Banshee Name Generator

Keening spirits from Irish and Scottish folklore

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Generate banshee names rooted in Irish and Scottish legend: Gaelic women's names with mourning epithets, family banshees like the Bean Sí of the O'Neills, washer-at-the-ford figures, and invented dark fantasy names for games and fiction.

About banshee names

The banshee is the bean sí, the woman of the fairy mound, and in Irish tradition she is rarely nameless. The old families each had their own: Aibell of Craig Liath keened for the Dál gCais and the O'Briens, Clíodhna for the MacCarthys, Áine for the Fitzgeralds of Knockainey, and Úna for the O'Carrolls. Beyond those named spirits she is known by what she does, so many banshee names are descriptions: the Keener, the Washer at the Ford (the Scottish bean nighe, seen scrubbing the grave clothes of the soon-to-die), the Woman of the Mound, the Grey Lady, the Hag of the Mist, or simply the banshee of the O'Neills.

When a story needs a personal name, the right sound is Gaelic. Irish names like Gráinne, Sadhbh, Eithne, Fionnuala and Gormlaith, and Scottish ones like Morag, Beathag and Oighrig, carry the age and place of the legend, and the Ní form (Aoife Ní Bhriain, daughter of O'Brien) ties a spirit to the family she mourns. Epithets drawn from her traditional marks, the silver comb, the long white or red hair, the grey cloak, the three cries and the keen, turn a plain name into a banshee.

This list mixes named banshees of legend, family and castle banshees, Gaelic name-and-epithet pairings, washer and keener titles, and invented dark-fantasy names for tabletop monsters, video game characters and horror fiction.

How to choose banshee names

  • Tie the banshee to a family or a place: Banshee of the Kavanaghs, the Keener of Lough Gur or Sadhbh Ní Shúilleabháin says more about her than any spooky-sounding invented word.
  • Use Gaelic given names for folklore accuracy and check pronunciation so readers hear them right: Sadhbh is SIVE, Gráinne is GRAWN-ya, Clíodhna is CLEE-na, Aoibheann is AY-veen, Niamh is NEEV.
  • Build epithets from the traditional signs rather than generic horror words: the silver comb, wet or long hair, a grey cloak, red eyes from weeping, the three cries and the washing of shrouds are the details Irish and Scottish listeners would recognise.
  • For a game monster or a named boss, combine a soft Gaelic first name with a harsh compound surname (Caoilfhionn Nightsinger, Morvaine Duskthroat) so the name still reads as a woman, not just a wailing effect.
  • Remember that a traditional banshee is not evil; she mourns and warns. Names like Brónach the Sorrowful or the Mourner Under the Hawthorn fit the folklore, while names that scream villainy belong to the modern video-game version.

Frequently asked questions

Do banshees have names in Irish folklore?

Some do. Aibell (Aoibheall) of Craig Liath is the banshee of the Dál gCais and the O'Briens, Clíodhna keens for the MacCarthys of Munster, Áine of Knockainey is linked to the Fitzgeralds and Úna to the O'Carrolls. Most others are known only by titles such as the bean chaointe (keening woman), the Woman of the Mound or the banshee of a particular family, and the Scottish bean nighe, the washer at the ford, is a close cousin.

Are banshee names always female?

Yes, in tradition. Bean sí literally means woman of the sídhe, the fairy mounds, and she appears as a maiden, a matron or a crone, which is why all the names here are women's names or feminine titles. A male equivalent does not exist in Irish or Scottish folklore, though the Welsh cyhyraeth is a disembodied wail with no fixed sex.

Which families have banshees?

Folklore says the banshee follows the old Gaelic families whose names begin with O' or Mac, such as the O'Neills, O'Briens, O'Connors, O'Gradys, O'Donnells, MacCarthys and Kavanaghs, plus a few Norman houses that went native like the Fitzgeralds and Butlers. Castles such as Dunluce, Leap and Bunratty have their own banshee stories, so a name like Banshee of the O'Sullivans or Banshee of Dunluce is authentic.

Can I use these names for D&D, World of Warcraft or a horror story?

Yes. The folkloric names and titles are public domain and the invented pairings are free to use. For a D&D or Pathfinder banshee, pick a Gaelic name with an epithet (Orlaith Ashenveil); for a WoW-style banshee or a video game boss, the harsher invented names (Vaeloreth Keen, Isaveth Hollowshriek) fit better; for horror fiction, a plain name with a family tie (Máire Ní Bhriain the Keener) is the most chilling.

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All 500 banshee names

This is the complete list the generator above draws its random batches from, sorted A to Z and grouped by first letter.

Plain text, one name per line.

A: 27 names

  • Agnes Hollowbell
  • Agnes Mistwail
  • Aibell of Craig Liath
  • Aífe of the Shadow Isle
  • Ailbhe Ní Bhrádaigh
  • Ailbhe Whitewail
  • Ailionóra of the Grey Tower
  • Ailís Greyveil
  • Ailsa Drownedcomb
  • Áine of Knockainey
  • Aisling Ní Chinnéide
  • Aisling of the Black Rath
  • Aislinn Dreadkeen
  • Alison Greyshriek
  • Amaris Mourningford
  • Angharad Mistwail
  • Annabel Paleford
  • Anu of the Paps
  • Aoibh Ashenthroat
  • Aoibheann of the Lonely Rath
  • Aoibhinn of the Dál gCais
  • Aoife Ní Bhriain
  • Aoife of the Thorn Fort
  • Aoife Rua
  • Ashen Clíodhna
  • Ashwail
  • Aveline Hollowwake

B: 54 names

  • Badb Catha
  • Bairbre Mournthorn
  • Bán the White
  • Banba Greyshroud
  • Banshee of Bunratty
  • Banshee of Charleville
  • Banshee of Dunluce
  • Banshee of Glenveagh
  • Banshee of Kilkea
  • Banshee of Leap Castle
  • Banshee of Loftus Hall
  • Banshee of Lough Gur
  • Banshee of Rathfarnham
  • Banshee of the Burkes
  • Banshee of the Fitzgeralds
  • Banshee of the Kavanaghs
  • Banshee of the MacNamaras
  • Banshee of the O'Connors
  • Banshee of the O'Donnells
  • Banshee of the O'Flahertys
  • Banshee of the O'Gradys
  • Banshee of the O'Reillys
  • Banshee of the O'Sullivans
  • Banshee of the Rock of Cashel
  • Barbara Hollowcomb
  • Bean Nighe of Glen Affric
  • Bean Nighe of Glen Coe

B, continued

  • Bean Nighe of Loch Lomond
  • Bean Nighe of Loch Ness
  • Bean Nighe of Loch Tay
  • Bean Nighe of Mull
  • Bean Nighe of Skye
  • Bean Nighe of the Spey
  • Bean Sí of the O'Briens
  • Bean Sí of the O'Neills
  • Beathag Greycomb
  • Beatrix Mournhollow
  • Bébhinn Greythroat
  • Bessie Coldwail
  • Bláithín Paleshroud
  • Bláthnaid Ní Ghráda
  • Bláthnaid of the Broken Ford
  • Bláthnat Sorrowcomb
  • Boann of the Drowned Well
  • Brannagh Saltweep
  • Branwen Duskshroud
  • Bríd of the Wake
  • Brigid Ashenkeen
  • Brigid of the Salt Marsh
  • Brónach Bhán
  • Brónach Nightthroat
  • Brónach the Sorrowful
  • Bronagh Wailford
  • Bronwen Rhibyn

C: 36 names

  • Caelwyn Greywail
  • Cailleach Bhéarra
  • Cailleach Greycomb
  • Caitlín Ashenkeen
  • Caoilfhionn Ní Bhaoill
  • Caoilfhionn Nightsinger
  • Caoimhe Hollowcry
  • Caoimhe Ní Chaomhánaigh
  • Caoineach Liath
  • Caoineag of Glen Etive
  • Caoineag of Glen Shiel
  • Caoineag of Rannoch Moor
  • Caoineag of the MacDonalds
  • Caointe Ashbell
  • Caointe of the Hazel Well
  • Caointeach of Islay
  • Caointeach of Lochaber
  • Carman Duskwail
  • Carmilla Duskwail
  • Carys Mournstone
  • Catrìona Nightwail
  • Cessair's Keener
  • Ciannait Duskveil
  • Ciara Mistcomb
  • Ciara of the Black Lough
  • Clíodhna Ní Chárthaigh
  • Clíodhna of the MacCarthys
  • Clodagh Mournwater
  • Cold Sorcha
  • Cordelia Nightkeen
  • Créd of the Hollow Bell
  • Crone of the Black Thorn
  • Crone of the Cairn Road
  • Crone of the Last Breath
  • Crone of the Salt Road
  • Cuimhne the Remembered

D: 22 names

  • Dáirine Hollowfen
  • Dáirine Stonewail
  • Damhnait Paleshroud
  • Dearbháil Duskcomb
  • Dearbháil Ní Chuinn
  • Deirbhile Greycomb
  • Deirdre Ní Bhroin
  • Deirdre of the Sorrows
  • Derbforgaill Palewail
  • Derdriu Hollowcry
  • Derval Greyshroud
  • Doireann Mourncairn
  • Dolorosa
  • Dolorosa of Kilkea
  • Dorcha Greywail
  • Dorcha Rua
  • Drowned Méabh
  • Dubh Sorrowcry
  • Dubh the Dark
  • Dubheasa Darkwater
  • Duibheasa Nightkeen
  • Duskwail

E: 27 names

  • Éabha of the Broken Cairn
  • Éadaoin of the Three Fords
  • Ealasaid Hollowkeen
  • Ealga Mistfen
  • Eavan Wailmoor
  • Efa Mistkeen
  • Eilidh of the Grey Strand
  • Eilís Frostcomb
  • Eilís of the Lantern Bog
  • Eimear Hollowwake
  • Eithne Liath
  • Eithne Ní Fhlaithbheartaigh
  • Eithne Wailwater
  • Elen Cairnthroat
  • Elowen Cairnmourn
  • Elspet Duskshroud
  • Elspeth Keenwater
  • Eluned Cairnweep
  • Emer Palewail
  • Enya Sorrowfen
  • Ériu of the Three Sorrows
  • Ernmas Hollowthroat
  • Étaín Echraide
  • Étaín of the Mist
  • Etan Ashenthroat
  • Euphame Mistcomb
  • Evangeline Duskmere

F: 16 names

  • Fainche Coldcomb
  • Fainche Duskwater
  • Fand of the Grey Sea
  • Fedelm of the Grey Mere
  • Fenella Wailmoor
  • Fenna Wraithcry
  • Fiadh of the Wild Keen
  • Findabair Greycomb
  • Fíona Greywater
  • Fíona Saltshroud
  • Fíonnait Duskwater
  • Fionnghuala Frostkeen
  • Fionnuala Ní Cheallaigh
  • Fionnuala Swanmourn
  • Fódla Mournwater
  • Fuar the Cold One

G: 23 names

  • Garbh Ogh
  • Gelgéis Mournwater
  • Generys Mournfen
  • Genevieve Shroudwater
  • Gheneva Wraithcomb
  • Glenys Hollowcry
  • Gobnait of the Hollow Oak
  • Gormflaith of the Wake
  • Gormlaith Greyshroud
  • Gormlaith Ní Mhaolmhuaidh
  • Gráinne Dubh
  • Gráinne Ní Chonchúir
  • Gráinne Ní Mháille's Keener
  • Gráinne of the Grey Hollow
  • Grey Mór
  • Grey Woman of Dunmore
  • Grian Duskwail
  • Grian Greyshade
  • Grizel Mournbog
  • Gwendolyn Sorrowmere
  • Gwenllian Hollowfen
  • Gwladys Paleweep
  • Gwrach y Rhibyn

H: 3 names

  • Hawise Mournwell
  • Hollow Bríd
  • Hunydd Ashshroud

I: 9 names

  • Íde Palethread
  • Idonea Palewail
  • Iníon Bhán
  • Isaura Keenthorn
  • Isaveth Hollowshriek
  • Iseult Bogkeen
  • Iseult Hollowmere
  • Isobel Greythorn
  • Isolde Mourningveil

J: 2 names

  • Janet Ashkeen
  • Jonet Wailcomb

K: 6 names

  • Keelin Hollowcry
  • Keenara
  • Keenara of the Kavanaghs
  • Keening Sadhbh
  • Keeva Hollowsong
  • Kirsty of the Wet Stones

L: 23 names

  • Lady of the Drowned Orchard
  • Lady of the Hanging Oak
  • Lady of the Lonely Ford
  • Lady of the Midnight Wake
  • Lady of the Sunken Chapel
  • Lady of the Weeping Cairn
  • Lamentia
  • Lamentia of Leap
  • Laoise of the Burial Mound
  • Laoise Wailwater
  • Lasairfhíona Ní Dhúill
  • Lasairfhíona of the Cairn
  • Lenore Ashenwake
  • Lí Ban of the Lough
  • Liadan Mistkeen
  • Líadan of the Hazel
  • Liath the Grey
  • Ligeia Coldcomb
  • Lilith Ashcroft
  • Little Greywail
  • Lorelei of the Ford
  • Lost Aoibheann
  • Lowri Greythroat

M: 48 names

  • Macha of the Grey Mantle
  • Maeve of the Fog
  • Maiden of the Drowned Well
  • Maiden of the Silver Comb
  • Maiden of the Wet Hair
  • Maiden Saltweep
  • Máire Ní Bhriain the Keener
  • Mairead Mournwater
  • Mairéad of the Long Wake
  • Máirín of the Wet Comb
  • Margarethe Veilwater
  • Marion Wailthorn
  • Marisol Greykeen
  • Marjory Duskkeen
  • Marsali Duskweep
  • Mause Greyfen
  • Méabh Ní Néill
  • Méabh of the Hollow Hill
  • Meadhbh Palewail
  • Medb Mourncairn
  • Mella of the Black Strand
  • Melusine Duskwail
  • Mhairi of the Dark Shore
  • Moira Nightkeen

M, continued

  • Moira Ravencomb
  • Mongfind Sorrowshade
  • Mór of the Cairn Road
  • Morag of the Black Loch
  • Moreen Ghostcairn
  • Morfudd Wailstone
  • Morvaine Duskthroat
  • Morven Sorrowkeen
  • Morwenna Wailmoor
  • Mother Hollowthroat
  • Mother of the Grey Fog
  • Mother of the Keening Wind
  • Mourna
  • Mourna of the Fitzgeralds
  • Mourner of the Seven Churches
  • Mourning Áine
  • Mourning Hag of Cruachan
  • Muireann Ní Dhubhda
  • Muireann of the Reeds
  • Muirenn Cairnbell
  • Muirgheal Ní Fhearghail
  • Muirgheal Seacry
  • Muirne Hollowbell
  • Myfanwy Greyshroud

N: 16 names

  • Neala Duskmoor
  • Neala Greyfen
  • Neasa Moonweep
  • Neasa Ní Ruairc
  • Nemain the Frenzied
  • Nerys Palewater
  • Nest Duskcry
  • Niamh Cinn Óir's Mourner
  • Niamh Ní Dhomhnaill
  • Niamh Sorrowshade
  • Nocturna Keen
  • Nóirín Gravewater
  • Nóra of the Seven Wails
  • Nuala Ní Chonaill
  • Nuala of the Drowned Mill
  • Nyssandra Mourn

O: 14 names

  • Oighrig Paleweep
  • Old Mourning-Bride
  • Old Woman of Beare
  • Olwen Fordwail
  • Ondine Wailmere
  • Oonagh of the Dead Pool
  • Oonagh Paleshroud
  • Ophelia Greyweep
  • Órfhlaith Embersong
  • Orla Dreadwail
  • Órla of the Pale Ford
  • Orlagh Mistcomb
  • Orlaith Ashenveil
  • Orlaith Ní Raghallaigh

P: 4 names

  • Pale Eithne
  • Peig Cairnsong
  • Peig Sorrowcomb
  • Peigi Ashenveil

R: 20 names

  • Raonaid Saltcomb
  • Rathnait Hollowbell
  • Rathnait Sorrowbog
  • Raven Mourn
  • Ravenna Wailcroft
  • Réaltín Duskbell
  • Réaltín Starkeen
  • Red Macha
  • Red Woman of Ballyvourney
  • Rhiannon Sorrowhill
  • Rhoswen Duskcomb
  • Ríona Ashfen
  • Ríonach Ní Mhaoláin
  • Ríonach of the Rowan Gate
  • Róisín Ní Mhathúna
  • Róisín of the Red Bog
  • Ronat Ashcomb
  • Rosamund Greywater
  • Rowena Greythorn
  • Rua the Red

S: 38 names

  • Sabeline Gravecomb
  • Sadhbh Keening-Voice
  • Sadhbh Ní Shúilleabháin
  • Saoirse Grievemoor
  • Sárnait Wailcomb
  • Scáthach's Keener
  • Searbh the Bitter
  • Selkie Sorrowsong
  • Seonag of the Cairn
  • Seraphine Hollowell
  • Seren Duskkeen
  • Shauna Greyweep
  • She of the Grey Cloak
  • She of the Long White Hair
  • She of the Red Hair
  • Shona Palebell
  • Shrieking Badb
  • Síle Mournthroat
  • Síle of the Owl Wood
  • Sìleas of the Fords
  • Silent Úna
  • Sinann of the River
  • Sinéad Coldkeen
  • Sinéad Greyveil
  • Siobhán Ní Ghallchóir
  • Siobhán of the Keening Stone
  • Sister of the Wailing Wind
  • Sive Mistmourn
  • Sive of the Seven Sorrows
  • Sláine Gravecomb
  • Sláine Ní Choileáin
  • Sorcha Bhán
  • Sorcha Ní Mhurchú
  • Sorcha of Rannoch
  • Sorcha Paleweep
  • Sorrowen
  • Sorrowen of Dunluce
  • Sybbe Palefen

T: 89 names

  • Tailtiu Ashenwail
  • Tangwystl Greywail
  • Teagan Ghostfen
  • Teagan Greyshroud
  • Tegan Ashenford
  • The Bean Chaointe of Achill
  • The Bean Chaointe of Connemara
  • The Bride of the Cairn
  • The Bride Who Never Rested
  • The Cailleach of the Grey Mist
  • The Caoineadh of Kerry
  • The Comb-Keeper
  • The Crier of Dún na Sí
  • The Crone of the Thorn Tree
  • The Cry at Benburb
  • The Cry at Carrickfergus
  • The Cry at Knockdoe
  • The Cyhyraeth of Glamorgan
  • The Daughter of the Lonely Ford
  • The Grey Gull of Inishbofin
  • The Grey Lady of Belfast
  • The Hag of the Ford
  • The Hag of the Mist
  • The Keen of Aughrim
  • The Keen of Clontarf
  • The Keen of Kinsale
  • The Keen of the Boyne
  • The Keen of Vinegar Hill
  • The Keener of Ardmore

T, continued

  • The Keener of Clonfert
  • The Keener of Clonmacnoise
  • The Keener of Dún Aonghasa
  • The Keener of Dunquin
  • The Keener of Glendalough
  • The Keener of Inishmurray
  • The Keener of Jerpoint
  • The Keener of Kells
  • The Keener of Kilmacduagh
  • The Keener of Lough Gur
  • The Keener of Monasterboice
  • The Keener of Newgrange
  • The Keener of Rathcroghan
  • The Keener of Tara
  • The Keener of the Nine Glens
  • The Keener of Tintern
  • The Lady of the Wake
  • The Maiden of the Rath
  • The Midnight Wailer
  • The Morrígan
  • The Mother of Keens
  • The Mourner of Slievenamon
  • The Mourner Under the Hawthorn
  • The Pale Keener
  • The Shrieking Woman of Lough Ree
  • The Shrouded Sister
  • The Sister of the Sídhe
  • The Thrice-Crying Woman
  • The Veiled Mourner
  • The Wail of Drogheda

T, continued

  • The Wail of Glenmalure
  • The Wail of Smerwick
  • The Wailer of Whitehaven
  • The Wailing Widow of Drumcliff
  • The Washer at Athlone
  • The Washer at Ballinasloe
  • The Washer at Clonmel Ford
  • The Washer at Enniscorthy
  • The Washer at Killaloe
  • The Washer at the Barrow
  • The Washer at the Blackwater
  • The Washer at the Ford
  • The Washer at the Shannon Pot
  • The Washer of Bloodied Linen
  • The Washer of the Shannon
  • The Weeping Lady of Doon
  • The White Lady of Kinsale
  • The Widow of the Black Ford
  • The Woman of the Mound
  • The Woman Who Weeps at the Gate
  • Theodora Gravesong
  • Thessaly Wailborne
  • Thin Niamh
  • Thomasina Greycairn
  • Tierney Duskcomb
  • Treasa Ghostcomb
  • Treasa Ní Laoire
  • Tuathla Ní Dhálaigh
  • Tuathla of the Ashen Hill
  • Tuirseach the Weary

U: 9 names

  • Uaigneach the Lonely
  • Uathach Duskwail
  • Ululeth
  • Ululeth of Lough Ree
  • Una Bhán
  • Úna Ní Chearbhaill
  • Una of the Hebrides
  • Úna of the O'Carrolls
  • Úna Whitecloak

V: 2 names

  • Vashtira Ashkeen
  • Vesperine Wail

W: 10 names

  • Wailing Wren
  • Wailith
  • Wailith of the O'Neills
  • Weeping Deirdre
  • White Fionnuala
  • Widow Ashcomb
  • Wild Gráinne
  • Wilhelmina Sorrowcomb
  • Woman of the Fairy Thorn
  • Woman of the Keening Rock

Y: 2 names

  • Ysmay Sorrowthread
  • Ysolde Fenwail