In the world of Dungeons & Dragons, liches stand as the ultimate testament to magical corruption and the desperate pursuit of immortality.
With their skeletal appearance—hollow eye sockets glowing with supernatural light, desiccated flesh clinging to ancient bones, and spectral energy radiating from their form—these undead archmages make compelling villains and occasional uneasy allies.
But what truly sets a memorable lich apart often begins with their name.
This comprehensive collection of 300 lich names spans various styles and themes, from traditionally arcane to malevolent, clever, and beyond.
Each name includes a brief meaning to inspire your villain’s backstory and personality.
Whether you’re creating a brooding necromancer, an ancient tomb lord, or an immortality-seeking wizard, you’ll find the perfect name to haunt your next D&D campaign.
Understanding Lich Naming Conventions
Liches (undead archmages in D&D) use three main types of names:
- Arcane Names: These sound ancient and otherworldly, highlighting their mastery of forbidden magic. Examples include names like Thanathos or Malachar.
- Regular Names: Some liches retain the names from their mortal lives, sometimes with dark modifications to reflect their transformation.
- Title Names: Many liches adopt names based on their magical specialty or the aspect of death they represent—like Soulrend or Doomwhisper.
Many liches choose names that reflect decay, eternity, and power—elements that mirror their undying existence. Whether embracing their necromantic magic or ancient origins, a lich’s name carries weight and terrible significance.mystery.
Popular Lich Names
Acererak – Traditional male lich name meaning “eternal devourer”
Vorthak – Favored by ancient liches, meaning “destroyer of kingdoms”
Malachar – Widely used, meaning “wielder of corrupt magic”
Thanathos – Common among death mages, meaning “end of all things”
Necrovar – Frequently chosen, meaning “master of death magic”
Mortimus – Popular among scholar liches, meaning “death’s student”
Zulthux – Trendy name meaning “consumer of souls”
Azalin – Popular among lawful liches, meaning “ruler of the damned”
Vecna – Common legendary name meaning “whispered secret”
Grimvault – Frequently chosen, meaning “keeper of dark knowledge”
Morthose – Popular death-themed name meaning “harvester of lives”
Cryptarch – Common among book-collecting liches, meaning “master of hidden knowledge”
Dreadlord – Trendy fear-themed name meaning “sovereign of terror”
Bonethane – Popular among skeletal liches, meaning “noble of bones”
Aethermort – Common arcane name meaning “death through the ethereal plane”
Eridis – Female name trending among spellcaster liches, meaning “weaver of death”
Mortania – Popular scholarly name meaning “mistress of mortality”
Necria – Common among female liches, meaning “born of death”
Soulsiphon – Widely used female name meaning “drinker of essence”
Vexia – Short, popular name meaning “bringer of trouble”
Xiomara – Trendy name meaning “ready for battle”
Necrissa – Common among spellcasters, meaning “death’s mistress”
Malefestra – Popular noble name meaning “festival of evil”
Doomweaver – Trendy vengeful name meaning “crafter of fates”
Shroudmere – Common among reclusive liches meaning “veiled lake”
Lichbane – Popular ironic name meaning “destroyer of undead”
Cryptkeeper – Commonly chosen, meaning “guardian of secrets”
Voidheart – Very popular, meaning “one with emptiness at core”
Soulreaper – Trending war-themed name meaning “harvester of essence”
Deathmarch – Gender-neutral popular name meaning “procession to end”
Thanatos – Popular virtue name meaning “personification of death”
Shadowthrone – Commonly chosen last name for shadow-wielders
Doomspeaker – Trending surname among prophetic liches
Bonecrown – Popular among ruling lich families
Fitting Lich Names for Your Fantasy Campaign
Maladreth – Cursed wisdom accumulated through forbidden studies and dark pacts
Voidheart – One whose heart has been consumed by nothingness
Chronarch – Master of time itself who perceives all moments simultaneously
Soulrend – Tearer of spirits who collects fragments of consciousness
Netherbane – Curse from the lower realms that spreads corruption through touch
Grimvault – Guardian of dark secrets with millennia of forbidden knowledge
Shadowmere – Lake of perpetual darkness where light itself drowns
Bonechill – Cold that seeps into the very bones, freezing victims in awareness
Vexmortis – Trouble that brings death through elaborate century-spanning schemes
Nightfall – The coming of eternal darkness, methodically extinguishing hope
Cryptarch – Ruler of hidden knowledge who collects forbidden texts
Doomwhisper – One who speaks of inevitable fate with hushed prophecy
Mortifax – Death-maker whose experiments create necromantic abominations
Gloomhaven – Sanctuary of despair where hope withers and dies
Spectervein – One whose blood runs with ghostly essence
Darkmoor – Dweller of shadowy marshlands commanding foul mists
Soulforge – Creator of spiritual weapons infused with trapped souls
Nethercrown – Royal authority over the underworld, commanding legions of dead
Graveheart – One whose heart beats in death with a rhythm that draws the dying
Shadowbind – Master of dark restraints that capture not only bodies but souls
Voidcaster – Wielder of emptiness magic that creates perfect vacuums
Dreadmoor – Swamp of terrible fear where nightmares take physical form
Bonethrone – Ruler seated upon death, his throne fashioned from conquered kings
Grimfrost – Deadly cold that brings despair, freezing both flesh and hope
Nightvault – Keeper of dark hours who collects moments of perfect darkness
Spiritbane – Destroyer of souls who erases spirits from the cycle of existence
Shadowrift – One who tears holes in reality, creating portals to nightmares
Deathcrown – Crowned with mortality’s end, wielding the power of final judgment
Voidmarch – Leader of the empty procession, commanding an army of hollow vessels
Cryptshadow – Darkness dwelling in tombs that moves between burial sites
Maleficus – Worker of evil deeds who corrupts all he touches
Ashenmane – With hair like smoldering ashes from burned civilizations
Duskember – Born at the twilight of burning worlds, emerging from darkness
Charborn – Risen from the charred remains of magical catastrophe
Sinfall – Marked by ancestral transgressions that echo through generations
Wraithfire – Possessor of ghostly flames that burn without heat
Perdition – Named for eternal damnation, beyond all hope of salvation
Fiendcaller – Summoner of demonic entities bound to unholy service
Malphoros – Bearer of ill omens that invariably come to pass
Hellstride – Walker between worlds who traverses planes with ease
Emberblood – With molten fire flowing through ancient veins
Nightflame – Controller of fires that burn in darkness, consuming light
Scatheshadow – Caster of harmful darkness that wounds the soul
Cinderspawn – Child of ashes and embers, born from magical destruction
Abyssalon – Ruler of personal darkness, master of internal void
Darkblaze – Master of flames that consume light rather than create it
Grimtalon – With claws that bring misfortune to those who resist
Nocturnalis – Entity of the burning night, most powerful when stars shine
Male Lich Names
Azalin – Ruler of the damned, good for authoritarian liches or those who command undead legions
Morthos – Death walker, ideal for those who travel between life and death with ease
Vecna – Whispered secret, perfect for those who collect forbidden knowledge
Acererak – Devourer of souls, suited for liches who feed on life essence
Xanathar – Eye tyrant, fitting for paranoid watchers or those with scrying abilities
Larloch – Ancient shadow, great for primordial liches or those who predate written history
Szass Tam – Red wizard, ideal for liches who maintain connections to arcane societies
Volgoth – Taker of minds, perfect for those who collect intelligence or memories
Kazerabet – Twilight master, suited for those who rule the boundary between day and night
Ormiston – Serpent stone, fitting for liches with reptilian aspects or earth connections
Thessalar – Flesh sculptor, good for those who create homunculi or experiment with life
Zargon – Lord of decay, ideal for liches who spread rot and corruption
Balphaz – Whisperer of madness, suited for those who induce insanity or collect broken minds
Drachmus – Dragon blood, perfect for liches with draconic origins or dragon magic
Vistani – Wandering dead, fitting for nomadic liches or those who never settle
Ioulaum – First of knowledge, good for liches who were once great scholars
Palimak – Hollow king, ideal for those who rule empty kingdoms or abandoned lands
Rithkerch – Bone collector, suited for those who build structures or servants from remains
Vorkannis – Void speaker, perfect for those connected to cosmic emptiness
Mellifleur – God seeker, fitting for those with aspirations of godhood
Ezzat – Flame eye, good for liches with fire magic or burning gaze
Lum – Silent watcher, ideal for observant liches who rarely speak
Nimrodel – Cold water, suited for those with connections to frozen lakes or winter magic
Thakasis – Ancient dreamer, perfect for liches who influence dreams or exist partially in them
Ruelve – Twilight servant, fitting for those who serve greater powers of darkness
Archlich – Preserved one, good for liches who maintain a lifelike appearance
Zarathos – Hell fire, ideal for those with connections to infernal realms
Bliztog – Ice tyrant, suited for those dwelling in frozen wastelands
Korvash – Corrupt crown, perfect for those who once held legitimate power
Xaphias – Sword of emptiness, fitting for battle-mage liches or warrior-scholars
Gorguth – Terror whisperer, good for those who rule through fear alone
Velsharoon – Death master, ideal for those who worship death itself
Kaius – Keeper of keys, suited for guardian liches or protectors of portals
Neroth – First shadow, perfect for those who claim to be the original lich
Zagreus – Collector of fragments, fitting for those who rebuild lost artifacts
Thanatos – Death personified, good for ancient liches or those with mythic presence
Volcaras – Mountain hollow, ideal for liches dwelling in volcanic lairs
Azshir – Desert death, suited for those who rule wasteland domains
Xarot – Card of fate, perfect for those who manipulate destiny or predict futures
Mortanius – Death’s advocate, fitting for those who view undeath as evolution
Zoltun – Skull collector, good for trophy hunters or those who value conquest
Cormathus – Crow father, ideal for liches with connections to carrion birds
Thaxius – Book burner, suited for those who destroy knowledge they don’t control
Zalathorn – Thorn of midnight, perfect for those who are most active at night
Velthorn – Wasting disease, fitting for plague-spreaders or creators of epidemics
Baphomoth – Knowledge’s sacrifice, good for those who gave up humanity for secrets
Noctis – Night’s servant, ideal for darkness-dwelling liches or shadow manipulators
Malroth – Decay’s essence, suited for those who accelerate decomposition
Xanthor – Yellow death, perfect for those who use poison or toxic magic
Thanastir – Death’s constellation, fitting for liches connected to astral powers
Powerful Lich Names
These names emphasize raw magical might and destructive capability, perfect for liches who serve as major antagonists or legendary figures of terror.
- Malachar: Great evil incarnate whose very presence corrupts the land for miles around, turning fertile soil to ash and clear water to poison.
- Thanathos: Personification of death itself, collecting souls not out of malice but with the cold efficiency of natural law, unstoppable and inevitable.
- Lichbane: Ironically, the lich who destroys other undead, consuming their essence to fuel his own terrible power in an endless cannibalistic cycle.
- Vorthak: Ancient destroyer whose name appears in the earliest historical records, always associated with catastrophic events and civilizations’ falls.
- Shadowlord: Supreme ruler of darkness who has bent the very essence of shadow to his will, commanding it as a general commands armies.
- Deathcaller: One who summons mortality’s end with ritualistic precision, his incantations capable of extinguishing life across entire regions.
- Morghast: Spirit of ancient death whose existence predates modern concepts of mortality, embodying a primordial and inescapable end.
- Necroking: Sovereign of the undead realm who sits upon a throne of animated corpses, ruling his macabre kingdom with cold calculation.
- Voidlord: Master of the empty spaces between worlds, drawing power from cosmic nothingness to fuel spells that defy the laws of reality.
- Grimarch: Supreme ruler of despair whose very thoughts manifest as waves of hopelessness that break the will of even the most steadfast heroes.
- Bonelord: Commander of skeletal legions whose armies number in the tens of thousands, each soldier crafted from the remains of his conquered enemies.
- Shadowkahn: Emperor of darkness whose dynasty has ruled the hidden places of the world for millennia, his influence touching every kingdom.
- Doomcaster: Wielder of fate’s finality who rewrites destiny with calculated precision, ensuring the downfall of those who oppose his grand designs.
- Mortarch: High ruler among the dead whose authority is recognized by all manner of undead creatures, from mindless zombies to cunning vampires.
- Nightlord: Master of eternal darkness who seeks to extinguish all sources of light, creating a world of perpetual shadow where his power reigns supreme.
- Soulreaper: Harvester of life essence who collects the spirits of the fallen like a farmer gathers wheat, storing their power for his grand workings.
- Deathknight: Warrior-mage of mortality who combines martial prowess with necromantic spells, as deadly with a blade as with a forbidden incantation.
- Shadowking: Monarch of the dark realm whose kingdom exists in the spaces between shadows, invisible to mortal eyes yet vast and populous.
- Voidarch: High master of emptiness who commands the power of absolute nothingness, creating weapons from the very absence of existence.
- Grimking: Sovereign of despair whose realm is built upon the foundation of broken dreams and crushed hopes, feeding on the misery of his subjects.
- Bonetyrant: Dictator of the skeletal realm who rules with an iron grip, his every command carried out by mindless servants assembled from countless remains.
- Dreadlord: Master of terrible fear whose mere name causes terror when whispered, his presence marked by nightmares that plague entire cities.
- Nightarch: Supreme ruler of darkness who has studied every shadow and knows the secret paths that traverse the dark places between stars.
- Shadowarch: High master of darkness who has elevated shadow magic to an art form, creating works of terrible beauty from the absence of light.
- Doomarch: Supreme bringer of fate whose prophecies of destruction invariably come to pass, his words both a prediction and a cause of catastrophe.
Clever Lich Names
These names showcase intellectual prowess and cunning, perfect for liches who rely on strategy, manipulation, and vast knowledge rather than brute magical force.
- Mindflayer: One who strips away thoughts layer by layer, leaving victims as hollow vessels to be filled with his calculated schemes.
- Strategon: Master of battle plans whose tactical genius has defeated armies a hundred times his number through perfect prediction.
- Cerebrex: Brain-focused entity whose enlarged skull houses knowledge that would drive most beings to madness.
- Intellectus: Pure intelligence made manifest, having transcended physical limitations to become a being of almost perfect thought.
- Lorekeeper: Guardian of ancient knowledge who collects forgotten texts from fallen civilizations, using their secrets as currency.
- Wisdomarch: Ruler through knowledge whose understanding of mortal psychology allows him to manipulate kingdoms from afar.
- Thoughtweaver: One who manipulates ideas like a spider spins webs, planting notions that blossom into actions serving his design.
- Memorex: Master of all memories who can extract, alter, or erase recollections, rewriting personal histories to suit his purposes.
- Cognitus: The knowing one whose comprehension extends beyond the material realm into planes where thought takes physical form.
- Mindforge: Creator of mental constructs that trap victims in labyrinths of their own making, fears and desires weaponized against them.
- Sagelich: Wise undead scholar who offers forbidden knowledge at terrible prices that ultimately serve his obscure agenda.
- Riddlemaster: Speaker in puzzles and mysteries whose every word contains multiple meanings, hiding intentions beneath cryptic statements.
- Scrollheart: One whose essence is pure knowledge, having replaced his decayed heart with a repository of magical scrolls.
- Lorebinder: One who controls information across vast networks of agents, knowing secrets that could topple empires or incite wars.
- Studious: The eternal scholar who sacrificed humanity for immortality and endless time to pursue forbidden knowledge.
- Thoughtarch: Supreme master of the mind who enters dreams across vast distances, influencing decisions through subtle manipulation.
- Knowledgex: Repository of all learning whose skeletal form is inscribed with countless runes representing different fields of study.
- Cerebrarch: Ruler through mental power who dominates lesser minds, controlling puppets in positions of authority throughout kingdoms.
- Mindweaver: One who crafts thoughts into tangible spells, creating illusions so perfect they can kill those who believe in them.
- Intellectarch: Supreme intelligence whose cognitive abilities see patterns and connections invisible to mortal minds.
- Wisdomheart: One whose core is knowledge distilled to its purest form, having consumed countless magical tomes and absorbed their essence.
- Sagecrown: Crowned with wisdom accumulated over millennia, his counsel sought by kings despite the obvious danger to their souls.
- Mindvault: Keeper of mental treasures who extracts and stores memories like precious gems in his collection of experiences.
- Thoughtbinder: Controller of ideas who spreads concepts like plagues through populations, inciting behaviors that further his goals.
- Loremaster: Supreme keeper of knowledge whose library contains texts written in languages spoken only by extinct civilizations.
- Riddlearch: Master of mysteries who speaks only in puzzles, testing all who seek his knowledge and destroying those who fail.
- Mindcrown: Ruler through mental supremacy whose telepathic influence extends across regions, guiding collective consciousness.
- Wisdomforge: Creator of knowledge who has developed new schools of magic through his experiments, rewriting arcane theory.
- Cerebralord: Master of the mind whose psychic abilities extract information from any being, regardless of mental defenses.
- Thoughtking: Sovereign of ideas whose influence shapes philosophical movements and magical innovations across centuries.
Female Lich Names
Eridis – Weaver of death, perfect for liches who manipulate the threads of life and mortality
Mortania – Mistress of mortality, ideal for liches who study the science of life and death
Necria – Born of death, suited for those with connections to the negative energy plane
Voraxa – Hungry void, good for those who consume magic or souls
Threnody – Death’s lament, fitting for musical liches or those with artistic tendencies
Liliandra – First mourner, perfect for those who collect grief or emotional energy
Vespera – Evening star, ideal for night-active liches or those connected to cosmic forces
Morvanna – Dark lady, suited for aristocratic liches or those with noble bearing
Zephyra – Death’s breeze, good for subtle liches whose influence spreads unseen
Samartine – Collector of last breaths, fitting for those who harvest dying moments
Neravia – Nerve worker, perfect for liches who specialize in pain or sensation magic
Melanthia – Black flower, ideal for liches connected to poisonous plants or decay
Vexana – Bringer of troubles, suited for chaos-causing liches or tricksters
Ereshkigal – Lady of the great earth, good for underground-dwelling liches
Threnodine – Singer of death songs, fitting for those who use sound-based magic
Morva – Death’s handmaiden, perfect for servant liches or those bound to greater powers
Nyxara – Night’s embrace, ideal for shadow-wielding liches or darkness manipulators
Cassilda – Wearer of the pallid mask, suited for disguised liches who infiltrate society
Lamashta – Plague mother, good for disease-spreading liches or creators of epidemics
Ravenna – Keeper of ravens, fitting for liches with avian familiars or spy networks
Elyssia – False paradise, perfect for liches who create beautiful illusions to trap victims
Vileema – Corrupter of purity, ideal for liches who specialize in tainting goodness
Thanata – Death’s daughter, suited for liches claiming lineage from death deities
Xerissa – Dry remains, good for desert-dwelling liches or those preserved by desiccation
Exalantha – Glory in death, fitting for formerly heroic liches or fallen champions
Morbina – Disease carrier, perfect for plague-focused liches or epidemic engineers
Xylara – Wood worker, ideal for liches who animate plants or control wooden constructs
Nefarata – One who works wickedness, suited for actively malevolent liches
Desmaya – Fainting darkness, good for liches who drain vitality or cause weakness
Hecatia – Hundred spells, fitting for versatile spellcasters or magical experimenters
Malefixa – Worker of evil magic, perfect for curse specialists or hex crafters
Ossaria – Bone worker, ideal for liches who craft from skeletal remains
Karmilla – Harvester of deeds, suited for liches who collect or manipulate karma
Tenebrosa – Full of darkness, good for shadow-controlling liches or void manipulators
Voratrix – Devouring mistress, fitting for liches who consume knowledge or magic
Nyctaris – Night ruler, perfect for liches most powerful during darkness
Velvetmort – Soft death, ideal for liches who provide painless but inevitable demise
Thanatalia – Death’s festival, suited for liches who celebrate mortality’s end
Corvidia – Crow keeper, good for liches with bird familiars or airborne servants
Ebonheart – Black core, fitting for liches with completely corrupted essence
Morrigan – Phantom queen, perfect for spectral liches or ghost commanders
Necratrix – Death’s mistress, ideal for liches deeply connected to negative energy
Voidsong – Singer of emptiness, suited for liches whose magic manifests as music
Thanifica – Death maker, good for liches who mass-produce undead servants
Xibalba – Place of fear, fitting for liches who rule terror-filled domains
Mortalya – Deadly bloom, perfect for liches associated with poisonous flowers
Necrissa – Death’s smile, ideal for deceptively charming liches or social manipulators
Kalipha – Destruction’s beauty, suited for liches who find art in devastation
Wraithia – Spectral presence, good for incorporeal liches or ghost commanders
Mortifera – Bringer of death, fitting for liches who serve as harbingers of doom
Charismatic Lich Names
These names suggest liches who maintain their social grace and persuasive abilities, perfect for undead masterminds who rule through charm and manipulation rather than fear alone.
- Silvermort: Death with eloquent speech whose carefully chosen words can persuade even the most dedicated paladin to question their holy mission.
- Eloquentus: Master of speech who crafts arguments so compelling that victims willingly surrender their most prized possessions—including their souls.
- Persuasion: The art of influence personified, turning enemies into allies through conversation alone, without resorting to magical compulsion.
- Velvetdeath: Soft-spoken destroyer whose gentle whispers carry more destructive power than the battle cries of a thousand warriors.
- Gracefall: Elegant descent into darkness who maintains the courtly manners and refined tastes of nobility, hosting lavish galas for the living and dead alike.
- Sweetmort: Death disguised as pleasure whose victims welcome their end, believing they are experiencing ecstasy rather than their final moments.
- Goldenvoid: Beautiful emptiness whose enchanting presence masks the soul-consuming hunger that drives his every interaction with the living.
- Velvetarch: Soft-spoken ruler whose quiet suggestions are followed more readily than the shouted commands of lesser kings.
- Gracemort: Elegant death who approaches his victims with the formal courtesy of a dance partner, extending a skeletal hand with perfect poise.
- Goldenspeak: Words of precious metal whose promises, though ultimately hollow, shine so brightly in the moment that few can resist their allure.
- Silvertongue: Master of persuasive speech who has talked his way out of exorcism by the most devoted clerics, convincing them of his redemption.
- Charmheart: One whose core is charisma, maintaining the magnetic personality that defined him in life through the dark transformation of lichdom.
- Eloquarch: Ruler through words whose empire was built not through conquest but through carefully crafted treaties and diplomatic manipulation.
- Gracebane: Corruption of elegance whose refined mannerisms serve as a perfect disguise for the calculated harvesting of souls from high society.
- Silkenheart: Smooth-talking center of a vast network of enchanted agents who believe they serve a benevolent master rather than an undead manipulator.
- Velvetlord: Gentle-seeming master whose soft touch belies the iron control he maintains over his domain and those unfortunate enough to dwell within it.
- Charmarch: Supreme persuader who has never needed to raise his voice or his hand in violence, achieving his goals through perfectly chosen words.
- Gracevoid: Elegant emptiness who maintains the perfect manners and social graces of a bygone era, a nostalgic reminder of a more civilized age.
- Goldenmort: Precious death who adorns himself with the wealth of countless tombs, his opulent appearance designed to awe visitors into compliance.
- Silvershadow: Refined darkness who moves through society like a ghost at a masquerade, always welcome yet never fully seen for what he truly is.
- Eloqueart: Heart of refined speech whose passionate oratory can inspire love, loyalty, or revolutionary fervor in even the most jaded audiences.
- Charmvoid: Persuasive emptiness who leaves his victims feeling blessed by their interaction, unaware that something precious has been taken from them.
- Goldenshadow: Precious darkness who surrounds himself with beauty and luxury, creating an irresistible honeyed trap for those whose souls he covets.
Strong Lich Names
These names emphasize physical and magical might, perfect for liches who combine their arcane knowledge with overwhelming destructive power and imposing presence.
- Ironwill – Unbreakable determination
- Bonecrusher – Destroyer of skeletal structures
- Steelheart – Core of metallic strength
- Mightarch – Supreme power
- Strongbane – Paradoxically, strength that destroys
- Titanmort – Death of gigantic proportions
- Ironarch – Ruler of metallic strength
- Powerlord – Master of raw force
- Mightcaster – Wielder of strength magic
- Stronghold – Fortress of power
- Ironlord – Master of metallic might
- Steelarch – Supreme metallic ruler
- Mightmort – Powerful death
- Strongarch – Supreme strength
- Titanarch – Gigantic ruler
- Powermort – Forceful death
- Ironmort – Metallic death
- Steelmort – Death of steel
- Mightlord – Master of power
- Stronglord – Master of strength
- Titanlord – Master of giants
- Powerheart – Core of raw force
- Ironheart – Metallic core
- Steelheart – Core of steel strength
- Mightheart – Core of power
- Strongheart – Core of strength
- Titanheart – Gigantic core
- Powerarch – Supreme force
- Ironvoid – Metallic emptiness
- Steelvoid – Steel-hard emptiness
Evil Lich Names
These names embody pure malevolence and wickedness, perfect for liches who represent the darkest aspects of necromantic magic and moral corruption.
- Maleficus – Worker of evil deeds
- Sinistron – Left-handed one (traditionally evil)
- Vilehart – Heart of pure wickedness
- Corruptor – One who spreads moral decay
- Wickedarch – Supreme evil ruler
- Malevol – Wishing ill upon others
- Sinbane – Paradoxically, evil that destroys sin
- Vilemort – Foul death
- Curseheart – Core of malediction
- Evilarch – Supreme wicked ruler
- Maleheart – Evil core
- Corruptarch – Supreme spreader of decay
- Sinmort – Death through wickedness
- Vilearch – Supreme foulness
- Wickedheart – Core of evil intentions
- Malevolord – Master of ill will
- Corruptheart – Core of moral decay
- Sinarch – Supreme transgressor
- Vileking – Sovereign of foulness
- Wickedlord – Master of evil
- Maleking – Sovereign of malice
- Corruptking – Sovereign of decay
- Sinlord – Master of transgression
- Vilethane – Noble of foulness
- Wickedthane – Noble of evil
- Malethane – Noble of malice
- Corruptthane – Noble of decay
- Sinthane – Noble of sin
- Vilelord – Master of foulness
- Wickedarch – Supreme evil
Cool Lich Names
These names project an aura of detached power and calculated composure, perfect for liches who maintain their cool demeanor even in the face of destruction.
- Frostmind – Calculating cold intelligence
- Iceheart – Core of frozen emotion
- Coolarch – Supreme calm ruler
- Chillmort – Cold death
- Frostlord – Master of icy composure
- Icemort – Frozen death
- Coolmort – Calm death
- Chillarch – Supreme cold ruler
- Frostarch – Supreme icy ruler
- Icearch – Supreme frozen ruler
- Coolheart – Core of composure
- Chillheart – Core of cold calm
- Frostheart – Core of icy detachment
- Icevoid – Frozen emptiness
- Coolvoid – Calm emptiness
- Chillvoid – Cold emptiness
- Frostvoid – Icy emptiness
- Icethane – Noble of frost
- Coolthane – Noble of composure
- Chillthane – Noble of cold
- Frostthane – Noble of ice
- Iceking – Sovereign of frost
- Coolking – Sovereign of composure
- Chillking – Sovereign of cold
- Frostking – Sovereign of ice
- Icebane – Destroyer through cold
- Coolbane – Destroyer through composure
- Chillbane – Destroyer through cold
- Frostbane – Destroyer through ice
- Glaciarch – Supreme ice ruler
Corrupt Lich Names
These names reflect moral decay and spiritual contamination, ideal for liches who spread corruption and pervert the natural order through their very existence.
- Blightmort – Death through corruption
- Decayarch – Supreme ruler of rot
- Rotlord – Master of decomposition
- Taintmort – Death through contamination
- Corrosion – The eating away of purity
- Putrefy – One who causes decay
- Blightarch – Supreme corruption ruler
- Decayheart – Core of rotting
- Rotheart – Core of decomposition
- Taintheart – Core of contamination
- Corruptcore – Center of moral decay
- Blightheart – Core of corruption
- Decaylord – Master of rot
- Rotarch – Supreme decomposer
- Taintarch – Supreme contaminator
- Corrodarch – Supreme corroder
- Putriarch – Supreme decay master
- Blightlord – Master of corruption
- Decayking – Sovereign of rot
- Rotking – Sovereign of decomposition
- Taintking – Sovereign of contamination
- Corruptking – Sovereign of decay
- Blightking – Sovereign of corruption
- Decaythane – Noble of rot
- Rotthane – Noble of decomposition
- Taintthane – Noble of contamination
- Corruptthane – Noble of decay
- Blightthane – Noble of corruption
- Pestilarch – Supreme plague bringer
- Miasmatic – One who spreads toxic vapors
Fearless Lich Names
These names embody courage and absolute fearlessness, perfect for liches who face any threat with unwavering determination and inspire terror through their complete lack of fear.
- Braveheart – Core of pure courage
- Fearnothing – One who knows no fear
- Boldarch – Supreme brave ruler
- Courageous – The embodiment of bravery
- Dauntless – Cannot be intimidated
- Valorous – Full of valor
- Bravearch – Supreme courage ruler
- Fearless – Without any fear
- Boldmort – Brave death
- Couragearch – Supreme brave ruler
- Dauntarch – Supreme fearless ruler
- Valorarch – Supreme valor ruler
- Bravelord – Master of courage
- Fearnotlord – Master who fears nothing
- Boldlord – Master of boldness
- Couragelord – Master of courage
- Dauntlord – Master of fearlessness
- Valorlord – Master of valor
- Braveking – Sovereign of courage
- Fearnotking – Sovereign who fears nothing
- Boldking – Sovereign of boldness
- Courageking – Sovereign of courage
- Dauntking – Sovereign of fearlessness
- Valorking – Sovereign of valor
- Bravethane – Noble of courage
- Fearnotthane – Noble who fears nothing
- Boldthane – Noble of boldness
- Couragethane – Noble of courage
- Dauntthane – Noble of fearlessness
- Valorthane – Noble of valor
Creating Your Own Lich Names
When crafting original lich names, consider following this step-by-step approach:
- Determine the lich’s origin: Was your lich once human? Elven? Something else? Their original culture should influence their name.
- Consider their specialization: A lich focused on soul magic might have different naming elements than one specializing in plague magic.
- Decide their age: Ancient liches might have names from dead languages, while recently transformed liches could retain more modern naming conventions.
- Mix and match elements: Combine a base from one tradition (like Greek) with a suffix from another (like Norse) to create something unique.
- Say it aloud: A great lich name should be pronounceable while reading. If you stumble over it repeatedly, readers will too.
Some techniques for testing effectiveness include:
- Share the name with beta readers and ask what they envision
- Create a word cloud of associations the name brings to mind
- Check that the name doesn’t accidentally mean something inappropriate in another language
Common pitfalls to avoid:
- Overusing apostrophes and hyphens
- Creating names that are too similar to existing fictional characters
- Making the name so complex it becomes forgettable
- Using overly obvious words like “death” or “evil” without transformation
Conclusion
The perfect lich name does more than label your villain—it breathes unlife into them. It hints at their past, their powers, and the horror they represent.
Whether drawing from ancient languages, cosmic horror, or subverting expectations with surprisingly modern names, the thought you put into naming your lich will elevate your entire fantasy narrative.
Remember that the most compelling liches aren’t just powerful—they’re memorable.
Their names should linger in your readers’ minds like a curse, whispering of ancient powers and terrible secrets.
After all, in a fantasy world, knowing something’s true name often grants power over it—and your readers should feel both the temptation and terror of speaking your lich’s name aloud.
What terrifying lich names will you conjure for your next fantasy masterpiece?
