Names that mean “snake” come from many cultures. They often carry strong meanings. These names can reflect wisdom, power, or mystery. In stories and myths, snakes are seen as both good and evil. Names like Nagini, Hydra, and Quetzalcoatl are examples. They connect people with ancient traditions and the natural world.
- Nagini (Sanskrit) – Derived from “naga,” meaning snake. This name is often associated with serpents and serpent-like mythological creatures in Hindu and Buddhist traditions.
- Orochi (Japanese) – Refers to a legendary eight-headed and eight-tailed dragon or serpent in Japanese folklore.
- Hydra (Greek) – From mythology, the Hydra was a serpent-like water monster with many heads. Each time one head was cut off, two more would grow in its place.
- Vritra (Sanskrit) – In Vedic religion, Vritra is a serpent or dragon, the personification of drought and enemy of Indra.
- Quetzalcoatl (Nahuatl) – A Mesoamerican deity whose name means “feathered serpent.” He is a creator god and associated with the wind, the dawn, and the planet Venus.
- Serpentine (English) – Directly refers to something characteristic of a serpent. This name is more abstract and is used in literary or poetic contexts to describe serpentine qualities.
- Zahhak (Persian) – In Persian mythology, Zahhak is a figure whose shoulders sprout snakes that feed on human brains; he is often seen as a symbol of tyranny.
- Apep (Egyptian) – Also known as Apophis, he is the ancient Egyptian deity of chaos and is represented as a giant snake. He is the eternal enemy of the sun god, Ra.
- Kukulkan (Maya) – Similar to Quetzalcoatl, Kukulkan is a Mesoamerican serpent deity, known as the “feathered serpent.”
- Nidhogg (Norse) – A dragon/serpent that gnaws at the root of Yggdrasil, the world tree, in Norse mythology.
- Sobek (Egyptian) – Though primarily depicted as a crocodile, Sobek can have serpentine associations as a deity connected with water, fertility, and the Nile River.
- Tlaloc (Nahuatl) – An Aztec rain deity, represented with serpentine creatures and associated with fertility and water.
- Askook (Native American, Algonquin) – Meaning “snake.”
- Cihuacoatl (Nahuatl) – An Aztec goddess whose name means “snake woman.”
- Danaja (Indian) – Means “born of Danu,” referring to the serpent race in Indian mythology.
- Egle (Lithuanian) – Means “snake.” She is a character in a Lithuanian fairy tale who becomes the queen of serpents.
- Fafnir (Norse) – A dwarf who turned into a dragon, often depicted as serpentine in Norse mythology.
- Glycon (Ancient Greek) – A snake god from Hellenistic religion, represented with a humanoid head and serpent body.
- Itzcoatl (Nahuatl) – Means “obsidian snake.” He was the fourth king of the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan.
- Jörmungandr (Norse) – Also known as the Midgard Serpent, a giant sea serpent in Norse mythology that encircles the earth.
- Kadru (Indian) – The mother of serpents in Hindu mythology.
- Lotan (Canaanite) – A seven-headed sea serpent defeated by the storm god Baal.
- Manasa (Indian) – A Hindu goddess of snakes, often worshipped for protection against snake bites.
- Nahash (Hebrew) – Means “snake.”
- Ophiuchus (Greek) – A constellation named “serpent bearer.”
- Pendragon (Welsh) – Means “chief dragon,” often thought of as a serpentine creature.
- Quetzalcoatl (Nahuatl) – As previously mentioned, a Mesoamerican deity of wind and wisdom, depicted as a feathered serpent.
- Rahu (Indian) – In Hindu astrology, a serpent that swallows the sun or moon causing eclipses.
- Scylla (Greek) – A sea monster with multiple heads, often depicted as serpentine.
- Shesha (Indian) – The king of all nagas (serpents) in Hindu mythology, on whom Vishnu reclines.
- Tiamat (Babylonian) – A goddess who embodies the chaos of primordial creation, depicted as a serpent or dragon.
- Typhon (Greek) – A monstrous serpentine giant and one of the deadliest creatures in Greek mythology.
- Xiuhcoatl (Nahuatl) – A fire serpent in Aztec mythology.
- Yurlunggur (Australian Aboriginal) – A rainbow serpent known to inhabit waterholes.
- Zmey Gorynych (Slavic) – A dragon with serpentine characteristics, often depicted with three heads.
- Anguis (Latin) – Means “snake,” used in historical and literary contexts.
- Delphyne (Greek) – A dragoness or serpent woman associated with the Oracle of Delphi.
- Enyalius (Greek) – Sometimes associated with serpentine characteristics in mythology.
- Gorgon (Greek) – A mythical creature with hair of snakes, the most famous being Medusa.
- Huhu (Maori) – A serpent god in Maori mythology.
- Illuyanka (Hittite) – A serpentine dragon defeated by the storm god Tarhunt.
- Jataayu (Indian) – A mythological bird that fought against a serpentine creature in the Ramayana.
- Kaliya (Indian) – A multi-headed serpent vanquished by Lord Krishna in Hindu texts.
- Lindworm (European) – A serpentine dragon creature common in European legends.
- Mucalinda (Buddhist) – A naga, or serpent, who protected the Buddha from the elements after his enlightenment.
- Ningizzida (Sumerian) – A god represented as a serpent with a human head.
- Oroboros (Ancient Greek) – A serpent eating its own tail, symbolizing infinity and the cyclic nature of life.
- Python (Greek) – A serpent slain by Apollo at Delphi, which was considered the center of the Earth.
- Sedna (Inuit) – While primarily known as a sea goddess, some tales describe her as snake-like.
- Thraetaona (Persian) – A hero who killed the three-headed serpent, Azhi Dahaka.
- Uktena (Cherokee) – A horned serpent in Cherokee mythology.
- Vasuki (Indian) – A naga king who is the serpent around Shiva’s neck and plays a role in the churning of the ocean.
- Wadjet (Egyptian) – An Egyptian goddess depicted as a cobra; she is the patron and protector of Lower Egypt.
- Xiangliu (Chinese) – A nine-headed snake monster in Chinese mythology.
- Yamata no Orochi (Japanese) – An eight-headed and eight-tailed dragon defeated by the storm god Susanoo.
- Zahak (Persian) – A figure from Persian mythology whose shoulders sprout snakes.
- Aido-Hwedo (Fon, West Africa) – A rainbow serpent in Dahomey mythology that shapes the Earth.
- Basilisk (Greek) – A legendary reptile reputed to be king of serpents and said to have the power to cause death with a single glance.
- Chnoubis (Gnostic) – An ancient Egyptian solar deity represented as a serpent with a lion’s head.
- Draco (Latin) – Means “dragon,” but often depicted and thought of in serpentine form.
- Echidna (Greek) – A monster in Greek mythology, half woman, half snake, known as the “Mother of Monsters.”
- Fuxi (Chinese) – A culture hero in Chinese legend and mythology, typically depicted as having a serpent’s body.
- Guivre (French) – A mythical serpent or dragon in French folklore.
- Hissarlik (Turkish) – A place name, but reminiscent of a “hissing” sound, akin to that of a snake.
- Iormungand (Old Norse) – Another form of Jörmungandr, the Midgard Serpent that encircles the earth in Norse mythology.
- Julunggul (Australian Aboriginal) – A rainbow serpent goddess in the religion and mythology of the Aboriginal people in Arnhem Land.
- Kukulcan (Maya) – Similar to Quetzalcoatl, a feathered serpent deity in Mayan culture.
- Leviathan (Hebrew) – Often described as a sea serpent and symbolizing chaos.
- Manda (Kurdish, Mandean) – In Mandean mythology, Manda d-Hiya is a demiurge figure, sometimes depicted as serpentine.
- Ninki Nanka (Mandinka, West Africa) – A legendary creature in West African folklore, often described as a dragon or serpent.
- Ogdru Jahad (Fictional) – Serpentine cosmic entities in the Hellboy comics, inspired by various mythologies.
- Pitón (Spanish) – Directly translates to “python,” evoking the large, non-venomous snake.
- Quetzalcoatlus (Scientific) – Named after the Aztec feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl, although it’s a genus of pterosaur.
- Raktabija (Indian) – A demon in Hindu mythology whose every drop of blood could create duplicates of himself, often depicted with serpentine traits.
- Sisiutl (Native American, Northwest Coast) – A mythical sea serpent in the mythology of the Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast.
- Taotie (Chinese) – A mythological figure often depicted with serpentine or dragon-like features, representing gluttony and greed.
- Unktehi (Lakota) – Water spirits in the form of serpents or dragons in Lakota mythology.
- Vritrahan (Indian) – An epithet of Indra, meaning “the slayer of Vritra,” the serpent-dragon of drought.
- Winged Serpent (Multicultural) – A common depiction in various cultures, symbolizing divine power and mystery.
- Xingtian (Chinese) – A giant decapitated by the supreme deity; he continued to fight by using his nipples as eyes and his belly button as a mouth, often associated with snake-like regrowth.
- Yazhi (Navajo) – A mythical creature described as a little warrior or monster, sometimes with serpent-like attributes.
- Zirnitra (Wendish) – A dragon or a sorcerous serpent in Wendish mythology.
- Amaru (Inca) – A mythical serpent in Incan mythology.
- Boi-tatá (Brazilian) – A mythical serpent associated with protecting forests and wildlife, characterized by its fiery eyes.
- Calais (Greek) – One of the Boreads who was transformed into a serpent.
- Dahaka (Persian) – A three-headed dragon, often considered a serpent-like creature in Persian mythology.
- Ethon (Greek) – The eagle that tormented Prometheus, often depicted in serpentine forms in some artistic interpretations.
- Fafnir (Norse) – A dwarf turned dragon, mentioned earlier but distinctly serpentine in many depictions.
- Gorgo (Greek) – Short for Gorgon, specifically Medusa, known for her hair of living snakes.
- Hydros (Greek) – Means “water,” but used to denote serpent-like creatures living in water in ancient texts.
- Ixchel (Maya) – A jaguar goddess of midwifery and medicine, associated with snakes through her role as an earth and water deity.
- Jabberwock (Literary, English) – While not directly a serpent, the Jabberwock in Lewis Carroll’s poetry has dragon-like, serpentine features.
- Kaa (Literary, Indian) – From Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book,” a python with hypnotic powers.
- Ladon (Greek) – The dragon-serpent that guarded the golden apples in the Garden of the Hesperides.
- Mishipeshu (Native American, Ojibwe) – A panther-like water creature with some serpent-like traits.
- Nure-onna (Japanese) – A creature with a woman’s head and a snake’s body, often found near the water.
- Ouroboros (Ancient Greek) – Mentioned earlier, symbolizes the eternal cycle of renewal.
- Piasa (Native American, Illini) – A mythical creature depicted as part dragon, part serpent.
- Quirón (Greek) – Chiron, though a centaur, taught heroes to hunt and fight, skills often associated with the cunning of snakes.
- Ratatoskr (Norse) – A squirrel in Norse mythology, but his actions in Yggdrasil reflect the mischief often associated with serpents.
- Simurgh (Persian) – A mythical bird that shares many characteristics with dragons and serpents, symbolizing the union between the earth and sky.
- Tatzelwurm (Alpine folklore) – A dragon-like creature that is part cat and part snake.
- Uktena (Cherokee) – As mentioned, a mythical serpent associated with spiritual power and danger.
- Vasuki (Indian) – Mentioned earlier, the king of serpents in Hindu mythology.
- Wawilak (Australian Aboriginal) – A mythical serpent associated with the creation stories of the Aboriginal people.
- Ahuitzotl (Aztec) – A mythical water creature from Aztec mythology, often depicted as dog-like with a hand on its tail, but its association with water gives it a serpent-like character.
- Boann (Irish) – Goddess of the River Boyne, sometimes depicted in serpentine form as rivers are often symbolized by snakes.
- Cecrops (Greek) – The mythical first king of Athens, depicted as half-man, half-snake.
- Delphi (Greek) – Named after Delphinius, the dolphin, but closely associated with the serpentine Python at the oracle at Delphi.
- Eingana (Australian Aboriginal) – A creator goddess depicted as part snake, responsible for giving life and death.
- Falak (Persian) – A cosmic serpent in Persian mythology, enveloping the world.
- Glykon (Ancient Greek) – A deity in the form of a snake with a human head, revered in the Hellenistic world.
- Hunab Ku (Maya) – A Mayan god, sometimes represented as a serpent, embodying the gateway to other galaxies and spiritual dimensions.
- Irwin (English) – From an Old English word meaning “sea friend,” but evokes the image of sea serpents in folklore.
- Jata (Indian) – Means “matted hair” in Sanskrit, but in mythology, it often houses serpents as seen in depictions of Shiva.
- Kundalini (Sanskrit) – Refers to a form of primal energy or shakti said to be located at the base of the spine, traditionally visualized as a serpent.
- Lerna (Greek) – Associated with the Lernaean Hydra, a serpentine water monster in Greek mythology.
- Mokele-mbembe (Lingala) – A creature from African folklore, often described as a living dinosaur, likened to a dragon or a serpent.
- Ningishzida (Sumerian) – A god of the underworld and vegetation, depicted as a serpent with a human head.
- Ophion (Greek) – A primordial serpent god who ruled the world before the Olympian gods.
- Pakhangba (Manipuri) – A deity depicted as a dragon or a serpentine figure in Meitei mythology.
- Quillaia (Mapuche) – A mythical serpent from Mapuche folklore, associated with water and rain.
- Rakshasa (Indian) – Demonic beings in Hindu mythology, some of which are depicted with serpentine traits.
- Satan (Judeo-Christian) – Often depicted as a serpent in the Garden of Eden, representing temptation and the fall of man.
- Thuban (Arabic) – A star formerly used as the northern pole star, named after the Arabic word for “snake.”
- Ungud (Australian Aboriginal) – A serpent god associated with rain and fertility in Aboriginal mythology.
- Vritra (Indian) – A serpent or dragon in the Rigveda, representing obstruction and drought.
- Wadjet (Egyptian) – An ancient Egyptian goddess represented as a cobra, protector of the pharaohs and the land.
- Xiang-Yu (Chinese) – While primarily a historical figure, his name carries the power of a legendary dragon, often associated with serpentine wisdom and power.
- Y Ddraig Goch (Welsh) – “The Red Dragon” of Welsh folklore, emblematic and serpentine in its majestic and powerful demeanor.
- Zu (Sumerian) – A divine storm-bird linked to the serpent god Ningizzida, known for stealing the tablets of destiny.
- Aidoios (Greek) – An epithet for gods like Hades or Zeus when portrayed as serpentine, symbolizing their underworld connections or oracular powers.
- Bakunawa (Philippine) – A dragon in Philippine mythology believed to cause eclipses by eating the moon, depicted as serpentine.
- Chimaira (Greek) – A mythical creature part goat, lion, and serpent, representing hybrid vigor and the terror of its snake tail.
- Druk (Bhutanese) – The Thunder Dragon in Bhutanese culture, often depicted in a serpentine form, embodying the power of thunder and rain.
- Elaphebolos (Greek) – A title for Apollo when he slew the Python, translating to “deer-shooter” but also symbolically “serpent-slayer.”
- Fafnir (Norse) – Referenced earlier, a dwarf turned into a serpentine dragon, encapsulating greed and cursed transformation.
- Gucumatz (K’iche’) – A feathered serpent deity similar to Quetzalcoatl, involved in creation and the molding of the Earth.
- Hydra (Greek) – Reiterated for its iconic multiple serpent heads, a symbol of an overwhelming challenge.
- Itzamna (Maya) – A principal Mayan deity, sometimes depicted as a serpent, representing creativity and knowledge.
- Jormun (Norse) – A variation of Jörmungandr, emphasizing the world-encircling aspect of the Midgard Serpent.
- Kaa (Literary) – From Kipling’s “The Jungle Book,” a cunning python with hypnotic abilities.
- Ladon (Greek) – The hundred-headed dragon that guarded the golden apples in Hesperides, epitomizing serpentine vigilance.
- Mamlambo (Zulu) – A deity in the form of a large snake, associated with water and seen as a god of rivers.
- Nāga (Indian) – Mythical semi-divine beings, half human and half serpent, prevalent in Indian and Southeast Asian cultures.
- Orochi (Japanese) – The eight-headed serpent defeated by the storm god Susanoo, embodying chaos and natural disaster.
- Python (Greek) – A serpentine dragon slain by Apollo at Delphi, a foundational myth for the sanctity and origin of the Pythian games.
- Quetzalcoatl (Nahuatl) – Echoing the feathered serpent deity’s significance in fostering culture, agriculture, and the arts.
- Rahu (Indian) – The demon serpent that swallows the sun, causing eclipses, a pivotal figure in celestial events.
- Sesha (Indian) – Also known as Ananta, the eternal serpent on which Vishnu rests, symbolizing the eternal cycle of time and creation.
- Tlaloc (Nahuatl) – While primarily a rain deity, his companions and symbolic creatures include serpentine figures, representing fertility and natural forces.
- Usumgal (Sumerian) – A term meaning “great dragon,” used for describing powerful and often destructive forces in Sumerian mythology.
- Vasundhara (Indian) – While typically representing the earth, her symbiotic relationship with serpents in iconography underscores fertility and protection.
- Winged Serpent (Global) – Revisiting this motif, seen in various cultures as a symbol of divine or supernatural power.
- Xiuhtecuhtli (Nahuatl) – Aztec god of fire and heat, linked to serpents through his regenerative, life-giving powers.
- Agas (Hebrew) – Meaning “serpent,” often used in Jewish texts to symbolize wisdom or deceit.
- Basil (Greek) – Derived from “basiliskos,” meaning “little king,” a reference to the legendary serpent, the basilisk.
- Ceto (Greek) – A sea goddess known as the mother of sea monsters, often depicted as serpent-like in mythology.
- Danh-gbi (Fon) – A serpent god from West African Vodun, associated with protection and fertility.
- Euryale (Greek) – One of the Gorgon sisters, with hair of snakes and the power to turn onlookers to stone.
- Fang (Chinese) – A name that means “fragrant,” but also phonetically similar to “fang,” a key feature of many snakes.
- Gorgona (Greek) – Derived from the Gorgons, mythical creatures with snakes for hair, symbolizing protection and power.
- Hulda (German) – Means “sweet, lovable,” but in folklore, a witch or a serpent woman known for her wisdom and connection to the natural world.
- Isis (Egyptian) – An ancient goddess who sometimes took on the guise of a serpent, symbolizing rebirth and healing.
- Jataayu (Indian) – A mythical bird that battled a serpent in epic mythology, representing courage and loyalty.
- Kaida (Japanese) – Means “little dragon,” often depicted as serpentine in folklore.
- Lilith (Hebrew) – Associated with the night and depicted as a demon in some myths, often with serpent-like attributes.
- Mara (Buddhist, Hebrew) – Means “bitter” in Hebrew; in Buddhism, Mara is a demon that tempted Buddha, sometimes depicted as serpentine.
- Nahuel (Mapuche) – Means “jaguar,” but in some South American cultures, jaguars are associated with serpentine beings of the underworld.
- Ophelia (Greek) – Derived from “ophis,” meaning snake, used in literature and associated with serenity and tragedy.
- Pele (Hawaiian) – The goddess of volcanoes and fire, often linked with the earth’s primal forces, including serpentine lava flows.
- Quilla (Inca) – The Incan moon goddess, often associated with serpentine symbols of renewal and cycles.
- Ryujin (Japanese) – A dragon king in Japanese mythology, often depicted as a serpent-like creature controlling the seas.
- Samael (Judeo-Christian) – An archangel or demon often associated with serpents, representing both wisdom and temptation.
- Tzitzimitl (Aztec) – Celestial demons in Aztec mythology, associated with the stars and depicted as skeletal serpents.
- Uktena (Cherokee) – A horned serpent in Native American mythology, associated with spiritual power and danger.
- Vipera (Latin) – Means “viper,” directly associated with serpents and often used in scientific contexts.
- Wanambi (Australian Aboriginal) – A mythical serpent associated with rain and storms, residing in waterholes.
- Xochitl (Nahuatl) – Means “flower,” but in mythology, flowers are often linked to serpentine shapes and growth patterns.
- Yamata no Orochi (Japanese) – An eight-headed serpent slain by the storm god Susanoo, representing chaos and calamity.
- Zahhak (Persian) – A figure from Persian mythology with snakes growing from his shoulders, symbolizing tyranny and evil.
- Antaboga (Indonesian) – A world serpent in Javanese and Balinese mythology, fundamental in the creation myth.
- Boa (Latin) – Refers to a type of large snake, straightforward and powerful.
- Chumana (Native American) – Means “snake maiden” in Hopi, reflecting reverence and intimacy with serpentine beings.
- Draco (Greek) – Means “dragon” but often depicted serpentine, symbolizing watchfulness and protection.
- Enki (Sumerian) – A god associated with water, creation, intelligence, and the cosmos, sometimes linked with serpentine imagery.
- Ffraid (Welsh) – The Welsh name for Brigid, a goddess often connected with snakes, symbolizing healing and spring.
- Glaurung (Literary) – A dragon from J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, possessing serpentine qualities of deception and malice.
- Hiss (English) – A name inspired by the sound made by snakes, capturing their essence and presence.
- Ichtaca (Nahuatl) – Means “secret,” often linked to the mysterious and hidden nature of snakes.
- Ju-long (Chinese) – Means “gigantic dragon,” often depicted in serpentine form, symbolizing power and mystery.
- Kukulkan (Maya) – As mentioned, a feathered serpent deity, central to Mayan culture, symbolizing wisdom and creation.
- Leviathan (Hebrew) – A biblical sea monster often thought of as serpent-like, representing chaos and the monstrous.
- Manasa (Indian) – A Hindu serpent goddess, worshipped primarily for protection from snake bites and poisons.
- Nagini (Sanskrit) – The female counterpart to Naga, representing serpentine qualities and connections to the spiritual.
- Ouroboros (Ancient Greek) – A serpent eating its own tail, an ancient symbol of eternity and the cyclical nature of the universe.
- Python (Greek) – As mentioned, a serpent defeated by Apollo, representing the chthonic forces of the earth.
- Quetzalcoatl (Nahuatl) – A principal deity among the Aztec and other Mesoamerican cultures, often depicted as a feathered serpent.
- Rudra (Indian) – An ancient Vedic deity associated with storms and the hunt, often linked to serpentine symbolism.
- Serpentine (English) – Directly evokes the qualities of a serpent, used to describe sinuous and graceful movements.
- Thalassa (Greek) – A primordial sea goddess, often depicted as serpentine or mermaid-like, embodying the mysterious nature of the sea.
- Uraeus (Egyptian) – Represents the form of a rearing cobra, symbolizing sovereignty and divine authority in ancient Egypt.
- Vasuki (Indian) – Mentioned earlier, a king of serpents in Hindu mythology, used in the churning of the ocean to obtain amrita.
- Wyrm (Old English) – An old term for dragon, often depicted as a large serpent, symbolizing decay and destruction.
- Xolotl (Nahuatl) – A god of fire and lightning, often depicted with dog-headed figures but linked to serpentine imagery through his transformative powers.
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