400+ Names That Mean Liar or Trickster in Mysterious & Cunning Choices 2026

Finding names that mean liar is harder than it sounds. Most lists mix real names with random words, and the meanings are often wrong.

This guide keeps things clear. You get real names, folklore figures, and word-names from many cultures.

Use them for a baby, a villain, a game character, or a username. Below you’ll find 400+ names for liars, deceivers, tricksters, schemers, and secret keepers.

Quick Checklist Before Choosing a Trickster or Liar-Themed Name

A good pick should fit how you plan to use it. Check these first:

• Decide the purpose: baby, character, username, or brand.
• Check the origin. Some are real given names, others are words or folklore titles.
• Say it out loud to confirm it is easy to pronounce.
• Match the tone: playful trickster, dark deceiver, or quiet secret keeper.
• Search the name once to avoid an unwanted association.

Category	Works Best For
Girl names	Baby names, heroines, anti-heroines
Boy names	Baby names, rogues, antagonists
Mythological names	Fantasy worlds, RPG characters
Japanese names	Anime, manga, fox-spirit characters
Last names	Villains, family lines, fiction
Word-names	Usernames, brands, aesthetic profiles

Names That Mean Liar (Girl)

These names that mean liars for girls range from biblical figures to Latin word-names. Some are known for deceit, while others literally mean “lie.”

Name	Meaning	Origin
Delilah	Delicate; betrayed Samson	Hebrew
Jezebel	Queen tied to treachery	Hebrew
Morgana	Sea-born trickster sorceress	Welsh
Ormah	Cunning, guile	Hebrew
Medea	Cunning plans	Greek
Circe	Hawk; tricked sailors	Greek

• Cozbi – my lie (Hebrew)
• Mirmah – deceit, fraud (Hebrew)
• Kadhiba – liar (Arabic)
• Lilith – night seductress (Mesopotamian)
• Pandora – all-gifted (Greek)
• Calypso – she who conceals (Greek)
• Mendacia – falsehood (Latin)
• Fallacia – deceit (Latin)
• Dolosa – crafty (Latin)
• Fable – invented story (Latin)
• Guile – cunning (Old French)
• Siren – enchantress (Greek)
• Lamia – serpent-woman (Greek)
• Nimue – enchantress of Merlin (Arthurian)
• Lorelei – luring rock-maiden (German)
• Ligeia – clear-voiced siren (Greek)
• Salome – peace; dancer of intrigue (Hebrew)
• Vafra – cunning (Latin)
• Ruse – a trick (French)

Names That Mean Deceiver

A deceiver misleads through trickery or false promises. These names come from scripture, Latin, and living languages.

• Jacob – supplanter (Hebrew)
• Laban – white; tricked Jacob (Hebrew)
• Ananias – lied to the apostles (Hebrew)
• Sapphira – sapphire; lied with Ananias (Greek)
• Gehazi – lying servant (Hebrew)
• Rebekah – to bind; helped trick Isaac (Hebrew)
• Achzib – deceitful (Hebrew)
• Dolus – personified deceit (Latin)
• Fraus – fraud (Latin)
• Dolon – trick (Greek)
• Sinon – spy who fooled Troy (Greek)
• Makkaar – deceitful (Urdu)
• Makr – scheming (Arabic)
• Kapat – deceit (Sanskrit)
• Chhal – trickery (Hindi)
• Fareb – deception (Persian)
• Dagha – treachery (Urdu)
• Dhoka – a trick (Hindi)
• Inganno – deception (Italian)
• Embuste – lie, trick (Spanish)
• Twyll – deceit (Welsh)
• Lukav – cunning (Slavic)
• Obman – deception (Russian)
• Hile – ruse (Turkish)
• Kurnaz – sly (Turkish)
• Dolios – crafty (Greek)
• Astucia – slyness (Spanish)
• Furbo – shrewd (Italian)
• Trug – deception (German)
• Pseudes – false (Greek)

Boy Names That Mean Liar

Many boy names that mean liar are word-names. They suit fiction, usernames, and bold aesthetic picks.

• Kadhib
• Kidhb
• Zoor
• Sheker
• Kazav
• Jhooth
• Mithya
• Asatya
• Anrita
• Yalan
• Uongo
• Breag
• Lugner
• Menteur
• Mentiroso
• Bugiardo
• Mendax
• Falsus
• Pseudolus
• Epimenides
• Eubulides
• Pinocchio
• Munchausen
• Tartuffe
• Falstaff

Boy Names That Mean Liar or Trickster

Tricksters lie with charm. These boy names cover folklore, theatre, and witty court figures. Anansi, the clever web-weaving trickster, is also a great fit if you like names that mean spider. 

• Loki
• Puck
• Reynard
• Anansi
• Coyote
• Raven
• Maui
• Eshu
• Legba
• Hermes
• Iktomi
• Kokopelli
• Nanabozho
• Till
• Scapin
• Figaro
• Harlequin
• Pulcinella
• Brighella
• Truffaldino
• Nasreddin
• Juha
• Birbal
• Tenali
• Ti Malice
• Wisakedjak
• Goodfellow
• Rogue
• Scamp
• Rascal

Names That Mean Betrayer

Betrayal gives a name weight. These betrayer names come from history, myth, and fiction.

• Judas – praised; betrayed Jesus (Hebrew)
• Iscariot – epithet of Judas (Hebrew)
• Brutus – Caesar’s conspirator (Latin)
• Cassius – Caesar’s conspirator (Latin)
• Iago – treacherous ensign (Shakespeare)
• Ephialtes – betrayed Thermopylae (Greek)
• Mordred – Arthur’s traitor son (Arthurian)
• Ganelon – betrayed Roland (Old French)
• Sejanus – plotted against Tiberius (Roman)
• Catiline – conspirator against Rome (Latin)
• Quisling – synonym for traitor (Norwegian)
• Arnold – eagle power (German)
• Pettigrew – traitor in Harry Potter
• Wormtongue – Saruman’s spy (Tolkien)
• Proditor – traitor (Latin)
• Perfida – treacherous (Latin)
• Traidor – traitor (Spanish)
• Predatel – traitor (Russian)
• Ghaddar – traitor (Persian)
• Mir Jafar – remembered betrayer at Plassey
• Mir Sadiq – remembered betrayer of Tipu Sultan
• Jaichand – folklore traitor, though historians debate it

Names That Mean Manipulator

Manipulators win through influence, not force. These names belong to persuaders, spymasters, and charmers.

• Svengali
• Mesmer
• Machiavelli
• Rasputin
• Richelieu
• Talleyrand
• Fouche
• Mazarin
• Kautilya
• Chanakya
• Druj
• Ahriman
• Mara
• Peitho
• Suasor
• Kolax
• Sophist
• Illecebra
• Metis
• Piper
• Cagliostro
• Casanova

Names That Mean Secretive

Secretive names suit quiet, guarded characters. Each one points to something hidden or unspoken.

Name	Meaning	Origin
Raziel	Secret of God	Hebrew
Rune	Secret, mystery	Old Norse
Nihan	Hidden	Turkish
Gizem	Mystery	Turkish
Arcana	Hidden knowledge	Latin
Rahasya	Secret	Sanskrit

• Raz
• Razi
• Sirr
• Raaz
• Esrar
• Gupta
• Guhya
• Arcanus
• Secreta
• Occulta
• Mystique
• Enigma
• Kryptos
• Tzafon
• Batin
• Ghaib
• Khufiya
• Pinhan
• Mastur
• Lethe
• Sod
• Misterio
• Hush
• Veil

Names That Mean Schemer

Schemers plan quietly and strike late. These names come from epics, tragedies, and scripture.

• Shakuni – master schemer (Sanskrit)
• Manthara – twisted Kaikeyi’s mind (Ramayana)
• Kaikeyi – exiled Rama by plot (Sanskrit)
• Clytemnestra – plotted murder (Greek)
• Aegisthus – co-plotter (Greek)
• Edmund – scheming son (King Lear)
• Goneril – scheming daughter (King Lear)
• Regan – scheming daughter (King Lear)
• Claudius – usurping uncle (Hamlet)
• Merteuil – manipulative marquise (French)
• Valmont – seducer (French)
• Haman – plotter in Esther (Hebrew)
• Ahithophel – plotting counselor (Hebrew)
• Athaliah – throne-seizing queen (Hebrew)
• Absalom – rebel son (Hebrew)
• Sazish – conspiracy (Urdu)
• Yojana – plan (Sanskrit)
• Mechane – contrivance (Greek)
• Insidia – ambush, plot (Latin)
• Trama – plot (Italian)
• Intriga – intrigue (Spanish)
• Komplot – plot (German)

Names That Mean Deception

Deception can be an illusion, a disguise, or a false front. These names capture that slippery feeling.

• Maya
• Apate
• Mirage
• Glamour
• Illusia
• Phantasma
• Chimera
• Masque
• Decoy
• Sham
• Feint
• Hoax
• Charade
• Facade
• Bhram
• Moha
• Mayavi
• Fantasma
• Trompe
• Mimic
• Guise
• Ploy

Names That Mean Trickster in Japanese

Japanese folklore is full of shape-shifters and pranksters. Most are folklore terms or words, not common given names.

• Kitsune
• Tanuki
• Mujina
• Tamamo
• Kuzunoha
• Nue
• Tengu
• Kappa
• Itazura
• Yako
• Yoko
• Kyokatsu
• Ayakashi
• Bakeneko
• Nekomata
• Susanoo
• Maboroshi
• Genei
• Damasu
• Azamuku
• Uso
• Inari
• Bakemono
• Yokai
• Kitsunebi

Last Names That Mean Liar

True surnames meaning “liar” are rare. Most point to cunning, foxes, or rogues, which is how families were often nicknamed. For a bolder surname with a dramatic edge, check out these last names that mean fire. 

• Sly
• Wiley
• Foxe
• Goupil
• Volpe
• Zorrilla
• Schalk
• Schlau
• Malin
• Finaud
• Lefourbe
• Cunning
• Rook
• Slee
• Listig
• Fuchs
• Vos
• Lisitsyn

Mythological & Legendary Names Associated with Deception

Myths gave us the first tricksters and shape-shifters. These legendary names still feel powerful.

• Set – chaos god (Egyptian)
• Prometheus – tricked Zeus (Greek)
• Sisyphus – cheated death (Greek)
• Odysseus – wily hero (Greek)
• Autolycus – master thief (Greek)
• Daedalus – cunning craftsman (Greek)
• Sun Wukong – Monkey King (Chinese)
• Gwydion – Welsh magician
• Tezcatlipoca – smoking mirror (Aztec)
• Veles – Slavic trickster god
• Eris – goddess of discord (Greek)
• Momus – god of mockery (Greek)
• Morrigan – shape-shifting goddess (Irish)
• Narada – troublemaking sage (Hindu)
• Maricha – golden-deer demon (Ramayana)
• Mohini – enchantress form of Vishnu
• Krishna – butter-thieving trickster (Sanskrit)
• Pan – wild mischief (Greek)
• Proteus – shape-shifting sea god (Greek)
• Laomedon – promise-breaking king (Greek)
• Ture – Zande trickster
• Sungura – hare trickster (Swahili)
• Napi – Blackfoot trickster
• Wihio – Cheyenne trickster
• Wakdjunkaga – Ho-Chunk trickster
• Gumiho – nine-tailed fox (Korean)
• Dokkaebi – prankish goblin (Korean)
• Huli Jing – fox spirit (Chinese)
• Yaga – Slavic witch
• Kikimora – trickster house spirit (Slavic)
• Ate – goddess of delusion (Greek)
• Belial – lord of lies (Hebrew)
• Azazel – scapegoat spirit (Hebrew)
• Samael – deceiving angel (Jewish legend)
• Hanuman – mischievous monkey god (Sanskrit)
• Púca – shape-shifter (Irish)
• Kelpie – luring water spirit (Scots)
• Imp – little demon (English)
• Kobold – prank-playing spirit (German)
• Lutin – mischievous sprite (French)

Literary & Historical Names Symbolizing Deception

Authors and history gave us unforgettable liars, impostors, and spies. Each name carries a story.

• Mephistopheles – tricked Faust
• Faust – bargained with the devil
• Fagin – Dickens’ criminal mentor
• Dodger – clever pickpocket
• Heep – fawning schemer
• Rumpelstiltskin – folk trickster
• Ripley – charming impostor
• Gatsby – self-invented persona
• Scheherazade – storyteller who outwitted a king
• Morgiana – quick-witted maid
• Hamlet – feigned madness
• Cesario – Viola’s disguise
• Rosalind – disguised heroine
• Lupin – gentleman thief
• Raffles – gentleman thief
• Mata Hari – executed spy
• Warbeck – throne pretender
• Simnel – throne pretender
• Guerre – identity case
• Ponzi – scam namesake
• Fawkes – Gunpowder Plot
• Jael – killed Sisera by deceit
• Tamar – disguised to trick Judah
• Zopyrus – faked defection
• Themistocles – tricked Xerxes
• Hannibal – master of ambush
• Sun Tzu – wrote on deception
• Zhuge – Empty Fort strategist
• Cao Cao – cunning warlord
• Borgia – family of intrigue
• Lucrezia – poison legends
• Alcibiades – switched sides
• Tichborne – claimant impostor
• Dorian – hidden double life
• Hyde – Jekyll’s hidden self

Names Inspired by Trickery, Lies, or Cunning

These names don’t always mean “liar.” They mean clever, sly, or quick-witted, which is the heart of a trickster. If you want more picks in this style, browse our list of names that mean cunning. 

• Callidus
• Vafer
• Astutus
• Versutus
• Dolosus
• Polytropos
• Kerdo
• Glic
• Cyfrwys
• Slager
• Arum
• Ayyar
• Amar
• Chatur
• Chalak
• Shatir
• Hoshiyar
• Zeerak
• Mjanja
• Sinsi
• Hadaa
• Dahiya
• Gambit
• Trixie
• Jinx
• Wile
• Canny
• Artful
• Bluff
• Slick

Modern & Pop Culture Names Associated With Deception

Screen and page villains keep these names alive. They suit characters, gamer tags, and stage names.

• Jafar
• Maleficent
• Cruella
• Varys
• Littlefinger
• Cersei
• Saruman
• Smeagol
• Palpatine
• Snape
• Riddler
• Joker
• Moriarty
• Yagami
• Lelouch
• Aizen
• Azula
• Kyubey
• Riddle
• Salazar
• Hades
• Ursula
• Soze
• Verbal
• Lucifer

Nature & Symbolic Names Reflecting Deception

Nature has its own tricksters. Animals, plants, and weather often stand for camouflage or false beauty.

• Fox
• Vixen
• Serpent
• Viper
• Adder
• Basilisk
• Cuckoo
• Magpie
• Jackal
• Chameleon
• Nightshade
• Belladonna
• Mockingbird
• Wisp
• Echo
• Quicksilver
• Eclipse
• Smoke
• Mist
• Fog
• Shade
• Sphinx
• Janus
• Crow
• Cobra

How We Curate Names That Mean Liar or Trickster

We checked each entry for its origin and its link to lying, tricks, or secrecy. Where a name is a word or folklore title, we say so.

We also kept the list varied across languages, so you can find names that mean liar from Arabic and Hindi to Latin and Japanese.

Tips for Choosing a Trickster or Liar-Themed Name

• Pick by tone: playful (Puck), dark (Ahriman), or quiet (Raziel).
• For a baby, lean toward real names with a mild story, like Jacob or Calypso.
• For fiction, word-names like Mendax or Fareb feel fresh.
• For usernames, add a number or twist the spelling if the name is taken.
• Check how the name looks in writing, not just how it sounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some names that mean liar?

Kadhib (Arabic), Sheker (Hebrew), Mendax (Latin), and Cozbi (Hebrew) all mean liar or lie.

Which name means trickster?

Loki, Puck, Anansi, and Kitsune are classic trickster names.

Is there a girl’s name that means liar?

Cozbi (“my lie”) and Mendacia (Latin for lie) are the closest direct matches.

Are there Japanese names that mean trickster?

Yes, Kitsune, Tanuki, and Itazura all point to tricks or mischief in Japanese.

What if my chosen trickster name is already taken as a username?

Add a number, change the spelling, or try a variant such as Kitsunebi.

Conclusion

Names that mean liar can be bold, elegant, or playful. The right one depends on whether you want a villain, a trickster, or a quiet keeper of secrets.

This list covered liars, deceivers, betrayers, schemers, and secretive names from many cultures. Pick the one that fits your story, your baby, or your profile.

Take your time, say a few out loud, and trust the one that feels right.