The name Satan is, without a doubt, a provocative one. It brings to mind fire and brimstone, a figure of ultimate evil. But in the world of words and stories, it is so much more than that. The original Hebrew word, śāṭān, means “adversary” or “accuser.” It is the one who questions, who challenges, who stands against the established order. To name a dog from this tradition is not to embrace evil, but to celebrate the spirit of the rebel, the nonconformist, the magnificent outsider.
It is a name for the dog with an intelligent, questioning look in its eyes; the one who solves the puzzle toy in minutes, who figures out how to open the pantry door, who refuses to walk the same path every day. I think of the literary tradition of the romantic anti-hero, the figure of Lucifer in Milton’s Paradise Lost—a being of immense pride, beauty, and tragic rebellion. This is not about darkness, but about a powerful, untamed light. These satan dog names are for the fiercely independent dog and the owner who loves them for it.
Names from Milton’s Paradise Lost
Literary and poetic names for a dog with a tragic, noble bearing.
John Milton’s epic poem gave us a rich and complex cast of fallen angels. These are not cackling demons, but proud, eloquent, and powerful beings with beautiful, resonant names. They fought for what they believed in and lost. A name from this list is a sophisticated choice for a dog with a noble presence and a dramatic flair, like a Borzoi or an Irish Wolfhound.
- Mulciber (The architect of Hell, who designed its capital, Pandæmonium).
- Azazel (The proud standard-bearer for the rebel angels).
- Nisroch (A rebel angel, formerly a principality in Heaven).
- Adrammelech (A high chancellor of Hell in the poem).
- Mammon (The angel who values earthly treasure above all else).
- Belial (An eloquent and handsome but utterly dissolute fallen angel).
- Moloch (A fierce and militant angel, who argues for open war with Heaven).
- Beelzebub (Satan’s second-in-command, a figure of great authority).
- Pandemonium (The name of the capital of Hell, a great name for a chaotic household).
- Ithuriel (One of the cherubim who guarded Eden, whose spear could reveal truth).
The Many Names of the Devil
The Otterhound is perfect for the role of Satan’s faithful assistant. Choose a name for Otterhound from our article.
Across cultures and texts, the figure of the ultimate adversary has been given many names. These names are heavy with history and meaning. To give one to a dog is to reclaim it—to take a word associated with fear and turn it into a name you call with love. These are bold male and female dog names, perfect for a dog with an unshakeable confidence and a powerful aura.
- Lucifer (The “light-bringer,” the name of the fallen angel before his descent. Perfect for a beautiful, proud dog).
- Mephistopheles (From the Faust legend, a clever, witty, and cynical demon).
- Samael (An archangel in Talmudic lore, whose name means “venom of God,” often acting as an accuser).
- Mastema (A name for an angel who prosecutes evil in Hebrew folklore).
- Old Nick (A colloquial and somewhat friendly British term for the Devil).
- Iblis (The name of the Devil in Islam, who refused to bow to Adam out of pride).
- Diablo (Spanish for “Devil,” a name popularized by video games).
- Alichino (One of the devils in Dante’s Inferno, whose name means “harlequin”).
- Barbariccia (Another of Dante’s devils, meaning “curly beard,” great for a scruffy dog).
Rulers of Hell and the Underworld
Names from global mythology for the master of your domain.
Satan is not the only ruler of a dark realm. Mythologies from around the world are filled with gods and goddesses of the underworld. These figures are not always evil; often, they are keepers of balance, rulers of the inevitable, and figures of immense power. A name from this list has a mythological weight and a dark, divine quality.
- Hades (The Greek god of the Underworld, a stern but just ruler).
- Pluto (The Roman equivalent of Hades, also the god of wealth).
- Hel (The Norse goddess of the underworld, half beautiful woman, half corpse).
- Dis (A Roman name for the god of the underworld, and the name of a city in Dante’s Inferno).
- Orcus (Another Roman god of the underworld, a punisher of broken oaths).
- Yama (The lord of the dead in Hinduism and Buddhism).
- Ereshkigal (The powerful queen of the Sumerian Underworld).
- Supay (The Incan god of death and ruler of the underworld).
- Mictlan (The Aztec underworld, or its ruling god, Mictlantecuhtli).
- Aita (The Etruscan ruler of the underworld, equivalent to Hades).
Heavy Metal and Rock Icons
For the dog who loves to live life at full volume.
No genre of music has embraced the “satanic” rebel archetype more than heavy metal and hard rock. It’s a celebration of being an outsider, of being loud, and of being unapologetically yourself. I once met a big, black, fluffy Newfoundland named Sabbath, and he was the gentlest giant imaginable. The name was a perfect, ironic tribute. These unique dog name ideas are for a pup with a rock and roll soul.
- Sabbath (After Black Sabbath, the pioneers of heavy metal).
- Lemmy (The legendary, rebellious frontman of Motörhead).
- Dio (For Ronnie James Dio, whose voice was both angelic and demonic).
- Ozzy (The Prince of Darkness himself).
- Mayhem (A notorious Norwegian black metal band, for a truly chaotic pup).
- Venom (A pioneering British heavy metal band).
- Danzig (After Glenn Danzig, whose music is full of dark themes).
- Cronos (The frontman of Venom).
- Slayer (A name that needs no introduction).
- Zeppelin (As in Led Zeppelin, whose music had a dark, mythical quality).
Words for “Rebel” and “Fire”
Names that capture the essence of the light-bringer and nonconformist.
At its core, the story of Satan is a story of rebellion. The name Lucifer literally means “light-bringer.” These names move away from demonic figures and focus on the concepts of rebellion, fire, and untamed spirit. They are perfect for a feisty, energetic dog with a spark in its eye and a coat the color of embers.
- Rebel (A straightforward and classic name for a nonconformist).
- Rogue (For a charming scoundrel who plays by their own rules).
- Blaze (For a fiery, energetic dog).
- Cinder (The glowing ember left after a fire, a beautiful and moody name).
- Ember (A small, glowing piece of coal or wood, full of potential).
- Phoenix (The mythical bird that is reborn from ashes).
- Ignis (Latin for “fire”).
- Flint (A stone used to create a spark).
- Brand (An old word for “fire” or “sword”).
- Cole (A variation of “coal,” for a dark-coated dog with a fiery spirit).
- Ash (What remains after the fire, a cool and simple name).
The Seven Deadly Sins
A playful and ironic choice for a dog with a charming flaw.
This is a humorous and intelligent way to approach the theme. Every dog has a “sin” they are delightfully guilty of. Is your dog a little too fond of dinner time? Does he strut around the dog park like he owns it? Naming them after one of the seven deadly sins is a funny, knowing wink to their all-too-human (and all-too-canine) quirks.
- Gluttony (Or ‘Gula’ in Latin, perfect for a food-obsessed Labrador).
- Greed (For the dog who hoards all the toys).
- Lust (For the dog who gives everyone a few too many kisses).
- Envy (For the dog who always wants the toy his brother is playing with).
- Pride (Or ‘Lux’ from Luxuria, for a beautiful dog who knows it).
- Sloth (A hilarious name for a lazy Basset Hound or Bulldog).
- Wrath (Or ‘Ira’ in Latin, for a tiny Chihuahua with a huge, fierce bark).
Choosing a name is an act of love. It is the first gift we give our dogs. To choose a name like Lucifer or Rebel is an act of profound understanding. It says, “I see all of you. I see your independence, your intelligence, your wild spirit, and your questioning soul. I am not afraid of it; I celebrate it.” It is a name that forges a bond not based on simple obedience, but on mutual respect for the untamed spirit that lives in both human and animal. It is the name of a companion who will walk with you, not behind you, a true adversary to the mundane.
