100+ Female Demon Names from Myth and Folklore: Dark Spirits, Witches, and Legends

Female demon names hold a strange mix of fear and fascination. Each name tells a story of power, revenge, and dark allure, drawn from myths that shaped entire cultures.

Female demons possess a terrifying presence that rivals and often surpasses their male counterparts.

Legends across the world show these demons as fierce symbols of freedom and fear.

Explore the full list and see which name sparks your imagination the most.

No.	Demon Name	Description
1	Abyzou	An envious demon from Akkadian folklore blamed for causing miscarriages and infant deaths.
2	Agrat bat Mahlat	A Jewish demoness associated with seduction, linked to sacred prostitution and magical knowledge.
3	Ajatar	A Finnish demoness residing in forests, known for spreading disease and misfortune.
4	Alecto	One of the Greek Furies, embodying relentless anger and divine retribution.
5	Ammit	An Egyptian demon with features of a lion, crocodile, and hippo, devouring the hearts of the unworthy in the afterlife.
6	Astaroth	A demon linked to the goddess Ishtar, known for wisdom and mathematical knowledge, often depicted with a noble title.
7	Baba Yaga	A Slavic witch feared and revered for her wisdom and ambiguous nature.
8	Cheshmak	A Zoroastrian demoness associated with whirlwinds and bad weather.
9	Daruka	A Hindu demoness who became a deity through devotion to Parvati.
10	Echidna	The “Mother of Monsters” in Greek mythology, mother of Cerberus and the Chimera.
11	Eisheth	A figure in Jewish mysticism, consuming souls and representing sin.
12	Empusa	A Greek shapeshifting demoness with a copper leg, servant of Hecate.
13	Gremory	A duchess of Hell known for revealing hidden truths and influencing love.
14	Hannya	Japanese demons representing jealousy and rage.
15	Jahi	A Zoroastrian demoness who awakened Ahriman and spread menstruation.
16	Jorogumo	A spider demoness from Japan who lures and devours men.
17	Lamashtu	A Sumerian demoness feared for her attacks on infants and mothers.
18	Lamia	A Greek demoness who devoured children after losing her own to Hera.
19	Leviathan	A sea serpent symbolizing chaos, often depicted as female in medieval lore.
20	Lilith	The first woman in Jewish lore who became a demon after defying Adam.
21	Mahishi	A Hindu demoness defeated by the god Ayyappan.
22	Megaera	One of the Greek Furies, associated with envy and punishment.
23	Mormo	A Greek demoness used to scare children, linked to Hecate.
24	Naamah	A Talmudic demoness known for her seductive powers and demonic offspring.
25	Nure-onna	A Japanese serpent woman who haunts riverbanks and devours travelers.
26	Onibaba	A Japanese vengeful spirit transformed by resentment.
27	Onoskelis	A demon with donkey legs who seduced men, mentioned in Solomon’s texts.
28	Poludnitsa	A Slavic noon demoness who tests and punishes with sunstroke or madness.
29	Tisiphone	A Greek Fury responsible for vengeance, especially for murder.
30	Yama-uba	A Japanese mountain witch with both harmful and helpful traits.
31	Yuki-onna	A Japanese snow spirit known for freezing her victims with her breath.
32	Mara	A demoness in Buddhism, bringing illusions and obstacles to enlightenment.
33	Succubus	A medieval European demoness that seduces men in their sleep.
34	Pazuzu	Assyrian demon known to drive off other demons, sometimes with female traits.
35	Rusalka	A Slavic water spirit known for luring men to death by drowning.
36	Cihuateteo	Aztec demonesses who haunt crossroads and abduct children.
37	Akko	A Sumerian demoness linked to illness and fever.
38	Strigoi	Vampiric witches in Romanian folklore that drain life energy.
39	Kijo	Japanese ogresses created through hatred and jealousy.
40	Carman	A Celtic witch who caused destruction and chaos in Ireland.
41	Angrboda	A Norse giantess and mother of the wolf Fenrir.
42	Erzulie Dantor	A Vodou loa, both nurturing and vengeful, often seen as a fierce protector.
43	Medusa	A Greek Gorgon who turned men to stone with her gaze.
44	Banshee	An Irish spirit whose wail foretells death.
45	Tiamat	A Babylonian sea goddess who birthed monsters and chaos.
46	Hel	Norse goddess of the dead, ruler of the underworld.
47	Hecate	Greek goddess of witchcraft and magic, often with demonic traits.
48	Gorgo	A fearsome female spirit from ancient Greek lore.
49	Loviatar	Finnish goddess of pain, mother of nine diseases.
50	Medea	A Greek sorceress known for betrayal and vengeance.
51	Lilitu	Sumerian night demoness, predecessor to Lilith.
52	Aisha Qandisha	A Moroccan jinni with seductive powers, driving men insane.
53	Scylla	A Greek monster woman with dog heads who attacked sailors.
54	Circe	Greek sorceress who transformed men into animals.
55	Aswang	Filipino demoness that preys on pregnant women and the sick.
56	Aicha Kandicha	A Moroccan demoness linked to dangerous waters and madness.
57	Izanami	Shinto goddess turned demon after death.
58	Meridiana	European demoness known for seducing holy men.
59	Pontianak	Malay ghost of a woman who died in childbirth, seeking revenge.
60	Rahab	A sea demon from Jewish myth, often portrayed as female.
61	Nang Tani	A Thai spirit woman haunting banana trees.
62	Churel	A South Asian vengeful female spirit from violent death.
63	Mamlambo	A South African river goddess known as the brain-sucker.
64	Black Annis	A blue-skinned hag who preys on children in English folklore.
65	Alkonost	A Slavic demoness with a bird body and woman’s face.
66	Antaura	A Greek demoness who causes migraines and pain.
67	Keres	Greek spirits of violent death feeding on corpses in battle.
68	Manananggal	Filipino vampire-like woman who splits her body to hunt unborn children.
69	Nyx	Greek primordial night goddess with dangerous, dark powers.
70	Pelesit	A Malay spirit sent to possess and control victims.
71	Rangda	A Balinese demon queen in battle with Barong.
72	Soucouyant	A Caribbean old woman who turns to fire and drinks blood at night.
73	Striga	A vampiric witch from Eastern Europe who preys on children.
74	Tezrian	An Armenian demoness of war invoked for destruction.
75	Troll-Wife	A female Scandinavian troll with great magical strength.
76	Xtabay	A Maya demoness who lures men to their deaths with beauty.
77	Yurei	Japanese ghosts bound to Earth due to improper burials.
78	Zorya	Slavic goddesses with dark aspects who guard the cosmos.
79	Alu	A Sumerian spirit with no mouth or ears, terrorizing sleepers.
80	Aziza	West African forest spirits known for magical powers and trickery.
81	Bagiennik	A Slavic water demon with both healing and destructive abilities.
82	Ciguapa	A Dominican creature with backward feet and seductive charm.
83	Jikininki	Corpse-eating spirits in Japanese lore cursed to devour the dead.
84	Kali	Hindu goddess of destruction and liberation, often feared.
85	Mae Nak	Thai ghost who haunts her husband after dying in childbirth.
86	Noppera-bo	Faceless spirits in Japan who terrify people by revealing blank faces.
87	Pishacha	Hindu demon spirits who haunt cremation grounds and possess humans.
88	Ran	Norse sea goddess who drags sailors to watery graves.
89	Samael’s Consort	Feminine half of the archdemon Samael, represents seduction and destruction.
90	Skogsrå	Swedish forest spirit woman with a hollow back who lures men.
91	Yennenga	West African warrior figure later mythologized with supernatural traits.
92	Ayako	A Japanese demon woman who possesses dolls in certain ghost tales.
93	La Sayona	Venezuelan ghost woman punishing unfaithful men.
94	La Llorona	Latin American weeping ghost who haunts rivers searching for her children.
95	Gulon	Mythical female beast of Scandinavian origin associated with gluttony and bloodlust.
96	Tunda	A Central African female demon luring victims into the forest.
97	Wendigo-Woman	Rare female version of the cannibalistic spirit from Algonquian folklore.
98	Preta	Female ghost of insatiable hunger in Hindu and Buddhist myth.
99	Arahabaki	Old Japanese deity with warlike traits later demonized in folklore.
100	Vetala	A spirit from Hindu legend that hangs upside down and possesses corpses.
101	Baba Roga	Slavic boogeywoman who kidnaps and eats disobedient children.
102	La Diablesse	A Caribbean she-devil with one cow hoof who seduces and traps men.

Lilith – The Mother of All Demons

In the dark corners of myth, Lilith rises as the mother of all demons, a figure whose story is steeped in rebellion, power, and mystery.

Long before the tale of Eve, Lilith was the first woman, formed not from bone but from the same earth as Adam.

Equal in creation, she refused to be lesser in life. When Adam demanded her obedience, she defied him, uttering words that would change her fate forever.

Rather than submit, Lilith left Eden, casting aside paradise to claim freedom on her own terms.

The world she entered was not one of light but of shadows, where she forged alliances with demons and birthed the lilim—creatures of seduction and destruction.

These offspring carried her legacy, spreading her influence far beyond the boundaries of Eden. To some, Lilith became a symbol of fear, a demon who brought chaos and despair. To others, she represented strength, a figure unafraid to challenge authority and reject imposed roles.

Her story does not stop at rebellion. It speaks of a woman who shaped her destiny, refusing to be silenced or controlled.

She became a force of nature, a figure whose actions blurred the lines between villain and hero.

Lilith’s name continues to echo through time, embodying the spirit of defiance, autonomy, and the unrelenting pursuit of self-determination. No wonder this is one of the most common female demon names we will hear.

Lilith in Movies and TV Shows

Lilith’s enigmatic presence has inspired numerous portrayals across various media. Here are some notable appearances:

Abyzou

Abyzou, originating in Akkadian folklore, became known across the Middle East and Europe.

Though her name is speculated to be linked to the Mesopotamian deities Apsu and Tiamat, concrete evidence is lacking.

She was called Alabasandria in Egypt and Gylou in Babylonia. The first-century apocryphal Judeo-Christian text, Testament of Solomon, referred to her as Obizuth.

Abyzou suffered from infertility, which fueled her jealousy toward mortal women. This envy transformed her into a demon that caused miscarriages and targeted infants, often strangling them.

According to the Testament of Solomon, King Solomon punished her by hanging her with her own hair in front of the Temple in Jerusalem, in retribution for her malevolent actions.

It is one of the creepiest female demon names you can use for some fantasy games.

Agrat bat Mahlat

Agrat bat Mahlat, a demon from Jewish mythology, is known as the “daughter of Mahlat” in Hebrew. Various sources depict her origins differently, with the Kabbalah portraying her as a fallen angel and one of the companions of the archangel Samael.

The Kabbalah associates her with the practice of sacred prostitution, condemning her alignment with the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar.

Interestingly, Agrat bat Mahlat is linked to King David of Israel. According to legend, King David spent a night with her, consequently fathering the demon Asmodeus.

In rabbinic literature, Agrat bat Mahlat is described as one of Lilith’s daughters. She is depicted as a demon roaming the skies in a chariot, accompanied by 18 other demons.

Moreover, rabbinic texts mention Agrat bat Mahlat as one of the many demons who imparted forbidden magical knowledge to humanity. Her multifaceted portrayal serves as a warning against engaging in condemned practices, blending myth and morality.

It is also a popular name for female vampires in modern stories like movies, TV shows, and anime.

Ajatar

Ajatar, also called Ajattara or Aiatar, is a fearsome demon from Finnish mythology said to haunt the dark forests of Pohjola.

She is the granddaughter of Hiisi, a giant who spreads disease, and she commands gnomes along with the deity Lempo.

Some describe her as a wild woman with long hair, while others see her as a dragon or half-snake. Her shape and power make her one of the scariest female demon names you can choose.

Alecto

Alecto is one of the Furies in Greek mythology, known for delivering divine retribution. Her name signifies “relentless and unending anger.”

Emerging from the Earth after Cronus spilled Uranus’ blood, Alecto embodies perpetual vengeance.

In Roman tales, Juno sends her to spark war, and she drives Prince Turnus to attack the Trojans. Her power and fury make her a striking symbol of unstoppable vengeance.

Ammit

Ammit, a unique figure from Ancient Egyptian lore, combines traits of a lion, crocodile, and hippopotamus.

Unlike typical demons, Ammit is not inherently evil. Instead, she serves a crucial function in the divine order. Ancient Egyptians feared and respected her as a symbol of divine justice.

 

Although essential to the concept of divine justice, Ammit is still considered a demon. As a result, the Ancient Egyptians never offered her worship, despite their reverence for her role.

Astaroth

Astaroth’s gender has been debated among demonologists. Sources vary, with some linking Astaroth to the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar, also known as Ashtoreth or Ashtaroth in the Old Testament.

In the 15th century, European occult fascination led to Astaroth’s identification as male.

According to The Lesser Key of Solomon, Astaroth held the noble title of a duke. Occultists attributed Astaroth with traits such as laziness, self-doubt, and rationality.

Astaroth also became connected with mathematics, possibly due to the religious opposition to the increasing influence of science during that period.

Learn more about Astaroth on the Gods and Monsters page.

Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga features prominently in the folklore of various Slavic cultures in Eastern Europe. Although sometimes depicted as a single entity, other narratives present her as one of a trio sharing the same name.

Consistently, she appears as an old woman with a terrifying visage, flying at night using a mortar while holding a pestle.

Often used as an Eastern European boogeyman to frighten misbehaving children, Baba Yaga’s character remains ambiguous.

In her darker portrayals, she grants wishes with negative consequences. Conversely, she is also known to offer genuine assistance to those in dire situations, especially those lost in forests or other remote areas. This duality makes her a unique and complex figure in Slavic folklore.

It is one of those female demon names kids are being scared with when parents want to keep them in sight.

Cheshmak

Cheshmak, also called Cesmak, is a golden-bodied demon from Zoroastrian mythology tied to whirlwinds and violent storms.

She tried to tempt the prophet Zoroaster with earthly pleasures, but he saw through her tricks and drove her away.

Though powerful and striking, Cheshmak appears only in later texts and remains a lesser-known figure.

Her rare mentions make her a mysterious and eerie choice among female demon names.

Daruka

Daruka began as a demoness in Hindu mythology and later rose to divine status.

Loyal to Parvati even as a demon, she helped move her city under the sea to escape Shiva’s anger.

Her husband’s violence led to his defeat by Shiva, but Daruka’s devotion spared her and others.

In the end, many demons turned into minor deities, serving Shiva and Parvati in peace.

Echidna

Echidna, the “Mother of Monsters” in Greek mythology, had the body of a woman and a serpent’s tail.

With Typhon, she gave birth to beasts like Cerberus, Chimera, Hydra, and the Nemean lion. Heroes such as Heracles faced these deadly children in legendary battles.

Echidna’s story ended when Argus killed her in her sleep, linking her to even older myths like those of Tiamat.

Eisheth

Eisheth, a figure in Jewish mythology, is known as the “Woman of Whoredom.” Her presence is also noted in Kabbalah, a mystical tradition developed in medieval Europe.

Eisheth holds the title of princess in the demonic realm of Gamaliel and represents the feminine embodiment of sin.

She is believed to consume the souls of the damned in Hell. Eisheth stands in opposition to the angelic choir of Yesod, governed by Archangel Michael.

There is ongoing debate among demonologists regarding whether Eisheth or Lilith rules over Gamaliel, reflecting the complexity and variation in mythological sources.

Empusa

Empusa, a demon in Greek mythology, served Hecate and was famous for shapeshifting.

Her true form revealed a single leg made of copper, marking her as both eerie and unique.

She tricked and devoured victims, as seen in tales like The Frogs and Life of Apollonius of Tyana.

Gremory

Gremory, a mysterious demoness from medieval grimoires, appears as a crowned duchess riding a camel.

She commands up to 42 legions of Hell, depending on the source. Gremory reveals hidden truths about wealth and fortune and can make women fall in love with her summoners.

Her beauty and secrets make her one of the most intriguing female demon names.

Hannya

Hannya represents a group of demons in Japanese noh theater, known for deep emotion beyond pure malice.

Some Hannya come from women wronged in life, turning into spirits filled with grief and rage.

Others are purely demonic, showing no remorse at all. This mix of sorrow and danger gives Hannya a haunting power in Japanese stories.

Jahi

Jahi, a prominent figure in Zoroastrianism, is known for embodying lasciviousness and holding the notorious epithet “the whore.”

Despite her unsavory reputation, she wields formidable power, capable of killing men with just a glance.

As the consort of Ahriman, the Zoroastrian god of evil, she plays a pivotal role in the religion’s mythos.

Jorogumo

The jorogumo is a spider-like yokai from Japanese folklore known for its shape-shifting abilities.

When their victims are unsuspecting, the jorogumo kills and devours them. They often command smaller spider demons, which cannot change shape but have the ability to breathe fire.

For more about the jorogumo, visit this article.

Lamashtu

Lamashtu, a demon from Mesopotamian mythology, was considered the most malevolent of her kind by the Sumerians.

They invoked other demons, such as Pazuzu, to guard against her. Interestingly, while she was the daughter of the sky god Anu, her mother’s identity remains unclear.

Her evil reputation and female gender have led some scholars to propose that she may have been an inspiration for the Jewish demon Lilith.

Lamia

Lamia, a figure in Greek mythology, began her life as a stunningly beautiful queen of Libya. Her allure captured the heart of Zeus, leading to a clandestine relationship.

Hera, Zeus’s wife, reacted furiously upon discovering their affair. In her wrath, Hera kidnapped and murdered all of Lamia’s children sired by Zeus.

Leviathan

Leviathan is a legendary sea serpent cited in various biblical texts. While her gender is a subject of debate among scholars, medieval folklore often presents Leviathan as female to distinguish her from Behemoth, another biblical demon.

The Leviathan is referenced in multiple canonical texts such as Psalms and the Books of Amos, Isaiah, and Job.

Additionally, she is mentioned in apocryphal texts like the Books of Enoch and Jonah.

Mahishi

Mahishi, a demoness from Hindu mythology, is known for her fierce resolve and familial loyalty.

Her brother, Mahishasura, a shape-shifting demon, nearly conquered the gods until Parvati outwitted and killed him.

Vowing revenge, Mahishi sought the favor of the creator god, Brahma, who granted her near invincibility.

Megaera

Megaera, one of the Three Furies in Greek mythology, was known for delivering divine vengeance upon mortals who had wronged the gods.

Unlike her sisters, Megaera’s origins vary among sources. Some accounts claim she emerged from the Earth when Cronus spilled his father Uranus’ blood.

Other sources describe her as the daughter of Nyx, the goddess of night, and Acheron, the river separating Earth from the Underworld.

Mormo

Mormo, a lesser-known figure from Greek folklore, serves as a female counterpart to the boogeyman.

Scholarly records reveal her presence in only one classical source—a letter from Scholios to Aristides, an early Athenian leader.

This document portrays Mormo as a woman from Corinth who devoured her own children and subsequently transformed into a monstrous entity. She supposedly used wings to flee from punishment.

Just like Baba Yaga, this is also one of those female demon names adults used to scare kids with.

Naamah

Naamah, rooted in Talmudic-midrashic literature, is identified as the sister of Tubal-cain, a figure from the pre-Flood period.

Known for her musical prowess, she was a seductress who managed to enchant the fallen angel Shamdon, resulting in the birth of the demonic prince Ashmodai.

Nure-onna

Nure-onna, known in Japanese folklore, is depicted as a giant serpent with the head of a woman. This fearsome creature is said to inhabit the sea, preying on unsuspecting people she encounters.

Despite her presence in the artistic works of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Japanese literature offers scant details about her.

One notable tale from 1819 recounts a group of sailors who stumbled upon the Nure-onna washing her hair while lost at sea. They managed to escape undetected and, upon reaching land, warned others about the lurking danger.

Sadly, these warnings were not heeded, leading to the disappearance of subsequent sailors.

Onibaba

A common figure in Japanese folklore, the onibaba represents women who experience a tragic transformation after death.

Among the widely known legends includes that of Momiji, who plotted against her lover’s wife and was exiled.

After her exile, she led a band of thieves, compelling Emperor Reizei to send Taira no Kuremochi, a hero, to defeat her.

Kuremochi required a divine sword to accomplish this. Another famous tale involves Suzuka Gozen, who fought against Sakanoue no Tamuramaro. Both stories highlight the onibaba’s feared presence in Japanese mythology.

Onoskelis

Onoskelis is a demon featured in the apocryphal text known as the Testament of Solomon. She is described as having the upper body of a beautiful woman, while her lower body possesses the legs of a donkey.

During her encounter with King Solomon of Israel, Onoskelis admitted to seducing men into worshiping her. These men worshipped her primarily in the hopes of receiving rewards, which she rarely provided.

Onoskelis is said to roam the Earth during the night of a full moon. When not wandering, she hides in her cave, living a life similar to that of a recluse. This depiction highlights her mystical and elusive character, which adds to her intriguing nature in the Testament of Solomon.

Poludnitsa

Poludnitsa, often called Lady Midday, is a figure from Slavic mythology, described as a noon demon.

Her appearance is that of a young woman dressed in white, wandering the countryside during midday.

She is known for engaging people in conversation, asking them questions or riddles. Incorrect responses or rude behavior could result in dire consequences such as beheading or various ailments like sunstroke, neck pain, or even madness.

Tisiphone

Tisiphone is the last of the three Furies responsible for enacting divine vengeance on mortals.

In The Aeneid, she is depicted as a sentinel of Tartarus, the primordial abyss that imprisons the Titans.

Notably, in the Roman play Thebaid, Tisiphone acts on the behest of Oedipus, a mortal, by ensuring the continuation of the civil war between his sons, Eteocles and Polynices. She later drives the warrior Tydeus into a state of madness, prompting him to resort to cannibalism.

Yama-uba

Yama-uba (山姥) are mysterious mountain demons from Japanese mythology. They often have varying appearances and roles in different legends. In some stories, they seduce travelers and merchants, only to devour them. Others depict them as midwives, aiding women in labor but then kidnapping the newborns.

A more positive portrayal of Yama-uba appears in the tale of the folk hero Kintarou. Fleeing a civil war, Kintarou and his mother took refuge in the mountains. After his mother’s death, a Yama-uba discovered Kintarou and raised him. Some versions suggest that Kintarou’s mother was a Yama-uba herself.

The Bottom Line

Female demon names carry stories that have shaped myths and legends across cultures. These figures, with their roles as rulers, seductresses, or symbols of chaos, reflect the fears and beliefs of the societies that created them. Their stories remain a powerful part of folklore, connecting ancient traditions to modern interpretations.

From Lilith, the mother of demons, to figures like Lamia and Yuki-onna, these names represent rebellion, strength, and mystery. They are more than just villains in tales; they are reminders of humanity’s fascination with the supernatural and its complexities.

These stories have endured through time, appearing in literature, movies, and folklore, ensuring their place in both history and popular culture. Female demon names continue to intrigue and inspire, keeping their legends alive for future generations.