In Frankenstein, the monster does not have a given name. Its creator, Victor Frankenstein, however, does use a number of negative terms to describe the monster throughout the novel, including "ogre," "devil," and "thing."

There is some significance in the fact that the monster is nameless. Firstly, it reinforces the monster's status as Victor's creation. It is his property, the product of his labors while at university, and therefore viewed as a possession, not a human being.

Secondly, not giving the monster a name makes it easier for Victor to flee his monster when he realizes how terrifying and horrible he really finds it. Remember that the monster is incredibly ugly and scary. It is extremely tall, for instance, and has yellow eyes. By not giving this monster a name, Shelley also reinforces the idea that it is neither human nor animal. It is a completely new and separate entity.

In a way, I think the monster lacking a name is like schools that attempt to make their students wear uniforms: the idea is that students will display their creativity in their work, rather than by what they wear. I think by not giving the monster a name, it allows his appearance and behavior to get the full attention of the reader, and it helps avoid what happens in so many other novels, where the character's name is in some way indicative of what the character is, or stands for.

Dave Becker

The monster has no name in the novel. It has been said that this omission is a reflection of Victor Frankenstein's complete rejection of his creation. The monster calls himself "the Adam of your labors", and is referred to as "the creature", "the fiend", "the daemon", and "the wretch" at different points in the book.

What is the name of Frankenstein's monster?

In her popular 1818 novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley never actually gives a specific name to the monster. Throughout the book, the creature is referred to as "the thing," "the fiend," "the devil," and "the wretch," but it is never called by an actually name. Many critics and literary analysts agree that Shelley actually did this on purpose.

In his attempt to create life, as well as to explore his scientific potential, intellect, and ability, Victor Frankenstein creates a creature by combining various human body parts and chemicals. Frankenstein seemingly decides not to humanize the monster to distance himself from his creation. If the creature has no identity, then Frankenstein can openly despise it and essentially not feel guilty about it. In other words, if Frankenstein assumes that the creature is an emotionless monster—which does not deserve the privilege of having a name—then his fear of and hatred for it can be justified. Frankenstein sees the creature not as a being, but rather as a thing or as an undefined entity.

It is also noteworthy to mention that, at one point in the novel, the creature indirectly refers to itself as "Adam," a reference to the biblical story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. It reminds Frankenstein that everything is essentially his fault, and that he should have cared for the creature rather than abandoning and reviling it:

I am thy creature: I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed.

By referencing Adam, who, according to the Bible, was the first man ever created, Shelley compares Frankenstein to God and points out that dangerous things can happen when one decides to play God. This is why the full title of the novel is Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, as Prometheus is the Titan god who created humanity from clay.