Magical Names

Magical names

(Disclaimer: this is all based on UPG, personal experience as well as my own working theories about magic and witchcraft, feel free to add on anything you’ve found to be true, or correct me if I’ve messed up anywhere!)

In my practice, I use several different names. This includes my false name, my witches’ name and my common name. The number of names a witch will use will vary depending on their practice. For instance, a green witch who does not dabble in spirit or otherworld work will likely only use one or two names at most, while a hedge witch can have as many names as spirits that they interact with.

“But Ysbal, what are all these names for? Why do I need them?”

The short answer is to protect your identity and to imbue your workings with extra power.

The long answer is that most of the time a witch will use three types of name; the first and most obvious type is the common name.

The common name is the name you go by on this plane, which you would answer to if someone called it. Yes, this includes nicknames and chosen names. I personally only have a few variations on my common name, although in the past my common name changed before I eventually settled with the one my parents gifted me. This name is most useful for interacting with other people in this physical plane, though it can be substituted for your true name or a witches’ name in magical workings if you don’t have/know them yet.

The second type of name that most witches (and anyone who goes online!) should have is a false name. Your false name is useful for a number of things, but it’s most effective as a form of protection against the Fae and other spirits that may wish to call upon you.

If the Fae have your common or true names, they have power over you. That’s why it’s important to be careful not to share those names and have a false name that you can provide when asked so that you won’t offend them.

It is very important that your false name should be a name that you do not recognise as your own. Meaning, if someone were to call out your false name, you wouldn’t notice or answer.

To prevent yourself from getting accustomed to a false name, you can have a different one for each spirit or group of spirits that you interact with, but that can get confusing, so I personally choose to use a name that I feel no personal connection to other than liking it.

You could choose a name belonging to the opposite or different gender, if that helps; it’s also good to use a name that’s common among those interacting with the fae (I’ve seen ‘Ainsel’ recommended before). Symbols make good false names if you don’t need to speak aloud. Another tip is to choose a name that holds some sort of meaning, particularly if the meaning relates to independence or gaining independence from someone because, as you’ve probably heard a million times, names have power, and maintaining your independence is very important when interacting with Fae and other spirits.

Other benefits of a false name include:

Protecting your identity

Having an alias when interacting with other witches

Just getting to try on a cool sounding name for a bit

(I would be cautious of using your false name in too many places, though, because you might begin to recognise it as your own, at which point you’d have to change it!!)

“What if I like my false name and don’t want to stop using it if I get accustomed to it?”

Good news! You don’t have to. If that name speaks to you, then you can 100% keep using it in the form of a witches’ name. (Ysbal is my witches’ name.)

This is the name you use in among other witches and in spellcraft. You can imbue it with magic, although it likely already has some from its meaning (if you chose a meaningful name) and numerology. Simplified, it’s a common name but with a little more power and significance.

The one warning I’d give with this is to bear in mind that if you’ve already used this name, any spirits you’ve shared it with will have access to it, which is why you always need to be careful with the wording when you share your name. An example: all throughout this post I’ve been using ‘give’ and ‘share’ out of habit, but both of those are bad!! You’re basically saying to the Fae “come fuck with me, I’m all yours.” Instead, say “you can call me” or “I’ll tell you that my name is.” This way you ensure that they know that you’re not giving them any power, and the name remains relatively safe (but never entirely, so always exercise caution with who you give even a false name to!)

Still want a witches’ name, but want to avoid that risk entirely? You can also create a witches’ name from scratch if you so desire, or even ask to be given one (I know it’s a tradition in some covens to give new members coven names to finalise their entry.)

Remember: some witches use the same name actively as their false name and their witches’ name, so it really varies person to person, and how cautious you want to be.

The trickiest name and the one that you, under no circumstances, should ever give away lightly is your true name.

There are a number of theories on what this name is (and if it even exists), from it being the name of your higher self to it being the name you had during your first (or most significant) incarnation. Personally, I believe it to be the unique name given to the shard of the universe that is you.

What your true name ‘sounds’ like will vary. Most people recognise their true names when they are called by them, but wouldn’t be able to tell you what they are beforehand. Your true name is what identifies you in the deepest sense, and this could be anything from a certain scent; a certain feeling; or even a specific frequency of sound.

If you know your true name, you can use it in magical workings to empower them, as well as to give to (trusted) friends to help them find you on the astral or in times of need.

“How do I find my true name, and how will I know it’s the right one?”

If you believe so, you can ask your higher self to give it to you. You can also ask around among spirits you know well and trust or who knew you in a previous incarnation, as well as spirit guides, angels, or patron deities. I’ve also heard of hypnosis as a method, although this might be risky as the hypnotist will also then have access to your true name. It is important to note that none of this guarantees you will be told your actual, genuine true name.

I personally, do not yet know my true name (and it’s totally ok not to!!), so I can’t tell you anything other than the cliche, “if it is your name, you’ll know” that I’ve picked up from speaking to other people.

So, there you have it! A quick run-down on how to use names in your magical practice. I hope this is helpful to someone, and if I’ve been grossly misinformed on any of these, please let me know!!