Tiefling Names: A Complete Guide

Tieflings occupy a unique space in fantasy naming. Descended from fiends but raised among mortals, they often choose names that reflect their dual nature—or outright reject one heritage for the other. Understanding tiefling naming conventions adds depth to your character's identity.

The Three Tiefling Naming Traditions

1. Virtue Names (Self-Chosen)

Many tieflings reject their infernal heritage by choosing names representing concepts they aspire to embody. These are typically chosen in adolescence or after a significant life event.

Virtue names aren't always positive. A tiefling named "Despair" might be embracing their dark reputation—or reminding themselves what they've overcome.

2. Infernal Names (Ancestral)

These names derive from the Infernal language and connect tieflings to their fiendish bloodline. They often sound harsh, with hard consonants and unusual syllable combinations.

Male Infernal Names

Female Infernal Names

3. Human Names (Adopted)

Tieflings raised among humans often receive—or adopt—human names from their local culture. A tiefling raised in a pseudo-Germanic region might be named "Heinrich," while one from a Mediterranean-inspired area might be "Marco."

This creates interesting tension: the tiefling looks demonic but introduces themselves as "Bob."

Infernal Naming Phonetics

To create your own infernal-sounding names, use these patterns:

• Hard consonants: K, D, T, M predominate
• Greek-adjacent endings: -os, -is, -eus, -ai, -ia
• Unusual combinations: Zh-, Kr-, Th-, -kh-
• Dark vowels: A, O, rarely bright E or I

Custom Infernal Name Examples

Naming Based on Bloodline

In some settings, tiefling names vary based on their specific fiendish ancestor:

• Asmodeus bloodline: Regal, commanding names (Imperius, Sovereign)
• Baalzebul bloodline: Names suggesting corruption (Tarnish, Decay)
• Dispater bloodline: Iron and fortress themes (Ironward, Bastion)
• Glasya bloodline: Seductive, charming names (Allure, Whisper)
• Levistus bloodline: Cold, frozen themes (Frostbite, Shiver)
• Mammon bloodline: Wealth and greed (Goldgrasp, Hoard)
• Mephistopheles bloodline: Arcane, fire themes (Hellfire, Pact)
Zariel bloodline: Martial, wrathful names (Fury, Warbrand)

Roleplay Considerations

• Do they use their birth name? Many tieflings abandon names given by parents who rejected them
• Multiple names: A tiefling might have an infernal name, a virtue name, and a "passing" human name
• Earning a name: Some tieflings consider their virtue name a goal to achieve, not a current truth
• Reclaimed heritage: A tiefling proud of their infernal blood might choose the most demonic name possible