Names have weight. In the world of Kimetsu no Yaiba, they're practically a death sentence or a rebirth. If you've spent any time watching Tanjiro swing that black blade, you've noticed that most demons don't exactly go by "John" or "Kenji."
Muzan Kibutsuji is a control freak. Honestly, that’s an understatement. He doesn't just turn people into monsters; he strips away their past. For many of the demon slayer characters demons names act as a branding iron. Once you take that blood, you’re his. You're a tool.
The Upper Moons: The Names You Should Fear
The Twelve Kizuki are the cream of the crop. Or the worst of the worst, depending on how you look at it. These guys aren't just random thugs. They've lived for centuries, and their names carry a specific kind of dread.
Kokushibo (Upper Rank One)
The big man himself. His name is heavy with history. Originally Michikatsu Tsugikuni, he abandoned his humanity because he was basically jealous of his brother, Yoriichi. "Kokushibo" translates roughly to "Black Death Moon." It's fitting. He uses Moon Breathing, a twisted reflection of the Sun Breathing he could never master. He’s the only demon who really kept his sense of "samurai honor," even if it’s totally warped.
Doma (Upper Rank Two)
This guy is a literal psychopath. No emotions, just vibes—and the vibes are murderous. He runs a cult, the Eternal Paradise Faith. Doma’s name is simple but his personality is a maze of fake smiles. He’s the one who took out Shinobu’s sister and, eventually, Shinobu herself. His ice-based Blood Demon Art is as cold as his non-existent heart.
Akaza (Upper Rank Three)
Akaza is a fan favorite for a reason. He’s got a tragic backstory that’ll make you want to throw your remote at the TV. Before he was Akaza, he was Hakuji. He lost everything—his father, his fiancé, his dojo. Muzan found him at his lowest and renamed him. The name "Akaza" uses kanji that can refer to a type of plant, but in the context of the show, it represents the striped patterns on his body that mimic the tattoos of a criminal he bore as a human.
Hantengu and Nakime (Upper Rank Four)
Hantengu is the old man who splits into different emotions: Sekido (Anger), Karaku (Pleasure), Aizetsu (Sorrow), and Urogi (Joy). His name is a bit of a riddle, reflecting his cowardly nature. After he got dusted, Nakime took over. You know her—the girl with the biwa who controls the Infinity Castle. She’s quiet, effective, and honestly, way more terrifying than the crying old man.
Gyokko (Upper Rank Five)
The "artist." If you call human taxidermy art. Gyokko lives in a pot and looks like something out of a fever dream. His name is as weird as his face. He’s obsessed with his "masterpieces," which usually involve sewing people together.
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Daki and Gyutaro / Kaigaku (Upper Rank Six)
The siblings were the original Rank Six. Daki is the "Warabihime" of the Entertainment District, while Gyutaro is the real muscle hiding in her back. After they died, Kaigaku stepped in. This was a personal blow for Zenitsu. Kaigaku was his senior, a former Demon Slayer who took the easy way out. He kept his human name, which is rare, likely because he was a "rush job" replacement.
The Lower Moons: The Ones Muzan Discarded
The Lower Moons are kinda the "B-team." Most of them didn't even get a chance to show off their moves because Muzan had a temper tantrum and wiped them out himself.
- Enmu (Lower Rank One): The dream demon from the Mugen Train. He’s the only one who survived the purge because he was just weird enough to amuse Muzan.
- Rokuro (Lower Rank Two): A guy who asked for more blood and got killed for it.
- Wakuraba (Lower Rank Three): Tried to run away. Didn't work.
- Mukago (Lower Rank Four): Terrified of the Hashira. Muzan hates cowards.
- Rui (Lower Rank Five): The spider boy from Mt. Natagumo. He’s the one who forced Tanjiro to use Hinokami Kagura for the first time. Rui was obsessed with "family bonds" because he killed his own parents.
- Kamanue (Lower Rank Six): The first to go during the "Lower Moon Meeting."
Why These Names Matter for Fans
When you're searching for demon slayer characters demons names, you're usually looking for more than a list. You're looking for the why.
Take Kyogai, the Drum Demon. He was a former Lower Six who got kicked out because he reached his limit. He was obsessed with being recognized as a writer. His name and his drums are tied to that need for validation. Even after becoming a monster, he just wanted someone to say his work was good.
Then you've got Tamayo and Yushiro. They aren't part of Muzan's club. Tamayo kept her name from her human life as a way to hold onto her identity. She’s spent centuries trying to undo the damage Muzan did.
Actionable Takeaways for Superfans
If you want to go deeper into the lore, keep these points in mind:
- Look at the Kanji: Most names in Demon Slayer are chosen specifically to reflect the character's Blood Demon Art or their past life.
- Watch the Rankings: The numbers in their eyes aren't just for show. They dictate the amount of Muzan's blood they have.
- The Human Connection: Almost every demon (except maybe Doma) became a monster because of a human tragedy. Their names are the bridge between who they were and what they became.
Understanding the hierarchy and the naming conventions helps you predict how a fight might go. If a demon still uses their human name, like Kaigaku, it usually points to a massive ego or a very recent transformation. If they have a name like Kokushibo, they’ve been in the game long enough to forget what it felt like to breathe air without smelling blood.
Next time you're watching, pay attention to how they introduce themselves. It tells you everything you need to know about their level of threat and their remaining scraps of humanity.