If you’re searching for japanese demon names, this list covers 299 options across 13 themed categories, pulled from folklore, oni legends, yokai tales, and modern anime style.
From ancient mythology texts to short, punchy modern picks, each name here was chosen for tone, sound, and cultural feel. If you’re building out a full dark-names project, you may also want to check our guide to dark names that mean demon for a broader collection beyond the Japanese-specific picks here. You’ll find options for fantasy writers, anime creators, game designers, and anyone naming a dark character.
Browse the sections below to find the style of japanese demon names that fits your project best, whether that’s fiction, gaming, or character design.
Top 10 Japanese Demon Names at a Glance
| Name | Style | Origin |
| Shuten-doji | Oni | Japanese |
| Kuchisake-onna | Yokai | Japanese |
| Tamamo-no-Mae | Mythological | Japanese |
| Ibaraki-doji | Oni | Japanese |
| Yamauba | Folklore | Japanese |
| Rokurokubi | Yokai | Japanese |
| Nurarihyon | Yokai | Japanese |
| Hannya | Character | Japanese |
| Gashadokuro | Ancient Legend | Japanese |
| Ushi-oni | Oni | Japanese |
Japanese Demon Names From Folklore
These Japanese demon names come from long-told village stories and regional legends.
- Yamauba
- Namahage
- Onibaba
- Ubume
- Yuki-onna
- Nure-onna
- Futakuchi-onna
- Konaki-jiji
- Amanojaku
- Nozuchi
- Tsuchigumo
- Zashiki-warashi
- Kodama
- Daidarabotchi
- Wanyudo
- Betobeto-san
- Akaname
- Nuppeppo
- Tofu-kozo
- Hitotsume-kozo
- Mikoshi-nyudo
- Enenra
- Isogashi
Japanese Demon Names for Oni
Bold and fearsome, these Japanese demon names carry the classic oni style of horned, red-faced strength. If you want more menacing character names outside the demon niche, our villain names collection covers similar dark, commanding territory.
- Shuten-doji
- Ibaraki-doji
- Ushi-oni
- Aka-oni
- Ao-oni
- Kuro-oni
- Kijo
- Rasetsu
- Oni-maru
- Kentaro Oni
- Gozu
- Mezu
- Rairyu Oni
- Onigashira
- Oni-hime
- Kagerou Oni
- Setsuna Oni
- Raiden Oni
- Torahime Oni
- Kuroumaru
- Akatsuki Oni
- Yoruoni
- Doku Oni
Japanese Demon Names for Yokai
Shapeshifters, spirits, and tricksters — these are belong to the wide world of yokai. For names built specifically around dark, shadowy meanings, our unique Japanese names that mean darkness list pairs well with this category.
- Kuchisake-onna
- Rokurokubi
- Nurarihyon
- Jorogumo
- Bakeneko
- Nekomata
- Kappa
- Tengu
- Karakasa
- Ittan-momen
- Noppera-bo
- Shirime
- Aka Manto
- Teke Teke
- Hone-onna
- Baku
- Gashadokuro
- Nuribotoke
- Yamawaro
- Ashiarai Yashiki
- Sazae-oni
- Umibozu
- Kasa-obake
Female Japanese Demon Names
Feminine and eerie, these are suit female demon characters and spirits. For a much larger, dedicated list, see our female demon names guide.
- Yuki-hime
- Sayuri Oni
- Kagome Yurei
- Rin Kitsune
- Akane Hannya
- Mizuki Youkai
- Suzuka Onryo
- Chiyo Bakeneko
- Kana Rokurokubi
- Reiko Nure
- Aiko Jorogumo
- Emiko Yamauba
- Yumi Hone
- Sakura Onibaba
- Nozomi Ubume
- Hisako Yurei
- Mio Kuchisake
- Kyoka Nekomata
- Airi Shirime
- Kaede Onryo
- Fumiko Kitsune
- Chika Hannya
- Tsukiko Youkai
Male Japanese Demon Names
Strong and imposing, these are fit male demon and oni characters. Looking for even more options along these lines? Check out our male demon names list.
- Kentaro Oni
- Ryu Tengu
- Haruto Youkai
- Kazuma Onryo
- Daichi Oni
- Shin Yurei
- Takeshi Kappa
- Yusuke Hannya
- Ren Kitsune
- Kaito Onibaba
- Sora Youkai
- Hiroshi Oni
- Isamu Tengu
- Norio Yurei
- Kenji Kappa
- Riku Onryo
- Toshiro Hannya
- Masaru Oni
- Jiro Kitsune
- Akira Youkai
- Souta Onryo
- Katsuo Tengu
- Tatsuya Oni
Japanese Demon Names for Anime Characters
Sleek and stylized, these names work great for anime and manga demon roles.
- Akumaru
- Kurayami Rin
- Reiketsu
- Shirogane Oni
- Kagemaru
- Tsukiyomi Fang
- Yamikaze
- Onikage
- Hellsong Sora
- Vexoni Kai
- Grimtora
- Nyxaru
- Voidkage
- Shadowmaru
- Ashenkage
- Doomkaze
- Wraithtora
- Blightmaru
- Duskaru
- Ravenkage
- Malumaru
- Cindertora
- Hexaru
Japanese Demon Names With Powerful Meanings
These Japanese demon names carry meanings tied to darkness, ruin, and spiritual dread.
- Metsudo (destruction path)
- Shikabane (corpse)
- Yamikage (dark shadow)
- Chinmoku Oni (silent demon)
- Kegare (impurity)
- Zangetsu Oni (cutting moon)
- Kurayoru (dark night)
- Akumu (nightmare)
- Sairai Oni (calamity)
- Bakemono (monster)
- Youi Oni (haunting presence)
- Kyofu (terror)
- Metsubo (ruin)
- Higan Oni (far shore demon)
- Yaiba Oni (blade demon)
- Ankoku (darkness)
- Shini Kage (death shadow)
- Yurei Kaze (ghost wind)
- Zetsubo Oni (despair)
- Kurogane Oni (black iron demon)
- Metsuki Oni (piercing gaze demon)
- Reikon Kuro (dark soul)
- Shura (carnage/fighting demon)
Ancient Japanese Demon Names
Half-mythic, half-historic — these names echo old scrolls and temple legends. If surnames are more your focus, our Japanese last names guide offers a similar old-world feel.
- Shuten-doji
- Ibaraki-doji
- Tamamo-no-Mae
- Yamata no Orochi
- Nue
- Kiyohime
- Momijigari Oni
- Suiko
- Onryo no Kimi
- Sesshoseki Spirit
- Hakuzosu
- Isora
- Kyokotsu
- Nozuchi no Kami
- Tenko
- Reiki Vashira
- Ashura no Kage
- Kishin
- Rasetsuten
- Kongara
- Seiryu Oni
- Genbu Youkai
- Byakko Oni
Japanese Demon Names for Manga and Games
Punchy and character-ready, these names are built for storytelling and gameplay.
- Kurotora
- Vexage
- Shinrai Oni
- Grimkaze
- Ashuramaru
- Nightfang Rin
- Zerokage
- Doomtora
- Ravenmaru
- Hellkaze
- Duskoni
- Wraithkage
- Blightoni
- Cinderkage
- Malutora
- Heckage
- Nyxtora
- Voidmaru
- Shadowkaze
- Grimtoshi
- Ashenoni
- Kurokaze
- Metsuoni
Japanese Demon Names Inspired by Nature
Rooted in elements and seasons, these Japanese demon names draw from wind, fire, water, and storm.
- Kazeoni (wind demon)
- Mizukage
- Hinooni (fire demon)
- Yukikage
- Kaminari Oni
- Tsuchioni (earth demon)
- Arashimaru (storm)
- Nagareoni (flowing demon)
- Kumokage (cloud shadow)
- Hikarioni
- Yamikaze
- Umioni (sea demon)
- Yamaoni (mountain demon)
- Shimooni (frost demon)
- Kasumitora (mist)
- Kaenmaru (flame)
- Rakuraioni (thunderbolt)
- Fubukioni (blizzard)
- Tsukikage
- Hoshioni (star demon)
- Taifuumaru (typhoon)
- Kirioni (fog demon)
- Nagashioni (tide demon)
Short Japanese Demon Names
Quick and sharp, these Japanese demon names work well in one or two syllables.
- Oni
- Rin
- Kage
- Yui
- Sho
- Rai
- Zen
- Kai
- Sae
- Ryo
- Mei
- Yo
- Fu
- Sei
- Aki
- Tao
- Ren
- Sui
- Kyo
- Nao
- Ito
- Kou
- Yao
Japanese Demon Names by Origin/Meaning
| Origin | Example Name | Meaning/Theme |
| Folklore | Yamauba | Mountain hag |
| Oni Legend | Shuten-doji | Drunkard demon chief |
| Yokai | Kuchisake-onna | Slit-mouthed woman |
| Mythology | Tamamo-no-Mae | Nine-tailed fox spirit |
| Ancient Text | Nue | Chimera-like beast |
| Elemental | Kazeoni | Wind demon |
| Meaning-based | Akumu | Nightmare |
| Modern Anime | Akumaru | Devil-styled name |
Japanese Demon Names From Mythology Texts Names
Drawn loosely from classical texts and folklore records, these Japanese demon names carry a scholarly, ancient feel.
- Nue
- Tamamo-no-Mae
- Yamata no Orochi
- Shuten-doji
- Kiyohime
- Suiko
- Isora
- Kyokotsu
- Hakuzosu
- Momijigari Oni
- Tenko
- Ashura
- Kishin
- Rasetsuten
- Kongara
- Seiryu
- Genbu
- Byakko
- Suzaku Oni
- Kirin Youkai
- Namazu
- Amanojaku no Kage
- Onryo no Sho
Unique Japanese Demon Names
Invented and rare, these Japanese demon names stand out from traditional lists entirely.
- Zylkage
- Nyvashiro
- Kestora
- Vorumaru
- Ashenkiri
- Thanokage
- Ulmatora
- Vespashi
- Ivorine
- Selkaze
- Nyvetsu
- Corvatoshi
- Malestro Kage
- Yzoldamaru
- Praxikiri
- Wrenkoto
- Skalvashi
- Fennkage
- Orlashiro
- Bexitora
- Talyndoshi
- Quenishi
- Drossakiri
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common Japanese demon names?
Common names include Oni, Tengu, Kappa, Yuki-onna, and Kuchisake-onna, all rooted in Japanese folklore.
What is the strongest demon in Japanese mythology?
Shuten-doji is often considered one of the most powerful oni in Japanese legend, ruling over a band of demons.
Are yokai and oni the same thing?
No, yokai is a broad category of supernatural beings, while oni specifically refers to horned, ogre-like demons.
What does “oni” mean in Japanese?
“Oni” translates roughly to “demon” or “ogre” and refers to a specific type of fearsome, horned creature.
Can I use these names for anime or game characters?
Yes — many names on this list, especially the anime and manga sections, are styled for direct use in character creation.
Conclusion
With 299 Japanese demon names spanning folklore, oni, yokai, mythology, and modern styles, this list gives you a wide range of options for characters, stories, and games. If you’d rather explore names that mean dark outside the Japanese niche, or want something more atmospheric, our names that mean shadow collection is a natural next stop. Whether you want something ancient and legendary or short and stylized, there’s a name here to fit your project.
I’m a writer passionate about exploring the world of names and their meanings. For the past four years, I’ve been creating content in the Names niche, helping readers discover unique, meaningful, and creative name ideas. My goal is to make name exploration simple, engaging, and inspiring for everyone.
