Fictional Cult Name Generator
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time.
Learn more...
Every fictional cult or organization needs a compelling name—especially when that organization promises eternal life or cosmic truth. Whether you need a name that sounds dark and mysterious, inspiring and prophetic, or just plain hilarious for your next tabletop RPG, writing project, or satirical masterpiece, you’ve come to the right place.
Infamous and Dark Famous Cults
The Peoples Temple, led by Jim Jones
Ever heard the phrase "drinking the Kool-Aid"? People often use that phrase to refer to others who blindly follow ideology or beliefs. Tragically, that phrase has its roots in the Jonestown Massacre, where cult leader Jim Jones convinced his followers to commit mass suicide, leading to the deaths of over 900 people via cyanide-laced grape Flavor Aid.
The Manson Family, led by Charles Manson
The Manson Family was a notorious cult and commune led by career criminal Charles Manson. This cult was active in California during the late 1960s. Manson's followers were mostly young women, whom he convinced of an impending race war. He led his followers to murder several people, including prominent Hollywood actors.
Heaven's Gate, led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles
This cult was around in the early 1970s, and Applewhite and Nettles convinced their followers that there was impending doom on earth. Sadly, they also convinced their followers that the only way to escape the doom was to ascend to heaven by leaving their "earthly vessels" (aka their bodies). This resulted in another cult-led mass suicide.
The Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh
If you've heard of the Waco siege, that involved the Branch Davidians. Koresh led a group of followers who believed the apocalypse was coming. Koresh himself proclaimed he was the Messiah, with holy offspring. The National Guard raided the compound in 1993, and the compound caught fire during the raid, leading to mass casualties.
The Love Has Won cult, led by Amy Carlson (aka "Mother God")
The Love Has Won cult was a surprisingly modern group, that began in the mid-2000s. Amy Carlson (“Mother God”) believed she had been reincarnated upwards of 500 times, and she promoted New Age practices and QAnon theories via YouTube livestreams. The cult fell apart after Carlson's death in 2021. There was no foul play suspected with her passing.
Want to learn more? Check out our article on famous cults.
