130 Vampire Names

Sookie

Sookie Stackhouse is the protagonist in The Southern Vampire Mysteries book series and True Blood on HBO. This name means ‘Lily’, flowers with implications of rebirth commonly displayed at funerals.

Eric

Eric Northman is one of the love interests in HBO’s True Blood. Eric traditionally translates to ‘Eternal Ruler’, from ‘Ever’, ‘Alone’, and ‘Ruler’ in its Norse components ei and ríkr.

Elena

Elena Gilbert is the protagonist in The Vampire Diaries series. This name has many interpretations in cultures from all over the world, but traditionally translates as ‘Shining Light’ or ‘Moon’.

Damon

Damon Salvatore is a love interest in The Vampire Diaries. This Greek name translates as ‘One Who Tames’, and is a Greek legend hero who demonstrated loyalty of such strength.

Bella

Bella Swan is the protagonist in the Twilight series. This name translates from its Latin and Italian origins as ‘Beautiful’, and vampires are known for their attractive and seductive qualities.

Alice

Alice Cullen is a vampire character from the Twilight series. This classic feminized name has German origins and translates as ‘noble’ or ‘exalted’, with the old French respelling of Alis.

Elvira

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, is an iconic horror and comedy persona from the cult classic film of the same name. This name has Germanic roots which translate to ‘Truth’.

Spike

William “Spike” Pratt is a popular anti-hero vampire in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This name translates through English origins as meaning ‘long, heavy nail’ to represent one with a sharp wit.

Stefan

Stefan Salvatore is a protagonist in The Vampire Diaries. With Polish or Greek origins, this name translates as ‘crown’, and has variations within the Christian Church as Stephen or Steven.

Count Orlok

More erroneously known as Nosferatu, Orlok is the titular villain in Max Schreck’s silent film. He is called ‘The Bird of Death’ but this name is also reminiscent of ‘Warlock’.

Lestat

Lestat de Lioncourt is an anti-hero vampire in Anne Rice’s novels who slept for 55 years. This name has Old French origins meaning ‘Estate’ or ‘Status’, implying wealth and power.

Louis

Louis de Pointe du Lac is a vampire in Anne Rice’s novels. With French and German origins in ‘Ludwig,’ this name is as regal as it gets, meaning ‘Famous Warrior’.

Eli

Eli is a vampire of super-human strength in the novels of John Ajvide Lindqvist. Initially abbreviated from Elliot or Elijah, this name has Hebrew roots meaning ‘ascended’, ‘height’, or ‘defender’.

Aro

Aro is the leader of the Volturi, a dominant vampire coven, in the Twilight series. Aro has Finnish or Hebrew origins meaning ‘exalted’, ‘enlightened’, ‘mountain of strength’, or ‘infertile ground’.

Mikael

Mikael is the strongest vampire in existence within The Vampire Diaries. This name has Scandinavian or Hebrew relations to ‘Michael’, meaning ‘Who Resembles God’ with connections within the Old Testament.

Malivore

Malivore is a character in The Vampire Diaries. He is called Eater of the Dark due to the Latin prefix ‘mal’, meaning ‘evil’, and the suffix ‘vore’, meaning ‘ to devour’.

Amber

Amber stems from French or Latin origins, meaning the Amber gemstone’s color. Within the biblical meanings of colors, amber can represent the ‘Presence of God’, ‘Fiery Passion’, or ‘Wisdom’.

Clay

The name Clay comes from the Old English word clæg meaning ‘Sticky Earth’. Although initially being a habitational name for ‘Clay Workers’, this name also interestingly can translate as ‘mortal’.

Lorelei

This name has Germanic origins meaning ‘Murmuring’ or ‘Lie in Wait’, but more commonly leads translations to mean ‘a beautiful woman who leads a man to death’, linking to seduction.

Azriel

Commonly found in Muslim and Jewish traditions, this name has Hebrew origins as meaning ‘God is my Help’. In Abrahamic religions and Sikhism, Azrael is also the angel of death.

Haimon

This name is most well-known due to Sophocles’ play ‘Antigone’ spelling it as Haemon, this name also sports Ancient Greek origins meaning ‘bloody’. What could be more Vampiric than that?

Ambrosia

Ambrosia comes from the Greek name ‘Ambrosine’, which translates as ‘immortal’. It is also semantically linked to the Sanskrit अमृत as both denote drink used by gods to achieve immortality.

Amdis

The Latin name Amdis is another translation as ‘immortal’ or ‘eternal’. This name also has Norse connections meaning ‘Eagle Spirit’. ‘Ama’ and ‘dis’ also translate together as the ‘Mother Goddess’.

Lilith

As a popular demonic figure in Jewish or medieval folklore, the name Lilith is thought to derive from the Mesopotamian demons lilû or lilītu, which typically translates as ‘night monster’.

Jezebel

Despite the original Hebrew name meaning ‘pure’ or ‘virginal’, the colloquial use of Jezebel could not be more different. Matching traitorous Judas, Jezebel’s reputation endures as a symbol of female depravity.

Athan

With origins in Ancient Greek as a variant of Athanasius, this name translates as ‘eternal life’. With vampires being famously immortal and unaging creatures, this name is a perfect choice.

Orpheus

Initially coming from the Greek name ‘Orphne’ which means ‘darkness’, this name – popularized through the musical Hadestown – is known as ‘the darkness of the night or the nether world’.

Vendetta

The name Vendetta has origins in the Italian meaning and spelling of the word ‘Vengence’, and so it hides an act of revenge upon another behind a beautiful-sounding name.

Louhi

This Finnish name means ‘state of trance’, and is the name of a powerfully evil witch queen ruling over the northern realm of Pohjola, with the ability to change shape.

Tanda

The name Tanda has Native American and African origins, with a fascinating translation of ‘The Seer of Life and Death’. This name also has translations involving love, honor, and respect.

Jerimoth

This name is found within Biblical and Christian circles due to Israeli origins as meaning ‘He that fears or rejects death’. Perfectly fitting with vampires feeding to extend their life.

Mabuz

Within the Arthurian Legend of England, Scotland, and Wales throughout the medieval period, Mabuz is the ‘Ruler of Death Castle’. This then offers implications regarding Count Dracula and his castle.

Persephone

Most commonly known as the daughter of Demeter and Zeus, and the eventual wife of Lord Hades, the name Persephone has Greek origins and typically translates as ‘bringer of death’.

Medusa

The story of Medusa is timeless; cursed as a gorgon to turn to stone any who cast their eyes upon her. This name translates as meaning ‘cunning’ or ‘to protect’.

Pandora

The first mortal woman, and one so beautiful that all men are attracted to her, this name mirrors vampirism. This Greek name translates to ‘all gifts’, which mirrors vampiric talents.

Anubis

Anubis is the Greek form of the Egyptian Anpu, and this translates as ‘to decay’, and this signifies the god’s early association with death, funeral rites, and the protection of graves.

Morrigan

This name of Irish origin is the name of the Celtic goddess of war. This name appears as a twist on the name Morgan, but also translates to ‘phantom queen’.

Kalma

Kalma is the name of the goddess of death and decay in Finnish mythology. This name is known to mean ‘The Stench of Corpses’, relating to vampires and undead creatures.

Atropos

Atropos is one of the three fates in Greek mythology and is the deity who cuts the life threads of soon-to-be-dead mortals. Her name translates as ‘unalterable’ or ‘inflexible’.

Thanatos

Thanatos is the personification and namesake of death in Greek mythology. He was the son of Nyx, the goddess of night, and the brother of Hypnos, the god of sleep.

Samael

Samael is known in Hebrew as meaning the ‘venom’ or ‘poison of God’. He is an archangel in Talmudic folklore who acts as Satan, mentioned in the book of Job.

Dracula

Coming from Romanian or Slavic origin, the classic Bram Stoker Vampire name Dracula stems from ‘son of Dracul’ or ‘so of the devil’, with ‘Dracul’ meaning ‘dragon’ in Romanian.

Elizabeth

Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed was a Hungarian noblewoman, accused of torturing victims, and having vampiric tendencies. Her name means ‘God is my Oath’ and stems from the Hebrew Elisheva.

Mercy

Mercy Brown was a consumption victim who exhibited limited decomposition with blood remaining in her heart. Corpse exhumations to perform banishing rituals were crucial in The New England vampire panic.

Abhartach

Abhartach is an early Irish legend who was buried upright, yet soon reported seen walking around to drink blood. This played into the 12th Century fear of the ‘walking dead’.

Gancanagh

Gancanagh – from the Irish gean cánach meaning ‘love talker’ – is a male fairy from Mythology, best known for seducing women and leaving them to waste away without his touch afterward.

Jiangshi

The jiāngshī are known as Chinese hopping vampires and are a type of reanimated corpse in Chinese legends and folklore. Despite their nickname, the name jiāngshī translates as ‘stiff corpse’.

Riri Yaka

Riri Yaka – meaning ‘Blood Demon’ or ‘Demon of Blood’ – is a vampire from Sri Lankan mythology. This beast has an eternal thirst for blood, and any descriptions are equally violent.

Munster

The Munsters are a vampire family in the CBS sitcom of the same name. With Dutch roots, this name can mean ‘monastery’ or ‘ministry’ or links to the German town.

Lecter

Taken from the surname of the infamous cannibal, Hannibal Lecter, this surname mirrors the seductive yet blood-chilling stare and calm violence of the character, who is best known for eating victims.

Cullen

Taken from the vampire family in Twilight, this name is typically translated as ‘handsome’ but can also stem from the Gaelic name ‘Cuileannain’, meaning the ‘son of the holy one’.

Stoker

Taken from the name Bram Stoker – who made ‘Dracula’ a household name through his novel – Stoker is an inherently vampiric name which means the ‘one who tends to the fire’.

Reaper

Commonly used to be the name of vampiric cults in popular media, this name also has translations in ‘the one who takes life’ linking to Death, or the Grim Reaper.

Raven

This popular vampire name translates as ‘Dark haired’ or ‘wise’. Given the vampiric motive of a mysterious seductor, able to put any victim in a trance, this is highly fitting.

Crimson

This classy and stylish name has clear connections to vampiric nature due to its common meaning of a deep, rich, or dark red, mirroring the blood of the victims.

Hades

Taken from the God of the Underworld in Greek Mythology, this name also translates as ‘unseen’, which mirrors the idea of vampires being unable to capture on cameras or mirrors.

Bathory

As mentioned in the previous sections, Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed was an alleged vampiric serial killer, who was accused of killing hundreds of girls between the years 1590 and 1610.

Celeste

Celeste is a popular name or surname of vampires in the series The Vampire Diaries or cult film What We Do In The Shadows, and also has Latin roots meaning ‘heavenly’.

Shan

Shan is the surname of the half-vampire protagonist in Darren O’Shaughnessy’s novel The Vampire’s Assistant. He struggles with his new vampire abilities due to his refusal to drink human blood.

Lioncourt

Lioncourt is a famous surname from Gascogne, France, which is used to indicate being ‘as bold as a lion’. It is the surname of Lestat from Interview with a Vampire.

Abel

Abel is another vampire from The Masquerade – L. A By Night, and translates as ‘breath’ or ‘vapor’. In the Hebrew Bible, Abel is Eve’s son who murders his brother, Cain.

Draco

This Greco-Latin name translates literally as ‘dragon’ or ‘serpent’, and is more commonly known due to the character Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series, or the beast slain by Hercules.

Eilif

Eilif is a male name of Old Norse or Scandinavian origin. In Norway and Sweden, this unique name translates as ‘immortal’, mirroring the long and extended undead life of vampires.

Orfeo

Orfeo is a Greek name translated as ‘the darkness of light’. The name is related to the Greek tragic hero of Orpheus and is a popular name in the show Angel.

Mordoc SeLanmere

Mordoc, also known as the ‘Pale Knight’ or ‘White Prince’, was the self-proclaimed first vampire king in all of Toril, and was a disciple of Eldrith the Betrayer.

Bodhi

Bodhi was an exiled elf from Suldanessellar who transformed into a vampire. Bodhi is known for being exceptionally cruel and sadistic, finding delight in playing with victims before killing them.

Kierkan Rufo

Rufo was a human who rose from the dead at the mausoleum of the Edificant Library, after being turned into a vampire, due to drinking a potion called Chaos Curse.

Artor Morlin

Artor Morlin is known as ‘The Baron of Blood’, and is a famous mercenary captain vampire Lord who viewed the city of Waterdeep as his own personal hunting grounds.

Jander Sunstar

Jander Sunstar was a gold elf vampire from Evermeet who was swept to the Demiplane of Dread. He has conflicts with pupil Strahd due to Jander’s human lover going mad.

Strahd von Zarovich

Count Strahd von Zarovich was a vampire and the dark lord of the valley of Barovia, one of the Domains of Dread located in a remote corner of the Shadowfell. 

Jiki-ketsu-gaki

These creatures are undead spirits, who use their claws and teeth to drain the blood of their victims and try to bite them until the creature itself or the victim dies.

Dhampyr

The Dhampyr are mythical creatures of Balkans Folklore that are the result of the rare mating unions between a vampire and a human. They are an example of Hybrid Power.

Chultan

Located at the westernmost point of the Chultan peninsula, this area of deadly jungle houses beasts, dinosaurs, and disease-ridden monsters, including fierce goblins and strange monstrous folk such as Ras Nsi.

Saed of Old Vaelen

In the Year 1048 DR, a visitor arrived in Saed’s court, offering immortality. The visitor brought him to the ruins of Old Vaelen; and turned Saed into a vampire slave.

Methuselan

This human race closely relates to vampires as they are true undead, powered by negative energy, but are less powerful and typically non-evil, though they maintain their glamour and angst.

Penanggalan

This nocturnal vampiric entity from Malaysian mythology’s name stems from ‘tanggal’ meaning ‘to remove’ due to the form being that of a disembodied woman’s head with its organs still attached.

Vlad Tolenkov

Vlad Tolenkov is the vampire lord ruler of The Nightworld. He is a member of an influential cabal of vampires and rules over his sunless world with effective ancient magic.

Drelzna

Drelzna is a human-vampire daughter of a witch and a necromancer. She has the appearance of a classic or gothic vampire, with rich hair of raven black and ruby red lips.

Kas the Bloody-Handed

Kas the Bloody-Handed was the most trusted lieutenant of a despotic lich called Vecna before he eventually betrayed his master to usurp his power after many years of loyal service.

Ravenloft

Ravenloft is the mist-shrouded lands wherein lurk ageless vampires, zombie hordes, cosmic terrors, and worse. This city’s namesake was inspired by Count Strahd von Zarovich’s mother, Queen Ravenovia van Roeyen.

Drusilla

This common vampiric name has Greek, Latin, and Celtic origins meaning ‘strong’, ‘courageous’, or ‘valiant’. Coming from the Latin ‘Drusus’, this name has roots back to the Old Celtic ‘drausus’.

Salem

This Hebrew and Arabic name translates as ‘complete’ or ‘perfect. This name also relates to the Holy City of Jerusalem, as well as to the Witch Trails in colonial Massachusetts.

Selene

This name of Greek origin translates as ‘the moon’. This is a perfect vampire name due to the allure of the night sky while remaining an air of mysterious danger.

Belladonna

Belladonna is a name of Italian origin translated as ‘beautiful lady’, but also is the name for the plant Nightshade; a flower with deep purple petals with poisonous black berries.

Luna

This name has Latin roots due to being the goddess of the moon in Roman mythology. A brave and independent spirit, she was shown driving a chariot across the sky. 

Dawn

This name is from Old English and is the first break of light upon a new day. As vampires cannot survive in sunlight, this name is both beautiful and ironic.

Lucinda

This name means ‘light’. Within Roman mythology, Lucine was the goddess of childbirth, the giver of the first light to a newborn. This name is very popular within vampiric media.

Ambrogio

This name of Greek and Italian origins is perfect for vampires due to its translation; ‘immortal’. It is also the name of the first human to become a vampire in myth.

Mirium

This Hebrew name is often given the translation ‘wished-for-child’, but the word can translate as ‘bitterness’ due to the Biblical character having been born at the time when enslavement began. 

Shadow

This Old English name translates, understandably, as ‘shade from the sun’. This is therefore appropriate for vampires given their infinity for avoiding being caught in the sunlight.

Thyia

In Greek mythology, this name is given to the Tree of Life, but also originated from the verb θύω, meaning ‘to sacrifice’. This name also associates with cults of major gods.

Eva

This Hebrew name translates as ‘life’ or ‘animal’, and is associated most with Eve from the first Bible story. Due to being the first woman, it is an ageless vampiric name.

Lazarus

This name has Hebrew roots due to the Biblical character of being brought back from the dead by one of Jesus’ miracles. The name, therefore, appropriately translates as ‘God will help’.

Necro

Necro is the Greek prefix meaning ‘death’ or ‘corpse’. This reflects the undead nature of vampires, as well as the fate of any would-be victims.

Vesper

This Latin or French name translates as ‘evening star’, and is a form of the Greek name Hesperos. Within Roman mythology, this name is given to the evening star goddess.

Cassius

This name is of Latin origin and is most prevalent within Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Caesar’ as the leading figure of the murderous plot. This name translates from Latin as meaning ‘vain’.

Sebastien

This French name signifies someone as being ‘from Sebaste’ which is a Phrygia town, and is derived from the Greek ‘sebastos’ which means ‘venerable’; meaning to be respected or revered.

Serafino

This name of Hebrew and Italian origin typically translates as the ‘burning ones’. Given the fate of a vampire who strays into the sunlight, this name is a fitting tribute.

Matthias

This Hebrew name stems from Matityahu_ or Mathew, which translates as ‘gift of God’. Mathias Cronqvist is a character in Castlevania, who takes revenge on God by becoming a vampire.

Balthazar

This striking Hebrew name has many Biblical connections, meaning ‘protect the king’, as is the name of a demon in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, known for obeying a vampire cult.

Zolan

Zolan has many definitions, ranging from Zola to Zoe, meaning ‘life’, ‘calm’, ‘ash’, or ‘son of the sun’. Many of these have clear relations to vampires and their fates.

Corbin

This Anglo-Norman name stems from ‘corb’ meaning ‘crow’. This was a nickname for someone with dark hair, and could easily apply to the classic image of a long, dark-haired Dracula.

Golgotha

From the Latin word ‘calva’, Golgotha is also known as Calvary, meaning ‘skull’ or ‘bald head’. This name is most popular as being the place of Jesus of Nazareth’s crucifixion.

Kieran

Borne by Saint Ciarán of Clonmacnoise, one of the first Irish apostles, this name typically translates as ‘little dark one’ or ‘black-haired’, which, again, mirrors the classic gothic vampire image.