How to Choose Your Witch Name: Using Numerology as Your Guide

Does having a Witch name resonate with you? Does the idea of using an ancient esoteric divination practice appeal to your inner mystic? It is customary in Witchcraft to choose a special ‘Witch,’ ‘Magickal,’ or ‘Craft’ name once you are educated, have practiced, and are certain it is your path. Your Craft name symbolizes your new identity as a Witch and your dedication to your Witchcraft practice. It is also a reflection of your innermost magickal self. One way to choose your Witch name is to use numerology as your guide.

Numerology is one common (although sometimes tricky!) way to create all or part of your new witchy name. Do numbers or this divination practice resonate with you at all? If so, numerology just might be the perfect magickal name finding tool for you!

Using a Witch or Craft name is a way to separate your magickal self from mundane consciousness. It shifts you into a mystical frame of mind when practicing any aspect of your Craft. You may also use your witchy name among other like-minded folks in social situations such as festivals and sabbat celebrations.

If you are of the mind to adopt a Witch name, choose one that reflects who you are as a Witch, and do so thoughtfully. It’s not that you can’t be creative or change your name, it’s just not something you want to make a habit of. Choosing your Craft name is a sacred practice, so you really want to approach the process with sincerity.

You May Choose One Witch Name, Two Witch Names, or none at all!

Witches often choose one Craft name to use among other like-minded people in social or public settings. This includes your witchy friends, witch groups, public events and festivals, in witchy classes, and even witch and occult shops. And then there is your completely secret name that is for your private rituals and magickal workings. It is a name known by no other, not even your teacher! Then there are Witches who use only one magickal name in both social settings and in their magickal practice. There is no wrong way to approach this. Each person must decide what feels right for themselves.

Then again, having a magickal name is absolutely not required! You may continue practicing your Craft forever more and never ever use one. It’s a highly personal decision, and if you do not feel called to have one, don’t stress over it. It’s totally ok! If having a magickal moniker is not something you vibe with, no worries. Your Craft is YOUR practice, and you call the shots!

To recap, you may choose…

Some Things to Consider

Craft names are very individualistic in nature and may reflect your beliefs, aspirations and other things you align with. It’s up to you to really think and feel into names that are ‘you’. Do some research and spend some time in meditation at your altar. You may also cast a spell for your name to be revealed to you, particularly during the Dark Moon, to help you intuitively choose, or to receive it from Spirit. 

It is important that your name appeals to you, but also keep in mind that it should represent your higher self, your personal values and your ideals. And be sure your new name isn’t one that you may find juvenile or obnoxious in the future. Think about how you will feel ten years from now when someone calls across the room, “Hey, Golden Fairy Sprinkles!” or “Hey, Lord Heliotropus Apollonius Wolfbane StormWalker!”. Yikes for both (and a big eye roll, too)! 

There is no right or wrong method on how to choose your magickal name, however using numerology can be a fun and deeply meaningful way to create yours.

How to Choose Your Witch Name Using Numerology as Your Guide

1. Determine your Life Path number by adding up the digits of your birth date. 

a. If your birthday was May 11, 1964, you would add the numbers 5+1+1+1+9+6+4 = 27

b. Now add the 2 and the 7 together in order to reduce it to a single digit: 2+7 = 9. The number 9 would be your birth number. 

c. Go ahead and try this right now using your own birthdate. What is your Life Path number? 

2. Use the list below to create a Witch name that corresponds to your Life Path number by calculating the sum of the corresponding letters. In this example we are still using the number 9.

1 = A, J, S

2 = B, K, T

3 = C, L, U

4 = D, M, V

5 = E, N, W

6 = F, O, X

7 = G, P, Y

8 = H, Q, Z

9 = I, R

An example of a magickal name that aligns with the number 9 is Dancer. This is how: 

Dancer = 4+1+5+3+5+9 = 27 = 2+7 = 9

Luna ShadowDancer is one of my Witch names. My birth number is 9, so in my case, only Dancer aligns with me numerologically. For me, that is fine because the meaning of the name is more important than how the numbers work out.

Choosing your name using this method can be quite the challenge! You may love the sound and meaning of a name you have your heart set on, however, it may not numerologically align with you. That is ok! You do NOT need to do this. However, if this method intrigues you, you certainly can keep playing with names and numbers until you discover a name that works. 

Note that you may try to numerologically align all parts of your magickal name, or just one part of it, the way I did. It’s up to you whether you want to try to align your full Witch name, or just a single part of it. 

Even if you are set on a name and know you will use it, go ahead and try this numerology method with it anyway. You never know—you may have chosen one that aligns numerologically without even trying! It can happen! 

And if not? If your new name truly reflects your inner Witch and you love it, there is no reason to change it just because the numbers don’t add up. As always, trust your witchy intuition, and be alert for any guidance you may receive from the Divine or any other spirits or deities you work with. 

About Fiona

Fiona Duncan is the Creatrix of The Magickal Path School of Witchcraft, Conscious Spirituality & Personal Transformation. She holds a Master of Art in Teaching, a Master of Science in Education, and is New York State certified in both Art and Special Education to teach grades K-12. She is a retired NY State public school teacher and college Graphic Design Instructor & Department Chair. Her professional strengths are Student Relations, Teaching, and Curriculum Development.

In her spiritual and magickal life, Fiona is a seasoned Practical Magician, Reiki Master and is a practicing Eclectic Witch of 30+ years. She is not the type to be drawn to witchy ‘woo’, but rather, she practices and teaches Magick and Witchcraft as an empowering spiritual path that is both ‘Art’ and ‘Science’ in equal measure.

Fiona’s favorite thing in the world is teaching and coaching new and intermediate Witches in her WAY OF THE WITCH: Witchcraft 101 A Comprehensive ‘Year and a Day’ Course & Coaching Program in the Spiritual, Magickal and Esoteric Practices of Eclectic Witchcraft, available in monthly 1-1 coaching, independent study with personal email support, and self-paced formats.