Every February, Japanese families throw roasted beans at a demon and shout him out the door. That ritual, called Setsubun, shows how deeply Japanese demon names live inside everyday culture.
This guide shares 470 Japanese demon names with kanji and meanings, sorted by mood, gender, and story type. You will find Japanese oni names, Japanese yokai names, and Japanese akuma names for novels, games, and anime. One honest note: some entries are real folklore beings, and others are coined names built from real kanji. Both work for creative projects.
Quick guide: which demon type fits your story?
| Type | What it means | Best for |
| Oni | Horned ogre with brute strength | Villains and warriors |
| Yokai | Wide family of strange beings | Tricksters and quirky characters |
| Akuma | Devil or evil spirit | Main antagonists |
| Yurei | Ghost of a person | Tragic or vengeful roles |
| Kami | Gods, some with fierce faces | Guardians and rivals |
| Mononoke | Possessing, vengeful spirit | Horror plots |
Japanese Demon Names Male
Japanese male demon names lean on strength, thunder, and rage. Some come from real legends, like Shuten Doji. Others use kanji such as 鬼 (oni) and 魔 (ma). These Japanese demon names for boys suit villains, rivals, and brooding heroes.
- Akuma (悪魔): Devil, evil spirit
- Shuten Doji (酒呑童子): Drunken demon boy, legendary oni chief
- Ibaraki Doji (茨木童子): Thorn-tree demon boy, Shuten’s lieutenant
- Enma (閻魔): King of hell
- Raijin (雷神): Thunder god drawn as an oni
- Fujin (風神): Wind god with an oni-like look
- Gozu (牛頭): Ox head, hell guard
- Mezu (馬頭): Horse head, hell guard
- Kijin (鬼神): Demon god
- Oniwaka (鬼若): Young demon, Benkei’s childhood name
- Onimaru (鬼丸): Demon boy, famed sword name
- Kenki (剣鬼): Sword demon
- Maou (魔王): Demon king
- Maryu (魔龍): Demon dragon
- Akumaru (悪丸): Evil lad
- Kitaro (鬼太郎): Yokai boy of manga fame
- Sojobo (僧正坊): Legendary king of the tengu
- Ryuma (竜魔): Dragon demon
- Kagemaru (影丸): Shadow boy
- Yamiro (闇郎): Son of darkness
- Onikage (鬼影): Demon shadow
- Kurogane (黒鋼): Black steel
- Shoki (鍾馗): Demon queller
- Kagehiko (影彦): Shadow prince
- Yamitaro (闇太郎): Dark eldest son
Now meet the women whose stories run even darker.
Japanese Demon Names Female
Japanese female demon names often carry heartbreak, jealousy, and cold beauty. Many began as tales of women pushed past their limit. The hannya mask in Noh theatre shows jealousy turning monstrous. Notice how often snow, water, and spiders appear.
- Hannya (般若): Jealous female demon mask
- Kiyohime (清姫): Pure princess turned serpent
- Yuki-onna (雪女): Snow woman
- Jorogumo (絡新婦): Spider woman
- Yamauba (山姥): Mountain hag
- Onibaba (鬼婆): Demon hag
- Kijo (鬼女): Female ogre
- Tamamo-no-Mae (玉藻前): Nine-tailed fox beauty
- Ubume (産女): Ghost of a mother who died in childbirth
- Oiwa (お岩): Vengeful ghost of the Yotsuya tale
- Okiku (お菊): Well ghost
- Kuchisake-onna (口裂け女): Slit-mouthed woman
- Futakuchi-onna (二口女): Two-mouthed woman
- Nure-onna (濡女): Wet woman with a snake body
- Ameonna (雨女): Rain woman
- Iso-onna (磯女): Shore woman
- Aonyobo (青女房): Pale court lady ghost
- Kishimojin (鬼子母神): Demon mother goddess
- Yamahime (山姫): Mountain princess spirit
- Onihime (鬼姫): Demon princess
- Kurohime (黒姫): Black princess
- Kagehime (影姫): Shadow princess
- Yamiko (闇子): Child of darkness
- Akahime (赤姫): Red princess
- Majo (魔女): Witch
Want to decode any name on your own? Start with the core words.
Japanese Demon Names and Meanings
This section lists Japanese demon names and meanings built on core vocabulary. Oni meaning in Japanese is ogre or demon. Akuma meaning leans toward devil or evil spirit. Learn these terms and you can read most demon names in Japanese culture. They also work as supernatural Japanese vocabulary for worldbuilding.
- Jigoku (地獄): Hell
- Naraku (奈落): Abyss
- Yomi (黄泉): Land of the dead
- Makai (魔界): Demon realm
- Ashura (阿修羅): Wrathful warring spirit
- Gaki (餓鬼): Hungry ghost
- Mononoke (物の怪): Possessing spirit
- Obake (お化け): Shapeshifting ghost
- Bakemono (化け物): Changing thing, monster
- Yurei (幽霊): Faint spirit
- Ayakashi (妖): Eerie apparition
- Yokai (妖怪): Strange apparition
- Tatari (祟り): Divine curse
- Noroi (呪い): Curse
- Kaii (怪異): Strange phenomenon
- Kimon (鬼門): Demon gate
- Oniyarai (鬼遣らい): Ritual that chases out demons
- Setsubun (節分): Seasonal divide, bean-throwing festival
- Kaidan (怪談): Ghost story
- Hyakumonogatari (百物語): Hundred tales
- Kaibutsu (怪物): Monster
- Henge (変化): Shapeshifter
- Shinrei (心霊): Spirit
- Kaiju (怪獣): Strange beast
- Rei (霊): Soul, spirit
Ready for names with more swagger?
Cool Japanese Demon Names
Cool Japanese demon names mix blades, storms, and shadows. They fit Japanese demon names for anime and Japanese demon names for characters in games. Raiko was a legendary demon slayer, so even heroes belong here. Several double as anime villain names or fantasy Japanese demon names.
- Kagetora (影虎): Shadow tiger
- Raikiri (雷切): Lightning cutter
- Muramasa (村正): Swordsmith of “cursed” blades
- Onikiri (鬼切): Demon cutter
- Yamikiri (闇切): Darkness slicer
- Kurokage (黒影): Black shadow
- Zangetsu (斬月): Moon slayer
- Hayate (疾風): Swift storm wind
- Kokuryu (黒竜): Black dragon
- Kurenai (紅): Deep crimson
- Kaen (火炎): Blazing flame
- Raiko (頼光): Legendary demon slayer
- Tsurugi (剣): Double-edged sword
- Hagane (鋼): Steel
- Shiden (紫電): Violet lightning
- Arashi (嵐): Storm
- Gouki (豪鬼): Mighty demon
- Ranki (乱鬼): Chaos demon
- Ranbu (乱舞): Wild dance
- Kagerou (陽炎): Heat haze
- Reiga (霊牙): Spirit fang
- Shura (修羅): Battlefield frenzy
- Hiryu (飛龍): Flying dragon
- Tessen (鉄扇): Iron fan
- Kirin (麒麟): Mythical beast
Next, we go back to the oldest stories.
Ancient Japanese Demon Names
Traditional Japanese demon names from ancient lore sound heavy because they are old. Many appear in the Kojiki, medieval tales, and Edo-period picture books. These Japanese mythology demon names reward readers who love deep roots.
- Tsuchigumo (土蜘蛛): Earth spider
- Yamata-no-Orochi (八岐大蛇): Eight-forked serpent
- Nue (鵺): Night chimera
- Tesso (鉄鼠): Iron rat
- Kasha (火車): Fire cart that carries the wicked dead
- Hitotsume-kozo (一つ目小僧): One-eyed boy
- Hososhi (方相氏): Four-eyed demon queller
- Raiju (雷獣): Thunder beast
- Nopperabo (のっぺら坊): Faceless ghost
- Kamaitachi (鎌鼬): Sickle weasel
- Nurikabe (塗壁): Plastered wall spirit
- Wanyudo (輪入道): Wheel monk
- Mokumokuren (目目連): Many eyes in paper doors
- Aoandon (青行灯): Blue lantern
- Amikiri (網切): Net cutter
- Azukiarai (小豆洗い): Bean washer
- Kodama (木霊): Tree spirit
- Tsukumogami (付喪神): Tool spirit
- Kitsunebi (狐火): Fox fire
- Shojo (猩猩): Red-haired sea spirit
- Baku (獏): Dream eater
- Kuzunoha (葛の葉): Fox mother of a famed sage
- Abe no Seimei (安倍晴明): Legendary master exorcist
- Yomotsushikome (黄泉醜女): Hags of the underworld
But not every demon wants to hurt you.
Good Japanese Demon Names
Not every figure with a fierce face is evil. Strictly speaking, the names below are guardians and gods, not demons. Temples even place oni-faced tiles on roofs to scare bad luck away. They suit heroes with a fierce edge.
- Seiryu (青竜): Azure dragon of the east
- Byakko (白虎): White tiger of the west
- Suzaku (朱雀): Vermilion bird of the south
- Genbu (玄武): Black tortoise of the north
- Fudo Myoo (不動明王): Immovable wisdom king
- Jizo (地蔵): Protector of travelers and children
- Bishamon (毘沙門): Guardian warrior god
- Kannon (観音): Goddess of mercy
- Inari (稲荷): Fox-linked god of rice
- Hachiman (八幡): God of war and protection
- Benzaiten (弁才天): Goddess of music and eloquence
- Daikokuten (大黒天): God of wealth
- Ebisu (恵比寿): God of fishermen and luck
- Omoikane (思兼): God of wisdom
- Sarutahiko (猿田彦): Guide of the path
- Komainu (狛犬): Guardian lion-dog
- Nio (仁王): Temple gate guardians
- Shishi (獅子): Guardian lion
- Amaterasu (天照): Sun goddess
- Kangiten (歓喜天): Deity of joy
- Marishiten (摩利支天): Guardian of warriors
- Zao Gongen (蔵王権現): Fierce mountain guardian
- Aizen Myoo (愛染明王): Fierce king of passion
- Hotei (布袋): Laughing luck god
- Fukurokuju (福禄寿): God of long life
Now the stars everyone knows.
Famous Japanese Demon Names
These are the headliners of Japanese folklore creatures. Kappa, tengu, and kitsune appear in anime, manga, and games worldwide. Tengu began as feared sky demons before becoming mountain guardians. Many are legendary Japanese monsters with a playful side.
- Kyubi no Kitsune (九尾の狐): Nine-tailed fox
- Nurarihyon (滑瓢): Slippery demon lord
- Gashadokuro (餓者髑髏): Giant skeleton
- Kappa (河童): River imp
- Tengu (天狗): Heavenly dog
- Kitsune (狐): Fox spirit
- Bakeneko (化け猫): Shapeshifting cat
- Nekomata (猫又): Forked-tail cat
- Bake-danuki (化け狸): Shapeshifting raccoon dog
- Rokurokubi (轆轤首): Long-necked woman
- Amabie (アマビエ): Prophetic sea spirit
- Akaname (垢嘗): Filth licker
- Zashiki-warashi (座敷童子): House child spirit
- Daidarabotchi (ダイダラボッチ): Mountain-sized giant
- Inugami (犬神): Dog spirit
- Shinigami (死神): Death god
- Hitodama (人魂): Soul fireball
- Umibozu (海坊主): Sea monk
- Tofu-kozo (豆腐小僧): Tofu boy
- Karakasa-obake (唐傘お化け): Umbrella ghost
- Chochin-obake (提灯お化け): Lantern ghost
- Yanari (家鳴り): House rattler
- Sunekosuri (脛擦り): Shin rubber
- Betobeto-san (べとべとさん): Sticky footsteps ghost
- Kuda-gitsune (管狐): Pipe fox
Yes, some demons are actually adorable.
Cute Japanese Demon Names
Cute Japanese demon names prove that oni can be adorable. Think tiny horns, peach charms, and bean snacks. Beans and peaches chase demons away in tradition, so these names carry a gentle joke.
- Kooni (小鬼): Little demon
- Kogitsune (小狐): Fox cub
- Kotengu (小天狗): Little tengu
- Kokappa (小河童): Little kappa
- Yumeoni (夢鬼): Dream imp
- Hoshioni (星鬼): Star imp
- Sakuraoni (桜鬼): Cherry blossom demon
- Hanaoni (花鬼): Flower demon
- Yukioni (雪鬼): Snow imp
- Momooni (桃鬼): Peach imp
- Tsukioni (月鬼): Moon imp
- Usagioni (兎鬼): Rabbit imp
- Mame (豆): Bean, thrown to scare demons
- Fuku (福): Good fortune
- Hiiragi (柊): Holly, hung to ward off oni
- Momo (桃): Peach, a demon-repelling fruit
- Kuroneko (黒猫): Black cat
- Obakechan (お化けちゃん): Little ghost
- Chibioni (ちび鬼): Tiny ogre
- Mochioni (餅鬼): Rice cake imp
- Ameoni (飴鬼): Candy imp
- Hotaru (蛍): Firefly
- Tsubaki (椿): Camellia
- Suzu (鈴): Bell
- Akari (灯): Lantern light
Now let’s turn the lights down.
Dark Japanese Demon Names
Dark Japanese names run on grudge, despair, and curses. Japanese horror names often come from emotion, not monsters. A single grudge, called urami, powers many ghost stories. Use these as scary Japanese demon names for villains. Looking for Japanese names meaning death? Try Shikabane or Metsubo.
- Akuryo (悪霊): Evil spirit
- Jashin (邪神): Wicked god
- Jaou (邪王): Wicked king
- Dokuro (髑髏): Skull
- Zetsubo (絶望): Despair
- Kyofu (恐怖): Terror
- Urami (恨み): Grudge
- Ikari (怒り): Rage
- Nikushimi (憎しみ): Hatred
- Shikabane (屍): Corpse
- Tsumi (罪): Sin
- Batsu (罰): Punishment
- Kiba (牙): Fang
- Yamigarasu (闇烏): Dark crow
- Kegare (穢れ): Impurity
- Munen (無念): Bitter regret
- Mayoi (迷い): Lost delusion
- Kyomu (虚無): Void
- Metsubo (滅亡): Ruin
- Horobi (滅び): Doom
- Yuutsu (憂鬱): Gloom
- Kuyami (悔やみ): Sorrow, regret
- Hone (骨): Bone
- Gokuaku (極悪): Utter wickedness
- Kurushimi (苦しみ): Suffering
Next, names with centuries of dust on them.
Old Japanese Demon Names
Old Japanese demon names come from Edo storytellers and temple scrolls. One yokai is literally a demon made of a turban shell. Onryo, vengeful spirits, still haunt modern horror. These rare Japanese demon names make memorable Japanese spirit names.
- Jikininki (食人鬼): Corpse-eating ghost
- Tatarigami (祟り神): Curse god
- Tenome (手の目): Eyes in the hands
- Bake-kujira (化鯨): Ghost whale
- Abura-akago (油赤子): Oil baby spirit
- Aburasumashi (油すまし): Oil squeezer spirit
- Kurobozu (黒坊主): Black monk
- Yato-no-kami (夜刀神): Serpent deity
- Furutsubaki-no-rei (古椿の霊): Old camellia spirit
- Nuribotoke (塗仏): Plastered buddha
- Sazae-oni (栄螺鬼): Turban shell demon
- Mikoshi-nyudo (見越入道): Peeking giant monk
- Takaonna (高女): Tall woman
- Kamikiri (髪切): Hair cutter
- Ittan-momen (一反木綿): Cotton cloth spirit
- Bakezori (化け草履): Sandal spirit
- Hyakki Yagyo (百鬼夜行): Night parade of a hundred demons
- Shiryo (死霊): Spirit of the dead
- Ikiryo (生霊): Living ghost
- Onryo (怨霊): Vengeful spirit
- Goryo (御霊): Honored vengeful spirit
- Kitsune-tsuki (狐憑き): Fox possession
- Tsukimono (憑き物): Possessing spirit
- Ushi no Toki Mairi (丑の刻参り): Ox-hour curse ritual
- Hakutaku (白澤): Beast that knows every spirit
Next, softer names with a spooky twist.
Japanese Demon Names for Girls
Japanese demon names for girls can feel soft and haunting at once. Many borrow ghost stories like Hanako-san and Otsuyu. Others add hime (princess) or ko (child) to dark words. The mix feels feminine, mysterious, and unforgettable.
- Hanako-san (花子さん): Toilet ghost girl of urban legend
- Teke Teke (テケテケ): Legless ghost girl
- Hasshaku-sama (八尺様): Eight-foot woman
- Otsuyu (お露): Ghost lover of Botan Doro
- Sakurahime (桜姫): Cherry blossom princess
- Yukihime (雪姫): Snow princess
- Tsukihime (月姫): Moon princess
- Hoshihime (星姫): Star princess
- Shirohime (白姫): White princess
- Aohime (青姫): Blue princess
- Murasakihime (紫姫): Purple princess
- Rokujo (六条): Jealous spirit from the Tale of Genji
- Aoi no Ue (葵の上): Hollyhock lady
- Yugao (夕顔): Evening face flower
- Hashihime (橋姫): Bridge princess
- Tsuyuko (露子): Dew child
- Yoruko (夜子): Night child
- Kageko (影子): Shadow child
- Kuroko (黒子): Black child
- Akeko (朱子): Vermilion child
- Sayoko (小夜子): Little night child
- Maya (魔夜): Demon night
- Mahime (魔姫): Demon princess
- Mari (魔莉): Demon jasmine
- Reiko (霊子): Spirit child
Stories make names stick, so here come the legends.
Famous Japanese Demons From Folklore
Each of these Japanese folklore demon names comes with a story. Issun-boshi, the inch-tall boy, beat an oni from the inside. Stories like that give a character instant backstory. They also make unique Japanese demon names and strong Japanese folklore villains.
- Issun-boshi (一寸法師): Inch-tall boy who fought an oni
- Kobutori (瘤取り): Lump-taking old man tale
- Omukade (大百足): Giant centipede
- Onamazu (大鯰): Earthquake catfish
- Mujina (貉): Faceless badger
- Yamabiko (山彦): Mountain echo
- Hone-onna (骨女): Bone woman
- Kasane (累): Vengeful ghost of a murdered woman
- Nukekubi (抜け首): Detachable head
- Kawataro (川太郎): River boy kappa
- Hyosube (兵主部): Kappa of old tales
- Kamikakushi (神隠し): Spirited away
- Tsurube-otoshi (釣瓶落とし): Falling well bucket
- Fujiwara no Hidesato (藤原秀郷): Slayer of the giant centipede
- Hitotsume Nyudo (一つ目入道): One-eyed monk
- Sunakake-baba (砂かけ婆): Sand-throwing hag
- Yobuko (呼子): Calling echo
- Shirime (尻目): Spirit with an eye on its rear
- Konaki-jiji (子泣き爺): Baby-crying old man
- Ohaguro-bettari (お歯黒べったり): Faceless woman with blackened teeth
- Kijimuna (キジムナー): Tree sprite of Okinawa
- Mizuchi (蛟): Water dragon
- Basan (波山): Fire-breathing bird
- Dorotabo (泥田坊): Mud-field ghost
- Obariyon (おばりよん): Piggyback spirit
Next, the horned ones.
Japanese Oni Names and Their Meanings
Japanese oni names point to horns, iron clubs, and brute strength. Oni wear tiger-skin loincloths because the demon gate points northeast, the ox-tiger direction. That gate is called kimon. Use these names for manga demon characters who hit hard.
- Otakemaru (大嶽丸): Legendary oni of Mount Suzuka
- Suzuka Gozen (鈴鹿御前): Oni woman of Suzuka legend
- Kijo Momiji (鬼女紅葉): Maple demon woman of Togakushi
- Kidomaru (鬼同丸): Oni of old warrior tales
- Namahage (ナマハゲ): Akita oni who scold lazy children
- Shirooni (白鬼): White ogre
- Kioni (黄鬼): Yellow ogre
- Midorioni (緑鬼): Green ogre
- Oniyuri (鬼百合): Tiger lily, literally demon lily
- Oniyanma (鬼やんま): Giant dragonfly
- Onigawara (鬼瓦): Demon roof tile
- Onizuka (鬼塚): Demon mound
- Kanabo (金棒): Oni’s iron club
- Tsuno (角): Horn
- Onigokko (鬼ごっこ): Game of tag, literally demon play
- Oeyama (大江山): Mountain of Shuten Doji’s lair
- Rashomon (羅生門): Gate where an oni lost an arm
- Watanabe no Tsuna (渡辺綱): Warrior who cut off an oni’s arm
- Momotaro (桃太郎): Peach boy, oni conqueror
- Onigashima (鬼ヶ島): Demon island
- Kintoki (金時): Strongman who fought oni beside Raiko
- Onitaiji (鬼退治): Demon subjugation
- Ushioni (牛鬼): Ox demon
- Gagoze (元興寺): Oni of a temple tale
- Mamemaki (豆撒き): Bean-throwing rite
Oni are only one branch of the family.
Japanese Yokai Names Inspired by Demons
Japanese yokai names cover tricksters, shapeshifters, and terrors. Yokai mythology blurs good and evil on purpose. Some demon-like beings help people, while others only prank them. These Japanese supernatural beings also make strong dark fantasy names.
- Nuppeppo (ぬっぺっぽう): Shapeless flesh blob
- Karasu-tengu (烏天狗): Crow tengu
- Konoha-tengu (木の葉天狗): Leaf tengu
- Daitengu (大天狗): Great tengu
- Ao-bozu (青坊主): Blue monk
- Nogitsune (野狐): Wild fox
- Tenko (天狐): Celestial fox
- Kuko (空狐): Void fox
- Genko (玄狐): Black fox
- Nekomusume (猫娘): Cat girl
- Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜): Tanuki teakettle
- Ningyo (人魚): Mermaid
- Funayurei (船幽霊): Ship ghost
- Isonade (磯撫): Shore-stroking sea monster
- Yamawaro (山童): Mountain child
- Hakuzosu (白蔵主): Fox disguised as a priest
- Mamedanuki (豆狸): Bean raccoon dog
- Amanojaku (天邪鬼): Contrary demon
- Furaribi (ふらり火): Drifting fire
- Ushirogami (後神): Spirit behind you
- Dodomeki (百々目鬼): Hundred-eyed woman
- Tsurara-onna (氷柱女): Icicle woman
- Jinmenju (人面樹): Human-faced tree
- Shirouneri (白うねり): Writhing white spirit
Time to meet the villains.
Evil Japanese Names With Dark Meanings
Evil Japanese names with dark meanings suit antagonists best. Many are plain words for crime, cruelty, and calamity. These Japanese names meaning evil work well on paper. On a real person, they feel heavy, so choose with care. Skip any word tied to a real tragedy, even if other lists include it.
- Aku (悪): Evil
- Jaaku (邪悪): Wicked
- Kyoaku (凶悪): Atrocious
- Kyo (凶): Ill omen
- Wazawai (災い): Calamity
- Sai (災): Disaster
- Zaiaku (罪悪): Guilt and sin
- Fukitsu (不吉): Ominous
- Hangyaku (反逆): Betrayal
- Fukushu (復讐): Revenge
- Kyouki (狂気): Madness
- Daraku (堕落): Corruption
- Zangyaku (残虐): Cruelty
- Zankoku (残酷): Ruthless
- Doku (毒): Poison
- Dokuga (毒牙): Poison fang
- Kyouma (凶魔): Ill-omened demon
- Jaen (邪炎): Wicked flame
- Jakou (邪光): Wicked light
- Jaryu (邪竜): Wicked dragon
- Jaga (邪牙): Wicked fang
- Jaei (邪影): Wicked shadow
- Jamaru (邪丸): Wicked boy
- Jakai (邪界): Wicked realm
- Jarei (邪霊): Wicked spirit
Next, the words that literally mean demon.
Japanese Names That Mean Demon
Japanese names that mean demon often start with oni or ma. Spot those parts and you can decode a name fast. Japanese names meaning demon also include Buddhist imports like Yasha and Rasetsu. The Japanese kanji for demon are 鬼 (oni) and 魔 (ma). Many names associated with demons follow this pattern.
- Oni (鬼): Ogre, demon
- Ma (魔): Demon, evil
- Akki (悪鬼): Evil demon
- Jaki (邪鬼): Wicked demon
- Mamono (魔物): Demon creature
- Mayou (魔妖): Demon apparition
- Youma (妖魔): Ghoul, demon
- Youki (妖鬼): Monstrous demon
- Kiki (鬼気): Demonic aura
- Yasha (夜叉): Yaksha, night demon
- Rasetsu (羅刹): Rakshasa
- Kuhanda (鳩槃荼): Pot-bellied demon
- Hishaja (毘舎闍): Flesh-eating demon
- Onito (鬼人): Demon person
- Oniro (鬼郎): Demon son
- Onisuke (鬼助): Demon helper
- Onijiro (鬼次郎): Second demon son
- Onimasa (鬼正): Righteous demon
- Kiboshi (鬼星): Demon star
- Oniya (鬼屋): Demon house
- Onihara (鬼原): Demon field
- Oniyama (鬼山): Demon mountain
- Onimori (鬼森): Demon forest
- Onikawa (鬼川): Demon river
- Onimizu (鬼水): Demon water
Now for the devil himself.
Japanese Names That Mean Devil
Japanese names that mean devil lean on 魔, the kanji of Mara, the tempter in Buddhist texts. Dairokuten Maou is a title famously linked to the warlord Oda Nobunaga. Few names sound bigger. Majin, an evil deity, appears here too.
- Daimaou (大魔王): Great devil king
- Dairokuten Maou (第六天魔王): Sixth heaven demon king
- Mara (魔羅): Tempter demon
- Majin (魔神): Evil deity
- Satan (サタン): Devil
- Maten (魔天): Demon heaven
- Maju (魔獣): Demon beast
- Madou (魔道): Path of demons
- Maki (魔鬼): Demon ogre
- Masei (魔性): Devilish nature
- Mazoku (魔族): Demon clan
- Makyo (魔境): Demon realm
- Akudo (悪道): Evil path
- Mashu (魔手): Devil’s hand
- Makou (魔光): Devil light
- Makoku (魔国): Devil land
- Magen (魔眼): Evil eye
- Maro (魔狼): Demon wolf
- Ashiki (悪しき): The wicked one
- Akugyo (悪業): Evil deeds
- Akuto (悪党): Villain
- Majiro (魔二郎): Devil’s second son
- Marei (魔霊): Demon spirit
- Maga (禍): Calamity
Next, darkness in its quietest forms.
Japanese Names That Mean Darkness
Japanese names that mean darkness are quieter and more poetic. Yami is raw darkness. Yuyami is the dim blue hour at dusk. Each suits a moody character, whether feminine, masculine, or unisex.
- Yami (闇): Darkness
- Kage (影): Shadow
- Yoru (夜): Night
- Kuro (黒): Black
- Kurayami (暗闇): Pitch dark
- Ankoku (暗黒): Dark realm
- Tsukiyami (月闇): Moonless dark
- Yamiyo (闇夜): Dark night
- Shikkoku (漆黒): Jet black
- Yuyami (夕闇): Dusk gloom
- Yoiyami (宵闇): Early evening dark
- Usuyami (薄闇): Faint darkness
- Mayonaka (真夜中): Midnight
- Yofuke (夜更け): Deep night
- Kokutan (黒檀): Ebony
- Sumi (墨): Ink black
- Karasuba (烏羽): Crow-feather black
- Mei (冥): Underworld dimness
- Kokuyo (黒曜): Obsidian
- Yamiji (闇路): Dark path
- Yamimaru (闇丸): Dark boy
- Yamihime (闇姫): Dark princess
- Kuroyami (黒闇): Black darkness
- Yamito (闇人): Person of darkness
Last stop: names that burn.
Japanese Names Inspired by Fire Demons
Japanese names inspired by fire demons burn bright. Onibi, the demon fire, is a real folk belief about glowing lights over marshes and graves. Shiranui describes eerie lights seen over the sea off Kyushu.
- Onibi (鬼火): Demon fire
- Hinotama (火の玉): Fireball
- Kagutsuchi (火之迦具土): Fire god whose birth burned Izanami
- Gouka (業火): Hellfire
- Guren (紅蓮): Crimson lotus
- Rengoku (煉獄): Purgatory
- Honoo (炎): Flame
- Karyu (火竜): Fire dragon
- Kaenmaru (炎丸): Flame boy
- Hiotoko (火男): Fire man
- Kazan (火山): Volcano
- Shiranui (不知火): Mysterious sea fires
- Kagaribi (篝火): Bonfire
- Taimatsu (松明): Torch
- Enjin (炎神): Flame god
- Yoen (妖炎): Eerie flame
- Reien (霊炎): Spirit flame
- Gouen (業炎): Karmic flame
- Ryuen (竜炎): Dragon flame
- Shakunetsu (灼熱): Scorching heat
- Hinokami (火神): Fire god
- Enki (炎鬼): Flame demon
- Kasei (火星): Mars, the fire star
- Hibana (火花): Spark
FAQs
What are Japanese demon names based on?
Most come from oni folklore, yokai tales, Buddhist terms, and kanji such as 鬼 and 魔.
What is the Japanese word for demon?
Oni means ogre or demon, while akuma means devil. Both appear often in Japanese demon names.
Are all Japanese demons evil?
No. Some oni guard temples, and some yokai help people or simply play tricks.
Which Japanese demon name is the most powerful?
Enma and Shuten Doji rank among the most powerful Japanese demon names, ruling hell and legendary oni.
What is the difference between an oni and a yokai?
Oni are horned ogres. Yokai is the wider group of strange beings, and oni belong inside it.
Can I use these names for stories or games?
Yes. They suit stories, games, and anime characters. Check any trademarked character before borrowing it.
Conclusion
The best Japanese demon names carry a story, not just a scary sound. Folklore gives depth, and kanji gives you control over meaning.
Pick three favorites and check their kanji. Then say each name aloud in your scene. Which one made you shiver?
5 years of experience working on names web projects, creating trending, SEO-friendly, creative name content with consistency and quality. Humanity really turned naming things into a full-time economy.