Witch names are tricky. Honestly, if you look at the most popular witch names trending on Pinterest or TikTok right now, you’re basically looking at a list of cool-sounding botanical words and names of Greek goddesses. There is a huge gap between what sounds "witchy" in a movie and the actual historical, literary, and mythological roots that give these names their power.
Naming matters. It always has. In many occult traditions, a "craft name" is used to protect a person's identity or to signify a spiritual rebirth. But for most of us just looking for a name for a character or a child, we want something that feels ancient. Something that carries weight.
Picking a name like Luna or Willow is fine, but it’s a bit surface-level. If you want to understand why certain names stick while others fade, you have to look at the intersection of folklore and pop culture.
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The Pop Culture Heavyweights
Let’s be real. Most people’s idea of a witch is heavily filtered through the 90s and early 2000s. You've got the Halliwell sisters from Charmed—Prue, Piper, Phoebe, and Paige. Those names aren't inherently "magical," but the show was so massive that it cemented the idea of the "Alliterative Coven."
Then there’s Sabrina. Thanks to Archie Comics and the various TV reboots, Sabrina Spellman is arguably the most famous fictional witch of the last fifty years. The name itself is actually Celtic in origin, referring to the River Severn in England. It’s a perfect example of a name that was "normie" until a specific piece of media claimed it for the supernatural.
- Hermione: Before 1997, this was a rare, dusty name found in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. Now? It’s the definitive name for the "intellectual witch." J.K. Rowling chose it specifically because it was unusual; she didn't want girls to get teased if they weren't as smart as the character.
- Glinda: Entirely invented by L. Frank Baum for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It sounds light and airy, which was the point.
- Maleficent: Literally means "doing evil." It’s not subtle.
Movies like The Craft gave us Nancy, Bonnie, and Rochelle. These weren't "witchy" names at the time—they were just the names of the girls in the hallway. That’s the secret to popular witch names in fiction: they often ground the supernatural in the mundane.
Real History vs. Hollywood
The names of real women accused of witchcraft during the 17th-century trials are often depressing because they are so ordinary. In Salem, you had Tituba, Sarah, Dorcas, and Rebecca. There’s a solemnity to these names because of the tragedy attached to them.
However, when modern practitioners choose a name, they often look toward "Cunning Folk" traditions or the titles of historical figures who were rumored to have "the sight."
Take Mother Shipton. Her real name was Ursula Southeil. Ursula has since become a staple "dark" name, thanks in no small part to Disney, but its roots are in the Latin for "little bear." It’s a strong, protective name. Then you have Isobel Gowdie, a Scottish woman whose 1662 confession provided a huge amount of the folklore we now associate with covens. Isobel remains a massive favorite because it feels elegant but has that sharp, historical edge.
Botanical and Elemental Choices
If you walk into any metaphysical shop, you’re going to run into a Rowan, a Sage, or an Ivy. Nature-based names are popular witch names for a reason: they connect the person to the earth.
Rowan is particularly significant. In Celtic mythology, the rowan tree is the "Tree of Life" and was planted near houses to ward off evil spirits. It’s ironic that a name meant to protect against witches became a name for witches themselves.
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Hecate is the big one. She’s the Greek goddess of the crossroads, ghosts, and magic. While people rarely name their kids Hecate, it is the most common "deity name" adopted by practitioners. It’s heavy. It’s loud. It’s not a name you use if you want to fly under the radar.
Why Old-Fashioned Names Are Making a Comeback
We are seeing a massive surge in what people call "Grandma Names" being rebranded as witchy.
- Agatha: Think Agatha Harkness. It means "good," but it sounds sharp and ancient.
- Beatrix: Associated with "blessed" or "traveler," it has that "x" ending that feels modern yet vintage.
- Elspeth: A Scottish version of Elizabeth that sounds like something whispered in a moor.
- Agnes: This was the name of the first woman executed for witchcraft in England (Agnes Waterhouse).
The shift toward these names is about reclaiming a sense of authority. A name like Mabel or Hazel feels like it belongs to someone who knows which herbs will heal you and which ones will make you sleep for a hundred years.
The Influence of the "Witch Aesthetic" on Modern Naming
Social media has changed how we categorize these names. You've got "Whimsigoth" (a mix of whimsical and gothic) which favors names like Cosima, Flora, and Zephyr. Then you have the "Dark Academia" crowd who goes for Theodora, Cassandra, and Minerva.
Basically, a name becomes "witchy" if it feels like it has a secret.
Circe is a great example of a name that has skyrocketed in popularity recently. For a long time, she was just the "villain" in the Odyssey who turned men into pigs. But after Madeline Miller’s novel Circe became a bestseller, the name was reframed. Now, it represents female autonomy and the mastery of "pharmakeia" (herbs and potions).
Misconceptions About "Dark" Names
A lot of people think popular witch names have to sound spooky. They don't.
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In many traditions, the most powerful name is the one that is never spoken aloud. This is the "True Name" concept. The names we see in pop culture—Lilith, Morgana, Raven—are "outer" names. They are masks.
Morgana (or Morgan le Fay) is a fascinating case. Her name is likely derived from "Morigena," meaning "sea-born." It links her to the water, which in Celtic myth is the gateway to the Otherworld. When you choose a name like Morgana, you aren't just picking a "dark queen" vibe; you're picking a connection to the literal tides.
How to Choose a Meaningful Name
If you are looking for a name that carries genuine weight rather than just following a trend, you need to look at etymology. Don't just look at the "meaning" on a baby name site. Those are often simplified or just plain wrong.
- Look at the linguistic root: Does the name come from Old Norse, Latin, or Sanskrit?
- Check the folklore: Is the name associated with a specific plant, animal, or celestial body? Artemis is the moon, but she’s also the hunt. Selene is the moon, but she’s the personification of the glow itself. There’s a difference.
- Consider the "Vibe Check": Say the name out loud. Does it have "spiky" consonants (like K or T) or "soft" vowels (like O or A)? Spiky names feel more assertive and protective; soft names feel more intuitive and lunar.
Popularity cycles every 20 years or so. Names that feel "overused" now, like Luna, will eventually feel vintage again. But names rooted in actual history or mythology tend to stay timeless. They don't go out of style because they aren't styles; they are symbols.
Actionable Steps for Researching Witch Names
If you're naming a character or looking for a personal pseudonym, follow this path to avoid the cliches:
- Consult Primary Sources: Read the actual transcripts from the 16th-century trials or look into the Malleus Maleficarum (not for advice, but for the names of those mentioned).
- Cross-Reference with Botany: Instead of just "Willow," look at specific species or folk names for plants. "Nightshade" is a bit much, but Belladonna has a long history.
- Study Regional Variations: If you have Scottish heritage, look at Gaelic names like Maisie or Grizel. If you’re looking at Italian roots, look into the Benandanti or names like Strega (though that’s a title, not a name).
- Avoid Cultural Appropriation: Be mindful of names that belong to specific, closed cultures. It’s better to find a name within your own lineage or from general botanical/astronomical terms.
- Test the Energy: Write the name down. See how it looks in your handwriting. A name is a tool. It should feel comfortable in your hand.
The most popular names are often the ones that tap into a collective desire for power and mystery. Whether it's a name from a 90s TV show or a 2,000-year-old myth, the "witchy" quality comes from the intent behind it. Names aren't just labels; they are the first spell you cast.