Conflicts help to make great stories, and monsters are certainly one way of achieving such results, and whether we make them a major character or a fleeting but memorable experience they are an interesting way of adding tension and drama.
Monsters bring mystery, fear, and danger to the table, and naming them appropriately adds a level of both realism and intrigue to the story at hand. As main villains, they can be a constant threat to the main character’s plans and goals.
Using already created monsters, regardless of what they were made for, can provide inspiration to make your own. Sometimes taking the interesting parts from multiple monsters can be good, though always think about how it fits the story you’re telling.
Good Monster Names
On one hand, a good monster name provides a first glimpse into what the creature is or can do, while on the other it brings a sense of mystery where the unknown lures us into wanting to know more.
- Boulderface
- Spitemouth
- Vagallath
- Slodroch
- Helltree
- Mukbrog
- Flametaur
- Thornling
Razorfang
This cat is of yet unknown species despite looking quite similar to lions of the past. The major difference is the fact that it lives in snowy areas, and is also much larger and more agile, with large teeth and razor-sharp claws. Only a few people lived to tell the tale, and most dare not speak of it again, as if the very memory hurts them.
- Skiq’zynoz
- Corpseface
- Xamir
- Stenchhand
- Xulremaan
Trolronoth
While the villagers have their own name for the monster, the local wizard knows it’s even worse than feared. A special kind of troll wandered into the region a decade ago and has settled there ever since. While the creature isn’t evil per se, its feeding habits offer no room for empathy, and the ability to eat practically anything means nothing and no one is potentially safe.
- Stonewing
- Tadran
- Cloxmohr
- Spiritgaze
Gnavrok
Recently, the local ranger started to find animal bones with strange markings, something similar that can be seen on the victims of a bear attack. The major difference, however, is the fact the bones have been gnawed upon in a particular way, and the ranger is well aware no animal living in this forest does that.
- Sagrog
- Morncat
- Krussag
- Zazruur
- Moxvir
Cute Monster Names
When the goal isn’t to create a scary monster but one that is more appropriate to the story and the audience, more lighthearted impressions are sometimes needed.
- Gnarly
- Crunch
- Muddy
- Snot
- Smellfoot
- Gruesome
- Stinkbreath
- Murky
Fluffy
This furry little ball of a monster will find its way to your heart, one way or another. It can try to be mean, angry, or try to scare you away but whatever it does you can’t stop thinking all you want to do is grab it while screaming how fluffy it feels.
- Scary Bob
- Bignose
- Brainy
- Scary Barry
- Meaneyes
Fumble
This monster could have had it all. The scare factor, the appearance when it wants to, the ability to sneak, fight, jump, and move in general, that and much more are what makes this monster capable. Or, more accurately, it would have if it wasn’t for the fact it manages to fail at everything it does, no matter how mundane the task seems to be, which usually means it needs to try again to succeed.
- Purdy
- Gingersnap
- Trixta
- Slowpoke
- Chilly
Sea Monster Names
Legends tell stories about sea monsters ruling the oceans, both its depths and surface, disrupting trade routes and causing overall havoc wherever they go.
- Beisht Kione
- Dagon
- Arnaxath
- Umibōzu
- Leviathan
- Cetus
- Scylla
- Cthulhu
Megalodon
This ancient monster is said to have been around 30 feet long with an appearance of a great white shark. With serrated teeth the size of a dagger, even the largest of the sea creatures of the time would have thought twice before doing anything other than trying to flee away.
- Jörmungandr
- Makara
- Rhedosaurus
- Jargremin
- Hildrith the Eternal
Kraken
This iconic monster has been the main character of many stories that describe a huge squid-like creature that was big enough to crush even the mightiest ships around. As a true terror of the sea, one had to be extremely lucky to survive the attack as well as manage to live through all the hardships that follow when one ends up boatless on the sea.
- Calypso
- Grindylow
- Uncegila
- Makara
- Lusca
Famous Monster Names
Monsters become famous for both their appearance and their actions, and we can find them in books, novels, movies, folk stories, legends, and myths, and each of them offers something new and different.
- Grendel
- Moby Dick
- Gremlin
- Chupacabra
- Dracula
- Godzilla
- Sleipnir
- Boogeyman
Frankenstein’s monster
A man-made monster and a true icon of history, this famous creature has been portrayed as something between a very tall and strong man and a zombie, depending on how one looks at it. One of the interesting things is the fact the monster is commonly called Frankenstein, while its creator is the actual owner of the name.
- King Kong
- Balrog
- Medusa
- Fenrir
- Hydra
Bigfoot
A creature with many controversies and theories around it, although not much evidence has been found, to say the very least. Despite that, it remains one of the more known legends that some look for even today, after so many years. Portrayed as something between a furry human and an ape, this large humanoid creature is said to live in dense forests, always ready to prey on the lost travelers.
- Siren
- Phoenix
- Minotaur
- Gwoemul
- Tarasque
Monsters might be real or a made-up story to frighten children but they are perfectly suited for when you need extra tension, drama, and danger, while simultaneously being able to add mystery and intrigue in one go. Some of the best monsters are barely seen yet have a powerful impact while others let their presence known, enjoying the fear in their victim’s eyes as they toy with them. Think of what the monster is, where it comes from, what are its goals and abilities, instincts, desires, and goals, and create a name worthy of its fantastic existence.