D&D Name Generator

How to use the D&D name generator

1. Choose what to generate: character names, party names for the whole group, or tavern and inn names for the next town on the map.
2. Pick one of 10 races, or leave it on Any race for a random mix — handy when you need a crowd of NPCs.
3. Set the gender and the format: first and last name, first name only, or a name with a title such as “the Unbroken”.
4. Press Generate for a new batch, tap a name to copy it, and use the heart to keep a shortlist.

This DnD character name generator is built from 851 hand-written given names and 404 surnames, clan names and house names, plus sound patterns for each race, so a random DnD name always sounds like it belongs to the people it came from. Nothing here depends on rules, so it works as a DnD 5e name generator and for any other edition or tabletop RPG.

DnD character names by race

The short version, before the details for each race:

DnD human names

Humans are the most varied people at any table, so almost any naming tradition can fit. This generator uses a medieval European sound: two-part given names such as Alaric or Rosalind, followed by a surname taken from a trade (Fletcher, Thatcher) or a place (Ashford, Stonebridge). Decide which real-world culture your character’s homeland resembles and keep to it.

• Adela
• Beatrix
• Cecily
• Delphine
• Elowen
• Freya
• Gwendolyn
• Helena
• Isolde
• Johanna
• Katrin
• Lenora
• Alaric
• Bertram
• Cedric
• Dunstan
• Edmund
• Falk
• Gareth
• Hadrian
• Joren
• Kendrick
• Lucan
• Magnus

Human surnames: Ashford, Carver, Dunmore, Eastmere, Fairwind, Graymoor, Hawthorne, Ironwood, Kestrel, Langley.

DnD elf names

Elf names are long and soft, with flowing consonants (l, r, n, th), plenty of vowels, and endings such as -iel, -wen, -ion and -ir. The family name is either elvish as well or a nature image in the common tongue, like Silverbough or Mistweaver. Because the full name is a mouthful, most elves at the table end up with a two-syllable short form.

• Aelira
• Sylwen
• Thalindra
• Liraeth
• Erelith
• Faelyn
• Ilisse
• Naeva
• Caelia
• Valanna
• Arianwyn
• Myrieth
• Aelindor
• Caelith
• Thalorin
• Syllaren
• Erenvir
• Faelorn
• Ilvarion
• Naeris
• Vaelen
• Myrion
• Elothir
• Ithanar

Elf family names: Aelrothien, Sylvaranth, Thalendiel, Lirathiel, Naevorin, Caelumar, Vaelithar, Myrrowen, Elothanis, Ithiliar.

Dwarf names

Dwarf names are short and heavy: one or two syllables, hard consonants (k, g, d, r), and endings such as -rik, -grim and -dar for men or -hild, -dis and -run for women. The clan name matters more than the personal name. It is usually a compound of a metal or stone with a craft or a feature — Goldvein, Coalbraid, Stonemantle.

• Baldra
• Borgild
• Bromhild
• Dagny
• Dolga
• Dorna
• Durhild
• Garnis
• Grimdis
• Grunda
• Halda
• Hargret
• Baldrek
• Borgun
• Bromdar
• Dagmund
• Dolgrim
• Dornak
• Durgan
• Garnok
• Grimvar
• Grundar
• Haldor
• Hargrim

Dwarf clan names: Anvilbrand, Deepdelver, Stonemantle, Emberforge, Coalbraid, Rockhewer, Goldvein, Ironbraid, Flintgrip, Steelbrow.

Halfling names

Halfling names sound homely and cheerful, the sort you would give a friendly neighbor: Barnaby, Tilly, Poppy. Family names are compounds drawn from food, gardens and the countryside, and many began as a nickname that stuck — Applewick, Puddlejump, Thistlewood.

• Amity
• Bess
• Bonnie
• Bryony
• Clover
• Daisy
• Dilly
• Dora
• Edie
• Elsie
• Fern
• Hattie
• Alby
• Barley
• Barnaby
• Bertie
• Bram
• Cobbin
• Digby
• Dobbin
• Fennick
• Fennimore
• Ferris
• Gil

Halfling family names: Applewick, Bramblefoot, Buttercrumb, Butterchurn, Cloverdown, Dapplebrook, Dewberry, Fernhollow, Fiddlebrook, Gooseberry.

Gnome names in DnD

Gnome names are bouncy and a little silly, full of z, b, k and doubled letters: Fizwick, Zibella, Nixie. Gnomes collect names the way they collect gadgets — a given name, a clan name, and a nickname or three — so the full format pairs the given name with a clan name or a tinkering nickname such as Cobblecog.

• Fizzi
• Zibella
• Nibbi
• Pimsy
• Wixie
• Bimla
• Dabra
• Fenni
• Gilli
• Jubina
• Kibbi
• Loppa
• Fizwick
• Zibbin
• Pimlo
• Wixel
• Bimber
• Dabkin
• Fennigus
• Jubwin
• Kibbo
• Lopwick
• Mipple
• Pogle

Gnome clan names and nicknames: Bafflestone, Cobblecog, Dapplegear, Humblebolt, Jumblewick, Knackwell, Nettlespring, Oddwick, Pennygear, Quillspanner.

DnD orc names and half-orc names

Orc names are blunt and guttural: one or two syllables built on g, k, r and z that end in a hard stop. Many orcs and half-orcs go by that single name, so try the First name only format. With a last name, the generator adds a byname earned in a fight, such as Irontusk or Stormhowl. A half-orc raised in a human town may simply carry a human name.

• Gorka
• Kraga
• Urga
• Thraga
• Drasha
• Grumna
• Mogra
• Roksha
• Zuga
• Braka
• Durna
• Garna
• Gorrak
• Kragush
• Urgath
• Thrag
• Drogar
• Grumok
• Rokar
• Zugar
• Brakk
• Durgash
• Garnuk
• Hrukar

Orc bynames: Ashmaw, Irontusk, Stonefang, Redmaw, Grimtusk, Blacktooth, Wartooth, Scarhide, Stormhowl, Thundermaw.

Tiefling names

Tiefling names come in two kinds. The first is an inherited infernal name with a classical ring and plenty of z, x and th: Azrikos, Nyxara. The second is a virtue name, a single word the tiefling chose as a goal or a warning. About one result in four is a virtue name, drawn from 60 words like these:

• Hope
• Reverie
• Torment
• Valor
• Mercy
• Solace
• Vigil
• Requiem
• Candor
• Lament
• Grace
• Havoc
• Patience
• Ardor
• Penance
• Whisper
• Clarity
• Defiance
• Zeal
• Wonder
• Silence
• Promise
• Riddle
• Fortune

Inherited tiefling names:

• Azra
• Belisma
• Casith
• Dravina
• Erisyne
• Fulvia
• Hexara
• Ixia
• Jarelle
• Kalyra
• Leviana
• Malith
• Azrikos
• Belathor
• Casteron
• Dravius
• Erimon
• Fulgor
• Hexar
• Ixion
• Jaranthos
• Kalithar
• Levaros
• Malveth

Tiefling surnames: Ashgrave, Blackthorn, Cindervale, Duskmere, Emberlyn, Hollowell, Ironbriar, Nightbloom, Crowmoor, Sablethorn.

Dragonborn names

Dragonborn names are sharp and breathy, built on sounds like kh, zh, rr and sh: Arvash, Kazhira. The clan name is long, proud and hard to say quickly, and at many tables a dragonborn gives it before the personal name, because the clan comes before the individual. Friends use a short nickname instead.

• Arva
• Bharisa
• Dhorra
• Gharinn
• Kazhira
• Khoressa
• Mezha
• Narrith
• Raska
• Rhaziva
• Sarrina
• Thuranni
• Arvash
• Bharax
• Dhorvan
• Gharesh
• Kazhir
• Khorun
• Mezhar
• Narrek
• Raskan
• Rhazor
• Sarrinn
• Thurash

Dragonborn clan names: Kharvathiax, Zorendikar, Thurmashenkor, Mezhakandrith, Orvashendul, Druvanthar, Skorvendakh, Yarzhunmir, Narrakesht, Pazhirothek.

Drow names

Drow names keep the elvish love of vowels but sharpen it with z, x, v and y, and often break in the middle with an apostrophe: Vex’rin, Zyraeth. In place of a family name, a drow carries the name of a noble house and may introduce themselves as “of House Vel’tharyn”.

• Vexyra
• Zyraeth
• Xaevra
• Nyzara
• Vylixa
• Zaelyth
• Syrazra
• Thyrelyth
• Drazava
• Ixyna
• Vhaezra
• Zhenyra
• Vexrin
• Zyrath
• Xaevyn
• Nyzar
• Vylkar
• Zaelrix
• Syrzeth
• Thyrvok
• Drazan
• Ixaroth
• Vhaelyx
• Zhenmir

Drow house names: Vel'tharyn, Xae'vorath, Zyn'draeth, Ky'zareth, Thael'vyx, Mor'zethyr, Vhaz'ryn, Oz'kereth, Nyx'andrel, Iz'maereth.

Half-elf names

Half-elves grow up between two cultures, and their names show it. Some carry a human name, some an elvish one, and many a blend: an elvish opening with a human ending, or the reverse. The surname comes from whichever parent’s people raised them.

• Aelis
• Brielle
• Carys
• Daelia
• Elara
• Gwyneth
• Haelyn
• Ilsa
• Jessamine
• Kaelith
• Liriana
• Maerwen
• Aeric
• Caelum
• Daviel
• Elvar
• Faren
• Galen
• Haelan
• Ilric
• Joran
• Kaelen
• Maerik
• Naethan

Half-elf surnames: Dawnmere, Elmshadow, Fairlight, Greenmere, Meadowlark, Silverbrook, Starling, Woodward, Amberglade, Birchwell.

DnD last names

Many DnD last names are two plain words joined together, and each race picks different words. Dwarves combine a material with a craft, halflings combine something from the kitchen garden with a place, elves combine a piece of the sky or the forest with a movement, and gnomes combine two workshop noises. Here are some of each from the generator:

• Frostvein
• Tunnelwright
• Redvein
• Thunderguard
• Stormhold
• Silverbrow
• Emberpick
• Frostpick
• Runebinder
• Gemcutter
• Copperkettle
• Cindercrag
• Bramblevale
• Dewberry
• Sweetbriar
• Puddlehill
• Oatcake
• Fairweather
• Honeybarrow
• Millfoot
• Merrybrook
• Sweetwater
• Quickhollow
• Merryworth
• Amarethil
• Starwhisper
• Silverbloom
• Lunariel
• Zinathiel
• Duskgleam
• Glademantle
• Songstrider
• Yllamar
• Ashrunner
• Sunbrook
• Nightglow
• Quickfoot
• Boltgear
• Bafflestone
• Umberbutton
• Sparksnap
• Brassflash
• Trinketsprocket
• Rumblecrank
• Dewsprocket
• Yarnspindle
• Sparklatch
• Brassthumb

DnD party names

A party name gives the group an identity that innkeepers, rivals and quest-givers can use. Set the first menu to Party names and the DnD party name generator combines 77 adjectives and 80 nouns into company names, orders and guilds. The best ones usually come from something that happened in the first few sessions, so treat these as a starting point:

• The Azure Lodge
• The Last Accord
• The Midnight Covenant
• The Wandering Axes
• The Burning Expedition
• The Falcon Order
• The Boar Watch
• Band of the Amber Flame
• The Tattered Axes
• The Ivory Society
• Conclave of the Burning Compass
• The Ashen Syndicate
• Alliance of the Scarlet Oak
• The Fabled Outriders
• Legion of the Ivory Storm
• The Hollow Band
• The Boar Legion
• The Emerald Embers
• The Dauntless Wanderers
• Order of the Emerald Fox
• The Sun Company
• The Wandering Guardians
• The Frozen League
• The Sworn Lions
• The Watchful Keys
• Vanguard of the Hidden Banner
• The Watchful Fools
• The Brazen League
• The Starlit Knaves
• The Azure Magpies

Tavern and inn names

Every town needs somewhere to hear rumors. Tavern names follow the pattern of old inn signs: a describing word and a creature or object that would be easy to paint on a board. The generator draws on 79 adjectives, 88 creatures and 64 objects.

• The Blue Comet
• The Mossy Goblet
• The Lark and Candle
• The Humble Wheel
• The Gargoyle and Shell
• The Troll and Platter
• The Goblin's Head
• The Midnight Pie
• The Swan's Rest
• The Cloud and Dwarf
• The Green Apple
• The Blue Cart
• The Black Antler Tavern
• The Green Pony
• The Four Geese
• The Dusty Eel
• The Jester's Ladle
• The Seven Geese
• The Painted Weasel
• The Bear and Map
• The Silver Heron
• The Seven Moons
• The Nine Wheels
• The Eel and Lamp
• The Frog and Moon
• The Pilgrim and Goblet
• The Trout and Cloak
• The Lark and Acorn
• The Five Giants
• The Squire and Saddle

DnD name ideas: how to pick a name that works at the table

• Make it easy to say aloud. The name will be spoken hundreds of times, often across a noisy table. If the other players stumble over it twice, shorten it.
• Give the party a nickname to use. A long elvish or dragonborn name is fine on the character sheet as long as there is a one- or two-syllable version for everyday use.
• Tie it to the backstory. A clan name, a title or a virtue name is a ready-made story hook. Decide who gave the character the name, and whether they still use it.
• Check the rest of the party. Two characters whose names start with the same letter get mixed up in notes and in initiative order.
• Match the tone of the campaign. A joke name is fun in a one-shot and tiring in a two-year campaign.

DnD NPC names: a fast method for Dungeon Masters

Players always talk to the one character you did not name. Before each session, use this page as a DnD NPC name generator: set the race to Any race, generate a batch, and copy ten or twelve names onto a list behind your screen. When the party stops a random guard, take the next name on the list, cross it off, and write two words beside it, such as “guard, nervous”. Keep a few tavern names on the same list. Giving each region one dominant race keeps the names of a town consistent without any extra work.

More fantasy name generators

For races and roles beyond this list, try the Fantasy Name Generator and the Character Name Generator. The Elf Name Generator goes deeper on elvish names, the Villain Name Generator and the Dragon Name Generator cover the other side of the screen, and the Town Name Generator names the places on your map.

This is an unofficial fan tool: it is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast, which owns the Dungeons & Dragons and D&D trademarks, and every name here is original rather than taken from the official books.