Japanese culture is rich with fascinating names that often carry deep meanings. Some of these names refer to terrifying entities, including evil spirits. These names can be linked to folklore and mythology, where they tell stories of dark forces, curses, and malevolent beings. Understanding the meanings behind these names can open a window into Japan’s unique cultural beliefs and history.
Today, we will look at some Japanese names that mean evil spirit. Each name has its own backstory and significance, often tied to ancient tales or religious beliefs. Whether you’re curious about folklore or just interested in unique names, this list will provide insight into the darker side of Japanese naming traditions.
Japanese Names That Mean Evil Spirit
1. Akuma
The name Akuma translates directly to ‘devil’ or ‘evil spirit’. It embodies the essence of malevolence in Japanese folklore and represents dark forces.
2. Yurei
Yurei means ‘ghost’ or ‘spirit’ in Japanese folklore, often depicting the souls of the deceased who linger on Earth due to unresolved issues or vengeance.
3. Shiisaa
This name refers to a mythical creature resembling a lion that acts as a guardian spirit but can also invoke fear, linked to protective yet fearsome spirits.
4. Yato
Yato means ‘the diabolical one’, representing a spirit that harbors ill will and mischief, reflective of the darker nature seen in some folklore tales.
5. Kaibutsu
Kaibutsu translates to ‘monster’, symbolizing a terrifying being in stories that can also embody evil spirits dwelling among humans.
6. Ryoumen-sukuna
This legendary name refers to a type of evil spirit known for its malicious acts, drawing from tales of supernatural forces in ancient Japan.
7. Jorogumo
Jorogumo means ‘binding bride’, representing a spider spirit that can take the form of a woman to lure victims, reflecting cunning and manipulation.
8. Rokurokubi
This name refers to a spirit that can stretch its neck, often seen at night and depicted as a trickster or mischievous evil spirit.
9. Shōjō
Shōjō means ‘a spirit that sings’, often associated with beautiful voices but can also bring sorrow or misfortune if its songs are uninvited.
10. Kappa
Kappa refers to a water spirit, known for its mischievous nature and often regarded as a trickster, embodying the element of danger and fear.
11. Inugami
Inugami is a spirit born from a dog and is considered malevolent, often compelling humans to do its bidding through curses.
12. Bake-neko
This name means ‘monster cat’, representing a cat that becomes a malevolent spirit after death, often seeking revenge for its past life.
13. Yuki-onna
Yuki-onna translates to ‘snow woman’, a ghostly figure that appears during snowstorms, embodying beauty mixed with deadly coldness.
14. Miko
Miko traditionally refers to a shrine maiden who can channel spirits, but some tales depict them as vessels for malign ones.
15. Gaki
Gaki represents ‘hungry ghosts’, spirits of the neglected who can invoke fear and be caught in a cycle of suffering and longing.
16. Nure-onna
Nure-onna means ‘wet woman’, depicting a watery spirit known to drown those who come too close, illustrating danger hidden in beauty.
17. Tengu
Tengu, known as ‘the long-nosed goblin’, is often portrayed as an evil spirit capable of trickery and deception, a guardian turned rogue.
18. Kurozumi
Kurozumi translates to ‘black charcoal’, invoking a dark and sinister energy often linked to evil spirits that haunt the living.
19. Yama-uba
Yama-uba means ‘mountain witch’, depicting an old woman with evil intention, known for her sinister magic in folklore.
20. Fūjin
Fūjin, the wind god, can inflict storms representing chaos and destruction, embodying a terrifying spirit that wreaks havoc.
21. Kijimunaa
This name refers to a spirit that protects the island of Okinawa but is often depicted with a mischievous and sometimes malevolently playful nature.
22. Kuroko
Kuroko means ‘black child’ and can represent a dark spirit known for shadowy appearances, often connected with fear and secrecy.
23. Nurarihyon
Nurarihyon is a spirit that resembles an old man and sneaks into houses, embodying stealthy trickster spirits often feared by residents.
24. Sanbiki-no-yakko
This translates to ‘three evil spirits’ and represents a trio of mischievous beings often causing distress and chaos in folklore tales.
25. Yama-no-kami
The name means ‘mountain god’ but often carries connotations of the malevolent spirits that claim those who wander too far into dark terrains.
26. Shōkyo
Shōkyo means ‘the extinction’, representing spirits that embody death, linking to the evil aspects of the afterlife.
27. Dōbutsu-no-kami
This name references animal spirits, sometimes seen as evil omens that cross paths with humans, instilling feelings of dread.
28. Yurei-no-kami
This translates to ‘spirit ghost’, relating to lingering souls who often bear malice towards the living in stories of vengeance.
29. Yagyou
The name Yagyou refers to ‘night owl’, symbolizing a spirit that embodies secrecy and mischief, a reminder of the dangers hidden at night.
30. Kuroishi
Kuroishi means ‘black stone’, often linked to evil spirits that dwell in dark places, representing unpredictability and danger.
31. Henge
Henge translates to ‘shape-shifter’, embodying spirits that can change forms, often leading to trickery and malevolent intentions.
32. Chinmoku
This name means ‘silent spirit’, symbolizing the unseen forces in legend that can instill fear without visible manifestations.
33. Hoshino
Hoshino means ‘star field’, and while it suggests beauty, it can also indicate the isolation and loneliness connected with dark spirits.
34. Gozu-tennō
Gozu-tennō means ‘ox-headed god’, a representation of fearsome deities that portray both power and malevolence in folklore.
35. Zashiki-warashi
Zashiki-warashi are spirits of children that bring prosperity but have a dark side as they can also bring misfortune when angered.
36. Onryō
Onryō refers to a vengeful spirit of a wronged woman, known for bearing strong malevolence and causing harm to those who cross it.
37. Funayūrei
This translates to ‘ghost ship’, warning seafarers of vengeful spirits that can capture unaware travelers of the sea.
38. Kurobuta
Kurobuta means ‘black pig’, symbolizing a spirit associated with the underworld, representing both mystery and fear.
39. Nekomata
Nekomata refers to a cat spirit that can manipulate humans, often portraying supernatural abilities and dark intentions.
40. Shikei
Shikei means ‘death’ or ‘execution’, representing spirits tied to fatal outcomes, embodying both fear and darkness.
41. Mukade
Mukade means ‘centipede’, and in folklore, it is a spirit that can inflict pain and torment, representing something dangerous hidden deep.
42. Hiruko
This name means ‘deformed child’, linked to legends of spirits representing bad omens, invoking fear and distress.
43. Hōri
Hōri represents ‘the man who steals souls’, a name attached to spirits that take life force from others, often creating fear and awe.
44. Kamikaze
Kamikaze means ‘divine wind’, relating to spirits that cause destruction, embodying fearsome natural disasters in its path.
45. Fūrin
Fūrin, or ‘wind chimes’, can symbolize spirits that carry ominous messages through the air, linking sound with impending doom.
46. Hakaisha
This name refers to ‘destruction’, often embodying malevolent spirits responsible for chaos and upheaval in folklore stories.
47. Aobozu
Aobozu refers to a mythological spirit characterized by its deep blue color, often associated with fear and mischief among humans.
48. Sotō
Sotō means ‘shadow’, representing the darker aspects of life that can carry evil spirits lurking just out of sight.
49. Oni
Oni is a traditional name for demons in Japanese culture, infamous for their malicious acts and intimidating presence in stories.
50. Shōwa
This name translates to ‘bright harmony’, but can represent the false beauty hiding dark intentions in characters drawn from folklore.
51. Kuroda
Kuroda means ‘black rice paddy’, embodying the darkness often associated with evil spirits lurking in rural settings.
52. Gaki-do
The term Gaki-do refers to the realm of hungry ghosts, often associated with spirits that wander seeking sustenance, representing suffering.
53. Jigoku
Jigoku translates to ‘hell’, representing the darker aspects of life and the spirits that manifest from those experiences.
54. Shiki
Shiki means ‘viscerally dead’, linked to spirits associated with death and the afterlife, embodying fear and darkness.
55. Yugen
This translates to ‘mysterious depth’, reflecting the unknowable aspects of evil spirits that reside in the shadows of society.
56. Yurei-kai
Yurei-kai refers to ghost gatherings, symbolizing the convergence of spirits and the potential darkness they can bring.
57. Jizō
Jizō, while sometimes seen as a protector, can embody the spirits of lost children or those who have passed unfairly, bringing sadness and sorrow.
58. Dorotabō
Dorotabō means ‘earth spirit’, which can represent spirits that invoke fear through frightful appearances or behavior.
59. Kumoi
Kumoi translates to ‘cloud spirit’, symbolizing ethereal beings that can carry ominous overtones or warnings of misfortune.
60. Hachiman
This name refers to a god of war but can also symbolize spirits of fallen warriors, representing both bravery and the tragedies of death.
61. Gozen
Gozen is translated to ‘the lady’, which in certain folktales can depict an evil spirit disguised in beauty, reflecting the dual nature of allure.
62. Morokoshi
The name Morokoshi means ‘to shimmering’, evoking spirits that can be both beautiful and eerie, leading to feelings of entrancement.
63. Gureito
This name translates to ‘great sorrow’, embodying spirits that invoke deep feelings of lament and despair in human lives.
64. Datsu-ki
Datsu-ki means ‘wearing a mask’, linked to spirits that hide their true nature, often manifesting betrayal and deceit.
65. Tōsen
Tōsen translates to ‘evil spirit’, directly connecting to the topic for those seeking an ominous name reflecting dark qualities.
66. Unkai
This name means ‘cloudy sea’, representing the unknown and often chaotic nature attributed to malevolent spirits in stories.
67. Kōga
Kōga translates to ‘darkness’, often associated with spirits that embody the fear of the unknown lurking in the shadows.
68. Kurobana
Kurobana means ‘black flower’, evoking imagery of beauty intertwined with malevolence, often used to describe spirits of deception.
69. Ikazuchi
Ikazuchi means ‘thunder’, representing fearsome forces of nature that can also symbolize the wrath of malevolent spirits.
70. Shirama
This name translates to ‘white demons’, linking to spirits that may embody purity on the surface but hide dark intentions beneath.
71. Zanka
Zanka means ‘mountain fire’, representing spirits that are unpredictable and could bring about harm in folklore narratives.
72. Hakuchō
Hakuchō means ‘white bird’, which can symbolize omens of doom carried by spirits through folklore depictions.
73. Arakawa
Arakawa translates to ‘rough river’, embodying the chaos often associated with spirits that cause disaster in tales.
74. Kisei
Kisei means ‘ghostly air’, related to the ethereal presence of spirits that can invoke fear without visibly manifesting.
75. Fujin
Fujin is the name of the wind god but often associated with darker forces that can bring chaos and calamity.
76. Gensō
Gensō translates to ‘phantasm’, representing spirits that create illusions, often leading humans into dangerous situations.
77. Meirin
Meirin means ‘dark spirits’, giving a direct representation of ominous entities linked to the topic of evil spirits.
78. тенгудзю
tengudzyu refers to ‘goblin’, linking to mischievous spirits that embody traditional tales of trickery and fear.
79. Yōkai
Yōkai means ‘strange apparition’, symbolizing the numerous forms evil spirits can take, often born from folklore fears.
80. Souma
Souma means ‘ethereal being’, linking to spirits that appear ghostly yet can embody ominous intentions in various tales.
81. Jūryō
This name means ‘heavy spirit’, referring to entities that can weigh down the living with their malevolent presence.
82. Kakurenbo
Kakurenbo means ‘hide and seek’, symbolizing spirits that can be elusive yet bring forth danger with their games.
83. Fushichō
Fushichō translates to ‘immortal bird’, linked to spirits that rebirth amidst darkness and their ties to ancient tales.
84. Hōjō
Hōjō means ‘clawed spirit’, representing the violent and aggressive nature spirits can take on in various lore.
85. Sayaka
Sayaka translates to ‘clear night’, however, it can symbolize moments when spirits are notably active, causing fright.
86. Akurio
Akurio stands for ‘evil spirit’, giving a direct representation for parents looking for an evocative name tied to malevolence.
87. Zetsubo
Zetsubo means ‘despair’, directly connecting to spirits that embody deep-rooted suffering and sadness in folklore narratives.
88. Kōmori
Kōmori translates to ‘bat’, often associated with auspicious omens but also tied to spirits that bring forth fear.
89. Urami
Urami means ‘resentment’, representing the malevolent spirits that haunt the living, seeking vengeance for past injustices.
90. Mitsuko
Mitsuko translates to ‘light child’, yet can represent the duality of spirits that may appear beautiful but hide darker intentions.
91. Tōrai
Tōrai means ‘earthquake’, symbolizing the destructive spirit that can shake the foundations of the known world.
92. Shin’en
Shin’en means ‘profound dark’, directly reflecting the mysterious and fearsome nature of spirits in folklore.
93. Yureiko
Yureiko means ‘ghost child’, signifying the innocent yet eerie persona of spirits that invoke feelings of sorrow and fear.
94. Meikyu
Meikyu means ‘dark labyrinth’, referring to the complex and chaotic nature of malevolent spirits that can lead people astray.
95. Kanashimi
Kanashimi translates to ‘sadness’, tying to spirits that evoke doom and despair through their actions.
96. Jishin
Jishin means ‘earth spirit’, channeling the energy of the earth’s darker aspects often feared in stories.
97. Renketsu
Renketsu means ‘linking ties’, representing spirits that tie emotional burdens and haunt those connected to their origins.
98. Haraguro
Haraguro means ‘black heart’, symbolizing the malevolence that resides within some spirits, causing dread among people.
99. Hoshigumo
Hoshigumo translates to ‘star clouds’, representing obscured entities that can embody danger amongst beauty.
100. Chōkō
Chōkō translates to ‘superior spirit’, reflecting the high and dark powers that can control the fate of humans.
101. Shiroyin
Shiroyin means ‘a bridging spirit’, indicating spirits that connect different realms, often with dark consequences.
102. Fūfu
Fūfu means ‘husband and wife’, referring to spirits often associated with emotional ties of distress and hauntings.
103. Anmitsu
Anmitsu means ‘hide in sweetness’, linking to deceptive spirits that offer allure before turning malevolent.
104. Sennin
Sennin translates to ‘immortal sage’, often tied to dark secrets and knowledge shared by spirits.
105. Nurikabe
Nurikabe means ‘painted wall’, symbolizing barriers created by spirits that lead humans astray.
106. Kurozetsu
Kurozetsu translates to ‘black chain’, often representing the bonds created by malevolent spirits that trap their victims.
107. Raijin
Raijin means ‘thunder god’, symbolizing natural forces and chaos that spirits can wield when they appear.
108. Kurogane
Kurogane translates to ‘black steel’, referring to tough spirits that possess unyielding darkness in folklore stories.
109. Akihito
Akihito can mean ‘bright person’, but certain tales portray them as spirits that bring forth darkness to shine light.
110. Fushō
Fushō translates to ‘suffering’, symbolizing the pain borne out by addressing the angry spirits of the past.
111. Yamata
Yamata means ‘eight-headed serpent’, often seen as a spirit related to chaos and fear in folklore descriptions.
112. Yūrei-no-kami
This translates to ‘spirit of the dead’, closely associated with haunting entities that linger and can be malevolent.
113. Dobutsu
Dobutsu means ‘beast’, often referring to spirits that can take on monstrous forms, evoking terror through their appearances.
114. Umibōzu
Umibōzu means ‘sea priest’, often caries tales of massive sea spirits that bring fear to sailors, reflecting dark forces of nature.
115. Ikiryō
Ikiryō translates to ‘living spirit’, exploring the darker side of life where spirits intervene with the living in harmful ways.
116. Kusarigama
Kusarigama means ‘sickle chain’, linking to spirits that bring danger and death through their sinister intentions.
117. Sekhmet
Although Egyptian in origin, this name can suggest ferocity and power attributed to spirits causing pain in folklore.
118. Kasai
Kasai translates to ‘fire’, symbolizing destruction and anger connected to malevolent spirits.
119. Guren
Guren means ‘crimson’, often representing blood ties to the suffering enforced by spirits in dark tales.
120. Kitō
Kitō translates to ‘to pray to a spirit’, but can also depict invoking darkness and calling upon evil energies.
121. Gōro
Gōro means ‘great burden’, symbolizing the weight carried from spirits attached to their pasts, evoking feelings of fear.
122. Kakuya
Kakuya translates to ‘death angel’, linking to spirits that beckon mortals closer to demise.
123. Arashi
Arashi, meaning ‘storm’, can symbolize tumultuous spirits that invoke chaos and fear through nature’s fury.
124. Tenjin
Tenjin means ‘heavenly spirit’, often pairing beauty with dark intentions in tales with deeply rooted origin stories.
125. Tōjin
Tōjin translates to ‘evil spirit’, clearly showing its connection to the dark themes of malevolence, fear, and ominous tales.
126. Yamazaki
Yamazaki means ‘mountain cape’, signifying spirits that dwell in treacherous terrains, often leading to peril for travelers.
127. Tōseki
Tōseki translates to ‘evil stone’, symbolizing cursed objects that harbor malevolent spirits, often reflecting misfortunes.
128. Tōmen
Tōmen means ‘the eastern gateway’, symbolically representing the barrier between worlds that spirits often transition through.
129. Yakushi
Yakushi references ‘the Buddha of medicine’, but some interpretations associate it with spirits that bring harm and distress.
130. Kuroyuki
Kuroyuki translates to ‘black snow’, representing beauty that is often linked to darker spirits in tales surrounding misfortune.
131. Chikyū
Chikyū means ‘earth’, often associated with the spirits that dwell within, representing dark forces tied to nature.
132. Otoko-kami
Otoko-kami translates to ‘man spirit’, but in some lore can represent violent forces that reflect evils among humanity.
133. Sōrai
Sōrai means ‘distant scream’, embodying the frightful sounds that spirits can project during their hauntings.
134. Seiryu
Seiryu translates to ‘blue dragon’, which can embody aspects of preservation but also reflects the chaos that follows.
135. Kuroyama
Kuroyama means ‘black mountain’, suggesting danger among its heights where evil spirits might dwell unseen.
136. Shinju
Shinju translates to ‘dead pearl’, often symbolizing tragic beauty connected to spirits that cause deep sorrow.
137. Kiku
Kiku means ‘chrysanthemum’, but can symbolize death as spirits associated with blossoms fade away in dark folklore.
138. Hayabusa
Hayabusa means ‘falcon’, which can embody both swiftness and danger attributed to malevolent spirits in myths.
139. Naru
Naru translates to ‘to become’, connecting the transformation of a spirit from good to evil in darker stories.
140. Kuroi
Kuroi means ‘black’, often directly connecting to the essence of evil spirits that haunt or terrorize.
141. Hoshizuka
Hoshizuka means ‘star mound’, suggesting danger hidden among beauty, representing the dual nature of spirits in tales.
142. Aoi
Aoi translates to ‘blue’, often linked to serene aspects but can also reflect the deep dark corners of fear in spirits.
143. Tagai
Tagai means ‘together’, symbolizing links to dark spirits that bind tragedies and fears within households.
144. Kaima
Kaima means ‘devil’, directly reflecting the influence of evil within the context of Japan’s spiritual landscape.
145. Ayakashi
Ayakashi translates to ‘a ghost or spirit’, reflecting the ominous presence often feared in daily life.
146. Zōkei
Zōkei means ‘illusion’, embodying the deceptive nature of spirits that can lead humans into traps or misfortune.
147. Himitsu
Himitsu translates to ‘secret’, suggesting the hidden agenda of spirits that often dwell among our lives.
148. Kurohana
Kurohana means ‘black flower’, symbolizing dark beauty, often associated with spirits that invoke fear through allure.
149. Kage
Kage translates to ‘shadow’, indicating the unseen spirits that lurk in dark areas, embodying fear and mystery.
150. Daikokuten
Daikokuten refers to the god of wealth but can also represent duality, possibly harboring malevolence linked with spirits.
Final Thoughts
Japanese names connected to evil spirits reveal a fascinating aspect of the country’s rich folklore. Each name carries profound meanings and reflects the beliefs surrounding malevolent forces that are woven into Japanese culture. These names encapsulate the idea that spirits can play both benevolent and detrimental roles in human lives. Understanding these names helps us see the depth of storytelling in Japanese traditions. Whether one is exploring meanings for creative writing, character names, or personal interest, delving into these names reveals the diverse interpretations of good and evil within spiritual narratives.
For those intrigued, there are even more names to explore. Check out our Japanese Names That Mean Evil or dive into Japanese Names That Mean Demon to further broaden your understanding of this captivating topic.