In 'Coraline', what is the name of the other mother?

The story behind the answer

In Coraline, the other mother is called the Beldam.

The Beldam is an evil supernatural entity who creates a tempting copy of Coraline's home in the Other World. At first, she appears as a more attentive and exciting version of Coraline's mother, offering elaborate meals, games, and entertainment. Her kindness is a trap: she wants Coraline to accept button eyes and remain with her forever.

The name is revealed after Coraline meets the ghost children trapped behind a mirror. They explain that the Beldam lured them into her world, sewed buttons over their eyes, and eventually consumed their souls. The Other Mother is therefore her familiar disguise, while Beldam is the name associated with her true identity as a predatory, shape-shifting being.

Readers commonly confuse her with the Other Father, who is another fabricated resident of the Other World, or with the Cat, Coraline's wary ally. Wybie is a real-world friend whose Other World counterpart helps Coraline, but neither character is the villain. The film's unsettling antagonist was voiced by Teri Hatcher, who also voices Coraline's real mother.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Aug. 2026

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