Good demon names sound heavy. They use hard consonants, low vowels and endings that close like a door: -oth, -ak, -ul. This list has 86 original demon names for fantasy villains, antiheroes, tabletop bosses and the occasional misunderstood imp.
Fiction has always borrowed demon names from folklore and old texts. This list doesn't. Every name here is new and written for made-up characters.
Need a quick batch? The demon name generator makes ten at a time for free.
The meanings are invented along with the names. They're story hooks, not translations.
Demon names and meanings
- Azgareth: could mean "ember crown"
- Mordrex: could mean "the debt collector"
- Kharzul: could mean "voice in the well"
- Xenthar: could mean "the uninvited"
- Bolgrath: could mean "gatebreaker"
- Nyxul: could mean "the small dark"
- Zarkiel: fallen-angel style, could mean "the light that left"
- Thraxis: could mean "the bargain"
- Ignavar: could mean "slow fire"
- Ulgoth: could mean "hunger under the mountain"
- Sevrakh: could mean "seventh shadow"
- Oblivar: could mean "the forgetting"
Cool demon names
Two or three syllables with one sharp sound each.
- Razekiel: reads like a rank and a threat at once
- Vyreth: one breath long, all edge
- Draxomir: a warlord who signs treaties in smoke
- Zethrun: sounds like a door closing
Akravon, Brimvael, Cindrak, Ebrakar, Gorvanth, Infernyx, Jezrak, Malgrim, Noxurath, Pyrrhax, Skorvane, Vulkrim
Female demon names
A sample. There are many more in female demon names.
- Lazira: could mean "the smiling one"
- Vexmora: could mean "grief with a plan"
- Morvessa: could mean "sweet ruin"
Ashmira, Calystra, Dravina, Hexandra, Ixmera, Sablenne, Zurielle
Male demon names
The longer list is in male demon names.
- Grathul: could mean "the stone that hates"
- Varkoth: could mean "the patient hunter"
- Azmerak: could mean "he who counts"
Brakkan, Dolgrim, Kazreth, Morthul, Rauzen, Thurgash, Xarvok
Fallen-angel style names
A soft -iel or -ael ending on a dark root makes a name sound like it used to be something better.
- Ashariel: could mean "the burned messenger"
- Morniel: could mean "the one who mourns"
- Vespariel: could mean "last light"
- Noctael: could mean "bearer of night"
Cazriel, Duskiel, Erebael, Hollowiel, Ixiel, Maldriel, Obsiel, Zevrael
Demon lords and titles
The higher the rank, the more the title does the work.
- Vorgrim the Ashen: rules a city that burned once and never cooled
- Xul'Tharak, Warden of the Ninth Gate: the apostrophe is the scariest part
- The Marquis of Cinders: a title with no name, which is worse
- Old Ember-Eyes: what the villagers say when they don't dare use the real name
Zargoth the Hollow King, Lady Vexaria of the Black Ledger, Duke Malverik, The Quiet Count, Prince Ignar of the Red Court, Countess Nyxandra, The Lantern-Eater, Baroness Sootveil
Imps and minor demons
Small demons get small, silly names.
- Skitch: steals left socks
- Grizzlenub: very small, very loud
- Snick: lives in the candle drawer
- Fizzgrin: sets things on fire by accident and is delighted every time
Blort, Cragwick, Dribbet, Gribble, Krum, Nibbet, Pokk, Quib, Scorchlet, Zib
How to make your own demon names
Pick one piece from each row and say it in your lowest voice.
- Opening: Az, Bol, Dra, Gor, Kha, Mor, Nyx, Rak, Thra, Ul, Vor, Xar, Zar
- Middle (optional): a, o, u, ga, ra, zu, ek
- Ending: -oth, -ak, -ul, -ex, -ath, -gor, -is, -iel
Vor + ga + oth is Vorgaoth, which is clumsy, so trim it to Vorgoth. Trimming is half the craft.
Then match the name to the demon's rank:
- Imps get one syllable or a silly two: Zib, Skitch.
- Soldiers and hunters get two hard syllables: Kazreth, Brakkan.
- Lords get three syllables and a title: Vorgrim the Ashen.
- The oldest lose the name and keep only the title: The Quiet Count.
Give the name a job. A demon who collects debts, guards a gate or grants bad wishes is easier to name than a demon who is just evil. Start from the job and work back to a sound.
Tips for choosing a demon name
- Use one apostrophe at most. Xul'Tharak is ominous; X'ul'Th'arak is a typo.
- Make it easy to say for the people who have to fear it. Players and readers should be able to whisper it.
- Check it against real words and real names. You don't want your arch-villain to share a name with a brand of yogurt.
- Keep real religious figures out of it unless you've done the reading and it suits your story. Invented names age better.
More dark names
Continue with female demon names and male demon names, or see vampire names for the well-dressed kind of monster. The demon name generator is free, and any name you like can go straight into the Character Creator to get a face.
FAQ
What are some cool demon names?
Razekiel, Vyreth, Draxomir, Infernyx and Skorvane. Cool demon names are short, with one sharp consonant such as x, z or k.
How do I come up with a demon name?
Combine a harsh opening syllable (Az, Kha, Vor, Zar) with a heavy ending (-oth, -ak, -ul), then trim it until it's easy to say. Add a title for anything powerful.
What are famous demon names?
The famous ones come from folklore, old religious texts and the fiction built on them. We don't list those here. This page sticks to new names for fictional characters.
Can a demon character have a normal name?
Yes, and it's often funnier or creepier. A demon called Gerald who files paperwork can be more memorable than one called Doomfang.
