Names have a special power and often carry deep meanings. Some names are linked to creatures of the night, including ghouls. Ghouls are supernatural beings, commonly thought of as scary or creepy. They often appear in myths and stories as creatures that feed on the dead. Knowing names that mean “ghoul” can add an eerie touch to your character building or storytelling.
Today, we will look at a variety of names that are associated with ghouls. These names come from different cultures and languages, each with its own unique twist. Whether you’re a writer, gamer, or just curious, these ghoulish names will spark your imagination and inspire your creative projects.
Names That Mean Ghoul
1. Alghoul
Alghoul directly translates to “ghoul” in many Middle Eastern languages, symbolizing a creature that feeds on corpses and lurks in graveyards. This name holds a terrifying connotation, perfect for stories involving dark themes.
2. Tzitzimime
Tzitzimime refers to skeletal figures in Aztec mythology that represent stars and death. This name captures the essence of ghouls through its association with the undead and eerie celestial beings.
3. Revenant
Revenant means “one who returns,” often used to depict undead creatures. This name suggests a ghoul-like presence, evoking images of spirits that rise from the grave to haunt the living.
4. Wendigo
Wendigo is a creature from Algonquian folklore, representing greed and cannibalism. This name embodies a ghoul’s voracious hunger for human flesh, making it suitable for horror narratives.
5. Dybbuk
Dybbuk comes from Jewish folklore and refers to a malicious spirit or lost soul that inhabits the body of a living person. This name reflects the essence of possession often associated with ghouls.
6. Lamia
Lamia is a figure from Greek mythology, often portrayed as a child-eating monster. This name ties directly into the ghoul’s reputation for consuming the dead and instilling fear.
7. Churels
Churels are undead female spirits from Indian mythology, believed to be ghoulish creatures that prey on men. The name captures the ghoul’s connection with death and vengeful spirits.
8. Banshee
Banshee is an Irish spirit known for its wailing, signaling the death of a family member. The chilling aspect of this name resonates with the ghoul’s eerie presence in folklore.
9. Gorgon
The Gorgon, particularly Medusa from Greek mythology, can be considered ghoul-like due to her terrifying appearance and cursed life. This name emphasizes fear and the supernatural.
10. Ghul
The word “ghul” specifically refers to a malevolent desert-dwelling spirit in Arabic folklore. It embodies the essence of a ghoul perfectly, making it an apt choice for horror settings.
11. Selkie
Selkies are mythological beings that can transform from seal to human. While they are not ghouls, their transformative nature connects them to themes of haunting and the unknown.
12. Baobhan Sith
The Baobhan Sith is a Scottish vampire that preys on travelers. Its ghostly and ethereal attributes relate well to the concept of ghoulish beings feeding on the living.
13. Gashadokuro
Gashadokuro is a giant skeleton from Japanese folklore, created from the bones of those who died from starvation. This name evokes the image of a ghoul through its skeletal form and haunting stature.
14. Strigoi
Strigoi are Romanian troubled spirits or vampires that rise from the grave. The connection to supernatural rebirth ties directly to ghouls and the undead.
15. Draugr
Draugr is a Norse undead creature, often associated with strength and terrifying appearances. This name exemplifies the ghoul’s terrifying presence and its ties to Norse mythology.
16. Bhuta
In Indian culture, a Bhuta is a spirit associated with the dead. This name reflects the traits of a ghoul by connecting to themes of death and haunting.
17. Nachzehrer
Nachzehrer is a German representation of a vampire that feeds on its own corpse. This name resonates with the ghoul’s predilection for the dead, adding an eerie twist to conversations about ghoulish entities.
18. Sanguisuge
Sanguisuge translates to “bloodsucker” in Latin, perfectly encapsulating the idea of a ghoul’s dark nature of feeding on flesh and blood.
19. Manananggal
The Manananggal is a Filipino mythical creature known for separating its upper body from its lower body and feeding on human hearts. This grisly nature relates closely to the ghoul’s obsession with death.
20. Vetala
In Hindu mythology, Vetala is a spirit that inhabits corpses. The connection to bodies adds a deep-rooted link between Vetala and the essence of ghouls.
21. Yurei
Yurei are restive spirits in Japanese folklore that resemble ghouls in their tragic storytelling and hauntings. Their connection to the afterlife makes this name significant in gothic tales.
22. Glykon
Glykon is a snake deity that was worshipped in ancient Greece. Its associations with the underworld and the eerie atmosphere of its myths tie it to ghoul-like characteristics.
23. Kappa
Kappa are creatures from Japanese folklore that are similar to ghouls in their trickster behavior and association with death’s waters, creating a mystical aura around this name.
24. Khul
Khul refers to a ghastly spirit or ghoul in certain Middle Eastern tales. This name offers a straightforward and recognizable link to the idea of the undead.
25. Poltergeist
A poltergeist is a spirit known for causing disturbances, often associated with death. This name embodies some characteristics of ghouls, blending the creepy and spectral into one definitive entity.
26. Sluagh
Sluagh are spirits of the restless dead in Scottish folklore, known to assemble in ghostly hunts. This name embodies the ghoul’s essence, evoking a feeling of dread and mystery.
27. Draug
Draug is a creature from Norse mythology linked to undead marauders. The brutality associated with Draugs resonates with traditional ghoul attributes and characteristics.
28. Necros
Necros is derived from the Greek word for “dead” and ties directly to the characteristics of a ghoul feeding on the deceased, making it a chilling name choice.
29. Ghast
Ghast means “a frightening appearance or an apparition” in old English. This word brings a direct connection to ghouls through its eerie implications.
30. Puca
Puca is a shapeshifting creature in Irish folklore that can take on ghoul-like qualities. Its eerie characteristics provide depth to ghoul-themed discussions.
31. Wraith
A wraith refers to a ghostly figure that haunts or appears to the living, drawing a parallel to the ghoul’s association with the undead and tormenting spirits.
32. Keres
Keres are female death spirits from Greek mythology that embody the nature of ghouls by stalking battlefields and feasting on the slain.
33. Rusalka
Rusalka, in Slavic folklore, is a water spirit that lures people for malevolent purposes. This captivating yet sinister essence echoes the haunting nature of ghouls.
34. Hecate
Hecate is known as the goddess of magic and the night, often associated with ghosts and spirits. This name captures the strength and eerie ambiance common to ghoulish characters.
35. Charybdis
Charybdis is a sea monster in Greek mythology that swallows sailors whole. This name suggests the dark, terrifying nature of ghouls through its imagery of consumption and death.
36. Jorogumo
Jorogumo is a spider creature from Japanese folklore that can transform into a woman to capture prey. This association with deception and danger links well to ghoul stories.
37. Einherjar
Einherjar are warriors in Norse mythology who have died in battle. Their resurrection hints at the ghoul’s connection to death and the afterlife.
38. Valkyrie
Valkyries are female figures in Norse mythology who decide the fate of warriors in battle and escort the slain. This name ties closely with ghoulish aspects of honoring the dead.
39. Dullahan
Dullahan is an Irish headless horseman known for appearing at night. This ghastly figure ties directly into folklore filled with terrifying ghouls and death omens.
40. Yama-uba
Yama-uba is a mountain witch in Japanese folklore associated with ghouls who prey on lost travelers. This name matches the ghoul’s dark and predatory nature.
41. Abaddon
Abaddon is a biblical figure often associated with destruction and the abyss. This name evokes the ghoul’s connection to darkness and the underworld.
42. Mothman
Mothman is a legendary creature known for predicting disasters. With its ghostly presence, this name connects with themes found in ghoul folklore.
43. Cwn Annwn
Cwn Annwn are supernatural hounds from Welsh mythology, believed to herald death. This name encapsulates the ghoulish essence through its eerie qualities.
44. Muma Pădurii
Muma Pădurii is a Romanian forest spirit known for tricking travelers. This connection to the unknown echoes the ghoul’s predatory tendencies.
45. Siren
Siren refers to mythological creatures that lured sailors to their demise. This deadly charm correlates with the ghoul’s charm and danger in folklore.
46. Ankou
Ankou is the personification of death in Breton folklore. This name directly relates to the ghoul’s role as a harbinger of death and the supernatural.
47. Kallikantzaroi
Kallikantzaroi are mischievous goblins in Greek folklore who appear during the Yuletide. Their ghoul-like qualities make this name memorable for characters drawn to folklore.
48. Kali
Kali is a Hindu goddess associated with destruction, transformation, and the cycle of life and death. This name embodies significant ghoul-like qualities in its connection to the macabre.
49. Shōjō
Shōjō refers to a type of Japanese ghost, often depicted with long hair. The haunting qualities reflect ghoulish elements, making it suitable for dark narratives.
50. Sköll
Sköll is a wolf that chases the sun and is linked with the demise of many in Norse mythology. This name echoes the ghoul’s connection to predation and death.
51. Fae
Fae refers to enchanting fairy creatures; however, their darker depictions can play into ghoul-like behaviors, especially when it comes to vengeance and the supernatural.
52. Ereshkigal
Ereshkigal is the Sumerian goddess of the underworld. This name symbolizes the ghoul’s link to the afterlife while also encapsulating a haunting and powerful presence.
53. Bhoot
Bhoot translates to ghost or spirit in Hindi, clearly connecting it with ghoul-like characteristics and their essence in folklore.
54. Zora
Zora, which means “dawn,” captures the paradox of beauty and horror associated with ghouls waking at night, emphasizing the ethereal qualities of darkness.
55. Nephilim
Nephilim refers to the offspring of fallen angels and human women. This name invokes strong connections with the supernatural and embodies ghoul-like traits.
56. Bai Ze
Bai Ze is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology associated with protecting the living from evil spirits. The protective aspect relates to the nature of ghouls in folklore.
57. Lamashtu
Lamashtu is a Mesopotamian demon believed to harm mothers and infants. This malice aligns well with ghoul characteristics through its association with death and fear.
58. Draith
Draith’s meaning ties to the concept of shadows, connecting to the darkness typically associated with ghouls and their ghostly presence.
59. Kukulkan
Kukulkan is a feathered serpent deity that symbolizes death and rebirth in Mayan mythology. This name weaves the essence of ghouls through mythical storytelling.
60. Raijin
Raijin is a Japanese god of thunder, lightning, and storms. The ominous nature of this name connects with the ghoul’s association with chaos and unsettling environments.
61. Iblis
Iblis is often considered the Islamic equivalent of the devil. The dark connotations of this name resonate with the malevolence typically characterized by ghouls.
62. Memento Mori
Memento Mori means “remember you must die” in Latin and embodies the connection to mortality and the ghoul’s lingering presence around death.
63. Knikmini
Knikmini is a term meaning “ghost” in Alaskan Native language, which reflects the haunting and spectral aspects numerous ghouls possess.
64. Sorrow
Sorrow symbolizes profound grief, reflecting the emotional nature of ghouls and their ties to loss and death.
65. Olokun
Olokun is a deity associated with the sea and the dead in African religions. This oceanic link brings a ghoulish twist to ancient African tales.
66. Moroi
Moroi is a type of vampire in Romanian folklore, akin to ghouls for their thirst for blood and undead characteristics.
67. Baal
Baal refers to an ancient demon associated with thunderstorms and fertility but has been depicted in ghoul-like tales that involve fear and worship.
68. Uridim
Uridim means “spirits of the dead” in Sumerian, directly linking to the ghoulish idea of spirits lingering on earth for darker purposes.
69. Aswang
Aswang is a shapeshifting monster from Filipino folklore known for its cannibalistic habits. This name draws a direct line to ghouls in their horror and diet.
70. Cilice
Cilice refers to a garment worn by penitents, evoking the sorrow typical of ghoul depictions in tales about mourning the deceased.
71. Apophis
Apophis is the ancient Egyptian god of chaos and darkness, closely tied to death and fear, which complements the frightening attributes of ghouls.
72. Truce
Truce indicates a period of peace, but in horror narratives, it often signals a temporary reprieve from ghoulish dangers, enriching the ghoul motif.
73. Kalli
Kalli, as a play on Kali, evokes the duality of destruction intertwined with life, a theme frequently juxtaposed with ghoul tales.
74. Sheol
Sheol is a term from Hebrew texts translated as “the grave” or “the underworld,” directly linking it to ghoul connotations in stories of death.
75. Cloak
Cloak signifies concealment, much like the hidden nature of ghouls which lurk in shadows and unknown spaces, amplifying their eerie essence.
76. Obscura
Obscura implies darkness or obscurity, embodying the concealed nature associated with ghouls and their haunting features.
77. Sirene
Sirene draws from the allure of sirens in mythology, who invoked danger, which parallels ghouls through charm and terror.
78. Tormented
Tormented reflects the pain and suffering attributed to witches and ghouls, emphasizing the darker elements often found in their narratives.
79. Glaistig
Glaistig is a combination of a water spirit and a fetch spirit known to haunt areas silently like ghouls, creating an atmosphere of eerie anticipation.
80. Domovoi
Domovoi is a spirit from Slavic folklore that inhabits homes, foretelling the presence of death, closely related to ghoul-like anceints.
81. Apollyon
Apollyon is a term used for the king of locusts, often seen as a symbol of destruction and can be connected to the destructive nature of ghouls.
82. Hades
Hades is the god of the underworld in Greek mythology, closely relating to themes of death and the nature of ghouls.
83. Krampus
Krampus is a horned figure in Alpine folklore that punishes naughty children, tying well into the fear and terror often associated with ghoulish beings.
84. Kallikantzaros
Kallikantzaros are goblins in Greek folklore that arise from the underworld during the holiday season, linking them to ghoulish representations.
85. Encounter
Encounter hints at the meeting with unknown spirits, akin to facing ghouls in horror stories and myths.
86. Sphinx
Sphinx, known for its riddle and association with the underworld, evokes ghoul-like enigmatic nature and predatory instincts.
87. Ectoplasm
Ectoplasm is a supernatural substance closely attributed to ghosts. Its evocation aligns perfectly with ghoul concepts of the afterlife and spirits.
88. Haints
Haints are ghostly figures in Southern US folklore, which directly relates to the nature of ghouls and their ties to the dead.
89. Hound of Dartmoor
This ghostly creature is said to roam the moors, aligning with the mysteries of ghoul lore and heralding death.
90. Hecate
A common name associated with witchcraft, Hecate combines themes of darkness and the supernatural, closely tied to ghoul-like attributes.
91. Chupacabra
Chupacabra is a legendary creature in Latin America known for its attacks on livestock, evoking themes of energy and death similar to ghouls.
92. Polydamas
Polydamas reflects the idea of “many tame,” connecting to the multitude of legends surrounding ghouls and other spirits.
93. Notus
Notus is the wind associated with the dead in Greek mythology, comfortably aligning with ghoul tales of darkness and eerie atmospheres.
94. Malphas
Malphas is a demon associated with architecture and destruction, aligning with ghoul narratives about unseen forces of horror lurking in dwellings.
95. Bedlam
Bedlam signifies chaos and madness, often found in ghoul stories and the haunting repercussions of encountering the undead.
96. Mors
Mors is the Latin word for death, strikingly powerful and straightforward, resembling the direct impact of ghouls in folklore.
97. Sun Wu Kong
Sun Wu Kong is a legendary monkey king associated with battles against spirits, touching upon ghoulish characteristics through its references to combat and the supernatural.
98. Peri
Peri is a mystical spirit in Persian mythology connected with death and resurrection, aligning closely with the dark traits of ghouls.
99. Lupercalia
Lupercalia is an ancient Roman festival celebrating fertility, often linked to sinister rituals that could evoke ghoul-like feelings.
100. Macabre
Macabre reflects themes of death and the terrifying aspects involved, indirectly making clear ties to ghoul lore.
101. Plaguebearer
This ominous name refers to a bringer of pestilence and death, intertwining with ghoul narratives about consuming the dead.
102. Dread
Dread manifests feelings of fear and anxiety often associated with encountering ghouls, enriching the cumulative experience of horror tales.
103. Shadowcaster
Shadowcaster refers to spirits or beings that manipulate shadows, deeply linking to ghoul depictions in stories that reflect darkness and fear.
104. Fetch
Fetch is a spirit double that resembles a person; its association with portents of death makes it inherently ghoul-like in nature.
105. Khamaseen
Khamaseen refers to hot, dry winds in the Middle East, linking it to desolate, eerie landscapes where ghouls might dwell.
106. Altar
Altar represents places of sacrifice and worship, evoking ghoul-like associations with death rituals and the supernatural.
107. Spooky
Spooky evokes a sense of eeriness and fear, closely tied to the ghoul’s essence and the fear they inspire.
108. Graveborn
Graveborn signifies birth from the grave, closely associating with ghouls that rise from death to haunt the living.
109. Dungeon
Dungeon represents a dark and eerie place, often filled with ghoul-like creatures and haunted tales, evoking the terrifying atmosphere associated with them.
110. Evocation
Evocation refers to the act of bringing forth spirits, coinciding with the themes surrounding ghouls and their ability to interact with the living.
111. Maleficent
Maleficent denotes evil intentions, much like the ghoul’s nature, embodying sinister qualities that make for excellent horror storytelling.
112. Ashram
Ashram refers to retreat and learning, contrasting the ghoul’s presence while hinting at quiet despair and darkness.
113. Banshee
Banshee represents a harbinger of death with its chilling cries, encapsulating the ominous qualities associated with ghoulish beings and their warnings.
114. Siren
Siren symbolizes beings that attract and deceive, connecting well to the alluring yet deadly nature of ghouls in their predatory ways.
115. Grim
Grim signifies something dark and forbidding, capturing the essence of haunting narratives experienced with ghoul-like characters.
116. Tainted
Tainted refers to a corruption, embodying the ghoul’s nature of consuming and defiling, making it resonate with supernatural tales.
117. Chains
Chains denote bondage and entrapment, echoing the ghoul’s often tragic and binding stories involving the dead.
118. Shroud
Shroud is a cloth to cover bodies, symbolizing death and the mysteries surrounding ghouls that dwell in the realm of spirits.
119. Cursed
Cursed signifies an invocation of doom, evoking imagery of ghoulish tales filled with dark themes and supernatural beings.
120. Twilight
Twilight marks the transition between night and day, bringing in eerie shadows where ghouls might dwell, enhancing the atmosphere in gothic narratives.
121. Nightshade
Nightshade refers to plants that are toxic; this name draws on the ghoul’s association with danger and death in its predatory existence.
122. Gloom
Gloom reflects sadness and darkness, directly correlating with the ghoul’s representation in stories filled with fear and terror.
123. Shadow
Shadow embodies the unseen world of spirits and ghouls, evoking an atmosphere imbued with mystery and lurking danger.
124. Veil
Veil symbolizes the boundary between life and death, reflecting the essence of ghouls as creatures that navigate this thin line.
125. Wight
Wight is an old term for a ghost or spirit, establishing a direct link to ghoulish beings and their haunting characteristics.
126. Shade
Shade refers to a spirit or ghostly presence, connecting the emotional connotations of sorrow and fear often associated with ghouls.
127. Druid
Druid signifies an ancient figure connected to nature, but in ghoul legends, they are often portrayed as guardians of spirits.
128. Lament
Lament embodies feelings of sorrow, which relate closely to the tragedy often experienced in ghoul tales of lost souls.
129. Wraith
Wraith is a spectral figure linked to spirits or the deceased, embodying qualities that relate very closely to ghoul mythology.
130. Wight
Wight is another term for a spirit or ghost which strongly associates with ghoul characteristics of haunting and fear.
131. Silpheed
Silpheed is associated with currents of air, reminiscent of the atmosphere created where spirits and ghouls might dwell, adding supernatural depth to narratives.
132. Forgotten
Forgotten denotes all that is lost to time, perfectly aligning with the ghoul’s essence of lurking horrors from the past.
133. Bumfuzzle
Bumfuzzle reflects confusion and disorientation often experienced in stories surrounding ghouls and the unknown, adding contrast to horror tales.
134. Revenant
Revenant embodies the concept of death and resurrection, directly channeling the attributes of ghouls that return from the dead.
135. Lurker
Lurker signifies a creature that hides and waits, aligning with the stealthy and eerie nature of ghouls in tales told around campfires.
136. Restless
Restless reflects the unease and lurking characteristics of ghouls, embodying the essence of spirits seeking clarity or vengeance.
137. Grim Reaper
Grim Reaper is a personification of death, drawing a direct parallel to ghouls in their role as guides for the deceased.
138. Abhorrent
Abhorrent denotes feelings of revulsion, embodying the fear ghouls often invoke in narratives involving the undead or haunting themes.
139. Phantasm
Phantasm refers to an illusion or ghostly apparition, reinforcing the association with ghouls manifested in tales as haunting figures.
140. Macabre
Macabre symbolizes the gruesome aspects of death, closely paralleling the gruesome histories often attached to ghouls.
141. Eerie
Eerie encompasses the unsettling feelings often stirred by encounters with spirits and ghouls, pairing well with tales rich in supernatural experiences.
142. Seer
Seer typically refers to someone with prophetic abilities; in ghoulish folklore, this name evokes the connection to knowledge of death and the afterlife.
143. Chimeras
Chimeras symbolize mythical creatures with different elements; this name aligns with the ghoul’s multifaceted nature and presence in countless stories.
144. Bane
Bane signifies a cause of great distress or affliction, denoting the troubles ghouls often bring upon the living in folklore.
145. Cinder
Cinder suggests something that has died and burned out, linking back to the ghoul’s themes of loss and remnants of life.
146. Tombstone
Tombstone represents the final resting place of the dead, directly associating with ghoul characteristics and their connection to the afterlife.
147. Nightwalker
Nightwalker evokes the imagery of creatures that roam the night, closely resembling ghouls and other ghostly beings in tales.
148. Wisp
Wisp implies a thin ribbon of smoke or light often associated with haunting spirits, enhancing the ethereal quality often connected to ghouls.
149. Spirit
Spirit embodies the essence of the afterlife, aligning closely with the ghoulish presence surrounding souls who linger after death.
150. Boneyard
Boneyard denotes a graveyard, a direct tie to ghoulish entities often associated with the remains of the dead and the stories born from them.
Final Thoughts
In this exploration of names that mean “ghoul,” we’ve discovered how deeply rooted these names are in folklore, mythology, and cultural beliefs. Each name carries with it a hint of darkness, mystery, and supernatural attributes that can deepen storytelling and character creation. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for writing, gaming, or simply to satisfy your curiosity, these names can evoke the feelings you seek in tales of the undead.
By exploring these names, you allow a glimpse into the eerie world of ghouls and spirits, waiting to be woven into captivating stories. If you’re interested in other mystical names, consider checking out names that mean ghost here, or delve into the rich tradition of names that mean demon in Japanese here. Each name opens a doorway to new realms of narrative possibilities, waiting to be explored.
Continue to let your imagination roam freely among the shadows, where countless tales lie in wait for the next daring storyteller.