Without DC, superheroes wouldn't look the same. Publishing some of the greatest comics of all time, DC has defined and then re-defined the entire genre many times over the years. Their roster of respected heroes has entertained fans for decades, fighting some amazing battles against some of the most dangerous villains. These villains have made names for themselves over the years, which for some of them is a good thing- the names they already have aren't exactly the best.
Some villains don't have the kind of names that get across just how dangerous they really are. Underestimating them because of their names is a grave mistake, though.
10 The Joker Is Scary But His Name Isn't
By now, everyone knows to be scared of the Joker and with good reason- his attacks on Gotham City are the things of twisted legend. There are few more frightening villains in the DC Universe than Joker- even superpowered heroes are afraid of going up against him. However, his name only inspires fear because of his reputation.
The Joker isn't exactly a name that says "be very afraid". In fact, it's more the kind of name one would expect from a more lighthearted villain, not someone who gladly scoop an opponents' eyeballs out with a spoon just for kicks.
9 Reverse Flash Suffers From Unfortunate Silver Age Naming Conventions
Reverse Flash is easily one of the most dangerous villains in the DC Universe but if one were to just go by his name, there would be nothing to be afraid of. His name is kind of lame when it comes right down to it. That is an unfortunate side effect of being created in the Silver Age, though.
Reverse Flash's powers and desire to commit murder and mayhem make him a frightening villain but his name isn't exactly intimidating. Far from it, really. It honestly doesn't even sound very good and it's more liable to inspire laughter from someone who knows nothing about him than anything else.
8 Darkseid's Name Is A Bit Too On The Nose To Be Scary
Darkseid is one of the DC Multiverse's premiere villains, a force of darkness that has endangered every life his dark shadow has fallen across. The God of Evil, he rules an entire planet of slaves and lackeys and his powers make him a force that even the toughest heroes have a problem battling. He's one of the scariest villains ever. Except for his name, that is.
Jack Kirby was an amazing creator, his concepts making both the Marvel and DC Universes more entertaining but he wasn't the best at naming and Darkseid is proof of that. It's just way too on the nose to actually be frightening.
7 Captain Cold's Name Is Fairly Ridiculous
The Flash has some of DC's greatest villains but their names aren't great in general. Take the leader of the Rogues, for instance. Captain Cold is one of the toughest villains around- he's a guy with a cold gun who takes on the Fastest Man Alive and somehow stays free more often than not. However, his name doesn't really sell how tough he is.
Captain Cold is a smart, sometimes brutal villain who can hold his own against just about any hero he battles. His name, though, isn't exactly the kind of thing that really gets across just how successful and tough he is. Again, this is a guy in a parka with a cold gun that fights the Flash. The name Captain Cold does not do him justice.
6 Psimon Is A Lame Name For A Dangerous Villain
Psimon has been bedeviling the Teen Titans for years. With his team, the Fearsome Five, he's been a thorn in their side and his telepathic skills and the sadistic ways he uses them makes him a scary villain indeed. He's even dangerous to his friends- he's been known to twist their minds and use them just like he would anyone else.
However, his name is, well, it's not the best. It's basically just a regular first name with a p in front to denote his psionic powers. It gives no impression of just how dangerous he is or the terrible lengths he'll go for victory.
5 Eclipso Doesn't Sound Like One Of The Most Powerful Villains On The Planet
Eclipso was once the Angel of Wrath and he loved his work so much that God decided maybe he wasn't the best for the job. Eclipso is the kind of villain that is more than a match for entire teams of the most powerful heroes and is one of the deadliest villains on the planet. His name, though, is kind of laughable.
Eclipso just doesn't seem like the kind of name a monster who enjoyed causing the suffering of others would have. It seems more like the name of a lame sci-fi hero from an old cartoon or something rather than a threat to entire DC Universe.
4 Brainiac's Name Sounds More Funny Than Dangerous
Superman is one of the most powerful heroes on the planet and there are few things that inspire fear in him- he can handle just about anything. However, one of the few beings in the entire multiverse that actually is scared of is Brainiac. Brainiac is responsible for the destruction of entire planets and anytime he shows up, things are about to get real.
His name, though, is ridiculous. Brainiac does not sound like the type of being who is a danger to everything and everyone he comes across. It sounds more like the name of a Golden Age hero than a villain that Superman himself fears.
3 Two-Face Is Deadly But His Name Is Laughable
Two-Face is one of Batman's most tragic villains, a man constantly warring against his own nature. This has made him one of the most intriguing villains in Gotham and his unpredictability makes him one of its most dangerous as well. Two-Face is a grave challenge every time he shows up, one that Batman takes more seriously than most.
His name, though, doesn't really get any of that across. Sure, it makes sense- he's literally a man with two faces but it doesn't tell the whole story of just how cunning and dangerous he can be. While it's hard to think of a better name for him, it's not exactly the most awe-inspiring name out there.
2 Lex Luthor's Name Doesn't Do Him Justice
Unlike many villains, Lex Luthor doesn't need some cool codename. He's perfectly fine with using his own name because that's the kind of arrogant person he is- he wants his foes to know exactly who's beating them. However, let's be real- it's not exactly the kind of name that strikes fear into the heart when it's heard.
Much like the Joker, Lex Luthor's name only has respect added to it because of his years of villainy. On its own, it's nothing special and is honestly kind of lame. His full first name, Alexander, would be better than using just Lex.
1 Sinestro Is A Great Villain With A Terrible Name
Sinestro has proven to be one of the most interesting villains in the DC Universe over the years. A former Green Lantern, his fascist leanings caused his divorce from the Corps and he would go on to become one of its deadliest foes, mastering the yellow light of fear and forming his own Corps in opposition to the Green Lanterns. His accomplishments are impressive but his name isn't.
To begin with, letting someone with the name Sinestro become a Green Lantern was just asking for trouble. Beyond that, it's just such a stereotypically terrible villain name. It's too on the nose and childish, not really getting across just how great of a villain he can be.