Does Satan have different names? What are the names of Satan?

The spiritual being who revolted against God (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28), Satan is known as the father of lies (John 8:44) who deceives humanity into sin against God's will (Genesis 3). He is noted by several names in the Bible. Some of the most commonly used include:

Devil: This name is used more than 30 times in Scripture. It means a false accuser or slanderer and emphasizes the deceitful nature of his actions.

Satan: Used nearly 50 times in the Bible, Satan is the most common name used for this being. Chronologically, Job 1 is the likely first mention of the name Satan, used when he came before God to ask for permission to test Job.

Tempter: In Matthew 4:3, Satan is referred to as the tempter when he sought to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. First Thessalonians 3:5 also notes, "For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain."

Serpent: Satan is identified as the serpent who tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. Revelation 12:9 states, "And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."

Many other titles and names are also used to describe Satan. He is called the prince or ruler of this world (John 12:31-32; 16:11), Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-14, KJV), the evil one (John 17:15), a deceiver (Revelation 12:9), the wicked one (Matthew 13:19, 38), prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), and an adversary (1 Peter 5:8). He is even called the "god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4).

These and other names and titles of Satan clearly define his identity and activities. Satan is a being who has rebelled against God, deceives, lies, tempts, and works evil in the present world. However, God will ultimately defeat Satan, condemning him to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). Romans 16:20 says, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet."

Further, believers in Christ have God's power within them to overcome the enemy. Ephesians 6:10-18 speaks of putting on the full armor of God to face spiritual evil. First John 2:13-14 adds that we have already overcome the evil one as believers in Christ: "… I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one." Satan has much power, but is no match for God or His followers.

Return to:
Truth about Angels

Subscribe to the CompellingTruth.org Newsletter:

Preferred Bible Version:

CompellingTruth.org is part of Got Questions Ministries

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit