Dark Fae Name Generator

Unseelie names for cruel courts and cold hills

FantasyPart of: fantasy name generators500 names

0 of 500 seen

This or that?

7 picks, 1 winner

Tap the name you like more.

Tap a name to copy it. The arrows swap one name.

Or browse all 500 names, A to Z

Generate dark fae names for the Unseelie Court: authentic Scottish and Irish bogles and night-hags, invented names with cold, sharp sounds, poison-plant and carrion-bird names, gallows titles and full court names for villains, patrons and morally grey love interests.

About dark fae names

Dark fae are the Unseelie half of fairy lore: the Scottish sluagh that carry off the dying, the redcap who dyes his hat in blood, Nicnevin riding at Samhain, Black Annis in her cave, Jenny Greenteeth under the weeds, and the Erlking leading the Wild Hunt. Their folklore names are blunt (Bloody Bones, Peg Powler, the Hedley Kow), often a plain description of the harm they do. Modern dark-fae fiction adds a second register: invented names with colder, harder sounds than their Seelie cousins, heavy on v, x, th and gr, with endings like -aith, -oth and -vaine (Vyrrith, Draethe, Murkvaine, Zaraloth).

Two folklore habits make these names feel right. True names have power, so the great ones go by titles naming a cruelty or a cold place rather than a flower: the Marrow King, the Lady of Unlit Candles, the Earl of Empty Cradles. And they are named for what kills or scavenges, so hemlock, henbane, deathcap, crow and leech make better surnames than rose or wren. A full court name pairs given name, grim surname and title: Ossadyne, Wardress of the Drowned Gate.

The list mixes authentic British, Irish, Germanic and Slavic night-folk with invented Unseelie given names, full names, poison and carrion names, kenning nicknames for small malicious fae, titles and names for the courts themselves.

How to choose dark fae names

  • Contrast is the trick: a soft Celtic given name with a grim surname (Maeve Bitterbone, Líadan Sorrowhaunt) reads as fallen beauty, while a harsh invented name with a harsh surname reads as pure monster. Decide which your character is.
  • For powerful dark fae, give them a title that names a cruelty or a cold, empty thing (the Countess of Drowned Bells) and let the true name stay secret; a name is leverage in the Unseelie Court.
  • Use the hyphenated nickname style (Cradle-Swapper, Tooth-Counter, Name-Taker) for minor fae, the ones who curdle milk and knot hair, rather than for lords and ladies.
  • Poison plants and carrion birds are the Unseelie palette: hemlock, henbane, deathcap, yew, crow, jackdaw, moth. Keep roses, dew and starlight for the Seelie side.
  • If you borrow a real folklore creature such as Nuckelavee, Baobhan Sith or Redcap, read its story first; each is a specific monster with its own rules and weaknesses you can use in the plot.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between dark fae and Unseelie fae?

In Scottish lore the Unseelie Court (literally 'unblessed') is the host of malicious fairies, opposed to the Seelie or blessed court, so 'Unseelie' is the folklore term and 'dark fae' is the modern fiction term for the same idea. The names here suit either label, plus the Night Court and Court of Teeth style courts of romantasy.

Are these names from real folklore or made up?

Roughly a quarter are real: Nicnevin, the sluagh, Redcap, Black Annis, Peg Powler, the Erlking, Frau Perchta, the rusalka and dozens of named English bogles. The rest are invented in a cold Unseelie phonology, along with court titles, poison-plant names and full name-and-title pairings written for this page.

Can I use these for a D&D hag, archfey warlock patron or a romantasy villain?

Yes. The titled names (the Marrow King, the Lady of Unlit Candles) make strong archfey patrons; the bogle names suit hags and fey monsters; the full court names (Thessalyn Gallowmere, Corvath of the Gallows Hill) work for antagonists or love interests in fae-court fiction. All names are free to use.

How do I make a dark fae name sound different from a dark elf or vampire name?

Keep a thread of the wild and the folkloric: a plant, bird, weather or place word, a Celtic given name, or a rustic nickname. Dark elf names lean elegant and Tolkienesque and vampire names lean aristocratic and Gothic; dark fae names should feel like something from a cold hillside that might still sing.

Related generators

More like this

Browse category

All 500 dark fae 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: 16 names

  • Aconite Sorrowell
  • Aconith
  • Adder Aoife
  • Aelwraith
  • Aisling Crowshade
  • Ala
  • Alasdair Bonewick
  • Alp-Luachra
  • Ankaris
  • Ankou
  • Arawn Blackheath
  • Arawn of Annwn
  • Artair Corbiegate
  • Ashkarith
  • Ashkarith of the Tallow Court
  • Auld Clootie

B: 40 names

  • Baneberry Rook
  • Bannik
  • Baobhan Sith
  • Barghest
  • Barn-Owl Bride
  • Bat-Wing Brannagh
  • Bauchan
  • Bean-Nighe
  • Beathag Sorrowgall
  • Bedwyr Crowlace
  • Belgrave Nightmoor
  • Bell-Silencer
  • Belladonna Vane
  • Belrathe
  • Berchtold
  • Bethanne Rook
  • Bethoc Ashgrieve
  • Bittern of the Black Reeds
  • Bittersweet Morrow
  • Black Annis
  • Black Bryony Vex
  • Black Donald
  • Black Shuck
  • Blackfrost Brioc
  • Bloody Bones
  • Bodach
  • Bog-Lantern
  • Boggart
  • Bogie of the Hurst
  • Bogle
  • Brag
  • Bramblewrack
  • Brannoc Fellgrave
  • Briallen Sloethorn
  • Brigid Marrowsedge
  • Bryonix
  • Bryony Nightwick
  • Bryxa
  • Bucca Dhu
  • Bugul Noz

C: 34 names

  • Cadfan Galloway
  • Caedrith
  • Caedrith Bone-Lantern
  • Cailleach Bheur
  • Caitrìona Ashgallows
  • Calloway Gloam
  • Candle-Snuffer
  • Carrion-Crow Cathal
  • Cathbad Witherhollow
  • Catriona Hangmere
  • Cerridwen Morrowmoor
  • Church Grim
  • Cinderhex
  • Coinneach Moorgrave
  • Cold-Iron Breaker
  • Corpse-Candle
  • Corvanna
  • Corvath
  • Corvemund
  • Corvina
  • Court of Ash and Ember
  • Court of Drowned Bells
  • Court of Nettles
  • Court of Rust
  • Court of Teeth
  • Court of the Hollow Moon
  • Court of the Long Night
  • Cradle-Swapper
  • Cranefly Kel
  • Crowlin
  • Cruel Meg
  • Cuckoo-Pint Jory
  • Cutty Soames
  • Cŵn Annwn

D: 22 names

  • Dark Katie
  • Darnel Crowe
  • Dathan Vulturecourt
  • Deathcap Sabriel
  • Deathshead Dara
  • Deryn Nightshroud
  • Destroying Angel Lise
  • Dog's Mercury Tamsin
  • Dòmhnall Nightwick
  • Domnall Murkwater
  • Door-Knocker-Thrice
  • Dorcha
  • Draethe
  • Draethe of the Empty Cradle
  • Drakhaine
  • Dravenna
  • Dream-Eater
  • Drusk
  • Dubhán Mistmarrow
  • Dullahan
  • Dunter
  • Dwynwen Blackmass

E: 12 names

  • Each-Uisge
  • Ealasaid Frosthaunt
  • Eel-Mother
  • Efnisien Redthorn
  • Eimhir Frostwrack
  • Eirmwald
  • Eithne Marrowhallow
  • Elvrith
  • Emrys Hollowtooth
  • Eoghan Sourbriar
  • Ergot Maelis
  • Erlking

F: 13 names

  • Fachan
  • Faolan Gallowsbriar
  • Far Darrig
  • Fear Gorta
  • Fennraith
  • Fenwraith
  • Fetch
  • Ffraid Hollowmere
  • Fiachra Gallowsend
  • Fionnlagh Crowhallow
  • Foxglove Ailith
  • Frau Perchta
  • Frost-Bitten Fennick

G: 19 names

  • Gallows-Light
  • Gallowyn
  • Gallowyn of the Red Hand
  • Gentle Annie
  • Ghaelith
  • Ghorwen
  • Glaistig
  • Gormal Nightbrack
  • Gormlaith Ravenlace
  • Gorwen Ashlock
  • Grey Heron Haunt
  • Griffydd Thrice-Hanged
  • Grim of the Kirkyard
  • Grimmaline
  • Grindylow
  • Gronw Ashveil
  • Gwenllian Rimegrave
  • Gwyn ap Nudd
  • Gytrash

H: 25 names

  • Haggoth
  • Hailstone Hen
  • Hair-Knotter
  • Hall of the Ninth Toll
  • Hallowgrim
  • Hedley Kow
  • Heledd Yewshade
  • Hellebore Gaunt
  • Hellequin
  • Helvaine
  • Helvaine Knife-Mirror
  • Hemlock Sorrel
  • Henbane Ashe
  • Herla
  • Hewn Blackwater
  • Hexaline
  • Hexaline Lantern-Liar
  • Hexaphel
  • Hinkypunk
  • Hoar-Hand Hywel
  • Hobby Lantern
  • Holda of the Winter Road
  • Horse-Rider-by-Night
  • Hungry Tib
  • Hywel Barrowdusk

I: 15 names

  • Iain Hollowdrum
  • Ice-Lung Iollan
  • Iele
  • Iestyn Wraithwell
  • Ildrith
  • Ilgrimme
  • Ilsbeth Grave-Thin
  • Iollan Frostgrave
  • Irisgall
  • Isgrith
  • Isgrith Moth-Widow
  • Ishkar
  • Iskerra
  • Ivy-Gall Severin
  • Ixaline

J: 7 names

  • Jackdaw Vell
  • Jacky Lantern
  • Jathrel
  • Jenny Greenteeth
  • Joan the Wad
  • Joint-Eater
  • Jorvaith

K: 14 names

  • Karrow
  • Kelpie of the Black Tarn
  • Kelvarrow
  • Kenna Blackbriar
  • Kennet Hollowmourn
  • Kerensa Marlpit
  • Kesraith
  • Kethrine
  • Kethrine of the Salt Bells
  • Kikimora
  • Kit-with-the-Canstick
  • Kludde
  • Knecht Ruprecht
  • Krampus

L: 17 names

  • Laburnum Wraithe
  • Lachlan Winterbane
  • Lady Morwraith of the Sunless Court
  • Lamprey-Kissed Lissa
  • Leech-Wife
  • Lethwyn
  • Lethwyn of the Stolen Names
  • Líadan Sorrowhaunt
  • Likho
  • Llew Marrowgate
  • Locrin Hagstone
  • Long Lankin
  • Lord Corvath of the Gallows Hill
  • Lords-and-Ladies Halloway
  • Lorelei
  • Lunarrow
  • Luthaine

M: 30 names

  • Madoc Nettlegrave
  • Maeve Bitterbone
  • Maghrenne
  • Magpie Tansy
  • Malgwyn
  • Malvoline
  • Malvoline of the Ninth Toll
  • Mandrake Oriel
  • Mara
  • Marool
  • Marten Maelor
  • Mavka Unmourned
  • Melch Dick
  • Milk-Curdler
  • Mirrowen
  • Mistletoe Blight
  • Monkshood Vael
  • Mòrag Gallowmist
  • Morcant Fellmire
  • Mordrel
  • Moroi
  • Morrighaine
  • Morrighaine of the Rain-Rats
  • Morrowmoor Court
  • Morwraith
  • Moth Mab
  • Mourvaine
  • Mumpoker
  • Murkvaine
  • Murkvaine of the Bitter Frost

N: 24 names

  • Nail-Thief
  • Name-Taker
  • Nanny Button-Cap
  • Naoise Duskrot
  • Nefaryn
  • Nelly Longarms
  • Nest Duskrime
  • Nethisse
  • Nethisse of the Drowned Bells
  • Niall Thornhaunt
  • Niamh Crowpenny
  • Nick o' the Hollow
  • Nicnevin
  • Nightjar Vesperine
  • Nightshade Ruin
  • Nisrith
  • Nixie of the Mill Pool
  • Nocthys
  • Nocthys of the Cold Hearth
  • Noon-Witch
  • Nuala the Knotted
  • Nuckelavee
  • Nyctaline
  • Nyxaurel

O: 16 names

  • Obravane
  • Obrith
  • Oighrig Duskwell
  • Oisín Bleakwater
  • Old Scrat
  • Oleander Dusk
  • Ombriel
  • Ombriel of the Sunless Stair
  • Orbraith
  • Orlaith Winterscar
  • Orvaine
  • Osgareth
  • Ossadyne
  • Ossadyne, Wardress of the Drowned Gate
  • Owain Blightmoor
  • Owlet Morrow

P: 13 names

  • Padfoot
  • Pallorine
  • Path-Twister
  • Peg Powler
  • Peredur Nightgall
  • Pike-Tooth Peg
  • Pinket
  • Polecat Piran
  • Poludnitsa
  • Powrie
  • Prydwenna
  • Pyrrhaith
  • Pyrrhaith Ember-Last

Q: 4 names

  • Quenvyr
  • Quenvyr of the Teeth-Gate
  • Quillane
  • Quorrath

R: 19 names

  • Raghnall Marrowgrim
  • Ragnethe
  • Ragwort Roane
  • Raven Ashmourn
  • Ravenlace Court
  • Rawhead
  • Redcap
  • Rhadamyr
  • Rhadamyr of the Hollow Promise
  • Rhiannon Stillwater Drowned
  • Rhodri Gloamhallow
  • Rhoswen Ashmourn
  • Rime Rhonwen
  • Ronan Vexwater
  • Rookhollow
  • Rookwyn
  • Rue Gallowmere
  • Ruevaine
  • Rusalka of the Drowned Birch

S: 31 names

  • Sablaine
  • Sablaine of the Unlit Road
  • Sadhbh Thornwrack
  • Salt-Licker
  • Saltmarrow
  • Samodiva
  • Saoirse of the Sunken Chapel
  • Screech-Owl Sister
  • Seonaid Wraithcote
  • Seren Blackfrost
  • Severaine
  • Severaine Thornmarrow
  • Shadow-Stitcher
  • Shellycoat
  • Siorraith
  • Sithraine
  • Skathach
  • Sleet Seren
  • Sloe Marrowyn
  • Slow-Worm Sal
  • Sluagh
  • Sorcha Pikebone
  • Sour Jack
  • Spriggan
  • Spunkie
  • Spurge Laurel Kett
  • Stoat-Coat Siobhan
  • Strzyga
  • Sunless Court
  • Sycorath
  • Szarith

T: 78 names

  • Tadhg Grimweir
  • Tall Agnes
  • Tamhas Wyrmgall
  • Tankerabogus
  • Tantarrabobs
  • Tarnwick
  • Tarrow-Jack
  • Tegwen Blackrime
  • Teleri Sorrowmere
  • Tenebrith
  • Tenebrith Crow-Crowned
  • Tharaxe
  • Thaw-Never Tegan
  • The Baroness of Salt and Rust
  • The Bone Court
  • The Briar Throne
  • The Bride of Bitter Frost
  • The Chancellor of Dusk
  • The Countess of Drowned Bells
  • The Court of Empty Chairs
  • The Crow-Crowned Queen
  • The Duchess of Rust-Red Rivers
  • The Duke of the Seventh Winter
  • The Earl of Empty Cradles
  • The Earl of Unspoken Names
  • The Erl-Queen
  • The Fox-Skinned Lady
  • The Gallows Court
  • The Gallows Duke
  • The Glass-Eyed Abbess
  • The Gloaming Court
  • The Grey Piper
  • The Hangman's Daughter of Elphame
  • The Hare-Hearted Queen
  • The Hollow Bishop
  • The Hound-Mother
  • The Keeper of Stolen Names
  • The King of Rats and Rain
  • The Knight of the Unlit Road

T, continued

  • The Lady of Lies and Lanterns
  • The Lady of Unlit Candles
  • The Lantern-Man of the Fen
  • The Lord Beneath the Ice
  • The Margrave of Midnight Tolls
  • The Margravine of Sour Milk
  • The Marrow King
  • The Mistress of Knives and Mirrors
  • The Mother of Nettles
  • The Mourning Prince
  • The Nine-Fingered Duchess
  • The One Who Counts the Dead
  • The Piper Under the Flagstones
  • The Prince of Broken Teeth
  • The Queen of the Last Ember
  • The Red Hand Under the Hill
  • The Shivering Court
  • The Smiling Thing in the Hawthorn
  • The Sovereign of the Sunless Court
  • The Stitched Man
  • The Tallow Prince
  • The Thin Queen
  • The Unkind Sister
  • The Viscount of Hollow Promises
  • The Warden of the Teeth-Gate
  • The Wardress of Bone Lanterns
  • The Widow of Moths
  • Thessalyn Gallowmere
  • Thessalyn of the Unkind Sisters
  • Thornapple Vesper
  • Thornvaine
  • Thrace Dunmourne
  • Thread-Cutter
  • Threnwyn
  • Tivaine
  • Toad-Crowned Tam
  • Tom Tit Tot
  • Tooth-Counter
  • Torquil Ashmere

U: 9 names

  • Ulcair
  • Ulvraith
  • Ulvraith Hound-Father
  • Umbraith
  • Umbrienne
  • Una Bleakshaw
  • Úna Pallorwind
  • Urien Rookwold
  • Uthwen

V: 15 names

  • Vaelkor
  • Vaendrith
  • Velgrim
  • Vesperloth
  • Vesperloth, Chancellor of Dusk
  • Vexaria
  • Vexis
  • Vila of the Storm Cloud
  • Vodyanoy
  • Vornath
  • Vrestyn
  • Vrondel
  • Vyrdane
  • Vyrrith
  • Vyrrith of the Long Winter

W: 11 names

  • Weasel Wenna
  • Wild Edric
  • Will-o'-the-Wisp of the Black Mire
  • Winterhollow Court
  • Wintermarrow
  • Wolfsbane Corrow
  • Wraithwell
  • Wyldraith
  • Wyrdith
  • Wyrrasth
  • Wystan Corpsewood

X: 1 name

  • Xanthrix

Y: 8 names

  • Yew-Berry Ysmay
  • Yewgrave
  • Yrsaline
  • Ysbail Moorwraith
  • Ysgrail
  • Ysgrail of the Seventh Winter
  • Ysmeralde Blackwick
  • Ysuldra

Z: 7 names

  • Zaldris
  • Zaraloth
  • Zaraloth, Margrave of Rust
  • Zephraith
  • Zmeu
  • Zorvaine
  • Zulaith