How to generate fantasy names
- Choose what to name (Character names, Town and village names, or Tavern and inn names) and pick a Style, such as Elven-style or Dwarven-style.
- For characters, set a Gender feel (feminine, masculine, or any), a Short or Long name, and whether to add a surname or an epithet like Stonefist or of the Ashen Vale.
- Press Generate names or the space bar for 10 or 20 new names. Tap a name to copy it, or use Copy all for the whole batch.
- Tap ☆ on the ones you like. Favorites are saved in this browser, and you can copy or remove them later.
How the styles are built
Every style has its own set of opening sounds, vowel sounds, closing sounds, and name endings, all written for this tool. A name is a few syllables from those sets plus an ending. Orcish-style leans on sounds like g, k, and z; Elven-style favors l, r, and long vowel pairs. Surnames join two words (like Iron and fist), and epithets follow the pattern “of the” plus an adjective and a place.
Each result is checked before you see it: no clumps of three consonants or three vowels, a sensible length, and a short blocklist of words we don’t want to show. Names that fail are thrown away and replaced. Everything runs in your browser, using the same unbiased random numbers as the rest of the site.
Tips for naming your characters
- Match the sound to the story. Soft names suit gentle or graceful characters, and hard ones suit gruff or menacing ones. Mix styles on purpose when a character comes from two cultures.
- Generate a few batches. The first batch rarely holds the best name. Star the maybes and decide later.
- Shorten it at the table. If players will say the name often, pick a short one or one with an easy nickname.
- Change a letter or two. Swapping a vowel makes a generated name your own and avoids clashing with something that exists.
- Keep a set. For a whole village or party, generate one style and star several names so they sound like they belong together.
Stats, dice, and other names
Rolling a new character? Try the ability score roller and the dice roller. For realistic first and last names, use the random name generator, and for gamertags and handles, the username generator.
Frequently asked questions
Are these names from a book, a game, or a list?
No. Each name is assembled at random from syllable parts and ending rules written for this tool, then checked for pronounceability. There is no list of finished names behind it, so you will get different names each time.
Can I use these names in my book, game, or campaign?
Names are generated randomly, and short invented names can coincide with names that already exist, including trademarked characters, places, or products. For a table game or a draft, go ahead. Before you publish or sell something, search for any name you plan to keep.
Why are the styles called Elven-style or Dwarven-style?
Elves, dwarves, orcs, and halflings are common folklore figures, so the labels describe a sound, not a particular game or book. Elven-style names flow with soft consonants and many vowels; Dwarven-style and Orcish-style names lean on hard consonants.
What do Feminine, Masculine, and Any mean?
They change the ending of a character name. Feminine endings tend to finish on an open sound like -ia or -ella, and masculine ones on a consonant like -ar or -in. Any mixes both. They are only a feel, so use whichever fits your character.
Can I make a name for a town or a tavern?
Yes. Switch What to name to Town and village names for places built from the chosen style plus an ending like -ford or -haven, or to Tavern and inn names for names like The Gilded Griffin.