Japanese folklore is rich with terrifying demon names, each carrying dark and sinister meanings. Names like Oni, Tengu, and Jorōgumo are linked to fearsome supernatural beings. These entities are often depicted as vengeful spirits or monstrous creatures that haunt the living.
Many of these names stem from ancient myths and beliefs, symbolizing chaos, destruction, or trickery. For example, Shuten-dōji was a legendary demon leader known for his brutal nature. Such names continue to intrigue and terrify, preserving the eerie essence of Japan’s ghostly legends.
Japanese Names Meaning Demon 👹🔥
- Oni (鬼) – Demon, ogre
- Akuma (悪魔) – Devil, demon
- Maō (魔王) – Demon king
- Yasha (夜叉) – Night demon
- Shuten-dōji (酒呑童子) – Drunken demon
- Kijo (鬼女) – Female demon
- Rasetsu (羅刹) – Flesh-eating demon
- Tatarimokke (祟り木) – Cursed spirit
- Jikininki (食人鬼) – Human-eating demon
- Nue (鵺) – Chimera-like yokai
- Gashadokuro (餓者髑髏) – Giant skeletal demon
- Tsuchigumo (土蜘蛛) – Earth spider demon
- Ubume (産女) – Ghostly mother demon
- Mōryō (魍魎) – Vengeful spirit demon
- Enenra (煙々羅) – Smoke demon
- Daitengu (大天狗) – Great tengu demon
- Kodama (木霊) – Tree spirit
- Yurei (幽霊) – Malevolent ghost
- Kubire-oni (くびれ鬼) – Neck-strangling demon
- Keukegen (毛羽毛現) – Hairy demon
- Futakuchi-onna (二口女) – Woman with two mouths
- Noppera-bō (のっぺら坊) – Faceless demon
- Kasha (火車) – Fiery chariot demon
- Teke Teke (テケテケ) – Vengeful ghost demon
- Shiro-uneri (白うねり) – White serpent demon
- Uwan (うわん) – Loud-voiced demon
- Ao-andon (青行燈) – Blue lantern ghost
- Nurarihyon (ぬらりひょん) – Master of demons
- Yamata-no-Orochi (八岐大蛇) – Eight-headed dragon demon
- Nurikabe (塗壁) – Wall-blocking demon
Best Japanese Names That Mean Demon 🌙👿
- Raijin (雷神) – Demon of thunder
- Fujin (風神) – Demon of wind
- Ibaraki-dōji (茨木童子) – Oni warrior
- Tamamo-no-Mae (玉藻前) – Nine-tailed demon fox
- Sesshō-seki (殺生石) – Killing stone demon
- Tōkotsu (踏鞴鬼) – Blacksmith demon
- Gaki (餓鬼) – Hungry ghost
- Omukade (大百足) – Giant centipede demon
- Waira (わいら) – Mountain demon
- Yomotsu-shikome (黄泉醜女) – Underworld demon
- Akaname (垢嘗め) – Filth-licking demon
- Jorōgumo (絡新婦) – Spider demon woman
- Tenome (手の目) – Demon with eyes on hands
- Yuki-onna (雪女) – Snow demon woman
- Ushi-oni (牛鬼) – Ox-headed demon
- Shōjō (猩々) – Red-faced demon
- Yamabiko (山彦) – Mountain spirit demon
- Hannya (般若) – Female vengeful spirit
- Tesso (鉄鼠) – Rat demon
- Tōfu-kōzo (豆腐小僧) – Tofu-carrying demon
- Taka-onna (高女) – Tall demon woman
- Ungaikyō (雲外鏡) – Mirror demon
- Kamaitachi (鎌鼬) – Sickle weasel demon
- Namakubi (生首) – Floating severed head demon
- Kawa-no-Kami (川の神) – River demon
- Onryō (怨霊) – Vengeful ghost
- Shikigami (式神) – Spirit familiar demon
- Kubikajiri (首かじり) – Head-biting demon
- Ikiryo (生霊) – Living spirit demon
- Hone-onna (骨女) – Skeleton woman demon
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Mythological Japanese Names That Mean Demon 📜⚔️
- Ame-no-Sagume (天探女) – Celestial demon
- Benzaiten (弁才天) – Water demon goddess
- Hōkō (彭侯) – Demon dog spirit
- Makura-gaeshi (枕返し) – Pillow-moving demon
- Hibagon (火坊) – Wild forest demon
- Inugami (犬神) – Dog spirit demon
- Kitsune-tsuki (狐憑き) – Possessed fox demon
- Rokurokubi (轆轤首) – Long-necked demon
- Nue-no-me (鵺の目) – Chimera demon
- Isogashi (忙) – Workaholic demon
- Yato-no-Kami (夜刀神) – Snake deity demon
- Mizuchi (蛟) – Water dragon demon
- Shiranui (不知火) – Mysterious fire demon
- Dorotabō (泥田坊) – Muddy field demon
- Amatsu-Mikaboshi (天津甕星) – God of chaos
- Kurozuka (黒塚) – Dark tomb demon
- Tsuchinoko (槌の子) – Snake-like yokai
- Kamigakari (神懸り) – Possession demon
- Hidarugami (餓鬼神) – Starvation demon
- Furuutsubo (古靴) – Ancient shoe demon
- Wanyūdō (輪入道) – Flaming wheel demon
- Shirime (尻目) – Demon with an eye in its butt
- Basan (波山) – Giant fire-breathing chicken
- Tsuchi-onna (土女) – Earth woman demon
- Jikininki (食人鬼) – Flesh-eating ghost
- Aosagibi (青鷺火) – Demon blue flame
- Chōchin-obake (提灯お化け) – Lantern demon
- Kanbari-nyūdō (蒲牢) – Bathroom demon
- Hibikimaru (響丸) – Echoing demon
- Byakko (白虎) – White tiger demon
Anime Japanese Names That Mean Demon 🎌👾
- Ryomen Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen)
- Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer)
- Akaza (Demon Slayer)
- Daki (Demon Slayer)
- Gyutaro (Demon Slayer)
- Hannya (Rurouni Kenshin)
- Naraku (Inuyasha)
- Kagura (Inuyasha)
- Sesshōmaru (Inuyasha)
- Shigaraki Tomura (My Hero Academia)
- Kokushibo (Demon Slayer)
- Enmu (Demon Slayer)
- Shigaraki Nana (My Hero Academia)
- Rengoku Kyojuro (Demon Slayer)
- Kurama (Naruto)
- Madara Uchiha (Naruto)
- Pain (Nagato) (Naruto)
- Kyubey (Madoka Magica)
- Esdeath (Akame ga Kill!)
- Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)
- Lucifer (Devilman Crybaby)
- Amon (Devilman Crybaby)
- Mephisto Pheles (Blue Exorcist)
- Kyoya Hibari (Reborn!)
- Shinmon Benimaru (Fire Force)
- Rimuru Tempest (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime)
- Alucard (Hellsing)
- Dante (Devil May Cry Anime)
- Kiryuuin Ragyo (Kill la Kill)
- Ragyō Kiryuuin (Kill la Kill
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Game Japanese Names That Mean Demon 🎮👹
- Dante (Devil May Cry)
- Vergil (Devil May Cry)
- Sparda (Devil May Cry)
- Mundus (Devil May Cry)
- Akuma (Street Fighter)
- Orochi (The King of Fighters)
- Hannya (Nioh)
- Tatarimokke (Nioh)
- Shuten-dōji (Nioh)
- Nurarihyon (Nioh)
- Kasha (Nioh)
- Raijin (Final Fantasy)
- Fujin (Final Fantasy)
- Ifrit (Final Fantasy)
- Bahamut (Final Fantasy)
- Susanoo (Final Fantasy)
- Yamata-no-Orochi (Shin Megami Tensei)
- Mara (Shin Megami Tensei)
- Belial (Shin Megami Tensei)
- Lucifer (Shin Megami Tensei)
- Beelzebub (Shin Megami Tensei)
- Mephisto (Shin Megami Tensei)
- Kaguya-hime (Persona)
- Izunami (Persona)
- Susano-o (Persona)
- Yomi (Persona)
- Kanon (Persona)
- Majin Buu (Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot)
- Kefka (Final Fantasy)
- Sephiroth (Final Fantasy)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Japanese word for “demon”?
The most common Japanese word for “demon” is “Oni” (鬼) or “Akuma” (悪魔).
Are there female demons in Japanese folklore?
Yes, Kijo (鬼女) are female demons, and Yuki-onna (雪女) is a famous snow demon.
Which Japanese demon is the most powerful?
Shuten-dōji (酒呑童子) is considered one of the strongest oni in Japanese mythology.
What anime features Japanese demons?
Popular anime like Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) and Inuyasha feature powerful Japanese demons.
Are Japanese demons always evil?
Not always; some, like Tengu (天狗), can be both protectors and tricksters.
Conclusion
Japanese demon names hold deep cultural and mythological significance, representing powerful spirits, vengeful entities, and supernatural beings. From folklore to anime and video games, these names continue to inspire fear and fascination. Whether feared or revered, they remain an integral part of Japanese storytelling.
The influence of these demons extends beyond mythology, shaping modern horror, literature, and pop culture. Their dark meanings and eerie presence make them iconic symbols of mystery and power. Exploring these names offers a glimpse into Japan’s rich and haunting supernatural heritage.
