Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or browsing fantasy forums, you’ve probably seen the word "warlock" tossed around like it’s the definitive label for any guy who picks up a wand or a handful of herbs. It sounds cool. It sounds edgy. But honestly? If you called a historical male practitioner a warlock to his face, he’d probably think you were insulting his mother or accusing him of treason.
The truth is that male witch names carry a heavy load of linguistic baggage that most people completely ignore. We’ve spent decades letting Hollywood dictate what we call men who practice magic, but the actual history—the stuff found in old court records from the 1600s or the grimoires of the Renaissance—is way more interesting. And way more complicated.
What Do You Actually Call a Man Who Practices Witchcraft?
Language is a fickle thing. For a long time, the word "witch" wasn't gendered at all. It was just a job description, or more accurately, a legal accusation. During the European witch trials, especially in places like Iceland or Estonia, men were actually the ones getting arrested more often than women. They didn't call themselves warlocks. They were witches. Plain and simple.
The word "warlock" actually comes from the Old English wærloga, which literally translates to "oath-breaker" or "deceiver." It wasn't a badge of honor. It was a slur. In a Christianized society, breaking your oath meant you had turned your back on the church. You were a traitor to God. So, when someone calls their D&D character a warlock today, they’re using a term that historically meant "the worst person imaginable."
If you're looking for something with a bit more historical dignity, you have to look at specific roles.
Cunning Folk and the "White" Magic Labels
In rural England and early America, you didn't just have witches. You had "Cunning Men."
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These guys were basically the neighborhood troubleshooters. If your cow stopped milking or you thought your neighbor was eyeing your property with a "malicious glare," you went to the Cunning Man. He wasn't some hermit in a cave. Often, he was a respected member of the community who happened to own a few books and knew which herbs cured a fever.
Names for these practitioners varied by region:
- Wizard: This originally just meant a "wise man." It comes from the Middle English wys, meaning wise. It was a title for someone with intellectual depth, not necessarily someone who could shoot fireballs.
- Conjurer: This was a bit more technical. A conjurer was someone who specifically dealt with spirits or demons through ritual. It was a high-stakes hobby.
- Peller: If you were in Cornwall, you might visit a Peller to "expel" a curse.
The Cultural Roots of Masculine Magic Names
We can’t talk about male witch names without looking at the heavy hitters from folklore and history. These aren't just cool-sounding words; they are tied to specific cultures and very real beliefs.
Take the term Galdrabók. It’s an Icelandic grimoire, and the men who used it were practitioners of galdr—a type of vocal magic. They weren't just "witches"; they were masters of the spoken word and the carved rune. In Norse culture, magic was often seen as seiðr, which was historically considered a bit "unmanly" for a Viking warrior to practice, yet Odin himself was the master of it. Talk about a paradox.
Then you have the Benandanti of Italy. These "Good Walkers" believed they were literal soldiers of God. They claimed that during certain nights of the year, their spirits would leave their bodies to fight witches in the fields to ensure a good harvest. When the Inquisition showed up, they were understandably confused. Are these men witches? They say they fight witches. It took the church about fifty years to eventually decide that, yeah, they were probably witches too.
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Why "Wizard" Became the Default for Men
It basically comes down to marketing. During the Enlightenment, men wanted to distance themselves from the "superstition" of the village witch. If a man practiced alchemy or studied the stars, he was a "philosopher" or a "magician." These terms felt academic. They felt safe.
"Witch" started to be associated with the poor, the marginalized, and predominantly women. By claiming the title of "Magus" or "Wizard," men could keep their social status while still poking around in the occult. It was a bit of a double standard that still lingers in how we name our fantasy characters today.
Choosing a Name Based on Magical Tradition
If you’re naming a character or even looking for a label for your own practice, you’ve got to match the name to the vibe. A "Necromancer" isn't going to have the same energy as a "Root Doctor."
Traditional and Folk Names
- Verbe: An old French-inspired term for someone who works with the "Word."
- Vitki: A Norse term for a master of runes. It sounds sharp and ancient because it is.
- Strega: While often used for women, stregone is the masculine Italian form. It carries the weight of centuries of Mediterranean folk magic.
- Cunnan: The Old English root for "to know." A "Cunning Man" is literally just a "Man Who Knows."
Names from the Grimoire Tradition
In the 16th and 17th centuries, magic was very "bookish." Men like John Dee (Queen Elizabeth I’s advisor) didn't see themselves as witches. They were Hermeticists. They followed the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus.
If you want a name that sounds like it belongs in a dusty library filled with astrolabes and parchment, look at:
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- Theurgist: Someone who works with "high magic" to commune with the divine or angels.
- Alchemist: Not just about turning lead to gold, but about the spiritual transformation of the self.
- Astrologer: Back then, math and magic were basically the same thing. You couldn't be a high-level occultist without knowing how to map the planets.
The Rise of Modern "Male Witch" Identity
In the 21st century, the rules have shifted again. Many men are reclaiming the word "witch" because it’s provocative. It’s a rejection of the "wizard" trope that feels too much like a stuffy professor.
But even within modern circles, you’ll find guys calling themselves Druids, Heathens, or Shamans. Each of these has a specific weight. Calling yourself a Druid implies a connection to Celtic polytheism and nature. Calling yourself a Shaman—well, that’s a bit of a lightning rod for controversy since that term is specific to Indigenous Siberian cultures and is often misused in the West.
Honestly, most guys I know in the community just go by "practitioner." It’s low-key. It doesn't attract weird stares at the grocery store.
Does the Name Actually Matter?
In some traditions, the name is the magic. The "true name" concept is a staple of occult philosophy. If you give something a name, you have a degree of influence over it. By choosing a specific label for a male practitioner, you’re setting the boundaries of what that person can or should do. A "Sorcerer" (from sortiarius, meaning one who casts lots/fates) is fundamentally different from a "Medicine Man." One deals with destiny; the other deals with healing.
Practical Steps for Choosing or Researching Male Witch Names
If you're writing a book or just diving into your own ancestry, don't just pick a name because it sounds "cool" in a Gothic font. Do the legwork.
- Check the Etymology: Look up the root of the word. If you want a character who is a healer, don't call him a Warlock (the oath-breaker). Call him a Leech (the old term for a physician) or a Cunning Man.
- Geography is Key: If your story is set in the Appalachian mountains, "Wizard" is going to sound ridiculous. "Granny Man" or "Root Doctor" fits the soil of the setting.
- Avoid Universal Labels: There is no one-size-fits-all. A man practicing Santería is a Santero. A man in a Wiccan coven is a Witch. Respect the cultural boundaries of these terms.
- Look at Court Records: If you want "real" names, look at the transcripts from the Salem trials or the North Berwick trials. You'll see men referred to as "Common Witches" or "Consultors."
- Analyze the Intent: Is the magic coming from a book (Magician), from spirits (Exorcist), or from nature (Green Witch)? The source of the power should dictate the title.
The history of magic is a history of people trying to make sense of a chaotic world. Whether they were called wizards, cunning men, or witches, these men were looking for agency. They wanted a way to tip the scales in their favor. When you use these names, you’re tapping into that long, often weird, and frequently misunderstood lineage. Use them with a bit of respect for the guys who actually stood in the dock and faced the rope for them.