What Is a Male Fairy Called?

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Male fairies are simply called fairies. There is no gender distinction. According to folklore, however, there are dozens of types of fairies, and a number of these types are primarily or exclusively male.

The leprechaun, or clurichaun, associated with drinking and the pot of gold is one type of fairy exclusively referred to as male. Red men, or fear dearg, are associated with gruesome practical jokes and nightmares, and a similar male fairy, the redcap, supposedly must bathe in blood to survive. A more benign male fairy is the brownie, who does housework and chores in exchange for cream.

There are likewise a number of exclusively female fairies, like nixies, banshees and leanan sidhe.