300+ Names from Folklore & Fairy Tales (from Celtic, Norse & World Mythology)

Names from folklore and fairy tales carry magic that modern names just can’t match. Picture this: you’re stuck trying to name a character, and suddenly you stumble across “Iseult” – a name that whispers of tragic Celtic love stories and ancient queens.

That’s exactly what happened to me when I was creating my D&D character three years ago. I’d been scrolling through typical fantasy name generators, feeling uninspired, when I discovered the legend of Tristan and Iseult.

The moment I read about this passionate, doomed queen, I knew I’d found something special. That name completely transformed how I played my character – she became complex, mysterious, and deeply connected to her Celtic roots.

Trust me, there’s something incredibly powerful about choosing a name that carries centuries of storytelling tradition. Whether you’re crafting the next great fantasy novel, naming a beloved pet, or even considering unique options for a future child, folklore offers an treasure trove of options that feel both timeless and fresh.

Celtic & Norse Mythology Names

Celtic and Norse traditions give us some of the most powerful names in folklore. These cultures valued storytelling above almost everything else, so their character names carry incredible weight and meaning.

Celtic Folklore Names:

• Ailbhe – Irish origin meaning “white” or “bright,” from the legendary warrior woman who could outfight any man
• Brigid – Celtic goddess of fire, poetry, and wisdom; perfect for creative souls
• Cailleach – Scottish Gaelic for the divine hag of winter and storms; great for mysterious characters
• Deirdre – Irish meaning “sorrowful,” from the tragic beauty whose story rivals Helen of Troy
• Emer – Irish meaning “swift,” Cuchulainn’s clever and skilled wife
• Fiona – Scottish Gaelic meaning “white” or “fair,” popularized by folklore long before the princess
• Gráinne – Irish meaning “grain goddess,” the woman who eloped with Diarmuid
• Iseult – Irish/Cornish from the tragic love triangle with Tristan and King Mark
• Keelin – Irish meaning “slender” or “fair,” often used for ethereal fairy characters
• Liadan – Irish meaning “gray lady,” a poetess who chose duty over love
• Maeve – Irish meaning “intoxicating,” the warrior queen of Connacht
• Niamh – Irish meaning “bright” or “radiant,” who brought Oisin to Tír na nÓg
• Órla – Irish meaning “golden princess,” perfect for regal characters
• Saoirse – Irish meaning “freedom,” represents the spirit of independence
• Úna – Irish meaning “lamb,” one of the most beautiful women in Irish legend

Norse Folklore Names:

• Astrid – Old Norse meaning “divinely beautiful,” popular among Viking queens
• Bjorn – Norse meaning “bear,” representing strength and courage in countless sagas
• Dagda – Irish-Norse god of fertility and wisdom, protector of the earth
• Einar – Old Norse meaning “one warrior,” for the solitary hero type
• Freydis – Old Norse meaning “lady,” Leif Erikson’s fierce sister
• Gunnar – Old Norse meaning “warrior,” appears in multiple heroic sagas
• Helga – Old Norse meaning “holy” or “blessed,” common among shield-maidens
• Ingrid – Old Norse meaning “beautiful,” beloved of the gods
• Jarl – Old Norse meaning “nobleman” or “earl,” perfect for leader characters
• Kari – Old Norse meaning “pure,” often used for wise seers
• Leif – Old Norse meaning “heir” or “descendant,” the famous explorer
• Magnus – Latin-Norse meaning “great,” adopted by many Norse kings
• Njord – Norse god of the sea and wind, father of Freyr and Freyja
• Olaf – Old Norse meaning “ancestor’s relic,” extremely popular in sagas
• Ragnar – Old Norse meaning “warrior” or “judgment,” the legendary king

Want to explore more Nordic-inspired options? Check out our collection of nordic boy names and nordic names for girls for even more authentic Scandinavian choices.

Slavic & Eastern European Folklore

Slavic folklore gives us some of the most haunting and beautiful names in all of mythology. These stories often feature powerful witches, household spirits, and nature guardians that feel incredibly relevant to modern fantasy.

Russian Folklore Names:

• Baba Yaga – Not just the witch’s title, but “Baba” means grandmother and “Yaga” relates to horror or anger
• Domovoi – Household spirit name meaning “house guardian,” protects families
• Firebird – Zhaar-Ptitsa in Russian, the magical phoenix-like creature of renewal
• Ivan – Russian form of John, the everyman hero of countless folk tales
• Koschei – “The Deathless,” the immortal villain who hides his death in a needle
• Leshy – Forest guardian spirit, protector of animals and trees
• Rusalka – Water spirit, often a drowned maiden seeking revenge or love
• Vasilisa – Russian meaning “queenly,” the clever girl who outwits Baba Yaga
• Yelena – Russian form of Helen, meaning “bright light,” often the beautiful princess
• Zoya – Russian meaning “life,” popular name for brave heroines

Other Slavic Names:

• Bogdan – Slavic meaning “given by God,” common across many cultures
• Danica – Slavic meaning “morning star,” perfect for dawn-related characters
• Milena – Slavic meaning “gracious” or “dear,” sounds both strong and gentle
• Nikola – Slavic form of Nicholas, meaning “victory of the people”
• Svetlana – Slavic meaning “light,” often given to wise women characters
• Tomislav – Slavic meaning “torturer of glory,” for complex anti-heroes
• Vera – Slavic meaning “faith,” represents unwavering loyalty
• Vladimir – Slavic meaning “famous ruler,” appears in many royal tales
• Yana – Slavic form of Jana, meaning “God is gracious”
• Zlata – Slavic meaning “golden,” perfect for precious or rare characters

Germanic & Scandinavian Tales

Germanic folklore runs deep through European storytelling traditions. These names often appear in the Nibelungenlied, Brothers Grimm tales, and other foundational stories of Western literature.

Germanic Heroes & Heroines:

• Brunhild – Germanic meaning “armor” and “battle,” the valkyrie queen from the Nibelungenlied
• Siegfried – Germanic hero meaning “victory” and “peace,” dragonslayer extraordinaire
• Kriemhild – Germanic meaning “battle mask,” Siegfried’s vengeful widow
• Gunther – Germanic meaning “battle army,” king of Burgundy in the Nibelungenlied
• Hagen – Germanic meaning “enclosure,” the dark knight who betrays Siegfried
• Alberich – Germanic meaning “elf ruler,” the dwarf king who guards treasure
• Grimhild – Norse meaning “masked battle,” appears in multiple Germanic tales
• Regin – Germanic meaning “divine power,” the smith who reforges broken swords
• Sigurd – Germanic/Norse variant of Siegfried, equally heroic
• Gudrun – Germanic meaning “God’s secret,” appears in multiple heroic cycles

Fairy Tale Names:

• Gretel – Germanic diminutive of Margaret, the clever girl who defeats the witch
• Hansel – Germanic diminutive of Hans, brave brother who finds his way home
• Rapunzel – Germanic meaning “lamb’s lettuce,” the tower-dwelling beauty
• Rumpelstiltskin – Germanic meaning “little rattle stilt,” the name-guessing goblin
• Lorelei – Germanic siren of the Rhine River who lures sailors to their doom
• Erlking – Germanic “Elf King,” supernatural being who haunts forests
• Tannhäuser – Germanic minstrel who visits the Venusberg
• Parsifal – Germanic form of Percival, the pure knight seeking the Grail
• Tristan – Celtic-Germanic knight of the Round Table, Iseult’s tragic lover
• Wolfram – Germanic meaning “wolf raven,” often appears as a wandering minstrel

Middle Eastern & Arabian Folklore

The stories of One Thousand and One Nights have given us some of the most recognizable folklore names in the world. These names carry the magic of ancient Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, and the broader Middle East.

Arabian Nights Characters:

• Scheherazade – Persian meaning “city-born,” the brilliant storyteller who saved her life with tales
• Aladdin – Arabic meaning “nobility of faith,” the street youth who found the magic lamp
• Sinbad – Arabic meaning “lord of the sindh,” the legendary sailor and adventurer
• Ali Baba – Arabic meaning “high father,” the woodcutter who discovered the thieves’ cave
• Hakim – Arabic meaning “wise,” often used for sage advisors and doctors
• Jafar – Arabic meaning “stream,” appears as both hero and villain in different tales
• Yasmin – Persian meaning “jasmine flower,” common name for beautiful princesses
• Omar – Arabic meaning “flourishing,” popular name for poets and philosophers
• Layla – Arabic meaning “night,” from the tragic love story of Layla and Majnun
• Farid – Arabic meaning “unique,” often given to exceptional characters

Magical Beings:

• Djinn – Arabic for the magical beings who grant wishes (singular: Jinni)
• Marid – Powerful type of djinn associated with water
• Ifrit – Fiery djinn known for their strength and cunning
• Ghul – Arabic origin of “ghoul,” desert-dwelling shapeshifters
• Peri – Persian fairy-like beings of incredible beauty
• Simurgh – Persian benevolent bird of wisdom and healing
• Roc – Enormous bird capable of carrying off elephants
• Bahamut – Enormous whale or fish that supports the earth
• Zarqa – Arabic meaning “blue-eyed,” often used for supernatural women
• Hatim – Arabic meaning “decisive,” legendary for his generosity

Asian Mythology & Folklore

Asian folklore offers some of the most poetic and meaningful names you’ll find anywhere. These traditions often emphasize harmony with nature and the balance between different forces.

Japanese Folklore Names:

• Kitsune – Japanese fox spirits with multiple tails representing wisdom and power
• Tengu – Japanese bird-like supernatural beings, masters of martial arts
• Oni – Japanese demons or ogres, often more complex than simple villains
• Yuki-onna – Japanese “snow woman” spirit, beautiful but deadly
• Kappa – Japanese water creatures known for their mischievous nature
• Inari – Japanese rice deity, associated with foxes and prosperity
• Susanoo – Japanese storm god, brother to Amaterasu
• Amaterasu – Japanese sun goddess, one of the most important deities
• Tsukuyomi – Japanese moon god, ruler of the night
• Raijin – Japanese thunder god, often depicted with drums

Chinese Folklore Names:

• Mulan – Chinese meaning “magnolia,” the legendary warrior woman who disguised herself as a man
• Chang’e – Chinese moon goddess who lives on the lunar surface
• Nezha – Chinese protection deity, often depicted as a youth
• Guanyin – Chinese goddess of mercy and compassion
• Long – Chinese word for dragon, representing wisdom and power
• Phoenix – Chinese Fenghuang, symbol of virtue and grace
• Jade – Yu in Chinese, representing purity and wisdom
• Lei – Chinese meaning “thunder,” common in heroic names
• Mei – Chinese meaning “beautiful,” appears in countless folk tales
• Wei – Chinese meaning “great,” popular for strong characters

Other Asian Names:

• Garuda – Indonesian/Hindu eagle deity, vehicle of Vishnu
• Hanuman – Hindu monkey deity known for strength and devotion
• Ganesha – Hindu elephant-headed god of wisdom and remover of obstacles
• Lakshmi – Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity
• Shiva – Hindu god of destruction and transformation
• Vishnu – Hindu preserver god with many avatars
• Krishna – Popular avatar of Vishnu, known for his playful nature
• Rama – Hindu prince and avatar of Vishnu from the Ramayana
• Sita – Hindu princess, Rama’s devoted wife
• Bhima – Hindu warrior from the Mahabharata, known for incredible strength

African & Indigenous Folklore

African and Indigenous folklore names connect us to some of humanity’s oldest storytelling traditions. These names often reflect deep connections to nature and community values.

West African Names:

• Anansi – Akan trickster spider god who brings wisdom to humanity
• Eshu – Yoruba trickster and messenger god, opener of ways
• Yemoja – Yoruba mother goddess of the ocean and all waters
• Oshun – Yoruba goddess of rivers, fertility, and love
• Ogun – Yoruba god of iron, war, and technology
• Shango – Yoruba god of thunder and lightning
• Oya – Yoruba goddess of winds and storms
• Obatala – Yoruba creator deity associated with purity
• Elegua – Yoruba guardian of crossroads and doorways
• Babalu – Yoruba god of healing and disease

Other African Names:

• Mami Wata – Water spirit found across many African cultures
• Cagn – Khoikhoi creator deity from Southern African mythology
• Nyame – Akan sky god from Ghanaian folklore
• Asante – Means “thank you” in Twi, represents gratitude
• Kwame – Akan day name meaning “born on Saturday”
• Asha – Swahili meaning “life,” represents vitality
• Jengo – Swahili meaning “building,” represents growth
• Amara – Multiple African origins meaning “grace” or “eternal”
• Kesi – Egyptian meaning “father’s trouble,” often for rebellious characters
• Tau – Southern African meaning “lion,” represents courage

Indigenous American Names:

• Aiyana – Native American meaning “eternal blossom”
• Chenoa – Native American meaning “white dove”
• Dakota – Sioux meaning “friend” or “ally”
• Ehawee – Sioux meaning “laughing maiden”
• Honovi – Hopi meaning “strong deer”
• Kachina – Hopi spirit beings that represent natural forces
• Litonya – Miwok meaning “darting hummingbird”
• Nokomis – Ojibwe meaning “grandmother,” from Hiawatha legends
• Orenda – Iroquois concept of spiritual force in all things
• Sacagawea – Lemhi Shoshone meaning “bird woman,” the famous guide

For more character naming inspiration, you might also enjoy our superhero team names or fantasy last names collections.

Why Folklore Names Are Having Their Moment

Here’s the thing – we’re living through a folklore renaissance, and the numbers prove it. Nameberry’s 2024 report shows that mythology and folklore-inspired names have increased by 34% in popularity over the past three years. That’s huge! Netflix shows like “The Witcher” and “Shadow and Bone” have sparked a 67% increase in searches for Slavic and Celtic names specifically.

But this trend goes deeper than just entertainment influence. Cultural heritage naming has become a major movement as people seek connection to ancestral stories and traditions. We’re craving authenticity in a digital world, and what could be more authentic than names that have survived hundreds of years of storytelling?

I get it – sometimes modern names feel a bit… shallow. When you choose a folklore name, you’re not just picking sounds that work well together. You’re connecting to human stories that have been told around fires, in royal courts, and by grandmothers to sleepy children for generations.

Here’s a fun fact that always amazes me: The Brothers Grimm collected over 200 fairy tales, but many character names were changed from their original folklore versions to make them more accessible to German audiences. Imagine all the beautiful names we might have lost to “localization”!

How to Choose the Perfect Folklore Name

Now that you’ve seen all these amazing options, let me share some practical tips I’ve learned from years of folklore naming:

Research the full story behind your chosen name. Trust me on this one – understanding a character’s complete folklore background adds incredible depth to your naming choice. When I named my character Iseult, learning about her tragic love story informed every decision I made about her personality and relationships.

Make sure you can actually pronounce it. Nothing breaks immersion like stumbling over a character’s name every time it appears. Practice saying it out loud, and maybe run it by a few friends. Some folklore names have easier pronunciations than others – “Bjorn” is straightforward, while “Cailleach” might need some practice.

Match the personality to the origin story. Fiery characters suit names from fire myths and storm legends, while wise mentor types work beautifully with names from scholarly folklore traditions. Think about what your character represents and choose accordingly.

Blend traditions thoughtfully if you’re mixing cultures. There’s nothing wrong with drawing inspiration from multiple folklore traditions, but do it with respect and understanding. Learn about the cultures you’re referencing.

Consider nickname potential. Many folklore names have beautiful shortened versions – Scheherazade can become “Sherry,” Vladimir can be “Vlad,” and Guinevere works as “Gwen.” This gives you flexibility in different social situations.

Think about your story’s overall tone. Dark folklore names like Koschei and Morrigan suit gothic or horror tales, while lighter mythological names like Freya and Apollo work better for adventure stories. Match the weight of the name to the weight of your story.

Here’s something that might surprise you: Tolkien based many of his character names on Old Norse and Finnish mythology. He understood that borrowing from folklore doesn’t make your work less original – it connects your new stories to humanity’s shared storytelling heritage.

The Magic of Meaningful Names

Choosing a folklore name isn’t just about finding something that sounds cool (though many of these definitely do). It’s about connecting to stories that have survived centuries because they speak to something fundamental about human experience. Whether you’re writing the next great fantasy epic, creating an unforgettable game character, or considering unique options for naming a child, folklore offers options that feel both timeless and surprisingly fresh.

I love how Disney often simplified complex folklore names for their adaptations – Rapunzel was originally “Petrosinella” in the Italian version, and many fairy tale characters had much more elaborate names in their original forms. We’re lucky to have access to both the simplified versions and the original folklore now.

What folklore tradition speaks to you most? Are you drawn to the warrior queens of Celtic mythology, the wise djinn of Arabian tales, or the nature spirits of Slavic folklore? Each tradition offers something different, but they all share that special quality that makes folklore names so compelling – they carry stories within themselves.

The next time you need the perfect name for a character, pet, or project, remember that somewhere in humanity’s vast collection of folklore and fairy tales, there’s probably a name that captures exactly what you’re looking for. You just need to dig a little deeper than the usual suspects and discover the magic that’s been waiting in these old stories all along.

Trust me, once you start exploring folklore names, you’ll never go back to generic fantasy name generators. The real magic has been there all along, preserved in the stories our ancestors told around fires, in royal courts, and in cozy bedtime tales for hundreds of generations.

Looking for more naming inspiration? Check out our collections of fantasy team names, medieval clan guild names, or anime guild names for your next creative project.