Ancient Witch Names: 200+ Real Historical, Folklore & Old-World Names (With Meanings)

✅ Updated October 2026

Many “witch names” you find online were real people’s names recorded in 17th-century trial documents. Others come from myths thousands of years old. This guide collects 200+ ancient witch names with origins, meanings, and the stories behind them.

Whether you are a writer building a historical character, a gamer naming a D&D witch, a baby-name hunter looking for something old-world, or a witchcraft enthusiast exploring the roots — you will find what you need below.

We drew on historical trial records, mythology, folklore, and old language sources to bring you names that carry real weight. The sections below cover Salem trials, European witch hunts, Greek and Celtic mythology, Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon traditions, and more.

Table of Contents

What Makes a Name an “Ancient Witch Name”?

“Ancient” in search usually means old, historical, or mythic — not literally prehistoric. An ancient witch name is one that appears in real historical records, survives in folklore and mythology, or comes from an old language root like Anglo-Saxon, Old Norse, or Celtic.

We cover three sources below: real trial records from the 1500s-1700s, folklore and mythology from cultures worldwide, and old language roots including Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic traditions. Each name includes its origin and meaning so you can choose with confidence.

Ancient Witch Names by Meaning (Dark, Wise, Nature, Moon & Spirit)

People searching for ancient witch names often want names that mean something. Below are 40 names grouped by theme, each with a one-line meaning.

Dark and Shadow Names:

Name	Origin	Meaning
Morrigan	Celtic	Phantom queen; goddess of war and fate
Nyx	Greek	Goddess of night; daughter of Chaos
Lamia	Greek	Child-devouring demon; queen of Libya
Mara	Buddhist	Demoness of temptation and death
Badb	Irish	Crow goddess of battle and war
Lilith	Hebrew	Night demon; Adam’s first wife
Erinyes	Greek	Furies; spirits of vengeance
Alecto	Greek	Fury who never stops punishing
Tisiphone	Greek	Fury of murder and retribution
Megaera	Greek	Fury of jealousy

Wise and Knowledge Names:

Name	Origin	Meaning
Hecate	Greek	Goddess of witchcraft and crossroads
Circe	Greek	Enchantress; daughter of the sun
Medea	Greek	Sorceress; “plans, counsel, cunning”
Minerva	Roman	Goddess of wisdom and strategic war
Hermione	Greek	Follower of Hermes; magical messenger
Sybil	Greek	Prophetess; oracle of the ancient world
Merlin	Celtic	Legendary wizard; “sea fortress”
Taliesin	Welsh	Legendary bard; “radiant brow”
Myrrdin	Welsh	Arthurian wizard; Merlin’s prototype
Odin	Norse	Allfather; god of wisdom and magic

Nature and Earth Names:

Name	Origin	Meaning
Diana	Roman	Goddess of the hunt and moon
Artemis	Greek	Goddess of wilderness and wild animals
Gaia	Greek	Primordial earth mother
Persephone	Greek	Queen of the underworld; spring’s return
Demeter	Greek	Goddess of harvest and grain
Brigid	Celtic	Goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft
Cerridwen	Welsh	Goddess of wisdom and the cauldron
Arianrhod	Welsh	Goddess of the silver wheel and stars
Danu	Celtic	Mother goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann
Skadi	Norse	Goddess of winter and mountains

Moon and Spirit Names:

Name	Origin	Meaning
Selene	Greek	Goddess of the moon
Luna	Roman	Moon goddess
Diana	Roman	Twin sister of the moon
Isis	Egyptian	Goddess of magic and motherhood
Hekate	Greek	Torch-bearing moon witch
Artemis	Greek	Moon and huntress
Kali	Hindu	Goddess of time and destruction
Phoebe	Greek	Radiant one; moon titan
Arianrhod	Welsh	Silver wheel of the stars
Ceridwen	Welsh	Moon and cauldron of wisdom

Salem Witch Trial Names (Real Names)

The Salem witch trials of 1692 produced the most documented list of old witch names in English-speaking history. These were real people — innocent victims of mass hysteria. Twenty were executed. Over 200 were accused.

Executed Salem “Witches” (Real Names):

Name	Year	Outcome
Bridget Bishop	1692	First executed; June 10, 1692
Sarah Good	1692	Hanged July 19, 1692
Rebecca Nurse	1692	71-year-old grandmother; July 19
Susannah Martin	1692	Hanged July 19, 1692
Elizabeth How	1692	Hanged July 19, 1692
Sarah Wildes	1692	Hanged July 19, 1692
George Burroughs	1692	Former minister; Aug 19
Martha Carrier	1692	Hanged August 19, 1692
John Proctor	1692	Featured in The Crucible
George Jacobs	1692	Hanged August 19, 1692
John Willard	1692	Hanged August 19, 1692
Martha Corey	1692	Church member, age 72
Mary Easty	1692	Sister of Rebecca Nurse
Alice Parker	1692	Hanged September 22
Mary Parker	1692	Hanged September 22
Ann Pudeator	1692	Hanged September 22
Margaret Scott	1692	Hanged September 22
Wilmott Redd	1692	Hanged September 22
Samuel Wardwell	1692	Hanged September 22
Giles Corey	1692	Pressed to death

Other Notable Salem Accused:

Name	Role	Note
Tituba	Accused	Caribbean slave; first to confess
Sarah Osborne	Accused	Died in prison
Sarah Cloyce	Accused	Sister of Rebecca Nurse
Dorcas Good	Accused	4-year-old daughter of Sarah Good
Elizabeth Proctor	Accused	Wife of John Proctor
Mary Warren	Accused	Proctor servant
Abigail Hobbs	Accused	Confessed witch
Mary Bradbury	Accused	Fled and escaped
Elizabeth Hubbard	Accuser	Key witness
Ann Putnam Jr.	Accuser	12-year-old accuser

Pendle & English Witch Trial Names (1612–1647)

The Pendle witch trials of 1612 and the East Anglia trials under Matthew Hopkins (1644-1647) produced some of the most documented witch trial records in English history.

Pendle Witch Trials (1612):

Name	Known As	Fate
Elizabeth Southerns	“Demdike”	Died in prison
Anne Whittle	“Chattox”	Hanged Aug 20, 1612
Alizon Device	Demdike’s granddaughter	Hanged Aug 20, 1612
Elizabeth Device	Demdike’s daughter	Hanged Aug 20, 1612
James Device	Demdike’s grandson	Hanged Aug 20, 1612
Anne Redferne	Chattox’s daughter	Hanged Aug 20, 1612
Alice Nutter	Wealthy gentlewoman	Hanged Aug 20, 1612
Katherine Hewitt	“Mould-heels”	Hanged Aug 20, 1612
John Bulcock	Young farmer	Hanged Aug 20, 1612
Jane Bulcock	John’s mother	Hanged Aug 20, 1612

East Anglia Witch Trials (Hopkins, 1644-1647):

Name	Note
Elizabeth Clarke	First accused by Hopkins
Anne Leech	Accused and executed
Anne West	Accused and executed
Helen Clarke	Accused and executed
Margaret Moone	Accused and executed
Rose Hallybread	Accused and executed
Mary Foster	Accused and executed
Joan Cariden	Accused and executed
Mary Bush	Accused and executed
Margery Sparham	Accused and executed

European Witch Trial Names (German, French, Basque & Scottish)

Witch trials across Europe produced thousands of accused witches. The records survive in multiple languages and spellings.

German Witch Trial Names (Würzburg, 1626-1631)

Name	Note
Maria Renata Singer	Executed 1626
Anna Maria Schwägelin	Executed 1628
Catharina Henot	Executed 1627
Walpurga Hausmännin	Executed 1587
Helena Curtens	Executed 1626
Maria Pauer	Executed 1626
Agnes Bernauer	Executed 1435
Apollonia Mayr	Executed 1629

French Witch Names

Name	Note
Catherine Monvoisin	“La Voisin”; executed 1680
Marguerite de Naples	Accused; 17th century
Madeleine Bavent	Accused; 17th century
Marthe Brossier	Accused; 1617
Jehanne d’Arc	Joan of Arc; executed 1431
Catherine Deshayes	Accused; 1680

Basque Witch Trial Names (1609)

Name	Note
Maria de Ximildegui	Accused; Logroño trials
Maria de Endara	Accused; Logroño trials
Graciana de Barrenechea	Accused; Logroño trials
Estevania de Petriçena	Accused; Logroño trials
Maria de Yriarte	Accused; Logroño trials

Scottish Witch Trial Names

Name	Note
Agnes Sampson	North Berwick trials, 1590
Geillis Duncan	North Berwick, 1590
Isobel Gowdie	Confessed witch, 1662
Bessie Dunlop	Lyne, Ayrshire, 1576
Janet Boyman	Edinburgh, 1572
Marion Pardon	Scottish trial, 1644

Ancient Witch Goddess & Mythology Names (Greek, Celtic, Slavic & Egyptian)

Searchers who want “ancient” names expect mythology. These names come from Greek, Celtic, Slavic, and Egyptian traditions — each with centuries of history behind them.

Name	Culture	Role	Meaning
Hecate	Greek	Goddess of witchcraft, crossroads	“She who works from afar”
Circe	Greek	Enchantress, daughter of the sun	“Hawk” or “circle”
Medea	Greek	Sorceress, Colchis	“Plans, counsel, cunning”
Morgan le Fay	Celtic	Arthurian sorceress	“Born of the sea”
Baba Yaga	Slavic	Witch of the forest	“Old woman” or “horror grandmother”
Isis	Egyptian	Goddess of magic	“Throne” or “woman of magic”
Kali	Hindu	Goddess of destruction	“Black one” or “time”
Morrigan	Celtic	Phantom queen of war	“Great queen”
Nyx	Greek	Goddess of night	“Night”
Lamia	Greek	Child-devouring demon	“Gullet” or “throat”
Medusa	Greek	Gorgon; snake-haired	“Guardian” or “ruler”
Scylla	Greek	Sea monster	“She who rends”
Echidna	Greek	Mother of monsters	“Viper” or “she-serpent”
Persephone	Greek	Queen of the underworld	“Bringer of destruction”
Demeter	Greek	Goddess of harvest	“Earth mother”
Artemis	Greek	Goddess of hunt and moon	“Safe” or “butcher”
Selene	Greek	Goddess of the moon	“Moon”
Hekate	Greek	Torch-bearing moon witch	“Far-reaching”
Brigid	Celtic	Goddess of poetry and healing	“Exalted one”
Cerridwen	Welsh	Goddess of wisdom	“Crooked woman” or “blessed”
Danu	Celtic	Mother goddess	“Flowing one”
Arianrhod	Welsh	Goddess of the silver wheel	“Silver wheel”
Skadi	Norse	Goddess of winter	“Shadow” or “harm”
Freya	Norse	Goddess of love and magic	“Lady”
Hel	Norse	Queen of the underworld	“Hidden one”
Angrboda	Norse	Mother of monsters	“Bringer of grief”
Louhi	Finnish	Witch of the north	“Witch” or “sorceress”

Folkloric Old Witch Names

These names come from folk tales and legends — the hag, crone, and cunning-folk traditions that shaped the witch archetype.

Name	Culture	Origin
Baba Yaga	Slavic	Witch who lives in a chicken-legged hut
Mother Holle	Germanic	“Frau Holle”; fairy tale witch
La Befana	Italian	Epiphany witch who delivers gifts
Baba Roga	South Slavic	Variant of Baba Yaga
Black Annis	English Midlands	Blue-faced hag who eats children
Cailleach	Scottish/Irish	Winter hag; “veiled one”
Jenny Greenteeth	English	River hag who drowns children
Nelly Long-Arms	English	Swamp witch with long arms
Peg Powler	English	River spirit of the River Tees
Mother Shipton	Yorkshire	Prophet witch (1488-1561)
Bloody Mary	Mirror folklore	Spirit summoned in mirrors
Strega Nona	Italian	“Grandma Witch”; pasta story
The Wicked Witch	Brothers Grimm	Fairy tale archetype
The Old Crone	Universal	Classic fairy tale hag
Frau Trude	German	“Grimm” fairy tale witch
Mother Hubbard	English	Nursery rhyme witch
Hagedame	Germanic	“Old woman”; generic witch title
Hexe	German	Simply means “witch”
Venefica	Latin	“Witch who uses poisons”
Strega	Italian	Simply means “witch”

Old English, Anglo-Saxon & Old Norse Magical Names

Anglo-Saxon, Old Norse, and Old English sources give us witch-related words and names from before the witch hunts began. These traditions had their own terms for magical practitioners.

Old English & Anglo-Saxon Magical Names:

Name	Meaning
Wynflæd	“Joy” + “beauty”; feminine name
Æthelflæd	“Noble” + “beauty”; princess and leader
Eadgyth	“Prosperity” + “war”; feminine name
Cwen	“Queen” or “woman”; powerful feminine term
Hild	“Battle”; common in compound names
Mildþryð	“Gentle” + “strength”; feminine name
Osgyð	“God” + “gift”; feminine name
Sigewine	“Victory” + “friend”; feminine name
Wulfgifu	“Wolf” + “gift”; feminine name
Æthelwynn	“Noble” + “joy”; feminine name
Beornwynn	“Bear” + “joy”; feminine name
Cyneswith	“Royal” + “strong”; feminine name
Eadburh	“Prosperity” + “fortress”; feminine name
Frithswith	“Peace” + “strong”; feminine name
Heahburh	“High” + “fortress”; feminine name
Leofgifu	“Dear” + “gift”; feminine name
Sæthryð	“Sea” + “strength”; feminine name
Wærburh	“Truth” + “fortress”; feminine name
Wulfthryð	“Wolf” + “strength”; feminine name

Old Norse & Viking Magical Names:

Name	Meaning
Gullveig	“Gold” + “strength”; burned three times in the Eddas
Heiðr	“Fame” or “bright”; Norse seer name
Hyndla	“Bitch” or “she-dog”; giantess seer
Þorbjörg	“Thor” + “save”; seeress
Gróa	“Growth”; sorceress in the Eddas
Sigrdrífa	“Victory” + “driver”; valkyrie and seer
Brynhildr	“Armor” + “battle”; valkyrie
Guðrún	“God” + “rune”; wise woman
Þuríðr	“Thor” + “beautiful”; seeress
Þórdís	“Thor” + “goddess”; feminine name
Hrefna	“raven”; wise woman
Helga	“Holy” or “blessed”; feminine name
Frigg	“Beloved”; goddess of marriage and prophecy
Sif	“Kinship”; goddess of earth and harvest

The Norse tradition called female seers völva (staff-bearer) and practitioners of sorcery seiðkona. Male practitioners were seiðmaðr. These terms appear in sagas and Eddic poetry.

Vintage & Victorian Witch Names

The Victorian era (1837-1901) revived interest in witchcraft and produced fictional witch characters with distinctive period names. These names sound formal, dated, and authentic for any 1800s-set story.

Name	Era	Note
Cornelia	Victorian	Formal, old-fashioned charm
Wilhelmina	Victorian	Grand and slightly stern
Augusta	Victorian	Regal and imposing
Prudence	Puritan/Victorian	Virtue name; witchy by contrast
Hephzibah	Victorian	Biblical; very period-specific
Mehitable	Victorian	Puritan virtue name
Mercy	Puritan	Virtue name; common in trials
Patience	Puritan	Virtue name; witchy edge
Constance	Victorian	Steady and formal
Verity	Puritan	“Truth”; virtue name
Temperance	Puritan	Virtue name; witchy contrast
Honora	Victorian	“Dignity”; old-fashioned
Deliverance	Puritan	Virtue name; very period
Comfort	Puritan	Virtue name; ironic for a witch
Silence	Puritan	Virtue name; witchy by nature
Remember	Puritan	Virtue name; haunting quality
Endurance	Victorian	Virtue name; strong character
Faith	Puritan	Virtue name; classic witch name
Charity	Puritan	Virtue name; warm but old
Agatha	Victorian	“Good”; saint and witch name

Male & Gender-Neutral Ancient Witch Names (Warlocks, Wizards & Cunning Men)

Men were also accused of witchcraft in historical trials. The Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon traditions had specific terms for male practitioners.

Name	Origin	Meaning
Odin	Norse	Allfather; god of wisdom and magic
Merlin	Celtic	“Sea fortress”; legendary wizard
Myrrdin	Welsh	Arthurian wizard; Merlin’s prototype
Taliesin	Welsh	“Radiant brow”; legendary bard
Gwydion	Welsh	“Born of trees”; magician and trickster
Math	Welsh	“Chief”; god of magic
Merlin	Arthurian	The archetypal wizard
Prospero	Shakespeare	“The Tempest” wizard
Gandalf	Norse/Tolkien	“Wand-elf”; staff-bearing wizard
Morgan le Fay	Celtic	“Can be male or female”; Arthurian sorceress
Dracula	Romanian	“Dragon” or “devil”; historical figure
Faust	German	Scholar who made a pact with the devil
Nostradamus	French	Famous prophet and seer
John Dee	English	Real Elizabethan magician and scholar
Aleister Crowley	English	“The Great Beast”; modern occultist

The Old English term for a male witch was wicca (the root of the modern word “witch”). Male practitioners in Norse tradition were called seiðmaðr. In Scotland, male witches were called warlocks — though this term is debated by historians.

For more male character naming ideas, check out our male character names guide.

How to Choose and Use an Ancient Witch Name in Your Writing

Using real historical witch names in fiction requires thought. Here are four approaches depending on your story’s needs.

Option 1: Use the Real Name (Most Authentic). For historical fiction set in 1692 Salem, using the real name “Bridget Bishop” or “Rebecca Nurse” honors the actual victim and gives your story real weight. Best when writing about the trials themselves.

Option 2: Adapt the Name Slightly. For fictional characters inspired by historical figures, slight modifications create distance. “Bridget Bishop” might become “Bridget Bishopwood” or simply “Bridget.” The reader gets the period feel without appropriating a real person’s tragedy.

Option 3: Combine Real First + Period Surname. Combine a documented witch trial first name (Rebecca, Sarah, Martha, Elizabeth) with a fictional period-appropriate surname. “Rebecca Thornhallow” or “Martha Greycloak” feel authentic without copying real victims.

Option 4: Use Folkloric Names Freely. Folkloric names like Baba Yaga, Mother Holle, and Black Annis belong to public folklore. You can use them freely without copying any real person’s identity.

For more naming inspiration, check out our nicknames for Charlie guide.

Common Mistakes With Old Witch Names

Three mistakes writers make with historical witch names — and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Treating Real Victims as Villains. The women executed at Salem and Pendle were innocent victims of mass hysteria. Naming a villain “Bridget Bishop” or “Rebecca Nurse” misrepresents real human suffering. Use these names with respect — for sympathetic characters or historical accuracy, not for cardboard villains.

Mistake 2: Mixing Eras Without Research. A 1692 Salem witch with a Victorian-era name like “Wilhelmina” reads as historically wrong. Match the name to the actual period of your story. Puritan-era names (Mercy, Patience, Faith) work for 1600s settings, while Victorian names work for 1800s.

Mistake 3: Anglicizing Foreign Names. Changing “Walpurga Hausmännin” to “Walburga Houseman” loses the cultural authenticity. If your character is German, French, or Spanish, keep the original spelling. It respects the culture and gives your story real flavor.

Ancient Witch Name Generator: Mix-and-Match Formula

Every great name is a combination. Here is a simple formula you can use to create your own ancient witch name.

Formula 1: [First Name] + [Epithet]

Examples:

First Name	Epithet	Result
Hester	the Grey	Hester the Grey
Morwenna	Blackthorn	Morwenna Blackthorn
Agnes	Moonvale	Agnes Moonvale
Wynflæd	of the Hollow	Wynflæd of the Hollow
Rowena	Thornhallow	Rowena Thornhallow
Sybil	Duskwater	Sybil Duskwater
Isolde	Fenmoor	Isolde Fenmoor
Brynhildr	Ironveil	Brynhildr Ironveil
Guðrún	the Wise	Guðrún the Wise
Cerridwen	of the Cauldron	Cerridwen of the Cauldron

Formula 2: [Period Name] + [Occupational Surname]

Examples: Martha Greycloak, Rebecca Thornhallow, Agnes Moonvale, Hester Blackwood, Elizabeth Ravensong.

Formula 3: [Element] + [Nature Noun]

Examples: Nightshade, Moonwhisper, Emberthorn, Frostbriar, Shadowfen, Stormroot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most famous ancient witch name?

Hecate is widely considered the most famous ancient witch name. She is the Greek goddess of witchcraft, crossroads, and the underworld — appearing in texts from the 8th century BC onward. Other famous names include Circe, Medea, Morgan le Fay, and Baba Yaga from their respective traditions.

What were common names of accused witches in Salem?

Common Salem witch trial names include Bridget Bishop, Rebecca Nurse, Sarah Good, Susannah Martin, Martha Corey, and Tituba. These were real people accused during the 1692 trials in colonial Massachusetts. Over 200 people were accused; twenty were executed.

What does Hecate mean?

Hecate comes from the Greek Hekátē, meaning “she who works from afar” or “far-reaching.” She is the goddess of witchcraft, crossroads, ghosts, and the moon. In Greek mythology, she is depicted as a triple goddess — maiden, mother, and crone — making her one of the most powerful witch figures in ancient mythology.

Are Salem witch names public record?

Yes. Salem witch trial records are public historical documents. The court records, depositions, and trial transcripts are archived in the Massachusetts State Archives and available online through university databases and historical societies.

Can men be witches?

Yes. Historically, men were also accused of witchcraft — especially in European trials. The Old English word wicca was the male form of witch. In Norse tradition, male practitioners were called seiðmaðr. Famous male witch figures include Merlin, Faust, John Dee, and Odin himself.

What is the oldest known witch name?

One of the oldest documented witch-related names is Erichtho, a Thessalian witch in Lucan’s Pharsalia (Roman, 1st century AD). Classical sources name Circe and Medea from Greek mythology as the earliest “witch” figures, dating to at least the 8th century BC.

Final Thoughts

Ancient witch names come from three rich sources: real trial records from the 1600s, mythology and folklore spanning thousands of years, and old-language roots from Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic traditions.

If you are naming your witch specifically for Halloween and want names that will make the whole party laugh, our guide to funny witch names for Halloween has over 250 hilariously themed options organized by humor style, party impact, and group costume sets.

Pick a name that fits the era and culture of your character or project. A Salem witch belongs in 1692 Massachusetts. A Norse seiðkona belongs in a Viking-age setting. A Greek witch like Circe belongs in the world of Homeric epic.

And remember — many of these names belonged to real people who suffered and died in the witch trials. Use them with respect.

What is your favourite ancient witch name from this list? Share it in the comments below, or explore our funny girl names guide for more naming inspiration.

More fantasy & character names ideas:

Browse every pick on the fantasy & character names hub — updated weekly.

Noah Callister

Noah Callister is the founder of Naimez.com — a names resource he built after spending three frustrating weeks searching for a reliable name for his nephew. He covers everything from baby names to team names, with accuracy as the only standard that matters.