked to industrious struggle, but means “hardworking” and “gracious”
Pronunciation: EM-eh-leen
Script: Emeline (French, Latin Script)
How to Choose Names That Mean Broken for Your Baby
Picking a name isn’t just about sound. It’s about meaning, too. And when you’re looking at names that mean broken, that meaning carries extra weight. Here’s how to make the choice feel right.
Think about why the meaning matters to you.Some parents choose meaningful names for baby because they’ve lived through something hard. Others just love names with symbolic meaning, ones that feel honest rather than sugar-coated. Ask yourself what draws you to this idea in the first place. That answer will guide the rest of your search.
Look past the surface meaning.Names that mean broken don’t always sound sad out loud. Many are soft, musical, and surprisingly elegant. Read them aloud and say them slowly. If a name still feels heavy after that, it might not be the right fit. But if it feels grounded, resilient, and meaningful, you’ve probably found one worth considering.
Consider names with a message of strength. Not every option among names that mean broken has to dwell on pain. Some symbolize transformation, beginning with hardship but ending in healing. Think of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. That’s the spirit behind many of these names. In the end, broken doesn’t mean the story ends there—it can mark the beginning of something stronger and more beautiful.
Check the cultural roots.Names that mean broken often carry centuries of history behind them. Before you settle on one, look into where it comes from and how it’s used today. A name that sounds beautiful in English might carry a different weight in its original language. Context matters here.
Don’t ignore mythological names meaning broken, either. Stories like Niobe’s, who wept until she turned to stone, or Perseus, who rose from a broken path to become a hero, show how old myths wrestled with fracture and survival long before we did. Many names that mean broken carry that same ancient echo.
Pair meaning with practicality. A rare meaningful baby name is wonderful, but when choosing names that mean broken, think about how each one fits daily life. Will your child need to spell it out constantly? Will it pair well with your last name? Beautiful doesn’t have to mean complicated.
Trust your gut. At the end of the day, baby name inspiration comes from a mix of logic and instinct. If a name meaning shattered dreams feels wrong to you but a name meaning inner strength feels exactly right, go with your instinct. You know your child, and you know your story.
Frequently Asked Questions
People searching for these names usually want quick, honest answers. Below, we cover the most common questions readers ask.
Are these names common or rare?
Most sit on the rarer side. Names that mean broken aren’t mainstream picks, which makes them stand out even more.
Can I use these for either a boy or a girl?
Some work for both. Others lean more feminine or masculine, so check the pronunciation and cultural roots first.
Do these names sound sad out loud?
Not really. Many names that mean broken sound soft and musical, even beautiful, despite their deeper meaning.
Will people know the meaning just by hearing the name?
Usually not. Most people won’t guess the meaning unless you tell them. It stays personal to your family.
Are there names that mean broken but also symbolize hope?
Yes, quite a few. Some names blend a broken meaning with a message of strength or renewal underneath.
How do I know if a name fits my baby?
Say it out loud. If it feels right and flows with your last name, that’s usually a good sign.
Can these names come from more than one culture?
Definitely. Names that mean broken show up across many languages, from Hebrew and Arabic to Norse and Japanese.
Conclusion
Names that mean broken aren’t about giving up. They’re about telling the truth. Life breaks us sometimes, and that’s okay. These names hold space for that truth. They also hold space for healing. That’s what makes them so powerful. Whether you pick a girl name, a boy name, or something unisex, you’re choosing a story with depth. You’re choosing honesty over pretending everything’s fine.
If you’ve read this far, you probably feel a pull toward these names. Trust that. Names that mean broken can still sound beautiful. They can still carry hope. Take your time. Say each name out loud. Think about the meaning behind it. The right one will feel like it fits, cracks and all. Sometimes broken things become the most meaningful ones we carry.