180 Japanese Name That Means Death & Demon

In Japanese culture, names carry deep cultural significance and are often laden with meaning. Names associated with death and demons, especially, hold a certain fascination and mystique.

Whether in literature, media, or folklore, these names resonate with themes that are both timeless and universal.

This post explores the historical and cultural aspects of Japanese names that means death and demon, delving into their origins, usage in modern culture, and their impact on society.

Table of Contents

Historical Background

The origin of names related to death and demons in Japanese culture is rooted in the country’s rich tapestry of religious and spiritual beliefs.

Shinto, the indigenous spirituality of Japan, and Buddhism, which was introduced from the Asian continent, both significantly influence these names.

Folkloric traditions also play a major role in shaping the names and their meanings.

For instance, the concept of Yurei (ghost or spirit of the dead) is tied to Shinto beliefs about the spiritual world, while the notion of Oni (demon or ogre) is a staple in Japanese folklore.

Shinigami (death god or spirit of death), meanwhile, finds its origins in both Buddhist and Shinto lore, emphasizing the spiritual and supernatural dimensions of death.

Japanese Names That Means Death & Demon

Here is a compilation of names that carry connotations of death and demon in Japanese culture:

Yurei (幽霊) – Ghost, spirit of the dead
Oni (鬼) – Demon, ogre
Shinigami (死神) – Death god, spirit of death
Akuma (悪魔) – Demon, devil
Jikininki (食人鬼) – Human-eating ghost
Goryo (御霊) – Vengeful spirit
Yomotsu-shikome (黄泉醜女) – Ugly woman from the underworld
Kasha (火車) – Fire cart, demon that steals corpses
Nurarihyon (滑瓢) – Slippery gourd, powerful demon leader
Yomotsu-Ikusa (黄泉軍) – Army of the underworld
Ayakashi (妖) – Specter, strange apparition
Yato no Kami (夜刀の神) – Snake god of death
Tengu (天狗) – Heavenly dog, trickster demon
Rokurokubi (轆轤首) – Long-necked woman demon
Hannya (般若) – Female demon of jealousy
Noppera-Bo (のっぺら坊) – Faceless ghost
Jorogumo (絡新婦) – Binding bride, spider demoness
Hanako-san (花子さん) – Ghost of a girl in restroom folklore
Gashadokuro (餓者髑髏) – Starving skeleton
Mujina (貉) – Faceless ghost, transforming creature
Ittan-Momen (一反木綿) – Sentient roll of cotton that strangles people
Futakuchi-Onna (二口女) – Two-mouthed woman demon
Shirime (尻目) – Eye on the buttocks ghost
Ushi-Oni (牛鬼) – Ox demon
Umibozu (海坊主) – Sea monk, ocean demon
Mokumokuren (目目連) – Spirit in a torn shoji screen
Kuchisake-Onna (口裂け女) – Slit-mouthed woman ghost
Nue (鵺) – Chimera-like creature said to bring illness and misfortune
Onryo (怨霊) – Vengeful spirit, often seeking revenge
Tatarigami (祟り神) – Cursing god, deity of pestilence and death

Japanese Female Names That Mean Death & Demon

In Japanese culture, many names have been linked to death and demons, carrying with them a rich tapestry of mythological and cultural significance.

Satsuki (皐月) – Fifth month, can be associated with the dead
Yoko (妖子) – Bewitching child
Mai (舞) – Dance, could be connected to spirits or rituals
Aika (哀歌) – Sorrowful song
Saga (佐賀) – Assistant, possible connotation with rituals of death
Kuma (熊) – Bear, can be tied to folklore demons
Shiori (詩織) – Poetic weave, often used in sad or melancholic contexts
Eimi (永未) – Eternity and uncertainty
Asuka (明日香) – Fragrance of tomorrow, lingering presence
Hisa (久) – Long time, linked to longevity in the spiritual world
Rei (零) – Ghost, spirit
Kana (哀) – Sadness
Mika (美香) – Beautiful but transient, like a ghostly presence
Nori (典) – Law, often used in ritualistic contexts
Sawa (沢) – Swamp, often associated with yurei (ghosts)
Kumi (組) – Group, can be linked to spectral armies
Yoru (夜) – Night, time associated with spirits and demons
Risa (理沙) – Sand of logic, fleeting and enigmatic
Nami (波) – Wave, can signify the tumultuous nature of spirits
Kei (恵) – Blessing, can be a double-edged sword depending on the context
Rina (里奈) – Village of Nara, linked to certain folklore
Saki (咲) – Bloom, can signify transient beauty like that of a ghost
Aya (彩) – Color, but could be linked to spectral appearances
Ima (今) – Now, emphasizing the present, often used in ghost stories
Momo (桃) – Peach, significant in demon-fighting folklore
Hisae (久恵) – Eternal blessing, often tied to spirits
Izumi (泉) – Spring, associated with spirits in water
Hanae (花恵) – Flower blessing, connotations of fleeting life
Hikari (光) – Light, often contrasting with the darkness of death
Michiko (道子) – Child of the way, potentially linked with the spiritual path

Supernatural Japanese Names That Mean Death & Demon

Here is a list of supernatural Japanese names that carry connotations of death and demon:

Kurayami (暗闇) – Dark, darkness, often linked with the unknown and spirits.
Akumu (悪夢) – Nightmare, associated with disturbing dreams and demonic presences.
Abyss (深淵) – Deep chasm, symbolizing the depths of the underworld.
Gekka (月下) – Below the moonlight, often linked to ghostly apparitions.
Jigoku (地獄) – Hell, the ultimate domain of demons.
Maboroshi (幻) – Phantom, an ethereal, ghostly presence.
Rengoku (煉獄) – Purgatory, a place of suffering for spirits.
Yurei-no-hana (幽霊の花) – Ghost’s flower, a spectral bloom.
Onikage (鬼影) – Demon shadow.
Seishin (精神) – Spirit, associated with the supernatural.
Tengoku (天獄) – Heavenly prison, a place of divine punishment.
Enma (閻魔) – King of Hell, the judge of the underworld.
Kogarashi (木枯らし) – Winter wind, often a harbinger of spirits.
Tamashii (魂) – Soul, frequently invoked in ghost lore.
Inugami (犬神) – Dog spirit, tied to ancient curses.
Yomigaeri (黄泉返り) – Return from the underworld, resurrection.
Tsukuyomi (月読) – Moon reader, a deity with dark connotations.
Fushigi (不思議) – Mystery, linked to inexplicable phenomena.
Makai (魔界) – Demon world.
Obake (お化け) – Shape-shifting monster.
Kowai (怖い) – Scary, invoking fear and supernatural terror.
Zanpakuto (斬魄刀) – Soul-cutting sword.
Jashin (邪神) – Evil god.
Meido (冥土) – Netherworld.
Shinen (死念) – Thought of death.
Hakaba (墓場) – Graveyard.
Noroi (呪い) – Curse.
Muma (夢魔) – Dream demon.
Sakuran (錯乱) – Bewilderment, often in the presence of ghosts or yokai (apparitions).
Kyoukan (狂漢) – Madman, frenzied spirit or demon.

Japanese Names That Mean Dark Death

Here is a list of Japanese names that carry connotations of darkness and death:

Yamishi (闇死) – Dark death.
Kuroshi (黒死) – Black death.
Shikoku (死黒) – Death black.
Anima (暗間) – Darkness in-between.
Kuragami (暗神) – Dark god.
Shinkoku (死黒) – Deadly black.
Yami no Shi (闇の死) – Death of darkness.
Kurayashiki (暗屋敷) – Dark mansion, a haunted abode.
Shikage (死影) – Death shadow.
Ankoku (暗黒) – Dark.
Anshitsu (暗室) – Dark room.
Yamishitsu (闇室) – Darkened place.
Kurayami no Shi (暗闇の死) – Death in the darkness.
Shinrei (死霊) – Death spirit.
Kage no Shi (影の死) – Shadow of death.
Kurami (暗海) – Dark sea.
Yami Shini (闇死に) – Dying in darkness.
Kurokami (黒神) – Black god.
Shian (死暗) – Death darkness.
Inkou (陰光) – Shadowy light.
Yamimochi (闇持ち) – Bearer of darkness.
Kuronaku (黒泣く) – Black weeping.
Shisokoku (死束) – Death tree.
Yamime (闇目) – Dark-eyed.
Kurayume (暗夢) – Dark dream.
Seikoku (青黒) – Blue-black, often signifying bruised or dead.
Kurai no Shi (暗いの死) – Death in the dark.
Yamigumo (闇蜘蛛) – Dark spider.
An’imaru (闇之始) – Beginning of darkness.
Yamigami (闇神) – Dark god.

Japanese Names That Means Dark Demon

Here is a list of Japanese names that carry connotations of ‘dark demon‘:

Ankokuoni (暗黒鬼) – Dark demon.
Kurayami no Oni (暗闇の鬼) – Demon of darkness.
Yamion (闇鬼) – Darkness demon.
Kurama (暗魔) – Dark evil spirit.
Shirogane Oni (白銀鬼) – Silver demon.
Ankurami (暗暗見) – Seeing the dark demon.
Kurayami no Akuma (暗闇の悪魔) – Dark devil.
Yami no Akuma (闇の悪魔) – Devil of darkness.
Kurai Akuma (暗い悪魔) – Dark devil.
Anshinma (暗神魔) – Dark god demon.
Kage no Oni (影の鬼) – Shadow demon.
Kurai no Oni (暗いの鬼) – Demon of the dark.
Yamioni (闇鬼) – Dark heaven demon.
Yami Akuma (闇悪魔) – Darkness devil.
Kuronuma (黒沼) – Dark swamp demon.
Kurayaki (暗焼き) – Dark burning demon.
Kuraokami (暗狼) – Dark wolf demon.
Kurayasha (暗夜叉) – Dark night demon.
Yami Hoshi (闇星) – Demon of the dark star.
Kurai no Maou (暗いの魔王) – Dark demon king.
Kurayakumo (暗夜雲) – Dark night cloud demon.
Kuragaki (暗が鬼) – Dark biting demon.
Yamikuro (闇黒) – Black darkness demon.
Ankokujin (暗黒人) – Dark person demon.
Kurayoru (暗夜) – Dark night demon.
Yamimusha (闇武者) – Dark warrior demon.
Kurayoru no Oni (暗夜の鬼) – Demon of the dark night.
Yamazuki (闇月) – Dark moon demon.
Kurorai (黒雷) – Black thunder demon.
Kuraou (暗王) – Dark king demon.

Japanese Unisex Names That Mean Death & Demon

Here is a list of Japanese unisex names that carry connotations of death and demon:

Shinigami (死神) – Death god, often associated with the Grim Reaper.
Yokai (妖怪) – Supernatural beings or monsters, sometimes linked to death and demons.
Onryou (怨霊) – Vengeful spirit, often tied to death and haunting.
Oshiroi (白鬼) – White demon/ghost, commonly used as a term for actors in traditional Japanese kabuki plays.
Shihai (支配) – Domination, often associated with death and control over spirits or demons.
Yurei (幽霊) – Ghost, frequently tied to death and the afterlife.
Onikuma (鬼熊) – Demon bear, a fearsome creature in Japanese folklore.
Goryoukaku (五稜郭) – Five pointed fortresses found in Japan, sometimes linked to demonic possession or hauntings.
Kishin (鬼神) – Demon god, often associated with death and destruction.
Jashinken (邪神剣) – Evil god sword, a weapon wielded by demons or evil deities in folklore.
Kuroshio (黒潮) – Black tide/wave, sometimes tied to death and the underworld in Japanese mythology.
Yokaiki (妖怪記) – Book of monsters/spirits, referencing the connection between yokai and death/demons.
Onibi (鬼火) – Demon fire, an eerie light associated with death and the supernatural.
Yomikiri (黄泉切り) – Cut from the underworld, an expression often used to describe someone who has narrowly escaped death or danger.
Shinimai (死踊り) – Dance of death, a traditional Japanese dance that symbolizes the cycle of life and death.
Onmyouji (陰陽師) – Traditional Japanese occult practitioners, sometimes associated with exorcism and dealing with spirits/demons.
Bakemono (化け物) – Ghost/monster, often linked to death and hauntings.
Yamikiri (闇切り) – Cutting through darkness/death, a term used in martial arts that can also symbolize overcoming adversity and obstacles.
Oniroku (鬼六) – Oni/demon six, a name with strong connotations of evil or demonic power.
Yamihana (闇花菜) – Dark flower vegetable, referencing the connection between death and plants in Japanese mythology.
Shinigamibotan (死神牡丹) – Death god peony, a flower that symbolizes death and mourning in Japanese culture.
Onryoukan (怨霊館) – Vengeful spirit mansion/house, often used as a name for haunted buildings or locations.
Gozonji (御存じ) – Familiar with the gods/demons, a term sometimes used in reference to exorcists or spiritual practitioners.
Kurobara (黒薔薇) – Black rose, a flower associated with death and the occult in many cultures.
Yomichou (黄泉町) – Underworld town, a name that can symbolize a connection to death and dark forces.
Onikoroshi (鬼殺し) – Demon killer, someone or something with the power to defeat evil spirits or demons.
Shinigamitachi (死神達) – Group of death gods, referencing a community or family associated with death and the supernatural.
Yokaiyashiki (妖怪屋敷) – Monster mansion, often used to describe a haunted house or spooky location.
Onichan (鬼ちゃん) – Little demon, a cute and playful name that still carries connotations of death and darkness.
Kuroyami (黒闇) – Black darkness, a simple but evocative name with ties to death and evil spirits.

Conclusion

The enduring fascination with Japanese names that invoke concepts of death and demons speaks volumes about human curiosity and the universal themes of fear, mortality, and the afterlife.

These names, often rooted in ancient folklore and mythology, are steeped in cultural significance and continue to evolve while retaining their profound influence on modern Japanese culture.

Whether through traditional tales of yōkai and spirits that haunt the mountains and forests or through contemporary media like anime and manga, the allure of death and demons in Japanese names remains a compelling testament to the country’s rich and dynamic cultural heritage.

These names not only reflect the historical aspects of Japan but also resonate with the ever-present human emotions and existential questions that transcend time and place.

In schools, children learn about these stories, and in popular culture, these names and concepts frequently appear, ensuring that the fascination with these themes endures through generations.

This continuity highlights how deeply ingrained and influential these elements are in shaping both individual and collective identities within Japanese society.