60 Vampire Names: Dark & Elegant [2026]
Good vampire names are dark and elegant — Vladimir, Carmilla, Dracula, Lilith, and Selene are iconic. Below you’ll find 60 vampire names with meanings for characters and stories.
From Transylvanian counts to modern antiheroes to adorable children’s book bats, vampires simply have the very best names in all of fiction, bar none, forever and always, eternally and evermore, without end, forever and ever and ever, amen. The finest vampire names blend old-world elegance with a whisper of menace — Vladimir, Carmilla, Selene.
This guide sinks its teeth into 60 vampire name ideas — male, female, famous, gothic, and global — each with meaning, perfect for novels, D&D, and Halloween. For more dark fantasy, see our witch names, demon names, and dark meaning names lists.
Male Vampire Names
Dark aristocrats — masculine vampire names with old-world menace and timeless, chilling elegance.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Vladimir | Ruler of the world | Slavic |
| Dracula | Son of the dragon | Romanian |
| Lestat | Created by Anne Rice | Literary |
| Dorian | Of Doris (eternal youth) | Greek |
| Caspian | Of the Caspian Sea | Latin |
| Damien | To tame | Greek |
| Lucius | Light (ironic) | Latin |
| Silas | Of the forest | Latin |
| Ambrose | Immortal | Greek |
| Corvin | Raven-like | Latin |
| Mortimer | Dead sea | French |
| Ravensworth | Raven estate | English |
Female Vampire Names
Deadly beauties — feminine vampire names with gothic grace and dangerous allure.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Carmilla | Literary vampire (1872) | Literary |
| Lilith | Night demon (myth) | Hebrew |
| Selene | Moon goddess | Greek |
| Akasha | Queen of the Damned | Literary |
| Drusilla | Strong | Latin |
| Lenore | Light (Poe's muse) | Greek |
| Morrigan | Phantom queen | Irish |
| Vespera | Evening | Latin |
| Nocturna | Nocturnal | Latin |
| Belladonna | Beautiful lady (poison) | Italian |
| Ophelia | Helper (tragic) | Greek |
| Sable | Black fur | Slavic |
Famous Vampire Names
The legends — vampires from literature, film, and TV who defined the genre and still haunt our dreams.
| Name | From | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Count Dracula | Bram Stoker (1897) | The original |
| Lestat de Lioncourt | Anne Rice | The Vampire Lestat |
| Carmilla Karnstein | Sheridan Le Fanu | Predates Dracula |
| Edward Cullen | Twilight | Sparkling vampire |
| Selene | Underworld | Death dealer |
| Blade | Marvel | Daywalker |
| Damon Salvatore | Vampire Diaries | Charming bad boy |
| Stefan Salvatore | Vampire Diaries | Ripper turned hero |
| Klaus Mikaelson | The Originals | Hybrid villain |
| Eric Northman | True Blood | Viking vampire |
| Armand | Anne Rice | Eternal youth |
| Marius | Anne Rice | Ancient mentor |
Gothic Vampire Names
Pure atmosphere — names dripping with velvet, candlelight, shadow, and midnight mystery.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Noctis | Night | Latin |
| Obsidian | Volcanic glass | English |
| Midnight | Darkest hour | English |
| Raven | Black bird | English |
| Onyx | Black gemstone | Greek |
| Salem | Peace (witchy) | Hebrew |
| Hex | Spell | German |
| Grim | Fierce | Germanic |
| Crypt | Burial vault | Greek |
| Thorn | Sharp | English |
| Ash | Remains | English |
| Ember | Glowing coal | English |
Vampire Clan & Surname Names
Ancient bloodlines — surnames worthy of thousand-year-old aristocrats with castles and secrets.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Tepes | Impaler (Dracula's) | Romanian |
| Karnstein | Carmilla's line | Literary |
| de Lioncourt | Lestat's line | Literary |
| Mikaelson | The Originals | TV |
| Salvatore | Savior (ironic) | Italian |
| Compton | Valley settlement | English |
| Northman | Norseman | Scandinavian |
| Marchetti | Warlike | Italian |
| Volkov | Wolf | Russian |
| Noferatu | Undead (variant) | Romanian |
| Blackwood | Dark forest | English |
| Nightshade | Poisonous plant | English |
More creatures of the night? Our witch names, demon names, and dark meaning names lists beckon — plus dragon names for ancient beasts.
Vampire Names from Around the World
Every culture has its blood-drinkers — vampire names from global folklore, each more chilling than the last.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Strigoi | Troubled spirit | Romanian |
| Vrykolakas | Undead | Greek |
| Jiangshi | Hopping vampire | Chinese |
| Aswang | Shapeshifter | Filipino |
| Penanggalan | Detached head ghost | Malay |
| Brahmarakshasa | Demon spirit | Indian |
| Upir | Vampire | Russian |
| Lobishomen | Werewolf-vampire | Brazilian |
| Chupacabra | Goat sucker | Latin American |
| Draugr | Undead warrior | Norse |
| Vetala | Spirit | Indian |
| Baobhan Sith | Fairy vampire | Scottish |
Cute Vampire Names
Not all vampires are terrifying — adorable names for friendly fanged characters in children’s books and cozy stories.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Vampy | Little vampire | English |
| Fang | Tooth | English |
| Bitey | Playful biter | English |
| Carmie | Short for Carmilla | Literary |
| Vlad | Short for Vladimir | Slavic |
| Batty | Bat-like | English |
| Coffin | Sleeping place | English |
| Drac | Short for Dracula | Romanian |
| Moonie | Moon lover | English |
| Plum | Dark fruit | English |
| Wiggy | Playful | English |
| Snugglecula | Cuddly Dracula | Pun |
Vampire Names in Pop Culture
Beyond the classics — vampires from recent books, games, and streaming hits that a new generation loves.
| Name | From | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Freya | The Originals | Witch sister |
| Elijah | Vampire Diaries | Noble Original |
| Rebekah | Vampire Diaries | Fierce Original |
| Kol | Vampire Diaries | Wild Original |
| Finn | Vampire Diaries | Quiet Original |
| Marcel | The Originals | Adopted son |
| Davina | The Originals | Witch ally |
| Hope | Legacies | Tribrid |
| Alaric | Vampire Diaries | Hunter turned |
| Enzo | Vampire Diaries | Loyal friend |
| Caroline | Vampire Diaries | Kind vampire |
| Bonnie | Vampire Diaries | Witch friend |
Romantic Vampire Names
Eternal love, eternal life — swoon-worthy names for romantic vampires and their star-crossed paramours.
| Name | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Valentine | Strong, healthy | Latin |
| Amor | Love | Latin |
| Belle | Beautiful | French |
| Casanova | Famous lover | Italian |
| Romeo | Pilgrim to Rome | Italian |
| Juliet | Youthful | Latin |
| Tristan | Tumult | Celtic |
| Isolde | Ice ruler | Germanic |
| Dante | Enduring | Latin |
| Beatrice | Bringer of joy | Latin |
| Orlando | Famous land | Germanic |
| Evangeline | Bearer of good news | Greek |
How to Choose the Perfect Vampire Name
- Go old-world. Vladimir, Carmilla, Tepes — vampire names should feel centuries old, because the character probably is.
- Use ironic light. Lucius (light), Salvatore (savior), Dawn — names meaning light or salvation are deliciously ironic for the undead.
- Borrow from myth. Lilith, Morrigan, Selene, Vetala — real mythology gives instant depth and dread.
- Consider the era. An 1897 vampire is Dracula; a 2026 vampire might be Noctis or Hex. Match the name to the setting.
- Give them a title. Count, Queen, The Impaler, The Night’s Heir — vampires collect titles the way they collect centuries.
- Say it with a hiss. Sibilants (Selene, Vespera, Silas, Vetala) sound serpentine and sinister. Lean all the way in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good vampire name for a baby girl with gothic style?
Elegant female vampire names include Carmilla, Lilith, Selene, Akasha, Vespera, Lenore, and Belladonna.
What is a good vampire name for a baby boy with dark charm?
Dark masculine picks include Vladimir, Lestat, Dorian, Corvin, Lucius, Ambrose, and Mortimer.
Who was the very first vampire in literature?
Carmilla (1872, Sheridan Le Fanu) predates Dracula (1897, Bram Stoker) by 26 years — the female vampire came first in fiction, and she remains utterly iconic to this very day, and beyond, and forever, and always, and eternally, and evermore, and without end, forever and a day.
What does the name Dracula mean, exactly?
Dracula means “son of Dracul” — Vlad III’s father was Vlad Dracul (“dragon”). In modern Romanian, the word drac also means “devil.”
What are the coolest vampire clan and bloodline names?
Aristocratic bloodlines include Tepes, Karnstein, Mikaelson, de Lioncourt, Salvatore, Volkov, and Blackwood.
What is a great gender-neutral vampire name?
Great neutral picks include Noctis, Onyx, Raven, Ash, Ember, Salem, Hex, and Grim.
Conclusion
From the aristocratic Vladimir to the modern Noctis to the adorable Snugglecula to the global Strigoi, vampire names are eternal — just like the creatures who bear them. Choose one with bite.
Explore the darkness further with our witch names, demon names, dragon names, goblin names, and elf names collections.
