All Tea, No Shade — These 130+ Drag Queen Names Will Have You Gagging
Being a drag queen is about a lot more than someone who presents as masculine dressing in traditionally feminine clothes. In addition to the fashion, there are elements of entertainment, music, design, dance, literature, and comedy — not to mention a long history (sorry, herstory). If you’ve watched any episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race (especially the comeback and roasts), you may think that RuPaul Charles is one of the first drag queens — but, honey, they’ve been around a lot longer than that.
Although it’s unclear where, exactly, the term “drag queen” came from, one of the first times “drag” was used to describe a man dressed in woman’s clothing was in 1870, in reference to a masquerade ball — sometimes referred to as a “grand rag.” Of course, times have changed a lot, and drag can be whatever you want it to be: After all, gender is a social construct. In the wise words of RuPaul, “We’re all born naked, and the rest is drag.”
Anyway, the first drag balls in the United States were held in the 1880s, although attending was a crime, and they were often raided by police. Around the same time, and into the 20th century, female impersonator acts were popular on the vaudeville circuit. But soon drag was associated with sex work and queerness and fell out of favor among heterosexual male performers.
For a while, the art of drag was primarily seen in underground venues but has been coming out of the shadows and into the mainstream slowly but surely since the 1980s. Now, there’s a chance your local library hosts a drag queen story hour. (If it does, and you haven’t gone yet — go!) And if you find yourself so inspired by drag queens that you’d like to name your baby after one or be inspired for your own drag name, here are some classic drag queen names for every taste.
Names of Iconic Drag Queens
- Divine
Divine was a drag queen well known for his pointy eyebrow looks and roles in several John Waters movies. He was crowned the “Drag Queen of the Century” by People.
- RuPaul
RuPaul was first given fashion cues from his mother and sisters. RuPaul started performing in Manhattan clubs around New York City and eventually released an album called Supermodel of the World.
- Lady Bunny
This beautiful drag queen is also known as Bunny Hickory Dickory Dock. She is the founder of the annual Wigstock event and has made several disco songs like “Shame, Shame, Shame!” and “The Pussycat Song.”
- Coccinelle
Jacqueline Charlotte Dufresnoy is also known as Conccinelle. She was a French entertainer in the 1950s. She, along with other trans women entertainers, performed at the prestigious nightclub Le Carrousel de Paris.
Other Famous Drag Queen Names
- Dame Edna Everage
- Pepper LeBeija
- Conchita Wurst
- Tandi Iman Dupree
- Stella Clinton
- Fanny Park
- Crystal LaBeija
- Pabllo Vittar
- Bothwell Browne
- Panti Bliss
Names of Contestants From RuPaul’s Drag Race
- A’keria Davenport
- Acid Betty
- Adore Delano
- Aiden Zhane
- Aja
- Alaska Thunderfuck
- Alexis Mateo
- Alexis Michelle
- Alyssa Edwards
- Asia O’Hara
- BenDeLaCreme
- Blair St. Clair
- Brita Filter
- Brooke Lynn Hytes
- Carmen Carrera
- Charlie Hides
- Chi Chi DeVayne
- Coco Montrese
- Courtney Act
- Crystal Methyd
- Cynthia Lee Fontaine
- Dahlia Sin
- Delta Work
- Denali
- Derrick Barry
- Detox
- Envy Peru
- Eureka O’Hara
- Farrah Moan
- Gia Gunn
- Gigi Goode
- Ginger Minj
- Gottmik
- Heidi N Closet
- Honey Davenport
- Honey Mahogany
- Tamisha Iman
- India Ferrah
- Ivy Winters
- Jackie Cox
- Jade Jolie
- Jan Sport
- Janey Jacké
- Jasmine Masters
- Jaymes Mansfield
- Jessica Wild
- Jiggly Caliente
- Joslyn Fox
- Jujubee
- Kameron Michaels
- Kandy Muse
- Katya Zamolodchikova
- Kelly Mantle
- Kennedy Davenport
- Kim Chi
- Kimora Blac
- Laganja Estranja
- Latrice Royale
- Manila Luzon
- Mariah Paris Balenciaga
- Mayhem Miller
- Milk
- Mimi Imfurst
- Miss Fame
- Miz Cracker
- Monét X Change
- Monica Beverly Hillz
- Monique Heart
- Morgan McMichaels
- Mrs. Kasha Davis
- Naomi Smalls
- Nicky Doll
- Nina Bo’nina Brown
- Nina Flowers
- Nina West
- Ongina
- Pandora Boxx
- Pearl
- Peppermint
- Phi Phi O’Hara
- Ra’Jah O’Hara
- Raven
- Robbie Turner
- Rock M. Sakura
- Rosé
- Roxxxy Andrews
- Sahara Davenport
- Scarlet Envy
- Shangela
- Shannel
- Shea Couleé
- Sherry Pie
- Shuga Cain
- Silky Nutmeg Ganache
- Soju
- Kylie Sonique Love
- Symone
- Tammie Brown
- Tatianna
- Thorgy Thor
- Tina Burner
- Trinity K. Bonet
- Trinity Taylor
- Trixie Mattel
- Valentina
- Vanessa Vanjie Mateo
- Venus D-Lite
- Victoria “Porkchop” Parker
- The Vixen
- Widow Von’Du
- Willam Belli
- Yara Sofia
- Yuhua Hamasaki
How to Come Up With Your Own Drag Queen Name
Although technically any name can be a drag queen name if you’d like to come up with your own and aren’t sure where to start, let the wordplay and puns flow! Find a word or phrase that can be said using a first and last name. If you really want to get creative, you can pick a word or phrase that describes your drag queen persona. A few examples are:
- Phyllis Stein
- Helen Wheels
- Hedda Hair
- Eileen Dover
- Pat McCrotch
- Penny Foryathots
- Ima Hogg
- Jo King
- Iona Mink
- Holly Wood
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