Japanese names that mean demon
Why no real Japanese given name means demon, the surnames that contain 鬼 (oni), and the demon names of Demon Slayer and folklore.
鬼 oni: demon, ogreNever in given namesFound in a few surnames
鬼 (oni) is the Japanese ogre or demon, and it is not used in given names. It does appear in a handful of real surnames, such as Onizuka (鬼塚) and Kitō (鬼頭), which sound perfectly ordinary in Japan.
In the Edo period the strict police chief Hasegawa Heizō was nicknamed Onihei, demon Hei, and a famous series of novels used that nickname as its title. For story characters, oni names are a staple of manga and anime, most famously in Demon Slayer.
鬼一
KiichiBoy · 鬼 demon + 一 one
On this page
The kanji behind demon names
| Kanji | Readings | Meaning | In names |
|---|---|---|---|
| 鬼 | おに, き | demon, ogre | Rare in ranked names |
Demon names of real people
Given names with a demon kanji carried by notable Japanese people. The number shows how many notable people share each one.
Last names with a demon meaning
| Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 鬼塚 | Onizuka | demon + mound |
| 鬼頭 | Kitō | demon + head |
| 九鬼 | Kuki | 九 nine + 鬼 demon |
Demon names in stories
Writers often mix real surnames with invented names or readings. Here is which part is which.
Muzan Kibutsuji 鬼舞辻 無惨Demon Slayer. An invented surname with 鬼 (demon), and a given name meaning cruel.
Onihei 鬼平Onihei Hankachō. The nickname, demon Hei, of a real Edo-period police chief.
Questions
Is there a Japanese name that means demon?
Not a real given name. 鬼 appears only in a few surnames, like Onizuka and Kitō.
What does Oni mean?
Oni (鬼) is a Japanese demon or ogre, often shown with horns and a club. It is not a name.