Pooka
/ˈpuː.kə/noun
A mischievous spirit or shape-shifting fairy from Irish folklore.
Did you know?The pooka belongs to the same Celtic supernatural world as other fairy beings, and its name is often linked to a pre-Christian Irish spirit tradition rather than a modern invention.
Etymological Timeline
Old Irish / Early Medieval
Irish
púca
“A mischievous or dangerous supernatural being, often able to take animal form”
Middle Irish
Irish
púca
“A fairy or goblin-like spirit in folklore”
Early Modern English
English
pooka
“An Irish folkloric spirit, especially a trickster or shape-shifter”
Modern English
English
pooka
“A mischievous fairy or goblin in Irish-influenced folklore”