Names have the power to shape our identity, and some names carry unique meanings. Among these are names that suggest trickery or cunning. From ancient legends to modern tales, names associated with trickster figures often reveal a playful or mischievous side. These names can be fun, intriguing, and even a bit mysterious, giving a glimpse into different cultures and their stories.
Today, we’ll explore a selection of names that mean trickery. You’ll learn about their origins, meanings, and how they connect to trickster characters in various folklore and mythology. Whether you’re curious about names for a character or just enjoy interesting facts, you’ll find something engaging here!
Names That Mean Trickery
1. Loki
Loki is a name derived from Norse mythology, known for being the trickster god who often caused mischief among gods and humans. His clever schemes can be attributed to his name, which embodies cunning.
2. Coyote
The name Coyote originates from Native American culture, representing a trickster figure known for his deceptive and clever actions in folklore. Coyote often outsmarts his opponents with his tricks.
3. Anansi
Anansi is a namesake from African folklore, particularly in West Africa. Anansi is well-known as a trickster spider who employs his quick wit and cleverness to outsmart others, bringing a rich cultural value tied to trickery.
4. Hermes
In Greek mythology, Hermes is the messenger of the gods and a cunning trickster. His name suggests cleverness and deceit, as he is often involved in schemes that showcase his craftiness.
5. Reynard
The name Reynard is famous in European folklore, portraying a clever fox who uses trickery to outwit other animals. The stories emphasize his cunning nature and inventiveness.
6. Puck
Puck is a name associated with Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” representing a mischievous sprite known for his playful tricks and pranks throughout the story.
7. Br’er Rabbit
This name connects to African American folklore, where Br’er Rabbit is a trickster character who uses his intelligence and crafty tricks to escape danger. His name signifies cleverness.
8. Kitsune
Kitsune refers to a fox in Japanese culture and is also a legendary trickster known for its intelligence and magical abilities. In tales, Kitsune often deceives humans while having fun.
9. Tengu
In Japanese folklore, Tengu are supernatural beings often portrayed as mischievous tricksters. Their name reflects playfulness and cunning within various folk narratives.
10. Mercury
Mercury, the Roman equivalent of Hermes, embodies the essence of trickery and cunning. Known as a god of commerce, his cleverness adds to his reputation as a trickster.
11. Cernunnos
The name Cernunnos is linked to Celtic mythology, where he is often seen as a trickster related to fertility and nature. His cleverness helps him navigate the woods and deceive foes.
12. Kumbhakarna
This name from Hindu mythology represents a character who, despite his size, used wit and trickery to hide and escape from adversaries, emphasizing intelligence over brute strength.
13. Nanabozho
In Algonquin folklore, Nanabozho is a cultural hero known for his trickster qualities. The name reflects his playful spirit and ability to bring about change through cunning means.
14. Wile
The name Wile means sly or crafty, perfectly suiting its connotation with cunning behavior. It’s a clever choice for those showcasing characteristics of trickery.
15. Soren
Soren has Scandinavian roots, and though it means “severe,” its association with Sorensen, meaning ‘son of the trickster’, hints at a playful lineage steeped in cunning.
16. Malin
This name originates from Old Norse, meaning “the trickster” or “the sly one.” A fitting name for someone who embodies the essence of cleverness and mischief.
17. Tullius
Tullius is a name associated with cunning in Roman culture. It represents intelligence and quick thinking, making it ideal for a character known for trickery.
18. Ashe
This name is connected to the idea of a cunning fox. The name Ashe signifies cleverness and agility, often associated with trickery in various cultures.
19. Fable
The name Fable suggests storytelling, especially those with trickster characters. It embodies the notion of cleverness and the art of deceit often found in tales.
20. Hecate
Hecate is a Greek goddess associated with magic, witchcraft, and cunning. While not purely a trickster, her cleverness brings a dimension of trickery through her spells.
21. Pan
Pan, the Greek god associated with nature, also embodies trickery in his mischievous behavior, making it a lively name for someone resilient and sly.
22. Gulliver
Gulliver relates to deception through its connection to Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels,” where characters encounter many trickster-like beings during their adventures.
23. Osiris
In Egyptian mythology, Osiris displays cunning and trickery in his stories of resurrection and justice, denoting cleverness and resourcefulness in laying traps.
24. Scamp
A name like Scamp conjures playful mischief and trickery, embodying the character of someone who loves to engage in fun and witty shenanigans.
25. Fox
The name Fox is synonymous with cunning and trickery. Foxes in both folklore and nature are seen as clever beings that outsmart their predators.
26. Jade
27. Sbraz
The name Sbraz sounds unique and represents trickery or cunning playfully, making it a delightful choice for a character living a double life.
28. Skeeter
Skeeter means a mosquito or a small bug, which relates to irritation but also represents intrigue in trickery and cunning characteristics.
29. Mask
The name Mask can represent disguise and deception, both key aspects of trickery. It’s a playful yet meaningful choice for anyone with a clever disposition.
30. Trickster
As straightforward as it sounds, the name Trickster embodies all aspects of trickery, encapsulating cunningness in a charming way.
31. Kage
Kage is a Japanese name meaning shadow. This name relates to trickery as it implies stealth, cleverness, and the ability to outmaneuver others.
32. Slick
The name Slick suggests smoothness, cunning action, and quick-thinking, traits often associated with tricksters throughout various cultures.
33. Imp
This name represents a mischievous sprite often known for their crafty and playful nature. It brings to life the essence of trickery in folklore.
34. Rascal
A lively name like Rascal embodies playfulness and mischief, perfectly fitting for someone who takes joy in tricking others for fun.
35. Lokianna
Similar to Loki, this name adds a feminine twist while still encapsulating the clever and cunning essence of trickery embodied in the original.
36. Quibbler
Quibbler represents someone who often engages in petty arguments or trickery, making it a fun option for someone renowned for their tricky nature.
37. Cally
This name captures playfulness and trickery, suggesting someone who loves to make clever jokes and playful mischief.
38. Trick
The name Trick keeps the idea of cunning and deception at the forefront, making it immediately known that it’s connected to trickery.
39. Shad
The name Shad derives from shadow, indicating stealth and cunning often linked with trickster characters in stories.
40. Cinder
Cinder evokes images of fire, smoke, and magic—a fitting metaphor for trickery which often enables transformation and surprises.
41. Trixie
Trixie is a playful name that directly refers to tricks and cunning. It’s a great name for someone with a mischievous personality.
42. Fiddler
The Fiddler name conjures an image of playful trickery, resembling celebrations and joyous occasions filled with clever mischief.
43. Pickpocket
This name implies cunning and cleverness resulting from deception, highlighting the essence of trickery in a bold way.
44. Sphinx
The Sphinx represents mystery and cunning, often posing riddles to confuse and trick their challengers.
45. Sly
The name Sly directly relates to being deceitful and cunning, making it a direct nod to characteristics of trickery.
46. Caddo
This name refers to a Native American tribe, and their stories often involve cunning characters showcasing trickery in different situations.
47. Finn
Derived from the hero of Irish mythology, Finn MacCool, the name evokes images of cleverness and ingenious strategies, akin to trickery.
48. Tricksy
This novel variation of Trixie closely associates with playful deception. The whimsical twist adds an extra layer of charm to trickery.
49. Bodhi
While the name Bodhi means enlightenment, it’s also tied to cleverness and cunning strategies in navigating the world.
50. Wylie
Wylie means clever or cunning, a perfect descriptor for someone known for their trickery and clever schemes.
51. Marlowe
Referring to an English playwright, Marlowe carries a hint of mystery and cunningness. It’s a name that celebrates stealth and cleverness.
52. Tricky
This whimsical representation of “trick” reiterates cleverness and playful deceit, suited for someone known for engaging in trickery.
53. Cheeky
Cheeky directly connects to mischievous behavior, embodying the essence of playfulness and trickery found in different tales.
54. Daring
Daring captures the courageous spirit often of tricksters who face opportunities and challenges while engaging in clever schemes.
55. Jasper
The name Jasper, with its mineral meaning, signifies a clever twist in tricks and plays in various narratives.
56. Breezy
This airy name suggests a light-hearted personality that brings fun and charm, akin to trickery and playful deception.
57. Trix
An alternate spelling of Trixie, Trix retains the playful and mischievous connotation associated with trickery, making it a delightful name choice.
58. Dazzle
This name evokes images of sparkle and clever distractions, merging charm with trickery in a fun way.
59. Rascalette
A fun feminine twist on Rascal, Rascalette signifies a playful trickster, promoting mischief and cunning antics.
60. Jester
The name Jester directly relates to the playful clowns of ancient courts who used cunning words and tricks to entertain, embodying the heart of trickery.
61. Gambit
Derived from chess, Gambit refers to a strategy involving sacrifice for a promising move forward, showcasing tactical cunning often associated with trickery.
62. Zany
Zany expresses the essence of comedy and unpredictable tricks, a lively name for those who love to surprise.
63. Rook
The name Rook derives from chess, portraying a figure of strategic deception and trickery while navigating challenges on the board.
64. Smirk
This playful name embodies mischief and sly charm, perfect for someone who enjoys trickery at heart.
65. Flimflam
Flimflam refers to nonsensical trickery or deception, a name with playful vibrance fit for someone known for clever pranks.
66. Caper
This name embodies a playful stunt or trick, often used in the context of fun hesitations that deal with clever deception.
67. Dash
This name signifies swiftness and agility, qualities often possessed by tricksters who navigate life cleverly.
68. Vex
The name Vex embodies the essence of teasing and annoyance, correlated to trickery and cleverness throughout various narratives.
69. Tango
The name Tango implies a dance of clever movements and deceptive steps, making it a fitting name reflecting cunning spirit.
70. Meme
The name Meme signifies an idea or concept spreading through social media, often involving cleverness and humorous deception.
71. Jive
This lively name evokes images of playful conversations filled with clever wit, emphasizing trickery through dialogue.
72. Pantomime
The name Pantomime welcomes the idea of playful enactments, incorporating gestures and deception heavily tied to trickery.
73. Clue
Clue connects to mystery and hints, embodying the playful nature of tricks and clever schemes wrapped in secrecy.
74. Nexus
This name implies connection and intertwining paths, often reflecting the clever tactics used by tricksters in achieving their goals.
75. Specter
The name Specter evokes images of ghostly figures playing tricks on the living, an enchanting portrayal of trickery woven into stories.
76. Jackal
Symbolizing cleverness and cunning in mythology, the name Jackal reflects traits often associated with trickery and playfulness in nature.
77. Corsair
This name refers to a daring pirate, often engaging in cunning deception and clever trickery to navigate their adventures.
78. Fabletta
A fun spin on Fable, this name brings to life the art of storytelling, often highlighting trickster characters being clever.
79. Mischief
The name Mischief captures a spirit of playful pranks and trickery aimed at joy and laughter, perfect for a fun-loving character.
80. Banter
This name suggests clever and playful conversation, showcasing the art of trickery in dialogue and interactions.
81. Cunning
As straightforward as it sounds, the name Cunning evokes the very essence of the tricksters known for their clever tactics.
82. Tempest
With a connection to storms and high-energy, Tempest suits a character with chaotic cleverness and unpredictable tricks.
83. Riddle
This name conveys an air of mystery and cleverness, indicating a playful mind led by trickery to confuse others.
84. Genie
The name Genie symbolizes magic and wishes granted but shows the deception involved in encountering trickery within tales.
85. Astute
A name like Astute captures the essence of sharply intelligent and cunning characters rooted in trickery.
86. Gambler
This name reflects the strategic risks taken often associated with trickery and clever deception.
87. Razzle
This playful name suggests charming intrigue, emphasizing sparkle and tricks in delightful ways.
88. Weasel
While often associated with sneaky behavior, the name Weasel symbolizes intelligence and cleverness, denoting a sense of trickery in character.
89. Charmed
The name Charmed evokes an air of fascination, providing an enchanting theme of magic and clever trickery within it.
90. Lemonade
Linked to its famous phrase, “When life gives you lemons,” this name suggests cleverness in making the best out of tricky situations.
91. Grifter
Grifter reflects someone engaging in deception in playful ways, emphasizing the cleverness tied to trickery.
92. Nimbus
The name Nimbus evokes images of clouds and mystery, highlighting the unpredictable nature of tricks and cleverness.
93. Wisp
This name conjures images of lightness and fleeting moments, reflecting the ephemeral and cunning nature of trickery.
94. Bumble
This whimsical name implies clumsiness and playfulness, associating clever antics with trickery to captivate audiences.
95. Topsy
Topsy represents something that spins or flips upside down, indicating a nature tied to playful trickery and cleverness.
96. Bewitch
An enchanting name like Bewitch suggests magical deception and charm, showcasing clever trickery within a captivating narrative.
97. Spry
Spry suggests agility and cleverness, traits common among those indulged in trickery, symbolizing quick wit.
98. Fiddlesticks
This playful name conveys delight while connecting to trickery, eliciting smiles and vividly conjuring images of clever antics.
99. Conman
The name Conman refers to someone who tricks others through clever schemes, fitting perfectly into the concept of trickery.
100. Chantry
Hinting at a place of cleverness and wit, Chantry provides a subtle connection to clever schemes and trickery.
101. Rascality
By extending the idea of being a rascal, the name Rascality encapsulates mischief’s playful world of trickery.
102. Mischief-maker
This direct name explicitly relates to someone skilled at causing harmless trouble and playful tricks, reflecting abundant trickery.
103. Pantomimer
Pantomimer connects to someone skilled in the art of playful deception through gestures, embodying the quintessence of trickery.
104. Zephyr
The name Zephyr suggests a gentle breeze, symbolizing clever, subtle tricks that can change the course of events.
105. Prankster
A name like Prankster draws immediate connections to playful trickery and clever antics, embodying the spirit of mischief.
106. Ruse
Ruse signifies clever deception, representing the essence of trickery in various narratives through clever wordplay.
107. Sizzle
This name evokes excitement and surprise, connecting the feeling of intrigue and clever tricks within storytelling.
108. Whim
The name Whim represents playful ideas and spontaneous trickery, marking a character’s ever-changing clever nature.
109. Quirk
Quirk refers to a peculiar trait or playfulness, emphasizing uniqueness and cleverness often tied to trickery.
110. Spirit
The name Spirit symbolizes liveliness and play, often linking trickery to clever supernatural happenings.
111. Glimmer
This sparkly name implies hidden depths, often associated with trickery, suggesting charm and cleverness beneath the surface.
112. Moxie
The name Moxie means courage and determination, but it also reflects the cleverness and trickery often needed to achieve goals.
113. Finesse
This name reflects skill and artistry, closely tied to the clever manipulation often associated with trickery in narratives.
114. Hocus
Hocus connects to the phrase “hocus pocus,” which implies magic and trickery in various forms of storytelling, spotlighting clever deception.
115. Trickel
Trickel allows for a playful twist on the concept of trickery, highlighting a fun approach to cleverness.
116. Playwright
This name celebrates the art of storytelling and cunning in plots, embodying the trickery intertwined with literary works.
117. Mirage
Mirage signifies deception of the senses, making it a profound connection to the essence of trickery.
118. Vortex
The name Vortex relates to swirling cunning strategies, illustrating how trickery can whirl through life encounters.
119. Doodle
Doodle implies a light-hearted activity full of playful charm, reflecting creativity intertwined with clever tricks.
120. Gimmick
This name directly connects to clever tricks, emphasizing the essence of playful deception often woven into narratives.
121. Trixster
Trixster is a fun variation of Trickster, emphasizing mischief and playfulness through clever deception.
122. Jinx
The name Jinx speculates on troublesome luck or mischievous plays, embodying an aura of playful trickery.
123. Knack
Relating to skillfulness and intuition, the name Knack aligns well with understanding and mastering trickery.
124. Jamboree
This name elevates the essence of lively celebrations filled with clever pranks, creating fond associations with trickery.
125. Scallywag
Scallywag denotes someone playful or mischievous, fitting neatly within the realm of trickery and cleverness.
126. Folly
This playful name implies a sense of foolishness often resulting from clever tricks and mischief.
127. Chicanery
Chicanery showcases clever trickery and deceit, serving as a robust representation of cunning within folklore.
128. Sneaky
This informal name reflects sly and cunning qualities, making it a fantastic choice that emphasizes trickery.
129. Flicker
Flicker suggests a quick flash or a sense of movement, symbolizing the hidden, clever side of trickery.
130. Forge
A name representing a place of crafting skills also indicates clever systems built through cunning actions.
131. Gambol
This name connects to lively frolicking and pranks, suggesting playful trickery in the interpretation of fun-loving adventures.
132. Hash
Representing confusion or mixing things up, Hash reflects the crafty nature of trickery in friendships and narratives.
133. Flare
The name Flare conveys brightness and energy but also sparkles of clever deception found in trickery.
134. Sabotage
This name directly links to clever tricks and disruptive actions often associated with mischief, showcasing the art of trickery.
135. Cloak
Cloak implies covering and disguise, perfect for trickery that often involves a hidden agenda.
136. Puzzle
As a name, Puzzle echoes the concept of riddles and mysteries often associated with clever deception and trickery.
137. Boggle
Boggle signifies confusion or surprise and can reflect clever tricks that leave others baffled.
138. Bluff
The name Bluff signifies deception, perfectly outlining someone who engages in clever mischief.
139. Whimsy
This name encapsulates playful and fanciful behavior associated with trickery, highlighting cleverness in delightful ways.
140. Snicker
Snicker represents laughter and amusement, embodying clever tricks and playful deception throughout various tales.
141. Skit
The name Skit connects to short comedic plays, highlighting trickery through clever scriptwriting and performance.
142. Racket
This name refers to disturbances often caused through playful antics, merging cleverly with the theme of trickery.
143. Embezzle
Embezzle directly relates to deceit in leveraging cleverness for personal gain, embodying a more serious side of trickery.
144. Covert
Suggesting secrecy and hidden agendas, Covert captures clever trickery rooted in elusive narratives.
145. Ruseaux
A linguistic twist on Ruse, it emphasizes a playful connotation of clever deception and trickery.
146. Mirage
The name Mirage suggests illusion and deception, reflecting cleverly in the context of trickery and magic.
147. Fluke
Fluke signifies something unexpected or surprising, often resulting from clever tricks and genius manipulation in narratives.
148. Swagger
Swagger reflects boldness and confidence, connected to a clever and cunning demeanor often portrayed in tricksters.
149. Crafty
Crafty links directly to one’s cleverness and ability to scheme, making it excellent for those showcasing the essence of trickery.
150. Lurker
A name like Lurker relates to someone who observes stealthily, connecting closely with trickery and cunning actions.
Final Thoughts
Names that mean trickery capture the essence of cleverness and cunning actions found in various cultures. From playful pranksters in folklore to mythological figures implying mischief, each name reflects unique stories and attributes. These names offer glimpses into the fascinating world of trickery that can inspire characters and enthrall audiences.
As you explore names, consider their meanings connecting to the themes of trickery, intelligence, and playful mischief. The captivating aspects of characters woven through clever deception create rich narratives full of excitement and energy.
For those interested in exploring further, consider learning about names that mean traitor or names that mean liar for even more intriguing insights into cleverness and deception.