Noa-name

Examples

• In Swedish, the word ulv was replaced by varg, while the word for bear, is a noa-name meaning 'brown'. The spirits of the hearth, tomte, were known as nisse,
• In English, the Devil has been referred to by a variety of names to avoid attracting his attention through his name
• In Irish folklore, leprechauns are referred to as 'the little people'
• In Greek legend, the Erinyes were commonly known as the eumenides
• In Jewish culture, it is forbidden to speak the name of God and the noa-name adonai, 'my lord', is used instead
• In Finnish, there are several noa-names for karhu, used instead of calling the animal by its name and inadvertently attracting its attention. The word karhu itself is a noa-name, to avoid using the original words otso or ohto.