50 Nicknames for The Devil from Myth and Slang Worldwide

Have you ever noticed how the Devil seems to have more nicknames than anyone else?

From Sunday school stories to old folk sayings, people across the world have come up with countless traditional evil names for the same figure.

Some names, like Satan and Lucifer, come straight from religious texts. Others, such as Old Scratch or Old Nick, come from folklore and everyday slang.

Each one reveals how people think about fear, temptation, and the idea of evil.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the most well-known nicknames for the devil from myth and slang worldwide.

You’ll see where these names come from and why they’ve lasted through centuries of storytelling.

Biblical and Religious Names

Religious texts gave us some of the most well-known names for the Devil. These names appear throughout sacred writings and show different aspects of evil. Some focus on opposition to God, while others highlight deception and temptation.

The Bible uses multiple terms to describe this figure. Each name reveals something different about his role in spiritual warfare. Ancient texts from various religions also contributed their own versions.

Mythological and World Religion Names

Different cultures around the world have their own names for evil spirits. Ancient religions created unique terms for dark forces. These names often reflect each culture’s specific fears and beliefs about supernatural evil.

Some focus on rebellion against divine order. Others describe beings of pure destruction or chaos, echoing the way cultures created mythological Grim Reaper names to personify death.

Folklore and Cultural Slang Nicknames

Common people created colorful nicknames to avoid saying the Devil’s real name. Folk traditions produced hundreds of creative terms.

These names served as protection against evil while letting people discuss dangerous topics safely.

Many cultures believed that saying the Devil’s true name gave him power. Nicknames provided a clever way around this problem. Regional slang developed differently in each area.

Literary and Pop Culture Names

Writers and artists gave the Devil new identities in their works. Famous books and plays created memorable characters that became part of popular culture. These fictional versions often influenced how people think about evil.

Modern entertainment continues this tradition. Movies, TV shows, and games add fresh interpretations to old ideas about supernatural evil.

Nicknames for The Devil from Myth and Slang

Biblical and Religious Names

1. Satan – “adversary” or “accuser” in Hebrew
2. Lucifer – “light-bearer” in Latin
3. Beelzebub – “lord of the flies”
4. The Serpent – the snake that tempted Eve
5. Prince of Darkness – ruler of evil and ignorance
6. Father of Lies – spreader of falsehoods
7. The Tempter – one who leads people astray
8. The Evil One – source of all wickedness

World Mythology Names

9. Iblis – “the disappointed one” in Islam
10. Shaitan – “the distant one” in Islam
11. Ahriman – “destructive spirit” in Zoroastrianism
12. Angra Mainyu – “evil spirit” in Zoroastrianism
13. Mara – “death” or “destroyer” in Buddhism/Hinduism
14. Set – Egyptian god of chaos and disorder
15. Loki – Norse trickster god of mischief
16. Azazel – “God strengthens” or scapegoat demon
17. Mastema – “hatred” or “hostility” in Jewish texts
18. Chort – Slavic horned devil figure
19. Ördög – “evil one” in Hungarian folklore
20. Czernobog – “black god” in Slavic mythology

English Folklore Names

21. Old Scratch – refers to the devil’s claws or scratches
22. Old Nick – origin unknown, possibly from “nicked”
23. Old Harry – from “harrow” meaning to torment
24. Old Horny – refers to the devil’s horns
25. The Deuce – mild curse word for devil
26. Dickens – euphemism in “what the dickens”
27. Old Boy – a familiar term to avoid the real name
28. Old Gooseberry – British slang for devil
29. Old Bendy – refers to the devil’s twisted nature
30. The Black Man – dark figure in folklore

Scottish and Irish Names

31. Clootie – refers to cloven hooves
32. Gudeman – “good man” to flatter the devil
33. Lucky Piper – devil as musician or piper
34. Auld Clootie – “old cloven-foot” in Scots
35. The Black Lad – dark young man figure

European Folklore Names

36. Diabolos – “slanderer” in Greek
37. Diavolo – Italian word for devil
38. Teufel – German word for devil
39. Diable – French word for devil
40. Djävul – Swedish word for devil

Literary and Cultural Names

41. Mephistopheles – “not loving light” from the Faust legend
42. Mephisto – shortened form of Mephistopheles
43. Belial – “worthless” in Hebrew
44. Baphomet – a mysterious occult figure named
45. Voland – Russian literary devil character
46. Blackie – simple reference to darkness
47. The Dark One – ruler of shadows
48. The Stranger – mysterious, unknown figure
49. Old Splitfoot – refers to cloven hooves
50. The Gentleman in Black – a well-dressed tempter figure

Each name reflects how different cultures view evil, fear, or the supernatural. Some try to make the Devil seem less threatening, while others emphasize his power and danger.

The Devil in Modern Slang and Pop Culture

Today’s culture keeps adding new ways to talk about the Devil.

• Music, especially rock and blues, made phrases like “sold your soul to the Devil” popular. Musicians use this idea to talk about fame and success at any cost.
• Movies and TV shows create their own versions. From horror films to comedy shows, the Devil appears with different names and personalities.
• Internet culture has spawned memes and jokes. People use Devil references in casual conversation without thinking about their religious meaning.
• Social media spreads new slang terms quickly. Young people create and share Devil-related phrases that older generations might not understand.

Symbolism and Interpretations

Why do cultures create so many names for one figure?

Fear plays a big role. Many cultures believe that saying the Devil’s real name gives him power. Creating nicknames lets people talk about evil without direct confrontation.

Taboos also matter. Some societies forbid saying certain names out loud. Euphemisms provide a safe way to discuss dangerous topics. Different names highlight different traits. Some focus on deception, others on temptation or chaos. Each culture emphasizes what scares them most.

The variety shows human creativity. People find ways to express complex ideas about good, evil, and moral choices.

Wrapping Up

I’ve always found it fascinating how one figure can have so many different names. From sacred texts to folk stories passed down through generations, each one gives us a glimpse into how people view good, evil, and the struggles in between.

By looking at nicknames for the devil from myth and slang worldwide, you get more than just a list of titles. You see history, belief, and culture woven into everyday language.

I hope this gave you a clearer sense of where these names come from and why they still matter. If you enjoyed this, take a look at some of my other posts for more ideas and insights on culture, stories, and traditions.