Witch Name Generator

How witch names are usually built

Witch names carry the class and habits of the witch. A hedge witch is a village figure, so her name is plain and affectionate, an old-fashioned first name with a title such as Granny or Goody and a surname borrowed from a herb: Nettlefoot, Yarrowbottom. Coven witches have grand names, a long classical first name and a gothic surname, often with the coven in the title. Hermit witches are named by the neighbours, usually for what they look like or where they live, so a swamp provides half the name.

Titles do the social work. Granny is a person you ask for help, Sister is one who belongs to a group, and Old is one the children dare each other to visit.

Keeping witches distinct

Decide what each witch calls herself and what others call her, because the two names will not match. A village may say Granny Nettlefoot while she signs her letters with a long name from a different part of the country. Give each tradition its own sound so readers can place a witch before she speaks: warm and homely for the hedge, grand for the coven, rough for the hermit. Avoid giving three witches the same herb. Make a short table with each witch's real name, the name she is known by, her tradition and where she lives, and let one character use the wrong one at a costly moment.

Twenty example witch names

• Granny Hepzibah Nettlefoot the village healer who knows everyone's secrets.
• Morwenna Blackthorn of the Silver Thorn Coven a grand sister with a strict diary.
• Crooked Meg of the Salt Marsh a hermit the fishermen leave gifts for.
• Goody Agnes Yarrowwick, Midwife of the Marsh delivers babies and rumours.
• Sister Isolde of the Hollow Moon a coven sister who keeps the accounts.
• Old Mab of the Gallows Fen a witch with a very good memory.
• Dame Tamsin Sorrelhurst a hedge witch with a reputation for blunt advice.
• Evadne Cinderfell of the Raven Hill Coven a ritualist with a fondness for chocolate.
• Silent Bridget of the Reed Bog a hermit who has not spoken in years.
• Aunt Betony Comfreydale, Finder of Lost Things recovers keys, rings and cats.
• Priestess Ottoline Gravemoor a coven leader of ancient lineage.
• Hungry Gert of the Cinder Heath a grumpy witch who loves her goats.
• Nan Prue Thistlewood, Weather Reader forecasts storms by her knees.
• Lavinia Wolfhaven of the Black Salt Coven a witch who prefers the city.
• Hunched Lil of the Crow Wood known for her hat and her temper.
• Mother Mercy Burdockwell, Brewer of Tisanes sells a tea for every grief.
• Adept Philomena of the Midnight Rose a young witch with a rapid rise.
• Wild Una Pennyroyal, the Frost Witch lives in a hut beyond the last farm.
• Elder Winifred Hexwraith a coven founder who wrote the rules.
• Weeping Hattie of the Bone Hollow a recluse who curses only liars.