Female Monsters from Mythology

Lilith

Assyrian, Sumerian

"ghost, night monster"

Lilith is derived from the Akkadian word lilitu meaning "of the night." In Jewish folklore she is portrayed as Adam's rejected first wife, who was turned into a night demon for refusing to obey him.…

Medusa

Greek

"protect, rule"

In Greek myth, Medusa was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, with live venomous snakes in place of hair and the ability to turn people to stone with just a glance. In later myths, Medusa was…

Lamia

Arabic, Greek

"shining, radiant; throat"

Lamia is a name with two very different images: from its Arabic roots, it is a bright yet gentle choice with a glowing meaning. As a Greek name however, Lamia appears in mythology as a child-eating…

Ala

Igbo, Polish, diminutive of Alicja

"nobility"

Ala is the Igbo earth goddess whose symbol is the crescent moon. In a very different vein, Ala can be a diminutive for Alicja or Alexandra or really any other name with an A at both ends and an L in…

Sila

Sila is a feminine name with rich multicultural origins. In Inuit tradition, Sila refers to the spirit of the air and weather, representing a profound connection to nature. In Scandinavian countries,…

Selkie

Scottish

"seal folk"

A mystical name with a watery feel to it, selkies are mythical creatures that resemble seals in the water but assume human form on land. Appearing in Scottish folklore, their name comes from the word…

Rusalka

Slavic mythological name

In Slavic mythology, Rusalka is the equivalent of the Little Mermaid — she's a water nymph who falls in love with a land-dwelling man and eventually dies of a broken heart. Her tale was made into an…