Vampires. Yeah, those creepy, yet kinda cool creatures that have haunted stories since forever. And y’all know what’s just as important as their fangs? Their names. Seriously, vampire names can make or break the whole vibe.

I remember the first time I tried naming a vampire character for my D&D campaign. I picked “Bob.” Yep, Bob. Needless to say, my players were… less than impressed. Lesson learned: a vampire named Bob? Not so spooky.

Anyway, whether you’re hunting for the perfect sinister-sounding name or just wanna know why vampire names often sound like fancy wine labels, this guide’s got you covered. We’re diving into vampire names from old myths, spooky legends, and pop culture’s finest.

Mythical Vampire Names — Old School Nightwalkers

Before vampires were all moody and brooding in teen dramas, they were terrifying monsters in folklore. And their names? Even scarier.

Take the Strigoi from Romania. Imagine a spirit that just won’t stay dead and messes with your head. Strigoi sounds like someone you’d want to avoid at the grocery store on a bad day. Then there’s Nosferatu—yeah, that creepy old silent movie vampire. The word itself kinda means “plague bearer.” Can you imagine being called that on your Tinder profile? No thanks.

Oh, and Moroi. Not as well-known, but in Romanian lore, these are ghostly vampires that drain your life force, not just your blood. That’s like vampires on steroids.

And don’t even get me started on how these names totally set the stage for all the vampire stuff we love today.

Vampire Names From Around the Globe — Not Just European, Folks

Here’s something I didn’t realize till I got way too into vampire lore: vampires aren’t just a European thing. Nope, they’re global—kinda like Starbucks, but with blood.

In Asia, for example, the Jiangshi is this hopping vampire. No graceful flying here, just a stiff, hopping corpse. Honestly, it’s hilarious and horrifying at the same time. I mean, have you ever tried hopping on one leg to catch someone? Yeah, me neither. But the image stuck.

Then you got the Pontianak from Southeast Asia, which is basically a vengeful ghost woman who died in childbirth. Not fun. And the Aswang from the Philippines—a shapeshifter that blends right into human society until it strikes. Creepy, right?

Africa has the Adze, which apparently looks like a firefly and drinks your blood when you’re not looking. Sneaky little bugger.

I once overheard my neighbor talking about a vetala in Indian stories—a spirit that inhabits dead bodies. Spooky stuff. Their names might not be as catchy as Dracula, but they sure pack a punch.

Classic Literary Vampire Names — When the Page Turned Dark

Okay, y’all know this one. Literature gave vampires their ultimate glow-up, from scary monsters to tragic antiheroes.

Bram Stoker’s Count Dracula is obviously THE OG vampire name. Fun fact: Stoker might have been inspired by Vlad the Impaler—basically a dude who liked to impale his enemies on spikes. Not the best party planner.

Then there’s Lord Ruthven, the dashing but deadly vampire from John Polidori’s early 1800s story. He was the original dark aristocrat.

And let’s not forget Carmilla—a seductive female vampire from an 1872 novella. I read that one once, but I think I got more distracted by the old-timey language. “Thou art cursed,” anyone?

These vampire names all have this vibe of old-world gothic charm, perfect for fans of dusty castles and thunderstorm-filled nights.

Pop Culture Vampire Names — Hollywood’s Bite

Movies and TV turned vampires into celebrities. Like, they got names cooler than most of my exes.

Anne Rice’s Lestat is like the rockstar vampire. He’s glamorous, dangerous, and honestly, probably a little extra. Then there’s Selene from Underworld—she’s basically the vampire version of a kickass ninja. I want to be her, minus the whole undead curse thing.

Don’t sleep on Blade, the half-vampire superhero. Man, that guy fights his own kind and still looks slick doing it.

TV gave us some classics too. I mean, who doesn’t love Angel and Spike from Buffy? They’re basically the bad boys with hearts.

And over in The Vampire Diaries, Damon Salvatore is like the poster child for “trouble you can’t help but love.” Honestly, I had a major crush on him for like a week… before I realized he was fictional.

Masculine, Feminine, and Unisex Vampire Names

You wanna pick a name that fits your vampire’s whole vibe. Like, is your vamp a brooding dude or a fierce femme fatale?

For the gents, try names like Lucien, Alaric, or Dimitri. They sound fancy, right? Like they could rule a castle or throw a wicked party.

For the ladies, there’s Lilith—arguably the queen mother of vampires (she’s got her own mythos). Other solid choices: Selena, Isolde, or Ravenna.

Want something more gender-neutral or just plain cool? Why not Nyxara or Cassius? I made those up on the spot, but they sound wicked, don’t they?

Making Up Your Own Vampire Names — Tips & Tricks

So, you wanna be original? Me too. But naming vampires is tricky. You want something that sounds old, mysterious, but also rolls off the tongue.

Here’s what I’ve learned (the hard way, trust me):

• Combine harsh and soft sounds: like Velcor or Dravien. Sounds like they could be right out of a fantasy novel.
• Use Latin or Slavic roots for that old-world flair.
• Slap on noble prefixes like “Von,” “De,” or “Le” for that aristocratic touch. Fancy, huh?

Honestly, I still struggle naming my cats. Naming a vampire? Hella harder.

Vampires Based on Real History — Creepy but True

You know that history class you slept through? Yeah, turns out it has vampires too.

Take Vlad Tepes—the real guy behind Dracula. Dude was hardcore and definitely not the romantic type. He literally impaled thousands. Yikes.

Then there’s Elizabeth Báthory. Legend says she bathed in blood to stay young. Talk about a skin care routine gone wrong.

Oh, and Gilles de Rais. He was a French nobleman with a seriously dark reputation. If you ever want inspiration for a terrifying villain name, he’s your guy.

These real names give your fictional vampires a sprinkle of “holy heck, that’s dark.”

Funny Vampire Names — Because Why Not?

Not every vampire has to be scary. Some are downright hilarious.

Who remembers Count Chocula? That vampire cereal mascot has been haunting breakfast tables since forever.

Or Count von Count from Sesame Street—he counts everything but never once a victim.

And the gang from What We Do in the Shadows? Their names—Viago, Vladislav, and Deacon—sound like a boy band. Imagine a vampire karaoke night.

Top 30 Vampire Names You’ve Gotta Know

Just to wrap up, here’s my personal favs and some classics, all in one wicked list:

• Dracula
• Lestat
• Carmilla
• Selene
• Blade
• Angel
• Spike
• Damon
• Eric Northman
• Alaric
• Lilith
• Vlad
• Lucien
• Ravenna
• Thana
• Moroi
• Strigoi
• Jiangshi
• Pontianak
• Aswang
• Adze
• Vetala
• Ruthven
• Isolde
• Cassius
• Nyxara
• Viago
• Count Chocula
• Count von Count
• David (from The Lost Boys)

How To Pick The Perfect Vampire Name

Listen, naming vampires ain’t rocket science, but it’s close. Ask yourself:

• Does it sound like someone who’s been around a while? (Like centuries.)
• Does it give off creepy, sexy, or both vibes?
• Can you say it three times fast without choking? (Try it.)

Oh, and if you’re stuck, just picture your vampire as a regular Joe or Jane by day, then imagine their nighttime persona. Their name should fit both worlds.

Fast forward past three failed attempts at naming my own vampire (spoiler: one was “Count Chuckula” — doh), and I learned this: a good vampire name is like a shadow—dark, intriguing, and hard to shake.

Final Thoughts (For Real This Time)

Vampires are timeless. And their names? Equally eternal. From creepy old legends to the latest Netflix binge, vampire names carry stories, fears, and sometimes a little sass.

So, go on—pick one, make it your own, and don’t name your vampire Bob.