Nix (also known as Näcken or Nixe) is a water creature in German and Scandinavian folklore, usually shown in human form.
The Scandinavian Näcken was a male who lured women and children to drown in lakes or streams, while playing the violin. However, he could also show himself in the form of a Kelpie, bäckahästen (the brook horse).
The German Nixe is a kind of riverine mermaid who lures men to drown, akin to the Celtic Melusine.
The Norse "Nixes" are water spirits who try to lure people into the water. The males can assume many different shapes, including that of a human, fish, and snake. The females are beautiful women with the tail of a fish. When they are in human forms they can be recognized by the wet hem of their clothes. The Nixes are considered as malignant in some quarters, but as harmless and friendly in others.
See also
nix is a common abbreviation for the German word "nichts", which means "nothing", and may also be used as a verb to indicate the exclusion of something.