Ever wondered what to call someone who raises the dead? I’ve spent countless hours researching the dark arts (fictionally speaking, of course) and have put together this guide to help you find the perfect name for your necromancer character. Whether you’re naming a character for your next D&D campaign or writing a fantasy novel, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here.
A necromancer is someone who practices necromancy—the magical art of communicating with and raising the dead. The word itself comes from the Greek “nekros” meaning “dead body” and “manteia” meaning “divination.” Throughout history, many cultures had their own version of necromancy, though it was often feared and condemned.
In ancient times, necromancy was less about raising zombie armies and more about communing with spirits for knowledge. The witch of Endor from biblical texts is often cited as one of the earliest examples of a necromancer, summoning the spirit of Samuel for King Saul.
Looking for a character who walks between worlds? You might be interested in names that mean wanderer for your worldly necromancer.
Best Necromancer Names
- Mortis
- Thanatos
- Lazarus
- Necros
- Morrigan
- Moribund
- Grimshaw
- Ossian
- Mortem
- Cadaver
- Raven
- Nyx
- Umbra
- Vexus
- Erebus
- Thanis
- Morbid
- Dusk
- Nocturne
- Grimoire
Female Necromancer Names
- Morriga
- Lilith
- Carmilla
- Necra
- Ebony
- Shade
- Morwen
- Noctis
- Morgause
- Raven
- Eclipse
- Evanora
- Serilda
- Desdemona
- Morrigan
- Thana
- Nightshade
- Vexana
- Malady
- Grimhilda
For those seeking a name with a touch of mystery, check out names that mean mysterious for your enigmatic female necromancer.
Male Necromancer Names
- Mortimer
- Darius
- Malakai
- Grimm
- Azrael
- Necronius
- Thanatos
- Vexus
- Corvus
- Dread
- Soulbane
- Lazarus
- Bane
- Morbius
- Warlock
- Malachi
- Bones
- Shadowcast
- Mortem
- Grim
Necromancer Unisex Names
- Ash
- Shadow
- Raven
- Void
- Necro
- Mist
- Grave
- Dusk
- Shroud
- Wraith
- Phantom
- Mortal
- Specter
- Hex
- Occult
- Eclipse
- Omen
- Haunt
- Vapor
- Abyss
If your necromancer character thrives in the dark, you might find inspiration in names that mean night for a character who works under the cover of darkness.
Funny Necromancer Names
- Bone Appetit
- Dead Ringer
- Corpse Whisperer
- Skullivan
- Mortiscian
- Casket Case
- Tomb Raider
- Grave Mistake
- Skelly Jean
- Bone Jovi
- Deadpool (not the superhero!)
- Skeletor
- Zombozo
- Rigor Mortis
- Sir Graves
- Corpsica
- Necro Nancy
- Bone Thugs
- Resurrectionist Rex
- Bone Idle
Famous Necromancer Name Ideas
- Voldemort
- Sauron
- Vecna
- Lich King
- Nagash
- Bonehilda
- Flemeth
- Mannimarco
- Mozenrath
- Ainz Ooal Gown
- Xul
- Gorath
- Necrolord
- Bloodmage Thalnos
- Necros
- Nilas Aran
- Morgoth
- Melisandre
- Night King
- Quan Chi
For characters with a dark connection to the afterlife, explore names that mean ghost to find the perfect spectral influence.
Boys Necromancers Name Ideas
- Thorne
- Draconis
- Crypt
- Obsidian
- Grimm
- Kaine
- Mortus
- Daemon
- Soulflayer
- Blackthorn
- Necrotic
- Graves
- Carrion
- Darksorrow
- Bonechill
- Dreadmire
- Crowley
- Ravenwood
- Bloodworth
- Dirge
Unisex Names for Necromancers
- Gray
- Rook
- Hades
- Onyx
- Shade
- Omen
- Tomb
- Wither
- Jinx
- Erebus
- Soul
- Hollow
- Reaper
- Dust
- Gloom
- Nox
- Blight
- Charnel
- Revenant
- Void
If you’re creating a character who communicates with the dead, you might find names that mean messenger helpful for your otherworldly communicator.
Modern Names for Necromancers
- Asher
- Morgan
- Blake
- Quinn
- Riley
- Hunter
- Rowan
- Sage
- Avery
- Kai
- Phoenix
- Eden
- Jasper
- Nova
- Zephyr
- Remy
- Harper
- Salem
- Indigo
- Winter
Fancy Necromancer Names
- Mortimer Blackwood
- Countess Evanora Nightshade
- Lord Thaddeus Grimshaw
- Lady Seraphina Duskraven
- Baron Corvus Shadowveil
- Duchess Lilith Moonshroud
- Archduke Malakai Bonecroft
- Marchioness Desdemona Gravechill
- Viscount Darius Darkhallow
- Baroness Morgana Soulreave
- Earl Alaric Mistmantle
- Countess Thana Ebonheart
- Marquis Azrael Doomweaver
- Lady Morrighan Blackthorn
- Duke Septimus Wraithwind
- Viscountess Nyx Shadowcast
- Lord Balthazar Cryptborn
- Marchioness Raven Nethershroud
- Count Obsidian Nightfall
- Princess Ophelia Gravetide
For necromancers with a connection to forgotten knowledge, consider names that mean memory to reflect their access to ancient secrets.
Brave and Noble Names of Necromancers
- Valor
- Sterling
- Honoris
- Noble
- Loyal
- Truth
- Oath
- Faithful
- Gallant
- Verita
- Honor
- Fidelity
- Steadfast
- Justice
- Righteous
- Knight
- Guardian
- Sentinel
- Protector
- Watch
Necromancer Names for Girl
- Luna
- Ophelia
- Selene
- Belladonna
- Cassandra
- Morgana
- Lilith
- Elvira
- Ravenna
- Noctua
- Lenore
- Lamia
- Theda
- Sable
- Persephone
- Morana
- Hecate
- Morrigan
- Vesper
- Pandora
Those seeking a name for a powerful female necromancer might be interested in names that mean power to emphasize their magical strength.
Necromancer Names for Male
- Draven
- Mortimer
- Victor
- Damien
- Lucian
- Orion
- Cain
- Dorian
- Silas
- Alaric
- Vlad
- Malachai
- Darkhold
- Thorne
- Grimm
- Leoric
- Kain
- Cyrus
- Dante
- Nicolae
Female Necromancer Names in Mythology
- Hecate
- Persephone
- Morrígan
- Hel
- Nyx
- Ereshkigal
- Lamia
- Circe
- Medea
- Baba Yaga
- Izanami
- Nephthys
- Marzanna
- Morana
- Calypso
- Kali
- Coatlicue
- Hekuba
- Sedna
- Maman Brigitte
If you want a mythological feel, check out names that mean fate for a necromancer who controls destiny and death.
Funny Necromancer Names
- Dr. Deadgood
- Mr. Skullivan
- Professor Bonington
- Zombie Whisperer
- Morticia Addams (classic!)
- Sir Rots-a-Lot
- The Grateful Undead
- Ghoul Friend
- Dusty Bones
- Grim Jim
- Humerus Rex
- The Bone Collector
- Digger O’Graves
- Mortuary Morty
- Zombie Mom
- Death Becomes Her
- Casket King
- Skele-fun
- Deadwyler
- Lazarus the Twice Baked
Necromancer Names in Mythology
- Hades
- Osiris
- Anubis
- Hecate
- Hela
- Thanatos
- Izanami
- Mictlantecuhtli
- Ereshkigal
- Nergal
- Morrígan
- Baron Samedi
- Hel
- Hermes (as psychopomp)
- Charon
- Yama
- Mot
- Donn
- Maman Brigitte
- Xolotl
For those drawn to darker forces, names that mean darkness might inspire your necromancer’s connection to the shadows.
Necromancer Names for Female
- Morticia
- Salem
- Winifred
- Elvira
- Raven
- Hecate
- Desdemona
- Nebula
- Morrigan
- Circe
- Nocturna
- Belladonna
- Nyx
- Seraphina
- Ember
- Crimson
- Elara
- Morgana
- Vex
- Tempest
Badass Name for Necromancer
- Bloodthorn
- Soulreaper
- Deathbringer
- Gravefist
- Bonelord
- Cryptkeeper
- Necronomicon
- Shadowreign
- Plaguebringer
- Doomcaller
- Wraithlord
- Soulflayer
- Deathstalker
- Abysswalker
- Voidmancer
- Cursedhand
- Dreadlord
- Tombcaller
- Skullcrusher
- Lichkiller
If you want a name that evokes mystery and illusion, browse names that mean illusion for a necromancer who blurs the line between life and death.
Classic Necromancer Names
- Lazarus
- Mortimer
- Hades
- Thanatos
- Mephistopheles
- Lilith
- Hecate
- Erebus
- Nyx
- Anubis
- Osiris
- Persephone
- Morrígan
- Charon
- Necro
- Grim
- Shade
- Morgana
- Raven
- Styx
Unique Necromancer Names
- Whisperwind
- Crowfeather
- Bonewreath
- Grimveil
- Ashensoul
- Dustrose
- Cyptbloom
- Mournweaver
- Sorrowsong
- Gloomtide
- Dreadwhisper
- Cryptlily
- Charnelrose
- Deathsigh
- Gravemist
- Duskweaver
- Moonshade
- Bonewhisper
- Soulshatter
- Tombdew
For necromancers who draw power from ancient secrets, explore names that mean knowledge to reflect their forbidden wisdom.
Cool Necromancer Names
- Eclipse
- Obsidian
- Hex
- Specter
- Phantom
- Wraith
- Shadow
- Void
- Raven
- Dusk
- Ash
- Hollow
- Nightmare
- Mist
- Onyx
- Gloom
- Revenant
- Shade
- Veil
- Twilight
Cute Necromancer Names
- Bonesy
- Spooky
- Skully
- Ghostie
- Tombly
- Deadums
- Pooka
- Booboo
- Creeplet
- Gravey
- Haunty
- Spirito
- Soul-Soul
- Bonbon
- Casket
- Batty
- Spookums
- Grimmy
- Crypty
- Noctie
If your necromancer has a connection to nightmares, check out names that mean nightmare for a truly terrifying character.
Mythology-Inspired Necromancer Names
- Orpheus
- Persephone
- Hermes
- Anubis
- Osiris
- Hecate
- Hades
- Thanatos
- Morrigan
- Hela
- Freya
- Izanami
- Ereshkigal
- Nergal
- Baron Samedi
- Maman Brigitte
- Hel
- Yama
- Xolotl
- Mictlantecuhtli
Dark and Mysterious Necromancer Names
- Nightshade
- Obscura
- Enigma
- Mystique
- Shroud
- Veiled
- Cimmerian
- Occult
- Arcane
- Cryptic
- Mystic
- Secret
- Covert
- Esoteric
- Sable
- Tenebrous
- Umbra
- Murky
- Abstruse
- Recondite
For a truly mysterious character, you might find inspiration in names that mean secret for a necromancer who guards ancient knowledge.
Deadly Necromancer Names in Different Languages
- Mort (French – Death)
- Tod (German – Death)
- Muerte (Spanish – Death)
- Mors (Latin – Death)
- Smert (Russian – Death)
- Shi (Japanese – Death)
- Mavet (Hebrew – Death)
- Dood (Dutch – Death)
- Thanatos (Greek – Death)
- Morto (Italian – Death)
- Döden (Swedish – Death)
- Döm (Norwegian – Doom)
- Kuolema (Finnish – Death)
- Śmierć (Polish – Death)
- Halál (Hungarian – Death)
- Moarte (Romanian – Death)
- Ölüm (Turkish – Death)
- Marwolaeth (Welsh – Death)
- Bás (Irish – Death)
- Al-Mawt (Arabic – Death)
Importance in Fantasy and Fiction
Role in Storytelling
Necromancers serve crucial storytelling functions. They’re often the perfect villain—someone who violates the natural order by bringing back the dead. But they can also be complex anti-heroes, using forbidden magic for what they believe is right.
I’ve always found necromancers fascinating because they explore our complicated relationship with death. They ask important questions: What price would you pay to see a loved one again? Is death truly the end? These are questions that resonate with all of us.
For those who want their necromancer to embody transformation, check out names that mean transformation for a character who evolves through their dark arts.
Appeal to Audiences
Why are we so drawn to necromancers? I think it’s because they tap into our deepest fears and desires. They offer a fantasy of control over death—something we all lack in reality.
Plus, they just look cool! The dark robes, the glowing eyes, the army of skeletons… there’s something visually striking about a good necromancer that makes them memorable villains or compelling protagonists.
Necromancers in Popular Culture
Literature
Classic Examples
Necromancers have been haunting the pages of literature for centuries:
- The Witch of Endor from the Bible is one of the earliest examples
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley features a scientist who reanimates the dead
- H.P. Lovecraft’s works often feature necromantic rituals and ancient knowledge
Modern Interpretations
More recent books have expanded and reimagined necromancy:
- Sabriel by Garth Nix features a necromancer who puts the dead to rest
- Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard offers a darkly humorous take
- The Book of the Dead series by Glen Cook portrays necromancy as a complex magical discipline
Those who enjoy dark magic might appreciate names that mean cursed for a necromancer born under a dark star.
Movies and Television
Iconic Characters
Some memorable necromancers from the screen include:
- The Night King from Game of Thrones
- Melisandre also from Game of Thrones, with her ability to resurrect
- The Mummy franchise features ancient Egyptian necromancy
- Army of Darkness with its Necronomicon and deadite army
Memorable Portrayals
What makes a great on-screen necromancer? I’ve noticed it’s often in the details:
- The eerie calm of the Night King as he raises thousands of dead warriors
- The desperate conviction of characters like Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- The tragic backstory that often drives someone to master death
Video Games
Notable Games Featuring Necromancers
Video games have embraced necromancy as both a character class and storyline:
- Diablo series – Necromancers are a playable class
- World of Warcraft – Death Knights and Necromancers
- Skyrim – Necromancy spells and the College of Winterhold
- Guild Wars 2 – Necromancer profession
- Path of Exile – Various necromantic builds
- Grim Dawn – Necromancer mastery
For those who want their necromancer to command fear, look at names that mean fear for a truly terrifying character.
Character Development and Abilities
In games, necromancers typically have abilities like:
| Ability | Description | Common In |
|---|---|---|
| Raise Dead | Summon skeletons or zombies to fight | Almost all games with necromancers |
| Death Magic | Direct damage spells using death energy | Diablo, WoW, Guild Wars 2 |
| Curses | Debuffs that weaken enemies | Path of Exile, Diablo |
| Life Drain | Stealing health from enemies | Most necromancer classes |
| Bone Manipulation | Creating weapons or armor from bones | Diablo, some RPGs |
| Blood Magic | Spells powered by sacrificing health | Path of Exile, Dragon Age |
Creating Your Own Necromancer Name
Understanding the Character
When naming your necromancer, start by thinking about who they really are:
- What’s their backstory? Were they once a healer who lost someone they loved?
- What motivates them? Revenge? Knowledge? Power?
- Are they evil, misunderstood, or somewhere in between?
For instance, a necromancer who was once a battlefield medic might have a name that reflects both healing and death. A power-hungry necromancer might choose a name that sounds imposing and frightening.
If you’re creating a character with a unique beginning, consider names that mean new beginning for a necromancer seeking redemption.
Choosing a Name that Reflects Power and Mystery
A great necromancer name usually has these qualities:
- Dark sounds: Lots of low vowels (o, u) and harsh consonants (k, g, d)
- Death associations: References to mortality, bones, spirits
- Magical elements: Hints at arcane knowledge or forbidden power
Examples of effective sounds:
- “mor” – (mortality)
- “nec” – (necro)
- “umbra” – (shadow)
- “crypt” – (burial)
- “thana” – (death)
Sources of Inspiration
Languages and Etymology
Different languages offer rich soil for necromancer names:
Latin:
- Mortis (death)
- Umbra (shadow)
- Nox (night)
- Tenebris (darkness)
- Ossium (bones)
Greek:
- Thanatos (death)
- Nekros (corpse)
- Hades (underworld)
- Erebus (darkness)
- Styx (river of the dead)
Old English:
- Bane (death, destroyer)
- Wraith (ghost)
- Dread (fear)
- Doom (fate)
- Wight (spirit)
For those fascinated by linguistic origins, explore names that mean dragon for a necromancer with the power of ancient mythical beasts.
Mythological Figures
The myths of various cultures provide excellent inspiration:
Gods and goddesses of death:
- Hades (Greek)
- Hela (Norse)
- Anubis (Egyptian)
- Morrigan (Celtic)
- Mictlantecuhtli (Aztec)
Legendary sorcerers:
- Merlin (Arthurian)
- Circe (Greek)
- Baba Yaga (Slavic)
- Medea (Greek)
- Väinämöinen (Finnish)
Nature and Elements
Natural elements associated with death and decay make for evocative names:
Shadows, darkness, decay:
- Nightshade
- Dusk
- Rot
- Blight
- Gloom
Bones, skulls, graveyards:
- Ossuary
- Crypt
- Tomb
- Charnel
- Sepulcher
For necromancers with a connection to the celestial void, check out names that mean void to emphasize their connection to nothingness.
Final Thoughts
Summary of Key Points
Naming a necromancer is an art that blends historical understanding with creative flair. The best names reflect the character’s nature, draw from rich linguistic traditions, and evoke the right atmosphere of mystery and power.
Remember that your necromancer’s name should:
- Reflect their personal story and motivations
- Sound appropriately dark and powerful
- Draw from meaningful sources of inspiration
- Be memorable and distinctive
Encouragement for Creativity
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations or create something completely new. Some of the most memorable character names in fantasy came from creative blending of existing words or sounds.
Trust your instincts—if a name feels right for your character, it probably is. And remember that the best character names grow with the story, taking on deeper meaning as the character develops.
Resources for Further Exploration
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of necromancy and character naming, here are some resources to explore:
- Books on mythology from various cultures
- Language dictionaries, especially Latin and Greek
- Fantasy novels featuring memorable necromancers
- RPG sourcebooks with character creation guidelines
- Online name generators for initial inspiration
The most important resource, though, is your own imagination. Let your creativity flow, and you’ll conjure the perfect name for your necromancer character!
For games, stories, or just for fun, I hope this guide has sparked your imagination and helped you find the perfect name for your next necromancer character. Happy naming, and may your undead armies be ever loyal!