In Japanese culture, some names carry dark meanings. ๐น Names like Oniyama (้ฌผๅฑฑ), meaning “demon mountain,” evoke fear and power. ๐๏ธ These names are linked to demons or spirits, often seen in folklore.
Another eerie name is Akuma (ๆช้ญ), which directly translates to “devil” or “demon.” ๐ It’s a term used to describe malevolent spirits, adding a chilling vibe to any conversation. ๐ค
150+ Japanese Names Meaning Demon

Japan has many names with dark meanings. ๐น Akuma (ๆช้ญ) means “demon” or “devil.” Itโs often used in folklore and scary stories. ๐ Other names like Oni (้ฌผ), referring to a mythical demon, also carry a terrifying aura.
Yurei (ๅนฝ้) is another name, meaning “ghost” or “spirit.” ๐ป These names are linked to the supernatural and evoke a sense of fear. ๐ฎ They remind us of the spooky side of Japanese culture and legends.
Best Japanese Names That Mean Demon
Japanese culture is rich with folklore and supernatural beings, and many names carry meanings tied to demons, evil spirits, and mythical creatures. Here are some of the best-known Japanese names that have dark, demonic associations:
Japanese Name | Meaning | Symbolism |
Akuma | Demon, Devil | Represents evil or malevolent spirit |
Oni | Demon, Ogre | A fearsome creature in Japanese folklore |
Yurei | Ghost, Spirit | A restless spirit or ghost, often associated with vengeance |
Tengu | Supernatural being | A mythical creature, part human, part bird, sometimes seen as demonic |
Raiju | Thunder Beast | A thunder god or spirit, often depicted with demonic traits |
Mythological Japanese Names That Mean Demon ๐น
Japanese mythology is filled with dark and mysterious figures, many of which are demons, spirits, or supernatural beings. These names reflect the eerie and powerful forces found in traditional stories.
- Akuma โ Devil, Demon
- Oni โ Demon, Ogre
- Yurei โ Ghost, Spirit
- Tengu โ Mythical bird-like demon
- Raiju โ Thunder Beast
- Jorogumo โ Spider Demon
- Kappa โ Water demon
- Yokai โ Supernatural creature
- Tsuchigumo โ Earth spider demon
- Kitsune โ Fox spirit (can be mischievous or demonic)
- Nurarihyon โ Water demon resembling an old man
- Rokurokubi โ Demon with a stretching neck
- Yuki-onna โ Snow Woman ghost
- Gaki โ Hungry ghost
- Tengu โ Bird-like demon with powerful abilities
- Futakuchi-onna โ Two-mouthed woman demon
- Mokumokuren โ A spirit that lives in paper doors
- Kurai โ Dark demon
- Oniyama โ Demon mountain
- Yurei โ Ghost-like entity that haunts places
- Ryu โ Dragon demon
- Yami โ Darkness, often linked to evil spirits
- Ittan-momen โ Flying cloth demon
- Tsuchi-baki โ Earth demon
- Mujina โ Faceless ghost
- Mizuchi โ Water demon or serpent
- Isohime โ Demon princess of the sea
- Kurozuka โ Dark and evil mountain demon
- Omoikane โ God of wisdom with demonic aspects
- Zashiki-warashi โ House-dwelling spirit, can be mischievous
- Bakeneko โ Shape-shifting cat demon
- Kamaitachi โ Weasel-like demon
- Umibozu โ Sea demon
- Jikininki โ Human-eating demon
- Noppera-bo โ Faceless ghost
- Akki โ Evil demon
- Fujin โ Wind demon
- Raijin โ Thunder demon
- Orochi โ Eight-headed serpent demon
- Ikiryo โ Living spirit demon
- Satori โ Demon that possesses humans
- Kubikajiri โ Head-chopping demon
- Ikiryo โ Ghost of the living
- Yamabiko โ Mountain echo demon
- Kurokami โ Black-haired demon
- Kiyohime โ Woman transformed into a serpent demon
- Kage-onna โ Shadow demon
- Shลjล โ Red-faced demon
- Yurei-no-Mai โ Ghost dance demon
- Fukiwarai โ Demonic mask-like spirit
Anime Japanese Names That Mean Demon ๐บ
Anime often draws inspiration from Japanese mythology, creating unique and powerful demon names. Below are some of the most popular anime characters whose names have a demonic or evil essence.
- Akuma โ Demon (e.g., Street Fighter)
- Oni โ Demon (e.g., Demon Slayer)
- Ryo Asuka โ Demon (e.g., Devilman Crybaby)
- Satan โ Demon (e.g., The Devil Is a Part-Timer!)
- Yuno Gasai โ Demon-like character (e.g., Future Diary)
- Tengu โ Bird-like demon (e.g., Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan)
- Sebastian Michaelis โ Demon butler (e.g., Black Butler)
- Lucifer โ Demon prince (e.g., The Seven Deadly Sins)
- Hades โ God of the underworld, demonic (e.g., Saint Seiya)
- Sasuke Uchiha โ Dark character with demon-like tendencies (e.g., Naruto)
- Kyuubi โ Nine-tailed fox demon (e.g., Naruto)
- Izaya Orihara โ Manipulative, almost demonic (e.g., Durarara!!)
- Maka Albarn โ Demon weapon wielder (e.g., Soul Eater)
- Ryuko Matoi โ Wields power like a demon (e.g., Kill la Kill)
- Shura Kirigakure โ Demon-like character (e.g., Blue Exorcist)
- Muzan Kibutsuji โ Main antagonist, demon king (e.g., Demon Slayer)
- Kaguya Ootsutsuki โ Goddess, transformed into a demonic being (e.g., Naruto)
- Dante โ Devilish character (e.g., Devil May Cry)
- Maka Albarn โ Demon weapon user (e.g., Soul Eater)
- Akihiko Usami โ Dark side (e.g., Junjou Romantica)
- Kiyomi Takada โ Demonic manipulation (e.g., Death Note)
- Kaguya Shinomiya โ Possessive, near-demonic (e.g., Kaguya-sama: Love is War)
- Yami Sukehiro โ Dark power (e.g., Black Clover)
- Zeref Dragneel โ Evil, demonic sorcerer (e.g., Fairy Tail)
- Kuroko โ Dark energy (e.g., Kuroko no Basket)
- Meruem โ Demon-like king (e.g., Hunter x Hunter)
- Beelzebub โ Demon prince (e.g., Beelzebub)
- Naraku โ Demon king (e.g., Inuyasha)
- Yuu Kanda โ Demon warrior (e.g., D.Gray-man)
- Rin Okumura โ Demon son of Satan (e.g., Blue Exorcist)
- Ainz Ooal Gown โ Undead demon lord (e.g., Overlord)
- Mikami Teru โ Demon-like character (e.g., Death Note)
- Rika Orimoto โ Possessed by demons (e.g., Tokyo Revengers)
- Skeeter โ Dark entity (e.g., Angel Beats!)
- Milly Ashford โ Demon queen of the school (e.g., Code Geass)
- Kiyomi Takada โ Dark powers (e.g., Death Note)
- Soma Yukihira โ Demonic transformation (e.g., Food Wars!)
- Koyomi Araragi โ Half demon (e.g., Monogatari)
- Alucard โ Vampire, demon-like (e.g., Hellsing)
- Shiro โ Near-demonic characteristics (e.g., No Game No Life)
- Dazai Osamu โ Dark, twisted character (e.g., Bungou Stray Dogs)
- Shikamaru Nara โ Demon-like strategist (e.g., Naruto)
- Izanami โ Goddess with demonic traits (e.g., Naruto)
- Ken Kaneki โ Half demon (e.g., Tokyo Ghoul)
- Kiyotaka Ayanokoji โ Demon manipulator (e.g., Classroom of the Elite)
- Eren Yeager โ Destructive, near-demonic tendencies (e.g., Attack on Titan)
- Dio Brando โ Vampire demon (e.g., JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
- Kenshin Himura โ Former demon assassin (e.g., Rurouni Kenshin)
- Yato โ God with a dark past (e.g., Noragami)
- Orochimaru โ Snake demon (e.g., Naruto)
Game Japanese Names That Mean Demon ๐ฎ

In video games, demonic characters often have memorable names that add to the dark atmosphere of the story. Here are 50 demon-inspired names from popular games.
- Akuma โ Demon (e.g., Street Fighter)
- Oni โ Demon (e.g., Onimusha)
- Dante โ Devil (e.g., Devil May Cry)
- Yomi โ Underworld, demon (e.g., Shin Megami Tensei)
- Mara โ Demon king (e.g., Shin Megami Tensei)
- Tengu โ Demon bird (e.g., Nioh)
- Satan โ Devil (e.g., Diablo)
- Lucifer โ Demon prince (e.g., Darksiders)
- Demon King โ Evil ruler (e.g., Dragon’s Dogma)
- Lilith โ Demon queen (e.g., Diablo)
- Ragnarok โ End of the world, demon-like (e.g., Final Fantasy)
- Astaroth โ Demon lord (e.g., Tekken)
- Belial โ Demon king (e.g., Devil May Cry)
- Raijin โ Thunder demon (e.g., Mortal Kombat)
- Hades โ God of death (e.g., God of War)
- Nergal โ Demon god (e.g., Shin Megami Tensei)
- Erebus โ God of darkness (e.g., God of War)
- Baal โ Demon lord (e.g., Shin Megami Tensei)
- Azazel โ Fallen angel demon (e.g., Tekken)
- Beelzebub โ Demon lord (e.g., Devil May Cry)
- Malthael โ Demon of death (e.g., Diablo III)
- Hades โ Underworld god, demon-like (e.g., Hades)
- Mephisto โ Demon lord (e.g., Diablo)
- Samael โ Demon of death (e.g., Darksiders)
- Lilith โ Demon queen (e.g., Diablo II)
- Loki โ Trickster god, demon-like (e.g., Marvel’s Avengers)
- Fenrir โ Demonic wolf (e.g., Final Fantasy)
- Orochi โ Serpent demon (e.g., Okami)
- Baphomet โ Demon lord (e.g., Shin Megami Tensei)
- Diablo โ The Devil himself (e.g., Diablo)
- Gorgon โ Snake demon (e.g., Castlevania)
- Cerberus โ Three-headed demon dog (e.g., Devil May Cry)
- Mugon โ Evil demon (e.g., Nioh)
- Furiae โ Demon goddess (e.g., Shin Megami Tensei)
- Scylla โ Demon beast (e.g., Final Fantasy)
- Chimera โ Demon beast (e.g., Shin Megami Tensei)
- Kuroyami โ Demon darkness (e.g., Persona)
- Abyss โ Demonic realm (e.g., Elden Ring)
- Demon Lord โ Ruler of demons (e.g., Final Fantasy)
- Necro โ Death demon (e.g., Diablo)
- Abaddon โ Demon of destruction (e.g., Diablo III)
- Asmodeus โ Demon of lust (e.g., Shin Megami Tensei)
- Valkyrie โ Demon warrior (e.g., Shin Megami Tensei)
- Shaitan โ Demon (e.g., Final Fantasy)
- Death Knight โ Demon knight (e.g., World of Warcraft)
- Void Demon โ Demon of the void (e.g., Elden Ring)
- Demon Hunter โ Opposes demons (e.g., Diablo III)
- Witch King โ Demon-like king (e.g., Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor)
- Gothmog โ Demon leader (e.g., Lord of the Rings)
- Demoness โ Female demon (e.g., Final Fantasy)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Akuma” mean in Japanese?
“Akuma” (ๆช้ญ) means “demon” or “devil” in Japanese. It is often used to describe evil spirits in folklore. ๐น
What is the difference between “Oni” and “Akuma”?
“Oni” (้ฌผ) refers to a demon or ogre, usually depicted with horns, while “Akuma” specifically refers to a devil or evil spirit. ๐
Are “Oni” and “Tengu” both demons?
Yes, “Oni” (้ฌผ) is a demon, and “Tengu” (ๅคฉ็) is a mythical creature with demon-like qualities, often depicted as a bird-human hybrid. ๐ฆ
Do all demon names in Japanese come from mythology?
Not all, but many Japanese demon names, like “Oni” and “Yurei,” are derived from folklore and mythology. ๐
Can Japanese demon names be used for characters in anime or games?
Yes, Japanese demon names are often used for characters in anime and video games to reflect their powerful or sinister nature. ๐ฎ
Conclusion
Japanese names related to demons often carry deep cultural meanings, reflecting the rich folklore and mythology of Japan. From terrifying ogres like “Oni” to mischievous spirits like “Tengu,” these names evoke powerful imagery.
Whether in traditional myths, anime, or video games, these demon-inspired names continue to intrigue and captivate audiences around the world. ๐น

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