Names hold significant meaning in different cultures, and Japanese is no exception. Some names in Japan are linked to the idea of demons or spirits known as “oni.” These names can be intriguing and often carry rich stories and symbolism. Understanding these names can add depth to their cultural significance.
Today, we will look at popular Japanese names that mean demon. We will explore their meanings and origins, providing a glimpse into the fascinating world of Japanese folklore. Whether you’re curious about names for creative writing or personal interest, these demon-related names may inspire you.
Names That Mean Demon In Japanese
1. Akuma
The name Akuma translates directly to ‘devil’ or ‘demon’ in Japanese, making it a powerful choice for those interested in the darker side of folklore. This name embodies the spirit of mischief and chaos.
2. Oni
Oni itself directly means ‘demon’ in Japanese folklore. These mythical creatures are often depicted with horns and a fierce appearance, making this a strong representatives of demon culture.
3. Yurei
Yurei refers to ‘ghost’ in Japanese legends. While not a demon, Yurei shares an unsettling connection to dark spirits and reflects the complexities of soul and spirit in Japanese folklore.
4. Shōjō
Shōjō translates as ‘demon’ but is often associated with water and specific lore around spirits. This vibrant name connects to traditional beliefs about nature’s elemental forces.
5. Akutagawa
This name means ‘river of evil’, embodying the idea of a location closely associated with darkness. Akutagawa captures the essence of waterways as mysterious and often dangerous places.
6. Kuro
Kuro means ‘black’ or ‘dark’. While it does not directly translate to ‘demon,’ dark colors have often been associated with evil in various cultures, lending it a mystical edge.
7. Kage
Kage means ‘shadow’ in Japanese. Shadows can often symbolize the hidden or the dark aspects of one’s self, complementing the miscellaneous demonic themes.
8. Jigoku
Jigoku translates to ‘hell’, a dwelling associated with demons and punishment. This name represents the darker sides of the human experience and beyond.
9. Yato
The name Yato has associations with demons representing both chaos and creativity, capturing the essence of their dualistic nature usually found in folklore.
10. Akumaneko
Akumaneko literally translates to ‘demon cat’. This quirky name signifies a mischievous character linked to dark mysticism often tied to animals in Japanese mythology.
11. Shakaijin
This name means ‘demon person’ and is often used in folklore to describe figures that embody chaotic energies with human qualities, showcasing the blend of man with the demon realm.
12. Akuyuu
Akuyuu means ‘evil spirit’. This name directly connects to the theme of demons, reflecting the darker energy often associated with them.
13. Fukuma
Fukuma translates to ‘the dark demon,’ representing hidden powers and approaches to life that meld with dark themes and the essence of oni.
14. Nozumi
This name means ‘spirit of darkness’. Nozumi carries the essence of demons and the more sinister aspects of Japanese culture.
15. Anjō
Anjō literally translates to ‘demon king.’ This name encapsulates the leadership of chaos and mischief often symbolized by mythic demon kings in stories.
16. Yobiyu
Meaning ‘calling from the darkness’, Yobiyu expresses the connection to the demonic calls in folklore, empowering the mystique of the dark.
17. Akakumo
Akakumo translates as ‘red cloud’, often associated with ominous skies before a storm – a metaphorical depiction of demon activity.
18. Ryujin
Although it translates as ‘dragon god’, Ryujin combines demonic features with deities in Japanese culture, reflecting their importance in folklore.
19. Jorei
Jorei translates to ‘demon belief’. A name capturing a spiritual essence tied heavily with folklore and stories surrounding demons.
20. Sekai
Meaning ‘the world’, Sekai can refer to the world impacted by demonic forces, establishing a connection to supernatural themes.
21. Riku
While not traditionally demonic, Riku means ‘land’ and connects to deeper themes of folklore where land and demons intertwine.
22. Tenma
Meaning ‘heavenly demon’, Tenma represents a celestial entity with relations to the concept of demon worship in ancient Japan.
23. Tengu
Tengu, while often seen as a protector, has demonic attributes in folklore, capturing the duality of spirits in Japanese legend.
24. Shingu
Shingu means ‘divine demon’, blending the ideas of divinity and demonic attributes into one name.
25. Kanzen
Kanzen means ‘complete demon’, embodying totality in demonic energy and a powerful concept to explore.
26. Onikiri
This name means ‘demon slayer’. A strong name linked to the concept of combating evil spirits and showcasing bravery.
27. Sakujin
Sakujin translates to ‘evil spirit’, representing the dark forces often depicted in ancient literature.
28. Ryojin
Ryojin means ‘dragon god’, often connected to demons in folklore and their influence over the physical and spiritual realms.
29. Nozomi
Nozomi means ‘hope’, but when linked to demons, it embodies the idea of finding light amidst darkness.
30. Gorou
While Gorou can mean ‘fifth son’, its many interpretations involve demonic and dark energy which can bear deeper meanings.
31. Ittan-momen
This name represents a supernatural entity with demonic qualities, showcasing the blend of folklore and spirit.
32. Yama-uba
Yama-uba translates to ‘mountain witch’ and embodies demonic qualities through the character’s ties with dark magic.
33. Kuroi
Kuroi means ‘black’ and is often associated with the demonic aspects in folklore, a name representing mystery.
34. Morikawa
This name, meaning ‘river in the forest’, often represents hidden dangers, linking it to the darker elements of the natural world.
35. Jinnai
Jinnai means ‘spirit in the river’ and connects to a rich folklore tradition of river spirits typically seen as demonic figures.
36. Takeminakata
Although this translates to ‘god of bravery’, its mythology intertwines with themes of demons, making it a powerful name.
37. Yuurei
Yuurei translates to ‘ghost’ and holds similar meanings to demons, connecting to spirits that wander the earth.
38. Kaidan
Kaidan means ‘strange story’ that encompasses tales of spirits and demons, embodying narrative depth tied to folklore.
39. Akatsuki
Akatsuki means ‘dawn’ but metaphorically represents the confrontation of light versus dark, linking to demon themes.
40. Tatari
Tatari translates to ‘curse’, directly related to demonic influence and malevolent intentions.
41. Mononoke
This name means ‘spirit’, often representing the demonic elements present in human life in mythical contexts.
42. Hachiman
Hachiman, while considered a warrior god, has roots connected to demonic imagery within Japan’s ancient lore.
43. Enraikyo
Enraikyo translates to ‘demon image’, directly tying to visual representations of demons in Japanese culture, showcasing their artistic significance.
44. Suijin
Suijin means ‘water deity’, often depicting the dual nature of spirits and demons in aquatic imagery within folklore.
45. Kiyoshi
Kiyoshi means ‘pure’, but in folklore, this contrasts with demon stories, showcasing the battle of good versus evil.
46. Kurayami
Kurayami translates to ‘darkness’ and resonates with the theme of demons lurking in shadows in Japanese tales.
47. Nakaido
This name means ‘middle region’, often associated with hidden spaces occupied by spirits and demons in Japanese mythology.
48. Umi-no-yokai
This translates to ‘sea demon’, embodying the menacing presence associated with coastline folklore.
49. Inazuma
While meaning ‘lightning’, Inazuma connects to disastrous forces often portrayed as demons in various narratives.
50. Kamikiri
Kamikiri means ‘god of cutting’, symbolizing the cutting down of spirits and demons that represent chaos.
51. Kurobara
Meaning ‘black rose’, this name symbolizes beauty intertwined with dark themes, often linked with demonic imagery.
52. Tamiya
Tamiya means ‘peaceful’, but in context, it showcases the contrast often explored in demons’ narratives.
53. Chitai
Chitai means ‘ruins’, linking to the destruction often depicted in demonic stories and settings.
54. Komura
This name translates to ‘small village’, a symbol of the innocence often lost when demonic forces intervene.
55. Fushichou
Fushichou translates to ‘phoenix’ but often embodies resurrection themes amidst destruction tied to demonic influences in Japanese culture.
56. Onikage
Onikage means ‘shadow of a demon’, showing how shadows can symbolize the presence of demons lurking in stories.
57. Kirishima
Kirishima means ‘rivers of trees’, signifying a landscape often associated with spirits and demons of nature.
58. Arashi
Arashi translates to ‘storm’, a natural force often linked to the chaos demons can embody in folklore.
59. Yubei
Yubei means ‘night lord’, a title characteristic of powerful demonic figures overseeing darkness.
60. Tenjin
Tenjin’s definition as ‘heavenly being’ relates to demons when considering the balance of chaotic forces in mythology.
61. Kijima
Kijima translates to ‘demon island’, a direct link to geographical locations inhabited by spirits.
62. Sakuyona
Sakuyona means ‘god of destruction’, connecting to the essence of demonic narratives that explore chaos.
63. Narakumi
Narakumi translates to ‘vision of hell’, directly reflecting the themes of demons in Japanese culture.
64. Reijuu
Reijuu translates to ‘spirit creature’, encompassing the dual nature shared by many demons and spirits.
65. Takemikazuchi
This name means ‘god of thunder’ but intertwines with demonic imagery often featured in folklore.
66. Aobara
Aobara translates to ‘blue rose’, symbolizing beauty alongside darker themes related to demonic narratives.
67. Warau
Warau holds the meaning of ‘to laugh’, yet many stories depict demons as menacing beings that relish chaos.
68. Otokozaka
This translates to ‘male slope’, used in folklore to depict areas of darkness often occupied by demonic figures.
69. Suiryou
Suiryou signifies ‘spirit of water’, reflecting the essence of demons often associated with aquatic tales.
70. Yureizaka
Yureizaka translates to ‘ghost slope’, embodying a supernatural element connected to demonic legends.
71. Hoshiguma
Hoshiguma means ‘star bear’, a creature combining celestial themes and darker undertones present in demon stories.
72. Fugue
This name, meaning ‘to flee’, often signifies the escape from a reality filled with demons present in various narratives.
73. Uruki
Uruki translates to ‘dark path’, metaphorically linking journeys plagued with demonic presence throughout folklore.
74. Kichijō
Kichijō translates to ‘good fortune’, often counterpoised against demonic entities in narratives about life and events.
75. Shishi
Shishi means ‘lion’ but often parallels with themes of guardianship against demonic forces.
76. Kanoko
Kanoko translates to ‘young deer’, representing innocence often lost in tales of demonic encounters.
77. Kasumi
Kasumi means ‘mist’, metaphorically linking it to obscurity where demons might be lurking within the fog.
78. Zankyou
Zankyou means ‘echo of evil’, which conveys the lingering presence of demons through sounds in narratives.
79. Yurei-jinja
This translates to ‘ghost shrine’, indicating places associated with spirits and demons revered in ancient beliefs.
80. Akakuzu
Akakuzu translates to ‘red overdraft’, a metaphorical representation of demonic states depicted in narratives.
81. Karamatsu
Karamatsu means ‘larch pine’, a tree often seen as protective against demons in traditional beliefs.
82. Kamikaze
Kamikaze translates to ‘divine wind’, often a force against evil, making it a potent name in the context of battling demons.
83. Hinei
Hinei translates to ‘guardian spirit’, encapsulating a protective role against demons found within folklore.
84. Ikiryo
Ikiryo means ‘living spirit’, representing the duality often fought in stories between humans and demons.
85. Kawaiiko
Kawaiiko translates to ‘cute child’, contrasting with the unconventional beauty of demons in tales.
86. Naoshirou
This name means ‘to restore’, symbolizing the battle against demonic forces seeking to disrupt balance.
87. Aoiro
Aoiro means ‘blue’, often associated with calmer emotions, contrasting the chaos typically attributed to demons.
88. Sakigake
Sakigake translates to ‘pioneer’, often signifying those confronting demonic presences in historical narratives.
89. Inshou
Inshou means ‘impression’, which can relate to the effect demons have on the psyche in legends.
90. Hoshikuzu
Hoshikuzu translates to ‘star dust’, embodying mystical qualities often tied to supernatural beings.
91. Kurogane
Kurogane means ‘black steel’, representing toughness often required to battle demonic entities.
92. Momiji
Momiji translates to ‘maple leaf’, often symbolizing the beauty found within dark narratives about demons.
93. Jiraiya
Jiraiya is a legendary figure known for transforming and battling demons, highlighting strength and resilience.
94. Hikari
Hikari means ‘light’, often representing hope against demonic figures lurking in the darkness.
95. Harubaru
This name translates to ‘spring bloom’, a symbol of renewal overcoming dark forces in stories.
96. Suigetsu
Suigetsu means ‘water moon’, capturing the ethereal presence often linked to demons in folklore.
97. Kasuminome
Kasuminome translates to ‘misty field’, symbolizing encounters with spirits and demons amidst nature.
98. Ishi-joruri
Ishi-joruri means ‘stone storytelling’, connecting the historical significance of tales involving demons.
99. Omoiyari
Omoiyari means ’empathy’, a characteristic needed when dealing with themes of demons in human experiences.
100. Chousen
This name means ‘challenging’, often relating to the struggle against malevolent forces symbolized through demons.
101. Aoiyama
Aoiyama translates to ‘blue mountain’, connecting to nature’s raw power often heralding spiritual encounters.
102. Fuuin
Fuuin means ‘seal’, embodying the power to restrain spirits or demons in various folklore tales.
103. Utsukushi
Utsukushi means ‘beautiful’, often used in juxtaposition against the fearsome appearance of demons.
104. Todoroki
Todoroki means ‘rumbling’, a sound often associated with approaching demonic presences in narratives.
105. Asakusa
This name links to a district famous for temples, reflecting the cultural significance of spirituality in relation to demons.
106. Yashiro
Yashiro translates to ‘shrine’, often places that honor spirits and the presence of demons.
107. Kamo
Kamo means ‘wild duck’, but is symbolically tied to the elemental and animal spirit aspect often seen in demon folklore.
108. Tamazuki
Tamazuki translates to ‘pearl water’, embodying the beauty that can represent balanced themes involving demons.
109. Reikan
Reikan means ‘spirit quality’, emphasizing holistic elements connected to folklore regarding demons.
110. Natsumi
Natsumi translates to ‘beautiful summer’, representing life’s vibrant qualities contrasting against darkness.
111. Kurofune
Kurofune translates to ‘black ship’, often linked to themes of mystery and darkness associated with interactions with demons.
112. Yokubari
Yokubari translates to ‘greedy’, reflecting human traits often found in demon portrayals.
113. Kurenai
Kurenai means ‘deep red’, often linked symbolically to demonic imagery of blood and danger.
114. Awase
This name means ‘coming together’, representing the balance found between humanity and the demon world in stories.
115. Yoru
Yoru means ‘night’, symbolizing the time often associated with feared demonic encounters.
116. Kuzunoha
Kuzunoha means ‘snake princess’, blending narratives of supernatural beings often linked to dark themes.
117. Natsukaze
Natsukaze translates to ‘summer wind’, connecting to the gentle mysteries found in nature and the spiritual.
118. Akitsuki
Akitsuki means ‘autumn moon’, embodying dark beauty that resonates with demon symbolism.
119. Komorino
Komorino translates to ‘darkening sky’, symbolizing the ominous nature often associated with demons.
120. Sanpou
Sanpou means ‘third’, often utilizing numerology to reflect elements symbolic of chaos often driven by demonic presence.
121. Shinagawa
Shinagawa translates to ‘new river’, connecting to elemental spirits in relation to water and demonic interactions.
122. Shinju
Shinju means ‘pearl’, often representing beauty tied to mythology against the underlying chaotic forces.
123. Mikaduki
Mikaduki translates to ‘crescent moon’, symbolizing ephemeral qualities and spiritual encounters often observed with demons.
124. Kumohara
Kumohara means ‘cloud field’, capturing perception linked to the unknown often associated with demonic entities.
125. Kikarasu
Kikarasu translates to ‘the crow’, which is often linked to omens and spiritual themes surrounding demons.
126. Takemi
Takemi translates to ‘weapon of the divine’, connecting aspects of battle against demons and the fight for good.
127. Kazenori
Kazenori means ‘wind direction’, symbolizing the forces acting against or alongside nature, which can link to demonic depictions.
128. Goju
Goju translates to ‘earthbound spirit’, a rare representation of demons in relation to elements residing on earth.
129. Kishin
Kishin means ‘demon god’, combining the two entities in a name reflecting chaos and creative energies.
130. Anjuka
Anjuka means ‘guardian of the night spirit’, deriving power from protective forces against evil.
131. Kirinosu
Kirinosu translates to ‘blooming in darkness’, reflecting growth amidst the presence of shadows associated with demons.
132. Yuukou
This name means ‘friendly spirit’, relating to how some may perceive benevolence amidst a demonic presence.
133. Arei
Arei means ‘demons of loyalty’, which references thematic traits often associated with darker folklore.
134. Chikou
Chikou means ‘to attain’, symbolizing the journey toward overcoming demonic influences.
135. Shirabune
Shirabune means ‘study of truth’, often a thematic exploration of morality found in a world filled with demons.
136. Kurozuki
Kurozuki means ‘black moon’, embodying allure alongside dark forces typically characterized through demons.
137. Akirakawa
Akirakawa translates to ‘clear river’, suggesting purity battling through corrupted waters filled with demonic imagery.
138. Kurobunko
Kurobunko means ‘black notebook’, referencing the notions of storytelling filled with dark lore involving demons.
139. Jinshin
This translates to ‘divine spirit,’ often implying protective themes against nefarious forces, including demons.
140. Nikutai
Nikutai means ‘body’, symbolizing the physical reminders of humanity often intertwined with dark stories involving demons.
141. Kokyuu
Kokyuu translates to ‘breath’, symbolically connected with life, even against suffocating darkness demonic beings can present.
142. Matsuno
Matsuno means ‘pine tree’, often spiraling the natural chaos linked to demons in folklore.
143. Tachigami
This name translates to ‘living spirit’, emphasizing the life force often at odds with a demonic nature.
144. Rikuzen
Rikuzen means ‘land spirit’, linking the essence of nature alongside underlying dark elements often called demonic.
145. Shiki
Shiki means ‘death’, representing the ultimate end often heralded together with demonic presence in stories.
146. Nanbo
Nanbo translates to ‘the light of the moon’, often a guiding theme facing the darkness posed by demons.
147. Inushiro
This name means ‘dog spirit’, which can represent loyalty against bedeviling influences in traditional tales.
148. Tsukiyomi
Tsukiyomi translates to ‘moon reader’, often seen as a critical element in contrasting the light against shadows from demons in folklore.
149. Tsubame
Tsubame means ‘swallow bird’, which encapsulates freedom but can embody darker themes when linked to demonic opposition.
150. Hina
This name translates to ‘sun’, which contrasts the dark power depicted often with demons across various narratives.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve explored in this list, many Japanese names embody aspects of demons in culture and folklore. The duality of light and darkness showcases a rich tapestry of meaning through these names. From symbolic connections to nature to more direct translations like Akuma and Oni, the diversity in interpretation is fascinating.
Through understanding these names, we can appreciate the ancient narratives that shape perceptions of good and evil in Japanese culture. They serve as a reminder of how deeply names are intertwined with cultural identity and storytelling.
If you’d like to delve deeper into other related themes, consider checking out our articles on Japanese names that mean demon or explore names that mean evil. Each offers a unique look at the ideas and beliefs that persist within the beautiful complexity of names.