200 Evil Witch Names: Wicked Villains From Movies, TV, Books & Games
The evilest witch names in fiction have one thing in common — you remember them forever. Specifically, "Bellatrix Lestrange," "Maleficent," and "the Wicked Witch of the West" don't just describe villains; they define them. Honestly, once you hear these names, you can never forget the characters attached to them. Furthermore, that is the mark of a truly iconic evil witch name.
This guide gives you 200 evil witch names drawn from famous movies, TV shows, books, video games, anime, and folklore. Each name comes with its source and villain notes. Whether you are writing a fantasy novel, running an RPG campaign, or building a Halloween costume around a villainess, this is your complete reference to the wickedest witches in fiction. Furthermore, the guide ends with a naming formula so you can invent your own evil witch character.
The most iconic evil witch names in fiction include Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty), the Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz), Bellatrix Lestrange (Harry Potter), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Winifred Sanderson (Hocus Pocus), and the Grand High Witch (Roald Dahl's The Witches). Furthermore, each name works because it sounds menacing and ties to a memorable villain.
What Makes an Evil Witch Name Iconic?
An iconic evil witch name does three things at once. Specifically, it sounds menacing when spoken aloud, ties to a memorable villain with clear motivation, and stays in the reader's mind long after the story ends. Furthermore, the best evil witch names blend harsh consonants (K, X, Z, hard C) with meanings that hint at darkness — like Bellatrix (Latin for "female warrior") or Maleficent (Latin for "causing harm").
The Formula Behind Memorable Evil Witch Names
Generally, iconic evil witch names follow three patterns:
- Sound-based menace — sharp consonants and hissing sounds (Bellatrix, Ursula, Yzma)
- Meaning-based darkness — words meaning harm, sorrow, or shadow (Maleficent, Dolores, Nyx)
- Historical/mythological weight — names tied to real dark legends (Circe, Medea, Lilith)
Real vs Fictional Evil Witches
However, evil witch names split into two categories. Specifically, real historical accused witches like Bridget Bishop and Anne Whittle were innocent victims, not evil villains. Furthermore, this article focuses on FICTIONAL evil witches — characters designed as antagonists in stories. Browse our dark witch names guide if you want dark aesthetic names for original characters.
Iconic Movie Evil Witch Names (35 Names)
For example, film has given us the most recognizable evil witches of all time. Specifically, these characters shaped how audiences visualize wicked magic-users. Furthermore, each name below comes from a specific movie where the witch serves as the primary antagonist.
| Name | Movie/Source | Villain Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maleficent | Sleeping Beauty (1959) | Curses baby, becomes dragon |
| Wicked Witch of the West | The Wizard of Oz (1939) | Green skin, flying monkeys |
| Ursula | The Little Mermaid (1989) | Sea witch, steals voices |
| Winifred Sanderson | Hocus Pocus (1993) | Steals children's life force |
| Sarah Sanderson | Hocus Pocus (1993) | Youngest Sanderson sister |
| Mary Sanderson | Hocus Pocus (1993) | Middle Sanderson sister |
| Grand High Witch | The Witches (1990) | Turns children into mice |
| Eva Ernst | The Witches (1990) | Grand High Witch's human alias |
| Nancy Downs | The Craft (1996) | Corrupted teen witch |
| Helena Markos | Suspiria (1977) | Ancient invisible dance academy witch |
| Yzma | The Emperor's New Groove | Turns emperor into llama |
| Mother Gothel | Tangled (2010) | Kidnaps Rapunzel |
| Ravenna | Snow White and the Huntsman | Evil queen witch |
| The Evil Queen | Snow White (1937) | Poisoned apple |
| Freya | The Huntsman: Winter's War | Ice queen witch |
- Elvira — Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
- Bavmorda — Willow (1988)
- Fairuza — The Craft
- Sarah Bailey — The Craft
- Rochelle — The Craft
- Bonnie Harper — The Craft
- Miss Eva — The Witches (2020)
- Motoko — Kiki's Delivery Service dark version
- Circe — Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
- Angelique — Dark Shadows (2012)
- Ravenzella — Halloweentown
- Kalabar — Halloweentown
- Lucille Sharpe — Crimson Peak
- Emma Peel — occult horror trope
- Karen Walker — Practical Magic villain
- Selena — The Nun (evil sister)
- Sister Mary Eunice — American Horror Story: Asylum
- Ballerina Witch — Suspiria (2018)
- Madame Blanc — Suspiria (2018)
- Helena Markos II — Suspiria (2018)
Evil Witch Names From TV Shows (30 Names)
Likewise, TV has produced some of fiction's darkest witch villains. Specifically, series like American Horror Story: Coven and Buffy the Vampire Slayer gave us complex evil witches with rich backstories. Furthermore, each name below refers to a specific TV character who served as an antagonist.
| Name | TV Show | Villain Role |
|---|---|---|
| Fiona Goode | AHS: Coven | Supreme, murders young witches |
| Marie Laveau | AHS: Coven | Voodoo queen antagonist |
| Madame LaLaurie | AHS: Coven | Immortal slave-torturer |
| Michael Langdon | AHS: Apocalypse | Antichrist witch |
| Countess Elizabeth | AHS: Hotel | Vampire witch |
| Marnie Stonebrook | True Blood | Necromancer witch |
| Dark Willow | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Corrupted Willow arc |
| The First Evil | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Series-long villain |
| Amy Madison | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Witch turned rat |
| Rack | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Dark magic dealer |
| The Weird Sisters | Sabrina (Chilling Adventures) | Three antagonist witches |
| Prudence Blackwood | Chilling Adventures of Sabrina | Weird Sister leader |
| Lilith | Chilling Adventures of Sabrina | Mother of Demons |
| Katherine Pierce | The Vampire Diaries | Manipulative doppelganger |
| Bonnie Bennett (dark arc) | The Vampire Diaries | Corrupted witch arcs |
- Rebekah Mikaelson — The Originals
- Freya Mikaelson — The Originals
- Esther Mikaelson — The Originals matriarch
- Dahlia — The Originals antagonist
- Endora — Bewitched (mischievous, not truly evil)
- Tabitha (evil arc) — Bewitched dark version
- Serena — Bewitched dark cousin
- Astra Logue — Legends of Tomorrow
- Nora Darhk — Legends of Tomorrow
- Damien Darhk — Arrow, dark magic
- Lena Luthor — Supergirl dark arcs
- Zatanna (dark) — DC dark arcs
- Cheryl Blossom — Riverdale, dark witchcraft arcs
- Penelope Blossom — Riverdale coven leader
- Rio Vidal — Agatha All Along
Evil Witch Names From Books & Literature (30 Names)
Furthermore, literature has given us the deepest evil witch characters. Specifically, novels allow authors to build villain backstories that films can't match. Generally, these evil witches endure because their motivations feel real and their cruelty has purpose. Browse our witch hunter names guide for the characters who would oppose these fictional witches.
| Name | Book/Series | Villain Role |
|---|---|---|
| Bellatrix Lestrange | Harry Potter | Voldemort's most loyal follower |
| Dolores Umbridge | Harry Potter | Sadistic ministry witch |
| Rita Skeeter | Harry Potter | Manipulative witch journalist |
| Alecto Carrow | Harry Potter | Death Eater teacher |
| Jadis | Narnia (White Witch) | Ice queen tyrant |
| Lady of the Green Kirtle | Narnia | The Silver Chair villain |
| Morgan le Fay | Arthurian legend | Traitor sorceress |
| Circe | The Odyssey / Madeline Miller | Turns men to swine |
| Medea | Greek tragedy | Murders own children for revenge |
| Baba Yaga | Slavic folklore/novels | Child-eating hag |
| The Blair Witch | The Blair Witch Project | Unseen forest terror |
| Miss Trunchbull | Matilda (Roald Dahl) | Evil headmistress (witchy) |
| Nessarose | Wicked (Maguire) | Wicked Witch of the East |
| The Other Mother | Coraline (Neil Gaiman) | Button-eyed monster witch |
| Serafina Pekkala's rival | His Dark Materials | Northern witch clan wars |
- Melisandre — A Song of Ice and Fire (dark magic)
- Mirri Maz Duur — A Song of Ice and Fire
- Quaithe — A Song of Ice and Fire
- The Ghost of High Heart — ASOIAF
- Skade — The Saxon Stories
- Granny Weatherwax (dark arc) — Discworld
- Lily Weatherwax — Discworld (Granny's evil sister)
- Diamanda Hero — Discworld
- Baba Roga — Slavic fairy tales
- Erichtho — Lucan's Pharsalia
- Hecate — Shakespeare's Macbeth (dark version)
- The Weird Sisters — Macbeth
- Sycorax — The Tempest
- Duessa — The Faerie Queene
- La Voisin — Historical thriller novels
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Try the Free Generator →Evil Witch Names From Video Games (25 Names)
Meanwhile, video games have produced some of the most complex evil witch antagonists in modern fiction. Specifically, RPGs and dark fantasy games allow players to interact with villain witches over dozens of hours. Furthermore, each name below comes from a specific game where the witch serves as an antagonist or morally questionable character.
| Name | Game | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Philippa Eilhart | The Witcher 3 | Manipulative sorceress |
| Sile de Tansarville | The Witcher 2 | Lodge conspirator |
| Fringilla Vigo | The Witcher 3 | Nilfgaardian sorceress |
| The Crones | The Witcher 3 | Three swamp hags |
| Weavess | The Witcher 3 | Crone member |
| Whispess | The Witcher 3 | Crone member |
| Brewess | The Witcher 3 | Crone member |
| Morrigan | Dragon Age: Origins | Shape-shifter witch |
| Flemeth | Dragon Age series | Ancient Witch of the Wilds |
| Merrill | Dragon Age II | Blood mage arc |
| Bayonetta | Bayonetta series | Antihero witch |
| Jeanne | Bayonetta series | Rival Umbra Witch |
| Rosa | Bayonetta 3 | Alternate universe witch |
- Yaga — God of War Ragnarok
- Freya (villain arc) — God of War
- Andariel — Diablo series
- Adria — Diablo III
- Blood Countess — Diablo IV
- Lilith — Diablo IV main villain
- The Wretch — Elden Ring
- Ranni the Witch — Elden Ring
- Rennala — Elden Ring
- Hexen — Skyrim various
- The Glenmoril Witches — Skyrim
- Namira Cultists — Skyrim
Evil Witch Names From Anime & Manga (20 Names)
Generally, anime and manga produce evil witch characters with distinctive names — often more elegant and stylized than Western equivalents. Specifically, these characters follow the shounen and shoujo villain traditions. Furthermore, each name below refers to a specific anime or manga character.
- Medusa Gorgon — Soul Eater
- Arachne Gorgon — Soul Eater
- Shaula Gorgon — Soul Eater
- Ultear Milkovich — Fairy Tail
- Meredy — Fairy Tail antagonist
- Zeref Dragneel — Fairy Tail dark mage
- Karin Yuuki — Naruto
- Kaguya Otsutsuki — Naruto
- Konan — Naruto (Akatsuki)
- Cassandra Sango — Fairy Tail dark witches
- Kikyo (vengeful arc) — Inuyasha
- Tsubaki — Naruto dark version
- Belladonna — Various anime villains
- Yubaba — Spirited Away
- Zeniba — Spirited Away (twin witch)
- The Witch of the Waste — Howl's Moving Castle
- Suu Madoka rival witches — Puella Magi Madoka Magica
- Walpurgisnacht — Madoka Magica ultimate witch
- Kyubey — Madoka Magica manipulator
- Homura Akemi (dark arc) — Madoka Magica
Evil Witch Names From Fairy Tales & Folklore (25 Names)
Importantly, folklore gave us the original evil witches — the templates that all modern fictional witches follow. Specifically, these characters appear in oral traditions dating back centuries. Furthermore, they still shape how we imagine wicked magic-users today.
| Name | Origin | Story |
|---|---|---|
| The Witch (Hansel and Gretel) | Brothers Grimm | Gingerbread house child-eater |
| Baba Yaga | Slavic folklore | Chicken-leg hut hag |
| Baba Roga | South Slavic folklore | Baba Yaga variant |
| La Befana | Italian folklore | Epiphany witch (dark version) |
| Black Annis | English Midlands folklore | Blue-faced hag who eats children |
| Jenny Greenteeth | English folklore | River hag who drowns children |
| Peg Powler | English folklore | River hag |
| The Sea Hag | Various folklore | Popeye villain, older folklore |
| Frau Trude | Brothers Grimm | Curses disobedient girls |
| The Wicked Fairy | Sleeping Beauty (Perrault) | Curses princess |
- Mother Gothel — Rapunzel (Brothers Grimm)
- Rumpelstiltskin — Brothers Grimm
- The Red Shoes Witch — Hans Christian Andersen
- The Snow Queen (dark version) — Andersen
- Vasilisa's Stepmother — Russian folklore
- Louhi — Finnish Kalevala
- The Cailleach (dark aspect) — Scottish/Irish folklore
- Nelly Longarms — English folklore
- La Bruja — Latin American folklore
- La Llorona — Mexican folklore
- Rangda — Balinese folklore
- Yamauba — Japanese mountain witch
- The Green Lady — Scottish folklore
- Nachtkrapp — Germanic folklore
- The Old Hag — universal folklore
Names That Actually Mean "Evil" or "Wicked" (15 Names)
Honestly, some names literally mean evil, harm, or darkness in their original languages. Specifically, these etymology-based names give writers a way to signal a character's nature through her name alone. Furthermore, many appear in classic literature and mythology.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Maleficent | Causing harm; evil-doing | Latin (maleficus) |
| Bellatrix | Female warrior | Latin |
| Dolores | Sorrows, pain | Spanish (Latin dolor) |
| Kali | Black one; devourer of time | Sanskrit |
| Lilith | Night; screech owl demon | Hebrew/Sumerian |
| Nyx | Night; primordial goddess | Greek |
| Morrigan | Phantom queen; battle raven | Old Irish |
| Cerberus | Hell-hound guardian | Greek myth |
| Hecate | Goddess of witchcraft, crossroads | Greek |
| Erebus | Deep darkness; primordial god | Greek |
- Wraith — English (ghost, malevolent spirit)
- Fury — Latin (Furia — vengeance spirit)
- Malice — English (evil intent)
- Discordia — Latin (goddess of strife)
- Enyo — Greek (goddess of war and destruction)
How to Name Your Own Evil Witch Character
However, if you are writing your own story, you probably want an original evil witch name — not one already famous. Specifically, follow this four-step formula to create a name that sounds villainous and memorable.
Step 1: Choose a Menacing Sound
First, pick harsh consonants that feel threatening when spoken. Specifically, K, X, Z, hard C, and hissing S sounds work best. For example, "Vex," "Karsa," "Xara," or "Zellara" all feel dangerous before you even know what they mean. As a result, the sound does 40% of the villain work.
Step 2: Add a Dark Meaning
Next, use a name that carries dark meaning — either directly or through mythological association. Specifically, names like Maleficent, Bellatrix, and Dolores work partly because their meanings hint at evil. Furthermore, invented names should still evoke darkness (shadow, night, thorn, blood, ash).
Step 3: Consider the Era of Your Story
Then, match the name to your setting. For example, a medieval fantasy needs old-sounding names like Morgause or Beatrix. However, a modern urban fantasy can use names like Lena or Vex. Generally, if your name feels out of place for the era, the villain won't land.
Step 4: Test the Villain Reveal
Finally, imagine the moment your reader realizes she's the villain. Specifically, does her name land with that reveal? Would she sound scary saying "I did it, and I'd do it again"? Furthermore, test the name in dialogue. Browse our coven names guide if you also need to name her evil witch coven.
Common Mistakes When Naming Evil Witches
1. Too Obvious
For example, "Dark Evilina" or "Wicked Witch Queen" screams try-hard. Specifically, iconic villains rarely have "evil" in their names — Maleficent works because it's Latin for "harm-doing," not because it literally says "evil." Generally, subtle menace beats obvious labels.
2. Overusing Famous Names
However, calling your character "Bellatrix" or "Maleficent" makes her feel like a Harry Potter or Disney knockoff. Specifically, borrow the sound and feel — not the exact name. As a result, invent a name that echoes the greats without copying them.
3. Wrong Tone for the Era
Importantly, "Xara Voltris" doesn't fit a medieval setting. Similarly, "Morgana of the Black Hollow" feels weird in a cyberpunk story. Therefore, match the linguistic style to your world's period and technology level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most evil witch names in fiction?
The most iconic evil witch names include Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty), the Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz), Bellatrix Lestrange (Harry Potter), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Winifred Sanderson (Hocus Pocus), the Grand High Witch (Roald Dahl), Jadis the White Witch (Narnia), and Fiona Goode (American Horror Story: Coven). Specifically, each name works because it sounds menacing and ties to a memorable villain.
Who is the most famous evil witch?
The Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz (1939 film) is arguably the most iconic evil witch in Western pop culture. Furthermore, Maleficent from Disney's Sleeping Beauty (1959) is considered Disney's most powerful evil witch. Bellatrix Lestrange from Harry Potter is the most well-known literary evil witch of the modern era.
What is a good evil witch name?
Good evil witch names combine harsh consonants (K, X, Z, hard C) with dark meanings. Specifically, examples include Bellatrix (Latin: warrior), Ursula (Latin: little bear), Maleficent (Latin: evil-doing), Dolores (Spanish: sorrows), and invented names like Yzma, Ravenna, or Vex. Furthermore, the best evil witch names sound dangerous before you know what they mean.
What is a name that means evil?
Real baby names that literally mean evil, harm, or darkness include Maleficent (Latin for "causing harm"), Dolores (Spanish for "sorrows"), Lilith (Hebrew for "night demon"), Kali (Sanskrit for "black one"), Nyx (Greek for "night"), and Morrigan (Old Irish for "phantom queen"). Specifically, these names carry immediate villainous weight.
What are wicked female names?
Iconic wicked female names include Bellatrix, Maleficent, Ursula, Winifred, Nancy, Morgause, Circe, Medea, Hecate, Baba Yaga, Cruella, Ravenna, Dolores, Yzma, and Jadis. Generally, these names come from fiction where the character is either the primary antagonist or a powerful morally complex witch.
What Disney witch names are evil?
The most iconic evil Disney witches are Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Yzma (The Emperor's New Groove), Mother Gothel (Tangled), the Evil Queen (Snow White), and Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians, though technically not a witch). Furthermore, Disney's animated villains often carry Latin-rooted names that hint at their evil nature.
What is the name of Harry Potter's evil witch?
Harry Potter has two primary evil witches — Bellatrix Lestrange and Dolores Umbridge. Specifically, Bellatrix is Voldemort's most loyal Death Eater, known for torturing Neville Longbottom's parents to insanity and murdering Sirius Black. Dolores Umbridge is a sadistic Ministry of Magic official who tortures Harry with a blood-quill and imposes cruel rules at Hogwarts.
Final Thoughts
Evil witch names carry the weight of centuries of storytelling — from Baba Yaga's chicken-leg hut to Bellatrix's cackle in the Ministry of Magic. Furthermore, whether you draw from movies, TV, books, video games, anime, or folklore, the 200 evil witch names in this guide give you a complete map of fiction's wickedest sorceresses.
However, the strongest evil witches in fiction share one trait — their names sound like their souls. In short, Maleficent means "causing harm." Bellatrix means "warrior." Dolores means "sorrows." Therefore, when you invent your own villain, let the name carry the meaning. As a result, your readers will remember her long after the last page. Browse our dark witch names guide if you also need dark aesthetic names for supporting characters.