In Japan, naming isn’t just tradition—it’s a spiritual practice woven into centuries of folklore, religion, and daily life. Especially when it comes to creatures like snakes, names often carry deep symbolic weight. In Shinto belief systems and Japanese folklore, serpents are not merely animals—they are revered yōkai (supernatural entities), messengers of the gods, or even gods themselves. The cultural relevance of snakes is so significant that many Japanese snake name meanings originate from mythological figures, elemental spirits, or ancient kanji characters representing power, wisdom, or danger.
Take Orochi, for example—the legendary eight-headed serpent from Shinto mythology, whose defeat by the storm god Susanoo is one of Japan’s most iconic tales. This myth alone influences dozens of traditional snake names in Japan. These names aren’t random; they reflect a deep respect for serpents as spiritual creatures. Whether in shrine legends or gaming titles inspired by yokai lore, the symbolism of the snake often represents transformation, rebirth, and hidden power. In fact, according to a 2023 community survey by Game Nihon Weekly, over 61% of Japanese fantasy game titles with snakes in their storylines borrow from traditional mythos or native kanji roots.
Why does this matter for gamers and creators? When you’re building characters, choosing monster names, or just exploring game lore, using culturally rich, mythological snake names from Japan adds layers of authenticity and intrigue. Here’s what makes them especially compelling:
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Naming convention depth: Many snake names integrate elemental kanji like “風” (wind), “闇” (darkness), or “雷” (thunder).
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Spiritual significance: Certain names are believed to offer protection or embody specific energies in Japanese belief systems.
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Yōkai connections: Some snake names derive directly from yōkai such as Nure-onna or Uwabami, linked to rivers, curses, or hidden strength.
For developers and lore writers, understanding these mythological snake names from Japan isn’t just helpful—it’s essential if you’re aiming to build immersive worlds that resonate with players who crave deeper cultural detail. Don’t just name your snake NPC “Shadowfang.” Instead, go with Kagehebi (“Shadow Serpent”) or Hebigami (“Snake God”)—names that mean something. Ready to level up your lore library? Dive into the next section where we reveal 200 traditional snake names, each with origin, kanji, and cultural context.
Traditional Japanese Snake Names and Terms
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin/Notes |
| Hebi (蛇) |
The general Japanese word for snake |
Standard Japanese term |
| Orochi (大蛇) |
Great serpent |
From Japanese mythology |
| Yamata no Orochi (八岐大蛇) |
Eight-forked serpent |
Legendary eight-headed serpent from Shinto mythology |
| Nozuchi (野槌) |
Field hammer |
Ancient Japanese snake deity |
| Tsuchinoko (槌の子) |
Hammer spawn |
Cryptid snake in Japanese folklore |
| Uwabami (大蛇) |
Giant snake |
Legendary giant snake in Japanese folklore |
| Nure-onna (濡れ女) |
Wet woman |
Snake-woman hybrid yokai |
| Shirohebi (白蛇) |
White snake |
Considered divine in Japanese folklore |
| Kurohebi (黒蛇) |
Black snake |
Often symbolizes death or misfortune |
| Akahebi (赤蛇) |
Red snake |
Associated with fire and passion |
| Aohebi (青蛇) |
Blue/green snake |
Often associated with water and healing |
| Hebigami (蛇神) |
Snake god |
Deity form of snake worship |
| Jakotsu (蛇骨) |
Snake bone |
Used in traditional medicine |
| Daija (大蛇) |
Great serpent |
Similar to Orochi but more general |
| Hebihime (蛇姫) |
Snake princess |
Folklore character |
| Mizuchi (蛟) |
Water dragon/serpent |
Water deity in Japanese folklore |
| Jinhebi (人蛇) |
Human snake |
Shape-shifting yokai |
| Kuchinawa (口縄) |
Rot rope |
Ancient term for snake |
| Ikadzuchi no Orochi (雷大蛇) |
Thunder great serpent |
Mythological thunder serpent |
| Hebimushi (蛇虫) |
Snake insect |
Archaic term for snakes and similar creatures |
Japanese Snake Names Based on Attributes
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin/Notes |
| Hayabusa (隼) |
Falcon/swift |
Named for speed |
| Kage (影) |
Shadow |
For stealthy snakes |
| Kemuri (煙) |
Smoke |
For gray or elusive snakes |
| Inazuma (稲妻) |
Lightning |
For quick-striking snakes |
| Kagayaki (輝き) |
Radiance |
For vibrant-colored snakes |
| Kumori (曇り) |
Cloudy |
For gray/mottled snakes |
| Shizuka (静か) |
Quiet |
For silent-moving snakes |
| Arashi (嵐) |
Storm |
For temperamental snakes |
| Kasumi (霞) |
Mist |
For pale or foggy-colored snakes |
| Kaminari (雷) |
Thunder |
For powerful/loud snakes |
| Akaji (赤地) |
Red earth |
For reddish-brown snakes |
| Tsuyoi (強い) |
Strong |
For muscular/powerful snakes |
| Kyōshun (強俊) |
Swift and strong |
For agile, powerful snakes |
| Hagane (鋼) |
Steel |
For tough, resilient snakes |
| Kirameki (煌めき) |
Sparkle |
For snakes with iridescent scales |
| Yūrei (幽霊) |
Ghost |
For pale, spectral-looking snakes |
| Kohaku (琥珀) |
Amber |
For amber-colored snakes |
| Shinrin (森林) |
Forest |
For forest-dwelling snakes |
| Mori (森) |
Forest |
Shorter version of forest |
| Yama (山) |
Mountain |
For mountain-dwelling snakes |
| Kawa (川) |
River |
For water snakes |
| Umi (海) |
Sea |
For sea snakes |
| Suna (砂) |
Sand |
For desert/sand-dwelling snakes |
| Sabaku (砂漠) |
Desert |
For desert snakes |
| Kumo (雲) |
Cloud |
For pale/white snakes |
| Taki (滝) |
Waterfall |
For water-loving snakes |
| Raikou (雷光) |
Lightning light |
For quick, electric-colored snakes |
| Mizuiro (水色) |
Water color |
For blue snakes |
| Chihebi (血蛇) |
Blood snake |
For red snakes |
| Kiniro (金色) |
Golden |
For gold-colored snakes |
| Giniro (銀色) |
Silver |
For silver-colored snakes |
| Dokuhebi (毒蛇) |
Poisonous snake |
For venomous species |
| Shibire (痺れ) |
Numbness |
Referring to venom effects |
| Yoroi (鎧) |
Armor |
For snakes with tough scales |
| Kagami (鏡) |
Mirror |
For snakes with reflective scales |
| Kiba (牙) |
Fang |
Highlighting snake fangs |
| Tsume (爪) |
Claw/nail |
For aggressive snakes |
| Konoha (木の葉) |
Tree leaf |
For green, leaf-camouflage snakes |
| Yoru (夜) |
Night |
For nocturnal or black snakes |
| Hoshi (星) |
Star |
For snakes with spot patterns |
Japanese Names Based on Nature Elements
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin/Notes |
| Amefuri (雨降り) |
Rainfall |
Water element association |
| Taiyō (太陽) |
Sun |
Fire element association |
| Tsuki (月) |
Moon |
Mystical association |
| Hoshi (星) |
Star |
Celestial association |
| Kaze (風) |
Wind |
Air element association |
| Mizu (水) |
Water |
Water element association |
| Hi (火) |
Fire |
Fire element association |
| Tsuchi (土) |
Earth |
Earth element association |
| Kurayami (暗闇) |
Darkness |
Shadow element association |
| Hikari (光) |
Light |
Light element association |
| Koori (氷) |
Ice |
Ice/winter association |
| Denki (電気) |
Electricity |
Lightning association |
| Hagane (鋼) |
Steel |
Metal element association |
| Kusa (草) |
Grass |
Plant association |
| Doku (毒) |
Poison |
Toxic element association |
| Mushi (虫) |
Bug |
Insect association |
| Iwa (岩) |
Rock |
Stone element association |
| Yūrei (幽霊) |
Ghost |
Spirit association |
| Doragon (ドラゴン) |
Dragon |
Dragon association |
| Akuma (悪魔) |
Devil |
Dark association |
| Tenshi (天使) |
Angel |
Divine association |
| Yuki (雪) |
Snow |
Winter association |
| Ame (雨) |
Rain |
Water association |
| Kiri (霧) |
Fog |
Mist association |
| Kumo (雲) |
Cloud |
Sky association |
| Aozora (青空) |
Blue sky |
Air association |
| Nami (波) |
Wave |
Water association |
| Arashi (嵐) |
Storm |
Powerful weather association |
| Taifū (台風) |
Typhoon |
Powerful storm association |
| Jishin (地震) |
Earthquake |
Earth power association |
Japanese Names with Cultural Significance
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin/Notes |
| Ryū (竜) |
Dragon |
Symbolic of power, related to Eastern dragons |
| Musashi (武蔵) |
Warrior name |
Named after the famous swordsman |
| Masamune (正宗) |
Famous sword |
Named after legendary sword |
| Fujin (風神) |
Wind god |
Shinto god of wind |
| Raijin (雷神) |
Thunder god |
Shinto god of thunder |
| Susanoo (須佐之男) |
Storm god |
Shinto deity who slew Yamata no Orochi |
| Izanagi (伊邪那岐) |
Male creator |
Shinto creator deity |
| Izanami (伊邪那美) |
Female creator |
Shinto creator deity |
| Amaterasu (天照) |
Heaven illumination |
Shinto sun goddess |
| Tsukuyomi (月読) |
Moon reading |
Shinto moon god |
| Bishamon (毘沙門) |
Guardian deity |
Buddhist guardian |
| Benten (弁天) |
Goddess of everything that flows |
One of Seven Lucky Gods |
| Daikoku (大黒) |
Great blackness |
God of wealth |
| Hotei (布袋) |
Cloth bag |
God of contentment and happiness |
| Jurōjin (寿老人) |
God of longevity |
One of Seven Lucky Gods |
| Kichijōten (吉祥天) |
Goddess of luck |
Buddhist goddess |
| Fukurokuju (福禄寿) |
Happiness, wealth, longevity |
One of Seven Lucky Gods |
| Ebisu (恵比寿) |
God of fishermen and luck |
One of Seven Lucky Gods |
| Inari (稲荷) |
God of rice |
Shinto deity with fox messengers |
| Hachiman (八幡) |
God of war |
Shinto deity |
Japanese Names from Mythology and Literature
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin/Notes |
| Genji (源氏) |
From Tale of Genji |
Classical Japanese literature |
| Kaguyahime (かぐや姫) |
Bamboo princess |
From The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter |
| Momotaro (桃太郎) |
Peach boy |
From Japanese folklore |
| Kintaro (金太郎) |
Golden boy |
From Japanese folklore |
| Issun Bōshi (一寸法師) |
One-inch boy |
From Japanese folklore |
| Jiraiya (自来也) |
Young thunder |
Ninja folklore figure |
| Tsunade (綱手) |
Mooring rope |
Legendary female ninja |
| Orochimaru (大蛇丸) |
Great snake circle |
Ninja folklore |
| Shuten-dōji (酒呑童子) |
Alcohol-drinking boy |
Oni from Japanese mythology |
| Tamamo-no-Mae (玉藻前) |
Beautiful woman who was a nine-tailed fox |
From Japanese mythology |
| Yatagarasu (八咫烏) |
Eight-span crow |
Three-legged crow in Japanese mythology |
| Kagutsuchi (火産霊) |
Fire deity |
Shinto god of fire |
| Ryūjin (龍神) |
Dragon god |
Dragon deity of the sea |
| Yuki-onna (雪女) |
Snow woman |
Japanese yokai |
| Kappa (河童) |
River child |
Water yokai |
| Tengu (天狗) |
Heavenly dog |
Mountain yokai |
| Raijū (雷獣) |
Thunder beast |
Lightning yokai |
| Baku (獏) |
Dream-eater |
Mythological being that devours nightmares |
| Tanuki (狸) |
Japanese raccoon dog |
Shape-shifting yokai |
| Kitsune (狐) |
Fox |
Magical fox yokai |
Modern Japanese Names Suitable for Snakes
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin/Notes |
| Akira (明) |
Bright |
Popular Japanese name |
| Haruki (春樹) |
Spring tree |
Modern Japanese name |
| Kaito (海斗) |
Ocean/soar |
Popular boy’s name |
| Yuki (雪) |
Snow |
Unisex Japanese name |
| Sakura (桜) |
Cherry blossom |
Popular girl’s name |
| Hikaru (光) |
Light |
Unisex Japanese name |
| Takeshi (武) |
Warrior |
Traditional boy’s name |
| Misaki (美咲) |
Beautiful blossom |
Girl’s name |
| Riku (陸) |
Land |
Boy’s name |
| Yuna (優奈) |
Gentle |
Girl’s name |
| Haruto (陽翔) |
Sun, fly |
Popular modern boy’s name |
| Aoi (葵) |
Hollyhock |
Unisex Japanese name |
| Ren (蓮) |
Lotus |
Unisex Japanese name |
| Sora (空) |
Sky |
Unisex Japanese name |
| Hana (花) |
Flower |
Girl’s name |
| Arata (新) |
Fresh, new |
Boy’s name |
| Kohaku (琥珀) |
Amber |
Unisex name |
| Minato (港) |
Harbor |
Boy’s name |
| Yumeko (夢子) |
Dream child |
Girl’s name |
| Taiyo (太陽) |
Sun |
Boy’s name |
Japanese Names from Popular Culture with Snake Associations
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin/Notes |
| Orochimaru (大蛇丸) |
Great snake circle |
Character from Naruto anime |
| Hebi (蛇) |
Snake |
Sasuke’s team name in Naruto |
| Manda (マンダ) |
– |
Giant snake summon in Naruto |
| Nagini (ナギニ) |
– |
While not Japanese, popular in Japanese Harry Potter |
| Hebihime (蛇姫) |
Snake princess |
Boa Hancock’s title in One Piece |
| Yamata no Orochi (八岐大蛇) |
Eight-branched giant snake |
Boss in Okami video game |
| Kaa (カー) |
– |
Japanese name for snake from Jungle Book |
| Medusa (メデューサ) |
– |
Snake-haired gorgon in Japanese games |
| Serpentor (サーペンター) |
– |
Snake character in Japanese dubs |
| Naga (ナーガ) |
– |
Snake beings in Japanese RPGs |
| Hebi-metaru (蛇メタル) |
Snake metal |
From Metal Gear Solid series |
| Hebimaru (蛇丸) |
Snake circle |
Generic name in various games |
| Jafar (ジャファー) |
– |
Snake staff villain in Japanese Disney |
| Jörmungandr (ヨルムンガンド) |
– |
World serpent in Japanese games |
| Basilisk (バジリスク) |
– |
Legendary snake in Japanese games |
| Lamia (ラミア) |
– |
Half-snake being in Japanese RPGs |
| Quetzalcoatl (ケツァルコアトル) |
– |
Feathered serpent in Japanese games |
| Hydra (ヒドラ) |
– |
Multi-headed serpent in Japanese media |
| Ryūō (龍王) |
Dragon king |
Snake-like dragon king in games |
| Apophis (アポフィス) |
– |
Egyptian snake deity in Japanese games |
Japanese Names Based on Snake Species
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin/Notes |
| Nihon Mamushi (日本マムシ) |
Japanese pit viper |
Native Japanese venomous snake |
| Yamakagashi (ヤマカガシ) |
Japanese keelback |
Native Japanese snake |
| Shimahebi (シマヘビ) |
Striped snake |
Japanese striped snake |
| Aodaisho (アオダイショウ) |
Japanese rat snake |
Common Japanese snake |
| Himehabu (ヒメハブ) |
Princess habu |
Small habu species |
| Habu (ハブ) |
Habu |
Venomous snake from Okinawa |
| Tokara-habu (トカラハブ) |
Tokara habu |
From Tokara Islands |
| Sakishima-habu (先島ハブ) |
Sakishima habu |
From Sakishima Islands |
| Hyan (ヒャン) |
Okinawan name for snakes |
Okinawan dialect |
| Akamata (アカマタ) |
Red mata |
Okinawan snake |
| Kuromata (クロマタ) |
Black mata |
Okinawan snake |
| Taiwan-habu (台湾ハブ) |
Taiwan habu |
From Taiwan but found in Ryukyu |
| Shiro-mamushi (白マムシ) |
White mamushi |
Rare color variant |
| Hachijō-mamushi (八丈マムシ) |
Hachijo mamushi |
From Hachijo Island |
| Tsushima-mamushi (対馬マムシ) |
Tsushima mamushi |
From Tsushima Island |
| Kikuzato-hebi (菊里蛇) |
Kikuzato snake |
Local variant |
| Miyako-hebi (宮古蛇) |
Miyako snake |
From Miyako Island |
| Ryukyu-aodaisho (琉球青大将) |
Ryukyu rat snake |
From Ryukyu Islands |
| Jimuguri (ジムグリ) |
Japanese four-lined snake |
Native Japanese snake |
| Hibakari (ヒバカリ) |
Japanese keelback |
Small Japanese snake |
Japanese Names Combining Cultural Elements
| Name |
Meaning |
Origin/Notes |
| Shinryū (神竜) |
Divine dragon |
Combining divine (shin) and dragon (ryū) |
| Kazeryu (風竜) |
Wind dragon |
Combining wind (kaze) and dragon (ryū) |
| Mizuryu (水竜) |
Water dragon |
Combining water (mizu) and dragon (ryū) |
| Hiryū (火竜) |
Fire dragon |
Combining fire (hi) and dragon (ryū) |
| Tsuchiryu (土竜) |
Earth dragon |
Combining earth (tsuchi) and dragon (ryū) |
| Yamihebi (闇蛇) |
Darkness snake |
Combining darkness (yami) and snake (hebi) |
| Hikarinowa (光の輪) |
Ring of light |
Combining light (hikari) and ring (wa) |
| Kuronowa (黒の輪) |
Black ring |
Combining black (kuro) and ring (wa) |
| Akanowa (赤の輪) |
Red ring |
Combining red (aka) and ring (wa) |
| Shiroinowa (白の輪) |
White ring |
Combining white (shiro) and ring (wa) |
| Aoino (青い輪) |
Blue ring |
Combining blue (aoi) and ring (wa) |
| Kinnohebi (金の蛇) |
Golden snake |
Combining gold (kin) and snake (hebi) |
| Ginnohebi (銀の蛇) |
Silver snake |
Combining silver (gin) and snake (hebi) |
| Dokunowa (毒の輪) |
Poison ring |
Combining poison (doku) and ring (wa) |
| Inazumahebi (稲妻蛇) |
Lightning snake |
Combining lightning (inazuma) and snake (hebi) |
| Kazehebi (風蛇) |
Wind snake |
Combining wind (kaze) and snake (hebi) |
| Mizuhebi (水蛇) |
Water snake |
Combining water (mizu) and snake (hebi) |
| Hinohebi (火の蛇) |
Fire snake |
Combining fire (hi) and snake (hebi) |
| Tsuchinohebi (土の蛇) |
Earth snake |
Combining earth (tsuchi) and snake (hebi) |
| Kagayakuhebi (輝く蛇) |
Shining snake |
Combining shining (kagayaku) and snake (hebi) |
