The English word “devil” comes from Greek diabolos (“slanderer” or “accuser”), via Latin diabolus. It entered English as deofol. In Hebrew the core term is satan (“adversary” or “accuser”).
Arabic uses shaytan (related to the same root) and Iblis (often linked to the Greek root via Arabic). Spanish diablo, German Teufel, Yiddish teivel, Albanian djall, and Japanese akuma are direct or near-direct equivalents for “devil” or “evil spirit.”
Not every dark name equals “devil.” Many lists mix underworld gods, chaos figures, or literary villains. The names below prioritize those with a documented connection to the devil concept, a demonic role, or a literal translation.
Names That Literally Translate to Devil or Close Equivalents
These are the clearest matches:
- Diablo (Spanish): Literally “devil.” Used as a given name in recent decades, most visibly by screenwriter Diablo Cody. Bold and straightforward.
- Djall (Albanian): Directly means “devil.” Rare as a personal name but linguistically exact.
- Teivel / Teufel (Yiddish / German): Yiddish form of the German word for devil. Appears more often as a surname historically; usable as a distinctive first name.
- Akuma (Japanese): Means “devil,” “demon,” or “evil spirit.” Written ć‚Şé”. Increasingly known in Western gaming and anime contexts.
- Iblis (Arabic / Islamic tradition): The proper name of the devil in the Quran—the jinn who refused to bow to Adam. Carries heavy theological weight in Muslim cultures.
- Shaytan / Shaitan / Sheitan (Arabic): Means “devil” or “evil one.” The definite form al-Shaytan refers to the Devil. Related to Hebrew satan.
These are the purest linguistic matches. Most other names are titles, roles, or later identifications.
Major Religious and Mythological Names Associated with the Devil
Hebrew and Biblical Tradition
- Satan: From Hebrew satan, “adversary” or “accuser.” In the Hebrew Bible it often functions as a title (“the satan”) rather than a personal name. In later Christian and popular usage it became the proper name of the chief adversary.
- Lucifer: Latin for “light-bringer” or “morning star” (lux + ferre). In the Latin Vulgate translation of Isaiah 14:12 it renders a Hebrew phrase referring to the fallen king of Babylon. Early Christian writers later applied it to the fallen angel, so the name became synonymous with the devil in Western tradition. Its original sense is positive (light-bearer).
- Abaddon: Hebrew for “destruction” or “place of destruction.” In Revelation 9:11 identified as the angel of the bottomless pit (also called Apollyon in Greek).
- Beelzebub (or Beelzebul): Often rendered “lord of the flies.” In the New Testament a name for the prince of demons. Some scholars link it to a Philistine deity.
- Belial: Hebrew for “worthless” or “wickedness.” Used as a personification of evil and later as a demonic title.
- Samael (or Sammael): Often glossed “poison of God” or “venom of God.” In some Jewish mystical texts an angel of death or adversary figure.
- Azazel: Appears in Leviticus in the scapegoat ritual. Later traditions treat it as a desert demon or fallen angel who taught forbidden knowledge.
- Asmodeus (or Ashmodai): Demon of lust and wrath in the Book of Tobit and later demonology. Hebrew roots sometimes linked to “creature of judgment.”
Islamic Tradition
- Iblis and Shaytan (already listed above) are the primary names. Iblis is the individual who refused obedience; Shaytan is the broader category of tempters.
Greek and Related
- Apollyon: Greek for “destroyer,” the equivalent of Abaddon in Revelation.
- Diabolus: Latinized form of the Greek diabolos, the root of “devil.”
Other Cultural Figures Strongly Linked
- Lilith: In Jewish folklore the first wife of Adam who becomes a night demon after refusing subordination. Not a literal translation of “devil,” but the best-known female demonic figure in Western naming circles.
- Loki: Norse trickster god associated with chaos, deceit, and the events leading to Ragnarok. Popular culture (especially Marvel) has made the name more wearable while keeping the dark edge.
- Dracul / Dracula: Romanian “dragon” or, in later popular understanding, linked to “devil.” Vlad the Impaler’s father was called Dracul; the son became Dracula (“son of Dracul”). Bram Stoker’s novel cemented the association.
Boy, Girl, and Unisex Options
Primarily masculine or traditionally male
Diablo, Djall, Teivel, Akuma, Iblis, Satan, Lucifer, Abaddon, Beelzebub, Belial, Samael, Azazel, Asmodeus, Apollyon.
Primarily feminine or strongly female associations
Lilith remains the most used. Related demonic or underworld feminine figures sometimes appear on expanded lists (Lamia, Empusa, Naamah), but they are not direct “devil” translations.
Unisex or flexible
Lucifer, Samael, Azrael (angel of death in some traditions, sometimes grouped with dark names), Loki, and modern short forms such as Dev (from Devil) or Daemon/Demon (Greek daimon originally meant spirit, later took on negative senses).
Pronunciation, Variants, and Practical Notes
- Lucifer: LOO-si-fer or LOO-suh-fer
- Samael: sah-mah-EL or SAM-ay-el
- Azazel: ah-zah-ZEL or AZ-uh-zel
- Beelzebub: bee-EL-zuh-bub or BEL-zuh-bub
- Akuma: ah-KOO-mah
- Iblis: IB-lees
- Diablo: dee-AH-blo
Variants and related forms include Lucian/Lucius (sharing the “light” root without the devil association), Azriel/Azrael, and the Yiddish Teivel. Spelling variations (Sammael, Ashmodai, Beelzebul) appear across sources.
Symbolism, Cultural Context, and Modern Use
These names carry rebellion, power, darkness, or forbidden knowledge depending on the tradition. In Christian contexts they often signal opposition to the divine. In folklore they can represent chaos, temptation, or the untamed. Japanese akuma and Spanish diablo function more as common nouns that have been adopted as names.
Popularity remains low for the most direct forms. Lucifer has seen small upticks in the United States linked to television and literature. Lilith has risen more steadily, helped by its soft sound and feminist reinterpretation as a figure of independence. Most parents choosing these names treat them as statements of individuality, aesthetic preference, or literary interest rather than literal theological claims.
Practical considerations matter. Some countries and registries reject names judged harmful to the child (Iceland famously rejected a form of Lucifer). Social perception, schoolyard teasing, and professional life are real factors. Short forms (Luc, Sam, Az, Dev) or middle-name placement can soften impact.
Similar, Related, and Opposite Names
Related dark or underworld names often searched alongside these include Hades, Hel, Nyx, Mara, Kali, and Leviathan. Names with opposite or light-bearing meanings include Lucifer’s original sense (light-bringer), Phoebus, Aurora, and many angelic names such as Michael or Gabriel.
Sibling or middle-name pairings that balance the intensity tend toward neutral or nature names (River, Ash, Sage) or classic choices that share phonetic elements.
Expert Naming Tips
- Verify the exact etymology rather than relying on aggregated “evil names” lists that mix unrelated figures.
- Consider cultural weight: Iblis or Shaytan carries different resonance in Muslim communities than Lucifer does in Christian ones.
- Test the full name aloud and in writing. Many of these names are long or unusual and benefit from a conventional middle or last name.
- Research local naming laws if you live outside the United States.
- Think about the child’s future: a striking name can be empowering or burdensome depending on personality and environment.
Common Misconceptions
- Lucifer is not Satan’s original biblical personal name; the identification developed later through interpretation of Isaiah 14.
- Not every demon name equals “devil.” Many are specific entities with distinct roles.
- Japanese akuma and Spanish diablo are ordinary words for devil/demon that happen to work as names; they do not automatically carry the same theological freight as Satan or Iblis.
- Popularity lists that claim dozens of “names that mean devil” often expand the category to any dark or chaotic figure.
Quick Reference Table of Core Names
| Name | Origin / Language | Core Meaning or Association | Gender lean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diablo | Spanish | Devil | Masculine |
| Djall | Albanian | Devil | Masculine |
| Teivel | Yiddish | Devil | Masculine |
| Akuma | Japanese | Devil / demon | Masculine |
| Iblis | Arabic | The devil (Quranic) | Masculine |
| Shaytan | Arabic | Devil / tempter | Masculine |
| Satan | Hebrew | Adversary | Masculine |
| Lucifer | Latin | Light-bringer (later devil) | Masculine |
| Abaddon | Hebrew | Destruction / angel of the abyss | Masculine |
| Belial | Hebrew | Worthless / wickedness | Masculine |
| Samael | Hebrew | Poison/venom of God | Masculine |
| Lilith | Hebrew folklore | Night demon | Feminine |
FAQs:
What baby name literally means devil?
Diablo (Spanish), Djall (Albanian), Teivel (Yiddish), and Akuma (Japanese) are among the closest direct translations. Iblis and Shaytan function as the primary names for the devil in Islamic tradition.
Is Lucifer a good name?
It is usable and has seen limited modern use. Its original meaning is positive (“light-bringer”), but the strong cultural association with the fallen angel means most people will hear the devil connection first. Consider the social context carefully.
Are there girl names that mean devil?
Lilith is the most established. Pure literal translations are rarer for girls; most feminine options come from demonic or underworld figures rather than the word “devil” itself.
What Japanese name means devil?
Akuma (ć‚Şé”).
Is it legal to name a child Lucifer or Diablo?
In most U.S. states yes. Some countries (notably Iceland and certain registries elsewhere) have rejected forms of Lucifer or other names deemed potentially harmful.
What is the difference between Satan and Lucifer?
Satan comes from the Hebrew for “adversary.” Lucifer is a Latin term meaning “light-bringer” applied to a fallen figure in later Christian interpretation. They are often used interchangeably in popular speech but have distinct origins.
Do any of these names have positive sides?
Lucifer’s root meaning is positive. Some modern parents reclaim Lilith as a symbol of independence. Most of the others remain firmly on the dark or adversarial side of their source traditions.
Conclusion:
Names that mean devil range from exact linguistic matches such as Diablo, Djall, Akuma, and Iblis to long-standing religious titles like Satan, Lucifer, Abaddon, and Belial. Each carries specific cultural and historical weight.
The most helpful approach is to match the name’s actual origin and modern social impact to the family’s intent whether aesthetic, literary, rebellious, or simply distinctive while remaining clear-eyed about how the name will be received.
Danny Postma is a professional content writer at NamezGlobe, specializing in funny puns, clever wordplay, and family-friendly humor. Passionate about creating original, SEO-friendly content, Danny helps readers discover the best puns, jokes, and witty captions for every occasion.