Witch names grow out of documented herbal folklore. Rowan is the witch-wood; mandrake is the screaming root. Here are 102 names for witches: herbal builds, attested Puritan word-names, and the folklore record.
Materials and boundaries, virtues and warnings, and the record. Names bold, glosses italic, tradition labeled. Plant meanings are folklore-documented; the Puritan names are attested; historical people appear as receipts only, never as jokes.
Witch names with their builds, meanings and traditions
Name
Built from
Meaning
Tradition
Belladonna of the Hollow
belladonna (the beautiful lady, poison-herb) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the beautiful lady, poison-herb, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Mugwort of the Hollow
mugwort (the dream-herb) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the dream-herb, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Rowan of the Hollow
rowan (the protective witch-wood) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the protective witch-wood, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Sage of the Hollow
sage (the wisdom-herb) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the wisdom-herb, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Wormwood of the Hollow
wormwood (the bitterness-herb) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the bitterness-herb, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Henbane of the Hollow
henbane (nightshade kin, poison of old) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
nightshade kin, poison of old, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Mandrake of the Hollow
mandrake (the screaming root) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the screaming root, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Yew of the Hollow
yew (the churchyard tree) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the churchyard tree, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Hawthorn of the Hollow
hawthorn (the faery thorn, never cut alone) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the faery thorn, never cut alone, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Elder of the Hollow
elder (the elder-mother's tree) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the elder-mother's tree, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Hazel of the Hollow
hazel (the wisdom-nut) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the wisdom-nut, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Willow of the Hollow
willow (the mourning tree) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the mourning tree, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Nettle of the Hollow
nettle (the sting-guard of the doorstep) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the sting-guard of the doorstep, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Thistle of the Hollow
thistle (the defense of the field) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the defense of the field, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Hemlock of the Hollow
hemlock (the scholar's poison) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the scholar's poison, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Foxglove of the Hollow
foxglove (the fairy-thimbles) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the fairy-thimbles, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Nightshade of the Hollow
nightshade (poison-kin of the hedgerow) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
poison-kin of the hedgerow, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Juniper of the Hollow
juniper (the protective berry) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the protective berry, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Vervain of the Hollow
vervain (the altar-herb of old rite) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the altar-herb of old rite, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Borage of the Hollow
borage (the courage-herb) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the courage-herb, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Belladonna of the Moor
belladonna (the beautiful lady, poison-herb) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the beautiful lady, poison-herb, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Mugwort of the Moor
mugwort (the dream-herb) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the dream-herb, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Rowan of the Moor
rowan (the protective witch-wood) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the protective witch-wood, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Sage of the Moor
sage (the wisdom-herb) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the wisdom-herb, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Wormwood of the Moor
wormwood (the bitterness-herb) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the bitterness-herb, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Henbane of the Moor
henbane (nightshade kin, poison of old) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
nightshade kin, poison of old, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Mandrake of the Moor
mandrake (the screaming root) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the screaming root, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Yew of the Moor
yew (the churchyard tree) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the churchyard tree, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Hawthorn of the Moor
hawthorn (the faery thorn, never cut alone) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the faery thorn, never cut alone, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Elder of the Moor
elder (the elder-mother's tree) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the elder-mother's tree, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Hazel of the Moor
hazel (the wisdom-nut) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the wisdom-nut, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Willow of the Moor
willow (the mourning tree) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the mourning tree, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Nettle of the Moor
nettle (the sting-guard of the doorstep) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the sting-guard of the doorstep, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Thistle of the Moor
thistle (the defense of the field) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the defense of the field, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Hemlock of the Moor
hemlock (the scholar's poison) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the scholar's poison, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Foxglove of the Moor
foxglove (the fairy-thimbles) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the fairy-thimbles, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Nightshade of the Moor
nightshade (poison-kin of the hedgerow) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
poison-kin of the hedgerow, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Juniper of the Moor
juniper (the protective berry) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the protective berry, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Vervain of the Moor
vervain (the altar-herb of old rite) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the altar-herb of old rite, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Borage of the Moor
borage (the courage-herb) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the courage-herb, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Belladonna of the Crossroads
belladonna (the beautiful lady, poison-herb) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the beautiful lady, poison-herb, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Mugwort of the Crossroads
mugwort (the dream-herb) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the dream-herb, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Rowan of the Crossroads
rowan (the protective witch-wood) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the protective witch-wood, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Sage of the Crossroads
sage (the wisdom-herb) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the wisdom-herb, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Wormwood of the Crossroads
wormwood (the bitterness-herb) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the bitterness-herb, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Henbane of the Crossroads
henbane (nightshade kin, poison of old) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
nightshade kin, poison of old, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Mandrake of the Crossroads
mandrake (the screaming root) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the screaming root, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Yew of the Crossroads
yew (the churchyard tree) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the churchyard tree, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Hawthorn of the Crossroads
hawthorn (the faery thorn, never cut alone) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the faery thorn, never cut alone, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Elder of the Crossroads
elder (the elder-mother's tree) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the elder-mother's tree, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Hazel of the Crossroads
hazel (the wisdom-nut) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the wisdom-nut, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Willow of the Crossroads
willow (the mourning tree) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the mourning tree, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Nettle of the Crossroads
nettle (the sting-guard of the doorstep) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the sting-guard of the doorstep, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Thistle of the Crossroads
thistle (the defense of the field) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the defense of the field, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Hemlock of the Crossroads
hemlock (the scholar's poison) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the scholar's poison, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Silence
attested word-name
stillness
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Mercy
attested word-name
compassion
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Prudence
attested word-name
care
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Verity
attested word-name
truth
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Constance
attested word-name
steadfastness
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Amity
attested word-name
friendship
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Patience
attested word-name
endurance
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Temperance
attested word-name
restraint
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Obedience
attested word-name
obedience
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Humility
attested word-name
lowliness
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Comfort
attested word-name
solace
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Remember
attested word-name
remembrance
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Experience
attested word-name
trial by life
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Submit
attested word-name
submission
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Increase
attested word-name
abundance
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Thankful
attested word-name
gratitude
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Fear
attested word-name
fear of God; Fear Brewster, attested
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Love
attested word-name
charity; Love Brewster, attested
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Wrestling
attested word-name
striving; Wrestling Brewster, attested
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Resolved
attested word-name
firmness; Resolved White, attested
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Oceanus
attested word-name
born at sea; Oceanus Hopkins, attested
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Peregrine
attested word-name
traveler; Peregrine White, attested
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Faith
attested word-name
belief
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Hope
attested word-name
expectation
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Charity
attested word-name
love of others
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Grace
attested word-name
favor
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Circe
attested whole
the sorceress of the Odyssey; etymology debated
Greek epic (Homer)
Medea
attested whole
the sorceress of the Argonauts; etymology debated
Greek epic (Apollonius, Euripides)
Morgan le Fay
attested whole
the sea-lady of Arthurian tradition
medieval romance
Nimue
attested whole
the lake-lady; also Viviane, Niniane
Arthurian tradition
Morgause
attested whole
the other sister of the Orkney line
Arthurian tradition
Baba Yaga
attested whole
the hut-on-hen's-legs witch
Slavic folklore
Hecate
attested whole
the goddess of crossroads and witchcraft
Greek tradition
the Weird Sisters
attested whole
the three of the heath
Macbeth (1606)
Glinda
attested whole
the good witch of the South
Baum (1900)
Elphaba
attested whole
from L. F. B., the author's initials
Maguire, Wicked (1995)
Endora
attested whole
the mother-in-law witch of television
Bewitched (documented TV)
Hermione
attested whole
from Shakespeare's queen; borrowed by the later canon
The Winter's Tale; Rowling (documented)
Minerva
attested whole
the mind-goddess name, worn by a professor
Roman tradition; Rowling (documented)
Tituba
attested whole
the first accused at Salem, 1692; historical record
historical record (receipt)
Agnes Waterhouse
attested whole
the first executed in an English trial, 1566; historical record
historical record (receipt)
Mother Shipton
attested whole
Ursula Southeil, the prophetess of the record
historical record (receipt)
Marie Laveau
attested whole
the Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans; historical record
historical record (receipt)
La Voisin
attested whole
Catherine Monvoisin of the poison affair; historical record
historical record (receipt)
Greymalkin
grey + malkin (cat)
the witch's cat, named on stage
Macbeth I.i (documented)
Paddock
attested whole
the toad familiar of the same scene
Macbeth I.i (documented)
Grimalkin
attested whole
a gray cat, attested before Shakespeare
the word record
What do witch names mean?
The plant is the argument; the epithet is the address. Twelve meaning spotlights across the traditions:
Witch name meanings spotlight
Name
Built from
Meaning
Tradition
Belladonna of the Hollow
belladonna (the beautiful lady, poison-herb) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the beautiful lady, poison-herb, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Mandrake of the Hollow
mandrake (the screaming root) + of the Hollow (a hidden fold in the land)
the screaming root, a hidden fold in the land
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Foxglove of the Moor
foxglove (the fairy-thimbles) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the fairy-thimbles, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Vervain of the Moor
vervain (the altar-herb of old rite) + of the Moor (the open wildland)
the altar-herb of old rite, the open wildland
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Rowan of the Crossroads
rowan (the protective witch-wood) + of the Crossroads (where roads and worlds meet)
the protective witch-wood, where roads and worlds meet
Herbal root + folk epithet (epithet invented)
Silence
attested word-name
stillness
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Increase
attested word-name
abundance
Puritan virtue-name convention (documented)
Circe
attested whole
the sorceress of the Odyssey; etymology debated
Greek epic (Homer)
Morgan le Fay
attested whole
the sea-lady of Arthurian tradition
medieval romance
Baba Yaga
attested whole
the hut-on-hen's-legs witch
Slavic folklore
Elphaba
attested whole
from L. F. B., the author's initials
Maguire, Wicked (1995)
Greymalkin
grey + malkin (cat)
the witch's cat, named on stage
Macbeth I.i (documented)
How do witch names work?
Herbal root, boundary epithet. Rowan (the witch-wood) + of the Crossroads (where the roads meet) = a name that says craft and address at once. The Puritan lane does the same job with virtues. The craft lesson lives on the how to name a character page; this is the witch chapter.
What are witch last names?
Folk epithets stand in for surnames. The address is the family: where the craft lives. Six with their senses:
Witch epithets with their folk senses
Epithet
Boundary it names
Craft it implies
of the Crossroads
where roads and worlds meet
divination, meetings
of the Hollow
a hidden fold in the land
secrets, concealment
of the Moor
the open wild
wildcraft, solitude
the Hedgekeeper
the hedge between farm and wild
hedge-craft
the Charmwife
the home and its words
charms, blessings
the Greymantled
no boundary at all
the traveler
The herbal-meaning table
Which plant says which craft. That is the citation asset of this page: the documented folk meanings behind the name bank. Pick the craft first and the plant follows:
Herbal roots and their documented folk meanings
Plant
Folk meaning
Craft it names
Rowan
the protective witch-wood
warding
Mandrake
the screaming root; a fertility plant of Genesis
power at a price
Belladonna
beautiful lady; the poison that dilates the pupils
glamour and poison
Mugwort
the dream-herb
divination
Foxglove
fairy-thimbles; heart medicine and poison both
healing and danger
Vervain
the altar-herb of the old rite
blessing
Where witch names come from
Four shelves: folklore, parish record, literature, history. Each labeled per row:
Herb plus boundary. Rowan of the Crossroads, Mugwort of the Moor, Henbane of the Hollow: a documented plant and a real place-edge. Nature here means the hedge, the moor and the crossroads, and every plant row carries its folk meaning.
What are good witch names for characters?
Pick the craft before the sound. A hedge-craft healer wants vervain and the hedge. A poisoner wants henbane and the hollow. A Puritan-set story wants an attested word-name like Silence or Increase. The herbal table maps plant to craft.
What are the witch names in Macbeth?
The sisters themselves go unnamed; the familiars do not. Greymalkin the cat and Paddock the toad speak in the first scene, and their names are documented receipts. The named-cats tradition runs from that stage onward.
Where the meanings come from.Plant meanings are drawn from documented folklore; Puritan names are attested parish record; historical figures appear as receipts only. Invented epithet pairings say invented. Where every name's receipt comes from →