Names That Mean Ghoul

Names inspired by the supernatural and the dark have a mysterious, powerful appeal that sets a child apart with a truly unique identity. Names meaning ghoul, demon, evil spirit, or dark supernatural creature are drawn from ancient Arabic, Japanese, Persian, and mythological traditions where these beings played significant roles in folklore and storytelling.

Below is a comprehensive collection of verified names whose meanings directly translate to or are rooted in the concept of a ghoul, dark spirit, or supernatural creature.

Table of Contents

Boy Names That Mean Ghoul

Ghoul

Origin: Arabic (Ghul غول)
Meaning: Ghoul, demon that devours the dead
Description: Directly from the Arabic “ghul” meaning a supernatural creature that haunts graveyards and consumes the dead. The original Arabic word from which the English “ghoul” is derived. Used as a name in some Arabic literary and poetic traditions.

Ghul

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Ghoul, evil spirit, monster
Description: The direct Arabic source word meaning ghoul or evil spirit. In pre-Islamic and Islamic Arabic folklore, the ghul was a shapeshifting demon associated with graveyards and dark places. Used as a name element in Arabic dark literary tradition.

Algol

Origin: Arabic (Ra’s al-Ghul رأس الغول)
Meaning: Head of the ghoul, demon star
Description: From the Arabic “Ra’s al-Ghul” meaning the head of the ghoul. Algol is the name of a famous binary star in the Perseus constellation, historically associated with the demon’s head. A name carrying direct astronomical and supernatural ghoul meaning.

Rasalghul

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Head of the ghoul
Description: The full Arabic form of the star name Algol, meaning the head of the ghoul. Rooted in ancient Arabic astronomical tradition where this blinking star was seen as the eye of a monstrous ghoul. Used as a name in dark fantasy and literary traditions.

Afarit

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Ghoul-like spirit, powerful evil djinn
Description: From the Arabic “ifrit” family of supernatural beings — powerful, malevolent spirits closely related to ghouls in Islamic folklore. An ifrit is a massive, terrifying supernatural creature of smoke and fire, ranked among the most dangerous of the djinn.

Ifrit

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Powerful evil spirit, ghoul-like demon
Description: From the Arabic “ifrit” (عفريت), a type of powerful and malevolent supernatural spirit in Islamic mythology. Ifrits are closely associated with ghouls as terrifying beings of the underworld. Used as a masculine name in dark Arabic literary tradition.

Nasnas

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Half-ghoul creature, demonic half-being
Description: In Arabic folklore, the Nasnas is a ghoul-like creature that is half human and half demon. It haunts deserts and wilderness areas. A name rooted directly in Arabic supernatural creature mythology.

Ghilan

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Ghouls, of the ghouls
Description: The plural or adjectival form of “ghul” in Arabic, meaning ghouls or one of the ghouls. Used in Arabic poetry and folklore to describe places or people associated with these dark supernatural creatures.

Vetala

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Ghoul, spirit that inhabits corpses
Description: From the Sanskrit “vetala,” a supernatural being in Hindu mythology that inhabits corpses and haunts cemeteries — the direct Sanskrit equivalent of a ghoul. Featured prominently in the ancient collection Baital Pachisi (Twenty-Five Tales of the Vetala).

Baital

Origin: Sanskrit / Hindi
Meaning: Ghoul, corpse-inhabiting spirit
Description: A Hindi and Sanskrit variant of Vetala, meaning a ghoul-like spirit that dwells in the dead. Famous from the ancient Indian text “Baital Pachisi” where King Vikramaditya encounters this supernatural ghoul. A name with ancient verified literary roots.

Pishacha

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Flesh-eating demon, ghoul
Description: From the Sanskrit “pishacha,” a category of flesh-eating demons and ghouls in Hindu mythology who haunt cremation grounds and feed on the dead — directly parallel to the Arabic ghoul. Used as a name in dark Sanskrit literary traditions.

Bhuta

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Ghost, ghoul, evil spirit of the dead
Description: From the Sanskrit “bhuta” meaning a ghost or evil spirit of the dead — a being very similar to a ghoul. In Hindu mythology, bhutas are the restless spirits of those who died violent or unnatural deaths, haunting cemeteries and dark places.

Preta

Origin: Sanskrit / Pali
Meaning: Hungry ghost, ghoul, departed evil spirit
Description: From the Sanskrit “preta” meaning a hungry ghost or ghoul — a being trapped between worlds, consuming insatiably. In both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, pretas are ghoul-like beings of the lowest supernatural realm who feed endlessly.

Yuurei

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Ghoul, ghost, dim spirit
Description: From the Japanese “yuurei” (幽霊) meaning a ghost or ghoul — a dim, pale spirit of the dead. In Japanese folklore, yuurei are the spirits of the dead who have not passed on, similar in nature to ghouls. A name rooted in Japanese supernatural tradition.

Gashadokuro

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Giant starving skeleton ghoul
Description: From the Japanese supernatural tradition, a gashadokuro is a massive ghoul-like skeleton spirit born from the bones of those who starved to death. One of the most fearsome ghoul-type creatures in Japanese folklore.

Gaki

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Hungry ghoul, hungry ghost
Description: From the Japanese “gaki” (餓鬼) meaning hungry ghost or ghoul — the Japanese Buddhist equivalent of the Sanskrit preta. Gaki are ghoul-like beings driven by insatiable hunger, haunting the boundary between the living and dead worlds.

Jikininki

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Human-eating ghoul, corpse-eating spirit
Description: From the Japanese “jikininki” (食人鬼) meaning a ghoul that eats human flesh and corpses. In Japanese Buddhist folklore, jikininki are the ghoulish spirits of greedy or selfish people cursed to consume the dead for eternity.

Yaksha

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Supernatural being, ghoul-like spirit
Description: From the Sanskrit “yaksha,” a class of supernatural beings in Hindu and Buddhist mythology that range from benevolent to ghoul-like and terrifying. The darker yakshas are directly associated with flesh consumption and haunting of wild places.

Rakshasa

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Demon, flesh-eating ghoul
Description: From the Sanskrit “rakshasa,” a powerful class of supernatural demons in Hindu mythology known for consuming human flesh — directly parallel to ghouls. Rakshasas haunt cemeteries and disrupt sacred rites, making them the closest Sanskrit equivalent to the Arabic ghoul.

Draugr

Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: Undead ghoul, revenant, walking corpse
Description: From Old Norse “draugr” meaning an undead creature or revenant — the Norse equivalent of a ghoul. Draugar are the reanimated corpses of the dead who rise to haunt and consume the living, directly parallel to the ghoul in Arabic folklore.

Strigoi

Origin: Romanian
Meaning: Ghoul, undead spirit, vampire-ghoul
Description: From Romanian folklore, a strigoi is a ghoul-like undead creature — a troublesome spirit of the dead that rises from the grave to consume life energy and haunt the living. The direct Romanian equivalent of the ghoul.

Vrykolakas

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Ghoul, undead revenant
Description: From Greek folklore, a vrykolakas is a ghoul-like undead being that rises from the grave to disturb and consume the living. The direct Greek supernatural equivalent of the ghoul, rooted in ancient Slavic and Greek folk belief.

Girl Names That Mean Ghoul

Ghula

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Female ghoul, she-demon
Description: The feminine form of “ghul” in Arabic, directly meaning a female ghoul or she-demon. In Arabic folklore, the ghula is a particularly dangerous shapeshifting female ghoul that lures travelers to their doom in the desert.

Ghulah

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Female ghoul, demoness of the desert
Description: A variant of Ghula, the feminine Arabic form of ghoul. The ghulah in Arab folklore is feared as a shapeshifter who appears as a beautiful woman to lure men before revealing her true ghoulish nature.

Algola

Origin: Arabic (feminine form of Algol)
Meaning: She of the ghoul star, daughter of the demon
Description: A feminine form derived from the Arabic star name Algol (Ra’s al-Ghul). As a feminine name, Algola carries the dark astronomical meaning of the ghoul’s star — mysterious, blinking, and associated with supernatural darkness.

Vetali

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Female ghoul, she who inhabits the dead
Description: The feminine form of Vetala in Sanskrit, meaning a female ghoul or spirit that inhabits corpses. In Hindu Tantric tradition, Vetali is also a name of a fierce goddess who commands the vetala ghouls.

Pishaachi

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Female flesh-eating demon, she-ghoul
Description: The feminine form of Pishacha, directly meaning a female flesh-eating demon or she-ghoul in Sanskrit. Pishaachis appear in Hindu mythology as female ghoulish demons haunting cremation grounds and consuming the dead.

Bhutini

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Female ghost, she-ghoul
Description: The feminine form of Bhuta in Sanskrit, meaning a female ghost or she-ghoul. In Hindu tradition, bhutinis are female ghoulish spirits of the dead that haunt dark and desolate places.

Pretika

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Female hungry ghost, she-ghoul
Description: A feminine Sanskrit form derived from “preta” (hungry ghost/ghoul). Pretika refers to a female ghoul-like being consumed by hunger and haunting the boundary between the living and the dead.

Yuurei (幽霊)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Female ghost, she-ghoul
Description: While Yuurei is used for both genders, the most iconic Japanese yuurei in folklore are female — long-haired female ghouls in white funeral garments who haunt those who wronged them. A name rooted in Japan’s most recognizable supernatural tradition.

Gashadokura

Origin: Japanese (feminine variant)
Meaning: Female skeleton ghoul
Description: A feminine variant form of the Japanese ghoul name Gashadokuro. Evokes the terrifying female ghoul-skeleton of Japanese supernatural tradition.

Gakijo

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Female hungry ghoul
Description: A feminine Japanese form derived from “gaki” (hungry ghoul). Gakijo refers to a female hungry ghoul in Japanese Buddhist supernatural tradition — a she-demon consumed by insatiable hunger.

Rakshasi

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Female demon ghoul, she-rakshasa
Description: The feminine form of Rakshasa, directly meaning a female flesh-eating demon or she-ghoul in Sanskrit. Rakshasis are among the most terrifying female supernatural creatures in Hindu mythology, consuming human flesh and haunting dark places.

Striga

Origin: Latin / Romanian
Meaning: Female ghoul, she-demon, screech owl spirit
Description: From the Latin “striga” meaning a witch or ghoulish female demon. Related to the Romanian strigoi, a striga is a ghoulish female supernatural being that feeds on life energy. One of the oldest documented names for a female ghoul-type creature in European tradition.

Lamia

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Female ghoul, child-devouring she-demon
Description: From Greek mythology, Lamia is a ghoulish queen cursed to devour children — a direct female ghoul archetype in ancient Greek supernatural tradition. Her name means a devouring ghoul or monster and has been used as a dark feminine name since antiquity.

Empusa

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Female ghoul, shapeshifting she-demon
Description: From Greek mythology, Empusa is a ghoulish female demon who shapeshifts and preys on travelers — the direct Greek female equivalent of the Arabic ghula. Her name is rooted in the ancient Greek tradition of female ghoul-type supernatural beings.

Mormo

Origin: Greek
Meaning: Female ghoul, child-eating she-demon
Description: From ancient Greek folklore, Mormo is a ghoulish female demon used to frighten children. Her name directly means a ghoul or terrifying female monster and is one of the oldest recorded names for a female ghoul figure in Western tradition.

Unisex Names That Mean Ghoul

Ghul

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Ghoul, evil spirit
Description: While the Arabic folklore distinguishes between the masculine ghul and feminine ghula, as a name Ghul is used as a unisex name element in some Arabic and Persian literary and fantasy naming traditions.

Vetala

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Ghoul, corpse spirit
Description: Used as a genuinely unisex name in dark-naming traditions rooted in Hindu and Sanskrit mythology. The vetala is a ghoul-like spirit that transcends gender in its supernatural form.

Bhuta

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Ghost, ghoul, evil spirit
Description: Used as a unisex name in South Asian traditions, particularly in regions where Hindu supernatural folklore is deeply embedded. Bhuta directly means a ghoulish spirit of the dead.

Gaki (餓鬼)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Hungry ghoul, hungry ghost
Description: Used as a unisex name element in Japanese dark and supernatural naming traditions. Gaki directly means a hungry ghoul and is recognized across both genders in Japanese Buddhist supernatural mythology.

Preta

Origin: Sanskrit / Pali
Meaning: Hungry ghost, ghoul
Description: Used as a unisex name in traditions influenced by Buddhist mythology where the preta — a hungry ghoul — is a significant supernatural category applying to beings of any origin regardless of gender.

Draugr

Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: Undead ghoul, revenant
Description: In Old Norse tradition, draugar could be of any gender. Used as a unisex name in Norse-inspired dark naming traditions, Draugr directly means an undead ghoulish revenant.

Japanese Names That Mean Ghoul

Yuurei (幽霊)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Ghoul, dim spirit, ghost
Description: Written with kanji “幽” (dim/hidden) and “霊” (spirit), yuurei is the primary Japanese word for a ghoul-like ghost. A deeply recognized supernatural being in Japanese folklore — the pale, haunting spirit of the unavenged dead.

Gaki (餓鬼)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Hungry ghoul, hungry ghost
Description: Written with “餓” (hungry/starving) and “鬼” (demon/ghost), gaki is the Japanese Buddhist ghoul — a being of insatiable hunger haunting the boundary of the living world. One of the most direct Japanese words for a ghoul.

Jikininki (食人鬼)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Human-eating ghoul
Description: Written with “食” (eat), “人” (human/person), and “鬼” (demon), jikininki means a ghoul that eats humans. One of the most specific Japanese names for a ghoul, directly meaning a corpse-eating supernatural being.

Oni (鬼)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Demon, ghoul, ogre
Description: Written with the kanji “鬼” meaning demon or ghoul. The oni is one of Japan’s most iconic supernatural creatures — a ghoulish horned demon associated with death, disease, and the supernatural underworld. Widely used as a name element in Japanese dark traditions.

Gashadokuro (餓者髑髏)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Starving skeleton ghoul
Description: Written with characters meaning starving/hungry being and skull/skeleton. The gashadokuro is a massive ghoul made from the bones of those who died of starvation, roaming at night to consume the living. One of Japan’s most fearsome ghoul-type supernatural beings.

Yomotsu-Shikome (黄泉醜女)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Ugly woman of the underworld, ghoul of Yomi
Description: From “Yomotsu” (黄泉, the underworld/Yomi) and “shikome” (醜女, ugly/hideous woman). In Japanese mythology, the Yomotsu-Shikome are the ghoulish hags of the underworld sent to pursue those who flee from Yomi — the Japanese land of the dead.

Kuchisake-Onna (口裂け女)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Slit-mouthed ghoul woman
Description: One of Japan’s most famous supernatural ghoul figures. Kuchisake-Onna is a ghoulish female spirit with a horrifically slashed mouth who haunts roads at night. Her name directly identifies her as one of the most recognizable ghoul characters in Japanese urban folklore.

Gashadokuro-Oni

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Skeleton demon ghoul
Description: A compound name combining the skeleton ghoul “gashadokuro” with “oni” (demon). Refers to the most powerful class of skeleton ghouls in Japanese supernatural tradition — a being of immense dark power.

Buruburu (震震)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Shivering ghoul, fear-inducing spirit
Description: From “buruburu” (震震) meaning trembling or shivering. A buruburu is a ghoul-like supernatural being in Japanese folklore that attaches itself to humans and causes them to shake with supernatural fear — a unique and verified Japanese ghoul name.

Dorotabo (泥田坊)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Mud-field ghoul, rice field demon
Description: From “doro” (mud/clay) and “tabo” (field spirit/old man). The dorotabo is a ghoulish spirit in Japanese folklore — a one-eyed ghoul that rises from neglected rice fields to haunt those who have abandoned the land.

Wanyudo (輪入道)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Wheel monk ghoul, fire wheel demon
Description: Written with “輪” (wheel) and “入道” (entering the way/monk), wanyudo is a ghoulish supernatural being in Japanese folklore — a burning wheel containing the face of a tormented man, rolling through the night consuming souls.

Kasha (火車)

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Fire cart ghoul, corpse-stealing demon
Description: Written with “火” (fire) and “車” (cart/vehicle). The kasha is a ghoulish supernatural being in Japanese folklore that steals and consumes corpses — one of the most direct ghoul equivalents in Japanese supernatural tradition, specifically defined by consuming the dead.

Last Names That Mean Ghoul

Ghoul

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Ghoul, demon
Description: Used as a surname in some Arabic-speaking communities and in literary traditions. As a family name, Ghoul directly identifies a lineage associated with the supernatural ghoul of Arabic folklore.

Ghulam

Origin: Arabic / Persian / Urdu
Meaning: Servant of the ghoul / young servant
Description: While primarily meaning “young servant” or “slave,” Ghulam in some interpretations contains the “ghul” root. Widely used as a surname across South Asia and the Arab world.

Al-Ghul

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: The ghoul, of the ghoul
Description: An Arabic surname directly meaning “the ghoul.” Known in popular culture through the Batman villain Ra’s al-Ghul (Head of the Ghoul), this surname is rooted in authentic Arabic supernatural naming tradition.

Algol

Origin: Arabic (astronomical)
Meaning: Head of the ghoul, demon star
Description: Used as a surname in European astronomical and literary traditions, rooted in the Arabic name for the demon star Ra’s al-Ghul. Algol as a family name carries the direct meaning of the ghoul’s head.

Oni

Origin: Japanese
Meaning: Demon, ghoul
Description: Used as a surname element in Japan. Families bearing names with the “oni” (鬼) kanji carry the direct meaning of demon or ghoul, rooted in Japan’s rich supernatural tradition of these horned ghoulish beings.

Vetala

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Ghoul, corpse spirit
Description: Used as a surname in some South Asian communities, particularly among those with dark literary or tantric naming traditions. Vetala as a family name directly identifies a lineage associated with the Sanskrit ghoul mythology.

Rakshasa

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Flesh-eating ghoul demon
Description: Used as a surname element in some South Asian communities and literary traditions. A family name bearing this meaning carries the weight of the most powerful flesh-eating ghoul class in Hindu mythology.

Draugr

Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: Undead ghoul, revenant
Description: Used as a surname in Norse-heritage and Scandinavian dark literary traditions. Draugr as a family name identifies a lineage associated with the most feared undead ghoul of Old Norse folklore.

Strigoi

Origin: Romanian
Meaning: Ghoul, undead
Description: Used as a surname in Romanian communities and in literary traditions rooted in Romanian supernatural folklore. Strigoi as a family name directly means ghoul or undead spirit.

Pishacha

Origin: Sanskrit
Meaning: Flesh-eating ghoul demon
Description: Used as a surname element in South Asian dark literary and tantric traditions. A family name with this root directly identifies association with the Sanskrit flesh-eating ghoul class of supernatural beings.

German Names That Mean Ghoul

Nachtzehrer

Origin: German
Meaning: Night ghoul, night devourer
Description: From “Nacht” (night) and “Zehrer” (devourer/consumer). The Nachtzehrer is a ghoulish supernatural being in German and Bavarian folklore — an undead creature that consumes its own burial shroud and the bodies of family members, the direct German equivalent of the ghoul.

Wiedergänger

Origin: German
Meaning: Revenant ghoul, one who walks again
Description: From “wieder” (again) and “Gänger” (walker/goer). A Wiedergänger is the German term for a revenant or undead ghoul — a dead person who rises from the grave to haunt and harm the living. The direct German equivalent of the ghoul.

Aufhocker

Origin: German
Meaning: Leaping ghoul, back-jumping demon
Description: From “auf” (up/on) and “hocker” (one who squats/jumps). The Aufhocker is a ghoulish supernatural being in German and Low German folklore that leaps onto the backs of travelers at night and grows heavier until they collapse — a unique and verified German ghoul.

Erdhexe

Origin: German
Meaning: Earth witch ghoul, ground demon
Description: From “Erd” (earth/ground) and “Hexe” (witch). An Erdhexe is a ghoulish earth-bound female demon in German folklore who rises from the ground at night — a female ghoul equivalent in the German supernatural tradition.

Nachtmahr

Origin: German
Meaning: Night ghoul, nightmare demon
Description: From “Nacht” (night) and “Mahr” (mare/demon). The Nachtmahr is a ghoulish night demon in German and Germanic folklore that sits on the chests of sleeping victims — the German equivalent of a ghoulish night spirit.

Totengeist

Origin: German
Meaning: Death ghost, ghoul spirit of the dead
Description: From “Toten” (of the dead) and “Geist” (ghost/spirit). A Totengeist is a ghoulish spirit of the dead in German supernatural tradition — a ghost that has turned malevolent and haunts the living in the manner of a ghoul.

Poltergeist

Origin: German
Meaning: Rumbling ghoul spirit, noisy ghost
Description: From “poltern” (to rumble/make noise) and “Geist” (ghost/spirit). While now internationally known, the Poltergeist is a specifically German ghoulish supernatural concept — a violent, disruptive spirit of the dead that terrorizes the living.

Wolpertinger

Origin: Bavarian German
Meaning: Supernatural ghoul creature of the forest
Description: A Wolpertinger is a ghoulish chimeric supernatural creature from Bavarian German folklore — a terrifying composite beast with elements of various animals, haunting the dark forests of Bavaria as a monstrous supernatural being.

Erlkönig

Origin: German
Meaning: Alder king, ghoulish supernatural king of the forest
Description: From “Erl” (alder tree) and “König” (king). The Erlkönig is a ghoulish supernatural being in German folklore and poetry — a menacing king of the spirits who snatches away children in the night. Immortalized in Goethe’s famous poem.

Teufel

Origin: German
Meaning: Devil, ghoulish demon
Description: The German word for devil or demon, used as a name in dark German literary tradition. Teufel identifies the most powerful class of ghoulish supernatural beings in German religious and folk tradition.

Nachtalb

Origin: Old High German
Meaning: Night elf ghoul, dark supernatural being
Description: From “Nacht” (night) and “Alb” (elf/nightmare spirit). In Old High German supernatural tradition, a Nachtalb is a ghoulish dark elf or nightmare spirit — a being that haunts the night and brings supernatural terror to the living.

Schreckgespenst

Origin: German
Meaning: Terror ghost, ghoulish terrifying spirit
Description: From “Schreck” (terror/fright) and “Gespenst” (ghost/specter). A Schreckgespenst is a ghoulish terrifying apparition in German supernatural tradition — a ghost so monstrous and terrifying that it crosses into ghoul territory in its capacity for horror.