What is the name of the house spirit in Slavic folklore?

The house spirit in Slavic folklore is the Domovoi. Also spelled Domovoy or Domovoj, he is traditionally understood as the protective spirit of a household, family line, or kin group.

Folklore often describes the Domovoi as an elderly, gray-haired man, sometimes resembling an ancestor or the master of the house. He may also appear in animal form, including as a cat, dog, bear, or snake. Household prosperity, children, livestock, and family welfare fall within his concern.

The Domovoi is not simply a universally friendly “house elf.” He may warn residents of danger or future misfortune, but bad behavior, quarrels, or disrespect can anger him. Related spirits have narrower roles: the Bannik belongs to the bathhouse, while the Leshy belongs to the forest. The name comes from the Slavic root for “house” or “home,” linking the being directly to domestic life.