People are often curious about serial killer nicknames. These names show up in news reports, documentaries, and true crime podcasts.
Many readers search for them to understand where the names came from and what they mean. Some nicknames were created by the media. Others were given by police. A few were chosen by the criminals themselves.
In this guide, you will find well-known serial killer nicknames grouped into clear categories. Each section explains the theme behind the name. The meanings are simple and easy to read.
This article focuses on facts, not praise. The goal is to explain how these nicknames shaped public memory and media coverage.
Let’s dive in!
🔪 Classic Serial Killer Nicknames
Jack the Ripper
Meaning: Named for letters signed that way; “Ripper” referred to the way victims were attacked.
The Night Stalker
Meaning: Called this because he attacked people at night while they slept.
The Boston Strangler
Meaning: Named for a series of murders in Boston involving strangling.
The Green River Killer
Meaning: Named after the Green River where early victims were found.
The BTK Killer
Meaning: Stands for “Bind, Torture, Kill,” words used by the killer in letters.
The Yorkshire Ripper
Meaning: A name linking crimes in Yorkshire to the older “Ripper” case.
The Hillside Strangler
Meaning: Victims were found on hillsides, leading to this title.
The Golden State Killer
Meaning: A name connecting multiple crimes across California.
The Son of Sam
Meaning: The killer claimed a demon named Sam told him to kill.
The Zodiac Killer
Meaning: Named after strange symbols and letters signed “Zodiac.”
📰 Media-Created Nicknames
The Grim Sleeper
Meaning: Called this because there was a long break between crimes.
The Craigslist Killer
Meaning: Used online ads to contact victims.
The Doodler
Meaning: Drew sketches of victims before attacking them.
The Happy Face Killer
Meaning: Sent letters signed with a smiley face.
The Railway Killer
Meaning: Targeted people near railway tracks.
The Freeway Killer
Meaning: Left victims along highways.
The Co-Ed Killer
Meaning: Targeted college students.
The Toolbox Killers
Meaning: Named after tools used during crimes.
The Lipstick Killer
Meaning: Wrote messages in lipstick at crime scenes.
The Axeman of New Orleans
Meaning: Used an axe in attacks in New Orleans.
🌍 Location-Based Nicknames
The Cleveland Torso Murderer
Meaning: Named after dismembered victims found in Cleveland.
The Chicago Strangler
Meaning: Linked to stranglings in Chicago.
The Long Island Serial Killer
Meaning: Named for bodies found on Long Island.
The Phoenix Canal Killer
Meaning: Victims were found near canals in Phoenix.
The Atlanta Child Murders
Meaning: Linked to murders of children in Atlanta.
The Alphabet Killer
Meaning: Victims’ initials followed matching patterns in one area.
The Honolulu Strangler
Meaning: Connected to stranglings in Honolulu.
The Thames Torso Killer
Meaning: Body parts were found in the River Thames.
The Connecticut River Valley Killer
Meaning: Crimes happened near that river valley.
The Moscow Maniac
Meaning: Named after killings in Moscow.
✉️ Self-Given Nicknames
The Zodiac
Meaning: Signed letters with zodiac symbols.
BTK
Meaning: Short for “Bind, Torture, Kill,” chosen by the killer.
Son of Sam
Meaning: Claimed he acted on orders from “Sam.”
The Original Night Stalker
Meaning: Used in communication to describe himself.
The Monster of Florence
Meaning: Used by the killer during Italian investigations.
The Servant Girl Annihilator
Meaning: A name linked to letters in old cases.
The Phantom Killer
Meaning: Called himself a phantom in messages.
The Moors Murderers
Meaning: The killers referred to the moors where victims were buried.
The Snowtown Killers
Meaning: Linked to crimes in Snowtown.
The Weepy-Voiced Killer
Meaning: Named after emotional phone calls to police.
🧠 Fear-Based Nicknames
The Vampire of Sacramento
Meaning: Drank victims’ blood, leading to this name.
The Butcher Baker
Meaning: A baker by job, called “butcher” for violence.
The Acid Bath Killer
Meaning: Used acid to destroy evidence.
The Cannibal Killer
Meaning: Ate parts of victims.
The Vampire of Düsseldorf
Meaning: Drank blood during attacks.
The Night Caller
Meaning: Attacked during late hours.
The Midnight Slayer
Meaning: Linked to attacks around midnight.
The Bedroom Basher
Meaning: Attacked victims in their bedrooms.
The Lonely Hearts Killer
Meaning: Targeted people through dating ads.
The Smiley Face Killer
Meaning: Graffiti smiley faces appeared near victims.
👥 Partner and Team Nicknames
The Hillside Stranglers
Meaning: Two killers who left victims on hillsides.
The Toolbox Killers
Meaning: Two men using tools in crimes.
The Moors Murderers
Meaning: A pair who buried victims on moorland.
The Ken and Barbie Killers
Meaning: A couple whose looks led to this nickname.
The Sunset Strip Killers
Meaning: A team operating near Sunset Strip.
The Chicago Rippers
Meaning: A group involved in ritual murders.
The Speed Freak Killers
Meaning: A pair linked by drug use.
The Freeway Phantom Killers
Meaning: Linked to highway murders.
The Snowtown Killers
Meaning: A group involved in multiple murders.
The Harpe Brothers
Meaning: Early American serial killers working together.
🕰️ Historical Serial Killer Nicknames
H.H. Holmes – The Devil in the White City
Meaning: Nicknamed for crimes during a world fair.
The Axeman
Meaning: Used an axe in early 1900s attacks.
The Torso Killer
Meaning: Known for dismembering victims.
The Servant Girl Annihilator
Meaning: Targeted servant girls in the 1800s.
The Thames Murderer
Meaning: Linked to crimes near the River Thames.
The Bloody Benders
Meaning: A family involved in frontier murders.
The Red Barn Murderer
Meaning: A famous barn-related killing case.
The Black Dahlia Killer
Meaning: Named after a victim called Black Dahlia.
The Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run
Meaning: Linked to mutilation cases in that area.
The Camden Ripper
Meaning: Named after attacks in Camden.
📺 Pop Culture-Linked Nicknames
The Zodiac
Meaning: Popularized through movies and books.
The Boston Strangler
Meaning: Inspired films and TV dramas.
The Green River Killer
Meaning: Subject of documentaries.
The Night Stalker
Meaning: Featured in streaming crime series.
The Golden State Killer
Meaning: Covered in books and TV specials.
The Son of Sam
Meaning: Frequently shown in crime shows.
The Yorkshire Ripper
Meaning: Featured in British documentaries.
The BTK Killer
Meaning: Appears in crime series storylines.
The Hillside Strangler
Meaning: Often referenced in media.
The Axeman
Meaning: Inspired fictional horror stories.
🧩 Unusual and Rare Nicknames
The Doodler
Meaning: Drew victims before attacks.
The Alphabet Killer
Meaning: Victims shared matching initials.
The Freeway Phantom
Meaning: A mysterious highway killer.
The Grim Sleeper
Meaning: A long pause between crimes.
The Sunday Morning Slasher
Meaning: Attacked on Sundays.
The Candy Man Killer
Meaning: Lured victims with candy promises.
The Gorilla Killer
Meaning: Wore a gorilla mask.
The Pillow Pyro
Meaning: Set fires after attacks.
The Craigslist Killer
Meaning: Used online listings to find victims.
The Smog Strangler
Meaning: Linked to crimes in polluted areas.
🧾 Crime Pattern-Based Nicknames
The Strangler
Meaning: Used strangling as the method.
The Ripper
Meaning: Known for cutting attacks.
The Slayer
Meaning: A dramatic word for killer.
The Poisoner
Meaning: Used poison to kill.
The Doctor of Death
Meaning: A medical worker who killed patients.
The Baby Farmer
Meaning: Took money to care for babies, then killed them.
The Casanova Killer
Meaning: Used charm to lure victims.
The Black Widow
Meaning: A woman who killed spouses.
The Angel of Death
Meaning: A caregiver who killed patients.
The Night Prowler
Meaning: Entered homes at night.
Conclusion
Serial killer nicknames often shape how crimes are remembered. Some names come from the media. Others come from police files. A few were created by the killers themselves. Many reflect location, method, or fear.
While these names are widely known, it is important to remember the real victims behind them. The nicknames may sound dramatic, but they represent tragic events.
If you were researching serial killer nicknames for learning or writing, we hope this guide helped. You can now understand what these names mean and how they became part of true crime history.
