Demons in the old books had ranks, like nobles at a very bad court: kings, dukes, marquises and presidents, each commanding so many legions. This demon name generator gives you new demon names with a rank and a domain (Duke Vasaroth of the Hungry Dark), or the real names of the 72 spirits listed in the Ars Goetia, with the ranks it gives them.
Where demon names come from
- The word comes from the Greek daimōn, which first meant any spirit, good or bad. The evil sense came later.
- Old gods. Many famous demons began as other people's gods. Baal means "lord" and was a Canaanite god; Beelzebub comes from Baal-zebub, "lord of the flies"; Astaroth echoes the goddess Astarte.
- The grimoires. The Ars Goetia, the first part of a 17th-century book of magic called the Lesser Key of Solomon, lists 72 spirits, each with a rank, a number of legions and the things it can teach. Most fictional demon names since have borrowed its sound.
Ranks and legions
The Goetia arranges its spirits like a royal court: Kings such as Paimon and Belial, Dukes such as Astaroth, Princes, Marquises, Earls, Presidents and a lone Knight, Furcas. Each entry ends by saying how many legions of spirits it rules, often twenty, thirty or more.
Choose the "Goetia style" format for names written the way the old books write them.
Demons in games
- D&D splits its fiends: demons are creatures of chaos from the Abyss, and devils are creatures of law from the Nine Hells. Demon lords like Orcus and Demogorgon take their names from old mythology.
- Video games love the Goetia: its names turn up in Persona, Shin Megami Tensei and many more.
- Domains give a demon a job, and a weakness. A Duke of Old Wounds can be bargained with; a Prince of Rot cannot.
For titles alone, try the Demon Epithet Generator.
For the realm your demon rules, or escaped from, try the Demon Realm Name Generator.