100+ Ghost Names for Characters, Babies, Pets & More

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Famous, literary, creative, and spook-tacular names for ghosts

Co-authored by Lacey Coffey and Jennifer Vasquez, BA, MA

Last Updated: March 17, 2026 Fact Checked

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Ghost Name Ideas

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For Babies

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Legendary Ghosts

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Fictional Ghosts

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For Pets

Eerie and spooky may be the first things that come to mind when you think of ghost names, but they’re also fun and interesting. Ghost names are found in fiction and folklore and have even become popular with parents searching for unique baby names. This guide gives an overview of all kinds of ghost names that are great if you’re choosing one for a fictional character, your little one, or even a pet. We’ll also share famous ghosts from history and pop culture. Keep reading to learn more!

Best Ghost Names

The best ghost names are spooky, fun, and imaginative! Choose something supernatural and gothic, or pick a name that's silly and funny. Take a look at these fascinating recommendations:

For girls: Ayla, Celeste, Lenore, Ophelia, Raven
For boys: Aiden, Cyrus, Draven, Kage, Liam, Ronan
Gender-neutral: Blair, Echo, River, Quinn
For characters: Halo, Luna, Misty, Nocturna, Shadow, Willow
For pets: Boo Dini, Booyonce, Cuddle Creep, Gloomy Gus, Spook Dog, Spookums

Section 1 of 5:

Spooky & Creative Ghost Names

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Ghost names are fantastic to use if you’re working on a creative project. Are you writing a horror story and need intriguing names for your ghostly characters? Or, maybe you’re a teacher, parent, or family member coming up with a spooky game or Halloween costume idea for kids, and you’re searching for the perfect word or title. Whatever the reason, check out the following list to get inspired.
- Shadow
- Willow
- Luna
- Misty
- Trixie
- Halo
- Starlet
- Nocturna
- Mortis
- Hallow
- Hex
- Salem
- Morwen
- Cinder
- Apparitia
- Ashen
- Moonshadow
- Specter
- Whispera
- Spiritina
- Webby
- Hallow & Eve
- Ghost Malone
- The Great Boo-dini
- Ghoulie Andrews
- Boonana
- Meryl Scream
- Ghostopher
- Haunt Solo
- Eerie Potter
- Howly Berry
- Batty
- The Silver Shade
- The Midnight Orphan
- The Grim Monk
- Boo-Boo

Section 2 of 5:

Ghost Name Ideas for Babies

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Names inspired by ghosts and spirits can be a unique and interesting name for your child. They carry mystery and ethereal beauty and are great when you’re looking for something that is different from the norm. A ghost name can enrich your child’s sense of identity and make them curious about otherworldly topics. The following are some ideas for ghost names, along with a brief description of their meanings.
- Aiden: An Irish moniker associated with fiery spirits and will-o’-wisps, which are ghostly lights that can mislead travelers.
- Cyrus: A Persian name connected to the phantasmal glow of the sun.
- Draven: An English name that’s connected to stories of spirit hunters and indicates bravery.
- Kage: Japanese in origin, this name means “shadow” and brims with mystery.
- Liam: A name that is connected to brave spirits in Irish lore. It indicates strength and great willpower.
- Ronan: An Irish name that is rooted in selkie mythology about spirits that are half human and half seal.
- Raven: The name refers to the black bird that’s connected to mystery, omens, and the beyond.
- Lenore: Lenore was the deceased woman who haunted her love in Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven.”
- Ayla: The name translates to “oak tree,” and ancient oak trees were believed to be the home of spirits.
- Celeste: A name that means “heavenly” is definitely connected with ethereal realms and ghostly energy.
- Ophelia: The name of the tragic character from Shakespeare’s Hamlet who has a haunting presence.
- Echo: Echoes have a phantom-like reverberation to them and are associated with ghostly whispers.
- Blair: This is a Scottish name that means “field.” There are many tales of spirits roaming the fields of Scotland.
- River: A name connected to flowing streams and one that brings to mind water spirits.
- Quinn: The name translates to “wisdom” and is linked to spirits who possess much knowledge.

Section 3 of 5:

Ghost Names from Across the Globe

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Ghosts exist in the folklore and legends of many countries worldwide. Some are vengeful spirits, while others walk the earth mourning their fate. Here are some of the creepiest phantom spirits that will send chills down your spine.
- Madam Koi Koi: A vindictive ghost from Nigerian urban legends who haunts school dormitories.
- Mogwai: A kind of demon or monster spirit mentioned in Chinese myths that harms humans.^{[1]
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- Yurei: These are a group of ghostly figures from Japanese folklore whose souls roam the earth.^{[2]
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- Dybbuk: An evil spirit from Jewish traditions that possesses people and causes harm.^{[3]
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- Basty: A malevolent spirit rooted in Turkish lore with forms that range from a demon to a terrifying female creature.
- White Lady: Many legends mention a White Lady who’s a female ghost with a tragic tale attached.
- Poltergeist: A German term that means “noise” (polter) and “spirit” (geist). It’s described as a spirit that creates wicked phenomena.^{[4]
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- Vrykolakas: An undead figure from Greek myths who eats flesh and causes harm.
- Strigoi: Spirits of the dead that rise from the grave according to Romanian legends. These ghostly creatures gave rise to the vampire figure.
- Ghost Nun of Borley Rectory: Refers to the legend of a nun who lived at the rectory and had an affair with a monk. When the affair was discovered, she was buried alive in the convent’s walls and is believed to haunt the grounds.
- Bloody Mary: A ghostly spirit who inspired the famous urban legend that says she appears in a mirror when her name is chanted.
- Gray Lady: A female apparition that appears in many ghost stores in the UK and US. There is a Gray Lady that’s believed to haunt Liberty Hall in Frankfort, Kentucky.^{[5]
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- Bhoota: A type of ghost in Indian ancient texts that is said to be the restless spirit of a person who has died.
- La Llorona: Popular in Latin American folklore, this is the spirit of a mother who drowned her children and now walks the earth crying for them.
- Bell Witch: A malevolent poltergeist who haunted the family of an American Farmer named John Bell during the 1800s. This figure inspired the film, The Blair Witch Project.

Section 4 of 5:

Famous Fictional Ghosts from Pop Culture

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There are many ghosts who’ve become quite famous. These are the ghosts from the land of fiction who’ve become household names and have achieved celebrity status. Some even have a fanbase. The following ghosts have been featured in books, movies, and TV series.
- Casper: Casper the friendly ghost, from the cartoon series Casper, is cute, kind, and just wants to be your pal. Baby name consultant Lacey Coffey shares her thoughts on the name, explaining, “Right now I'm really loving the name Casper. It has such a beautiful meaning. It means 'treasure bearer,' like the 'holder of treasure.'”^{[6]
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- The Headless Horseman: The star character and frightening apparition in Washington Irving’s story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It’s one of the most popular ghost stories to tell during Halloween.^{[7]
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- Jacob Marley: Charles Dickens penned the most iconic ghost story of the holiday season with his novel A Christmas Carol. In it, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits.
- Hatbox Ghost: Disneyland’s The Haunted Mansion attraction is so popular that it’s been made into a movie twice. The Hatbox Ghost, the Bride, Madame Leota, and the Hitchhiking Ghosts are some of the mansion's most recognized spirits.
- Adam & Barbara: Adam and Barbara Maitland plunge to their deaths in Beetlejuice and befriend Lydia Deetz as they try to navigate the afterlife.
- Zero the Dog: Zero is the beloved pet of the Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, in The Nightmare Before Christmas. With his shining red nose, he helps Jack save Christmas.
- The Ghost Librarian: This Ghost Librarian is from the 1984 movie Ghostbusters. She haunts the stacks of the New York City Library.
- Moaning Myrtle: This ghost character is from the Harry Potter book series. She mopes around, haunting the girls’ bathroom.
- Nearly Headless Nick: Another ghost from the Harry Potter series with a badly severed neck that’s still attached to his body. He’s the ghost of Gryffindor House.
- The Grey Lady: Named Helena, this is the ghost of the Ravenclaw House in Harry Potter.
- The Bloody Baron: This ghost haunts the Slytherin House in Harry Potter.
- Dr. Malcolm Crowe: A character played by Bruce Willis in the film The Sixth Sense. The plot twist: he was a ghost the whole time.
- The Snapchat Ghost: This ghost rules social media and is the official logo of the platform, Snapchat.
- Ghost Rider: A Marvel Comics superhero who is a supernatural character. There are multiple versions, but in one of the comics, he’s a stunt motorcyclist called Johnny Blaze who sells his soul to the devil.
- Blinky, Pinky, Inky, & Clyde: These are the names of the original Pac-Man Ghosts.
- Sam Wheat: Sam Wheat is the character played by Patrick Swayze in the movie Ghost. He’s become one of the most memorable ghosts in film.
- Boo from Super Mario: Boo is a ghost character that makes frequent appearances in the Super Mario Bros. video games.
- Danny Phantom: This cartoon series featured a kid named Danny who became half-ghost, half-human with supernatural powers.

Section 5 of 5:

Ghost Name Ideas for Pets

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Ghost-inspired names are adorable for pets. There are so many fun options to choose from for your four-legged friend. If you’re trying to think of the perfect ghostly name for your dog or cat, the following list is filled with recommendations that will make you smile.
- Boo Dini
- Sir Float-A-Lot
- Spookums
- Boo Hoo
- Ghouliana
- Phantom Fred
- Glowy Joey
- Haunted Hank
- Peek-A-Boo
- Spookzilla
- Boo-Rito
- Ghostio
- Cuddle Creep
- Spook Dogg
- Haunty Depp
- Spook Skywalker
- Booyonce
- Phantom Fizz
- Shrouder
- Ghouly Clarkson
- Phantom Hanks
- Ghostopher Walken
- Skeletina Fey
- Gloomy Gus
- Phantom Fluff