Naming Your Character

Nothing translates a bundle of statistics into a character faster than a good name. Giving names to things helps us identify them—and identify with them. The right name provides a roleplaying hook, both in you perceive yourself and in how others respond to you. Languages affect our behavior in ways we don’t completely understand. Most players would roleplay a character named Yurk quite differently from one named Dobb Fimblefingers or Seledra Aruthien. Unfortunately, nothing is more difficult for some players, especially new ones, than coming up with good names for their characters. This appendix offers some guidelines—both dos and don’ts—as well as a list of several hundred ready-to-use names, divided by race. DMs as well as players should find these lists handy as a source for PC and NPC names.
Disclaimer: Copied from 3.5e source material and may not be comprehensive for 5e but offers valuable role-playing inspiration to all players.
Also see Appendix B in Xanathar's Guide to Everything for tables of male and female names for dragonborn & their clans, dwarves and their clans, elves and their families, gnomes and their clans, halflings and their families, half-orcs, tieflings and virutes, arabic, celtic, chinese, egyption, english, french, german, greek, indian, japanese, mesoamerican, niger-congo, norse, polynesian, roman, slavic, and spanish.

APPENDIX: THE RULE OF NAMES

THREE DON’TS

• Don’t #1: No Bobs. When naming your character, avoid everyday names like Jim, Betty, Dave, Sue, or Bob. The D&D world is a fantasy place, where magic is real and humans are only one of many races. In other worlds, it’s not like the real world. Fantasy names are an important part of the distancing effect. The disharmony between a fantasy world and familiar real-world names works only when the latter are used for deliberate comic effect. Thus Finieous Fingers’s sidekicks were named Fred and Charly, Monty Python’s King Arthur and his knights meet a wizard called Tini, and so forth. Be warned that such references to the real world break the mood of the game and are only appropriate to parodies.
• Don’t #2: No Merlins. Because many a character is inspired by someone in a fantasy story or a movie, it’s a natural impulse to borrow the name as well as the character concept. Avoid the temptation. Stealing the name of a well-known fantasy character reduces your character to a mere clone of the original. Similarly, applying a familiar name to a wholly new character creates the different problem of raising false expectations in everyone who hears the name. (“No, I’m not that Conan.”) Acknowledge the inspiration, but make the concept your own—with a name to match. As an exception to the rule, note that lesserknown names from very well known sources might still be good possibilities. You don’t want to name your wizard Gandalf or Saruman, but your fellow players may not recognize “Curunir” and ‘Olorin” (different names for the same characters from Lord of the Rings, but they’ll only know that if they paid close attention throughout a 1200-page book).
• Don’t #3: No Joke Names. It might seem a good idea at the time, but the longer you play the character and the better he or she becomes, the more you’re going to regret having saddled him or her with a silly name (such as Tim the Dim, Fonkin Hoddypeaks, or Gleep Wurp the Eyebiter). Maybe your character will die before you tire of the joke, but you might find yourself stuck with a 20th-level wizard named Medium Rary.

THREE DOS

• Do #1: Borrow Names from Other Times and Places. D&D is an eclectic mix of generic fantasy, medieval Europe, and myth. Just as our own culture is filled with names from a wide variety of sources—the Bible, ancestral cultures, and sheer invention—so too the same group of D&D characters can have names drawn from different times and places. Thus a DM who wants a dash of historical verisimilitude might populate a village with names drawn from medieval England. Another who wants to stress the fantasy element could use entirely invented names for her NPCs. Myths and legends from other cultures—The Mabinogion, the Elder Edda and Norse sagas, the Arthurian cycle, tales from Sumer or ancient Egypt— are a particularly rich source of These priests know the folly of picking a name at the last minute. interesting names to pick and choose from, so long as you avoid the better-known names (Beowulf, no; Angantyr, yes).
• Do #2. Make Names Out of Common Nouns and Place-Names. Many words not typical as given names nevertheless make effective monikers (River Phoenix, Stone Phillips, Chelsea Clinton). Likewise, titles divorced from their context may serve as interesting names (Deacon, Bishop). Slightly alter ing the word can improve the name: Rivern, Parsons, Vicars. Inversions and anagrams (Tewtenoj, Koocetnom, Piks Hplar) are popular among some and despised by others; consult your own preference and those of the people you game with. Unless you’re in a campaign with a tribal flavor, avoid compounds like River speaker, Turtlerider, Fireson, etc. except as honorifics. These names often come out of a folktale tradition quite different from the mainstream fantasy tradition most players will be drawing from. Generally, just keep your eyes open during your reading. When you see a good name or when some thing you read sparks an idea for one, jot it down. Then the next time you roll up a character, look through your list and pick one that fits the character as you conceive of him or her.
• Do #3. The Whole Cloth. People with a gift for nomenclature often find that it’s best to simply make up names. If you need something to work with to jumpstart your inspiration, find an author whose character names you like and model your new names on his or her style. J.R.R. Tolkien and Lord Dunsany are particularly recommended as models, because both men’s work contains a vast range of names that deftly create a sense of wonder. Sometimes it helps to pick a foreign language to give a touch of exoticism, as when Gary Gygax modeled his character Mordenkainen on names from the Finnish Kalevala, or when Tolkien decided to model his Dwarvish first on Old Norse and later on Hebrew. He further based his Sindarin on Welsh so that his elven and dwarven names would be completely dis tinct. An Aborigine dictionary or Gothic word list is guaranteed to provide you with unfamiliar words and sound combinations that can serve as the basis for some interesting names. Experiment until you find a method that works well for you.

NICKNAMES

Just as in the real world, complicated or overly long names will invariably be shortened or replaced by nicknames by your DM and fellow players. Do your self a favor and pick a name you can live with for the long haul right up front. Thus “Catharandamus” may wind up being called Cath, “Makarios” may be just Kar, and so forth. Even simple names may wind up being shortened in table talk, so it’s wise to think ahead of what the obvious shortened form would be. Fenwark to Pen is fine, but Dudley would probably not like being called Dud (Ley or Lee would be another matter). Some adventurers adopt professional names when they begin their careers to protect their families, to distance themselves from their humbler beginnings, or simply to give themselves a name that fits their self-image.

SURNAMES

In medieval cultures, most people had only a single (given) name. Family names (surnames) add a nice touch and establish that your character is part of a larger whole, his or her extended family or clan. Joost Brakenberry may have given no thought to all the other Brakenberrys out there, but the name means something to friends and enemies of her clan and can serve as a great roleplaying hook for future adventures. Some players like to use surnames, and others would just as soon dispense with the bother of coming up with not just one name but two. So in most D&D adventures, some characters will have surnames and some won’t. The best way to treat this is to assume that the use of surnames is a cultural, not a racial, characteristic. That is, it’s not that halflings use surnames and elves don’t, it’s that the folks in one village—humans, dwarves, elves, and everybody—use surnames while those in another town might dispense with them altogether. Player characters with surnames can be assumed to come from one sort of place, those without from the other. Of course, you’re free to make other arrangements for your own campaign. One popular arrangement is to have halflings with family names, dwarves with clan names, and halforcs with only a given name or even just a nickname.

• Dwarven Clan Names: Aberdil, Avenigart, Breitheim, Beilunn, Creegan, Druskeden, Duril, Faden heim, Frushnakt, Fruthban, Garenil, Gurart, Hartellen, Hjortgar, Jarevar, Joterhun, Korvath, Kra genart, Kreilun, Letoshek, Lovoth, Mankathun, Muskevart, Naruun, Nekaril, Paradur, Prosakil, Sabre heim, Shuldek, Sorkol, Taerun, Toledun, Turgar, Vastek, Voldort, Vuliheim, Yoritak, Zosenheim.
• Elven Family Names: Abrekiir, Adarion, Alanadel, Calashadir, Covakel, Dailastacia, Derunadel, Filiadir, Furivel, Galacia, Galenedel, Ganatea, Ganascient, Ineskadel, Jalacia, Jemuir, Jetenedon, Jorudel, Kavilion, Keinkiir, Kundenir, Lanshanakiir, Laremion, Levanadel, Lurecia, Mendeliir, Milikidel, Muriir, Naraskedel, Nielecia, Pavahir, Peretacia, Praevilo, Quilacia, Qjiirion, Saskiir, Shaiicia, Shazemne, Talaviir, Valarion, Voleyiir, Walacia, Whilemne, Yanacia.
• Gnome Clan Names: Abren, Aelnor, Bachin, Banilor, Danask, Durim, Fasketel, Furnak, Galeb, Grosko, Hardin, Hymnir, Jarnak, Kellen, Kyri, Lundor, Merren, Nessik, Pernor, Quindal, Ranadal, Rustek, Rutvor, Sasken, Shasto, Skerrit, Tamble, Terrick, Turco, Urvor, Vandek, Vilio, Walnir, Yimble.

THE NAME LISTS

Feel free to adapt these, combine them, truncate them, or use them how you see fit. Of course, they don’t just make good names for characters. If you need the name of a river, town, or magic sword in a hurry, simply close your eyes and put your finger down somewhere in this appendix.

HUMAN

Aber, Ablamar, Accolon, Adlar, Alhandra, Almax, Alper, Alysan, Amandis, Amidee, Andrella, Anglides, Anneth, Annowre, Anrod, Ansirus, Aria, Ardel, Arian, Arlen, Arlenda, Arlis, Arpad, Arrness, Arthad, Aseneth, Astra, Avenal, Bae, Bailey, Ballard, Bedwyr, Belinase, Belloc, Belnoy, Bendekar, Bernal, Bersalles, Berwyn, Blaise, Bodwyn, Bret, Brianna, Brilman, Bryman, Burlac, Burne, Cadwyn, Calista, Calley, Callum, Calmert, Candella, Cathloy, Cathra, Cedras, Chantel, Charl, Claudus, Claisant, Cobb, Coburne, Cole, Colvin, Corbin, Corwyn, Dafyn, Damas, Danel, Danly, Dara, Darian, Darla, Darley, Decius, Denira, Deraks, Devereau, Devis, Dilys, Dinadus, Dor, Dorian, Dubricus, Dudley, Durga, Durnsay, Dynas, Ebb, Eckusan, Elayne, Eiiph, Elizar, Elyas, Emher, Enide, Erbin, Erroll, Ettard, Evaine, Fen, Fliban, Galashin, Galen, Gar, Garath, Garlon, Gelpas, Genievre, Gerard, Gevies, Gilles, Greeves, Grellyn, Gristla, Gwenta, Gwenelan, Gwenned, Gwydion, Gwydre, Gwyon, Hacasin, Hacmed, Harkin, Harlonus, Helain, Helyes, Hemisal, Hennet, Herlew, Herm, Hervor, Hodge, Hoel, Huber, Hydwen, Jacasin, Jadale, Jader, Jankin, Jarri, Jarvis, Jerick, Jenelle, Jess, Joachim, Jolan, Jordanus, Jozan, Jud, Kae, Kaywen, Kebel, Karris, Kendall, Keriann, Kimber, Kira, Kither, Kyanus, Lacenor, Larnork, Leigh, Lin, Llywellan, Londa, Loy, Luce, Lum, Lunete, Lyge, Lyman, Lynette, Lynores, Lyons, Lyssette, Lyzanor, Maevis, Magh, Magoun, Maharis, Mara, Marieka, Many, Mathias, Mede, Megaera, Menander, Mere, Migdalia, Miles, Mobley, Myla, Myrr, Nadya, Naramis, Nascen, Neanne, Neb, Nedaph, Neith, Nessi, Neva, Nira, Nissa, Noch, Norgalis, Noewil, Nyfer, Obyn, Omig, Orbri, Orm, Orph, Peta, Petrique, Plase, Ponj, Priadan, Quint, Rafe, Reece, Regdar, Relkin, Reswald, Ruther, Rydel, Reyott, Sabine, Sapphira, Seith, Sephora, Serpe, Sigfa, Sinnoch, Surmal, Tabra, Taff, Tagli, Tallis, Tam, Tangye, Tanith, Tarlach, Tarpeia, Tathal, Tegyr, Tessa, Therise, Thorns, Travers, Trig, Tulloch, Tully, Tydd, Unwyn, Valdis, Vardalon, Varlay, Varn, Vayshor, Wace, Walther, Welcar, Weldun, Wigan, Wilton, Wiedig, Woller, Wort, Wulik, Wylie, Xavia, Ydey, Yelda, Yon, Yvette, Ywaine, Zander, Zahrdahl.

DWARVEN

Agnar, Algar, Andred, Angantyr, Asgrim, Atli, Auda, Aurgelmyr, Aurus, Aylor, Balmek, Batava, Belvar, Bethnos, Beyla, Blame, Blon, Bothvar, Brueyan, Cardon, Carduel, Colmark, Dagmar, Dorag, Dorin, Dormar, Dorn, Durbar, Durifer, Durney, Duwas, Dyall, Eja, Enton, Erac, Erail, Ercan, Ens, Esgir, Euwas, Eyjulf, Falco, Fech, Ferh, Finbar, Fijar, Foriel, Framm, Fraunk, Fumok, Galapas, Gangleri, Gemmund, Geirrod, Gerar, Gloier, Gofnyr, Gorwinay, Gothrom, Grennel, Gruff, Grimm, Gnimnyr, Grimsiad, Grummore, Grummer, Guirod, Gulnyr, Guthorm, Gymir, Halco, Haiprek, Hamnyr, Harvarr, Hedrieks, Heimyr, Heliap, Helcar, Heth, Himiung, Hleid, Hluahl, Hodd, Hoff, Hreidmar, Hrif, Hringriin, Hrottyr, Hrusk, Hrund, Izhilem, Jaer, Jarnuk, Jemrik, Jodmar, Jormun, Kogyr, Kord, Krelar, Laufney, Lorac, Lucan, Lutor, Macsen, Magnus, Magnyr, Mal, Malgrim, Manasen, Marnok, Maros, Martel, Mellard, Melnyr, Merla, Minadus, Murfils, Naegel, Narbeth, Naripaul, Narivissal, Nan, Nartach, Ndils, Neson, Norvi, Ogmi, Ogmore, Ormund, Ossan, Ost, Otar, Pharien, Pharnos, Phiden, Prellis, Quanzar, Rannos, Rathyen, Raynor, Reaf, Relmar, Roake, Rostenoc, Sadoc, Sanarn, Sargen, Sarras, Segwares, Silmon, Snaevar, Somer, Svava, Tammeil, Tarran, Taudoc, Telvar, Tenjon, Theneus, Therlan, Thoas, Thurdev, Toffa, Tordek, Toreck, Torq, Tosta, Turan, Turquin, Tyrra, Ubron, U1f Vardoc, Van, Veor, Verlad, Vidnyr, Vorgrim, Walgrim, Woller, Xaq, Xorax, Yotis, Yter, Zert.

ELVEN

Aeriyn, Aiaruen, Aiwyn, Amlaith, Amyr, Aneiryn, Anwyn, Aravar, Ancalinte, Arden, Ardis, Arlanna, Artigol, Arundel, Arwaine, Arwyl, Auruewyn, Benrodyr, Berethani, Bethal, Branwyn, Bnisaine, Britomar, Caedrus, Caendun, Caeradwyn, Caercarwyn, Caiahir, Carados, Carrick, Catbbar, Cea, Celedor, Cerene, Charivar, Corbesont, Damaera, Deruwyn, Doiartu, Dydd, Ehangwyn, Elenwyd, Elferin, Erner wen, Ernrys, Enuren, Etbren, Evaryan, Fallon, Feiwyn, Florimel, Gennal, Guiomart, Heilyn, Jaheel, Jelanen, Jelenneth, Jelifer, Jocelyn, Karasin, Kessa, Killian, Kyrian, Laith, Lareth, Laurl, Lavayn, Lorrim, Maeve, Maidel, Mahnagor, Marlys, Melias, Melimae, Merissa, Mialee, Moenna, Morgan, Myrdivar, Myrrath, Nar wain, Ninafer, Nyatar, Olmas, Olwain, Oreth, Panwyr, Parlee, Parwyn, Peiltar, Peren, Raede, Rahasia, Raniel, Remaelde, Rentar, Reuel, Rhaine, Rianneth, Rinya, Roedyn, Runir, Selcar, Seledra, Selwyn, Seriade, Shanna, Sharlea, Shay, Silenna, Silevran, Soveliss, Taleraed, Tarbenay, Taratar, Taulured, Telmar, Terari, Thaniel, Thaedras, Twyll, Uel, Vadania, Veasse, Venye, Verraine, Wendelain, Ysberyl, Yslar, Zelmar.

GNOME

Ahtva, Annikko, Aolor, Apnee, Arn, Balto, Birzoon, Bitha, Bramo, Cirilli, Cline, Crayloon, Cuirboly, Dak, Eckel, Ensu, Erb, Erkenwald, Finla, Furduch, Gormadoc, Gostegotti, Gundigoot, Gwaylar, Halanan, Hallap, Hamarka, Hensu, Hewett, Hoch, Hoose, Igsenki, Ikitur, Jaroo, Juutar, Kantelleki, Kasma, Kutar, Kyliki, Lakajan, Larimo, Lelmose, Lotch, Lynen, Malesacar, Miep, Mirge, Moczama, Myroc, Nebin, Nizam, Noj, Norbor, Notar, Nuados, Osomo, Oyun, Pello, Penabwa, Piletti, Pinker, Poot, Quonzar, Ramne, Redef, Sahir, Samoinan, Sahtwyrn, Spah, Spugnor, Suram, Swa, Tahir, Tamatar, Tamora, Tamoinen, Thrang, Uani, Uli, Unferth, Unqin, Verhoo, Veter, Vlodge, Voynan, Wilf, Yarol, Yipwyg, Zupesh, Zygur.

HALF-ELF

Use either the human or elven list. The result reflects which culture named and raised the child. Some half-elven characters have both a human and an elven name, one bestowed by each parent.

HALF-ORC

Use either the human or orc list. The result reflects which culture named and raised the child. Some half-orc characters have both a human and an orc name, using the former when among humans and the latter when among orcs. Outcast or orphaned half-orcs often pick up simple descriptive names.

HALFLING

Achim, Albie, Alton, Amabelle, Asham, Ashford, Astin, Barthony, Beasley, Beaswell, Bertik, Bertrad, Blasco, Bredon, Bree, Briley, Burgis, Burke, Canty, Carruthers, Chandry, Chibald, Cibber, Cottington, Crowley, Cubbardy, Dee, Dekker, Dendy, Dobb, Drayton, Dudney, Dugal, Dunleary, Dyer, Eldren, Ellyot, Eucken, Fashi, Fenton, Fenwark, Gascoyn, Gentry, Cues, Googe, Gosson, Hesselwhite, Hobb, Hobbin, Hoby, Hodkin, Hoiquiss, Jaq, Jenkin, Joop, Joost, Kelsoe, Kemble, Kent, Ketta, Lane, Leese, Lidda, Linshey, Linton, Lodge, Lollard, Ludwedge, Lyly, Lynwerd, Maere, Map, Marlow, Marston, Martobee, Mendel, Merrick, Merridee, Misha, Mosely, Moss, Murr, Nashe, Niles, Nivers, Norbe, Nython, Orlane, Otem, Parse, Pence, Penge, Plunkett, Pomme, Pons, Poole, Quettery, Quillan, Quince, Quinn, Reene, Reeve, Reswald, Ruskin, Seldon, Sime, Spence, Syler, Talbot, Tananger, Taqi, Tarby, Tarquin, Tasse, Taum, Tavi, Tella, Tew, Thame, Thorne, Tibbs, Tichbourne, Tilbury, Tillyard, Tish, Tobus, Tolquist, Tuck, Tyldan, Tyman, Tyndal, Valens, Vaughn, Vicars, Wade, Warwyck, Wat, Watters, Wim, Wyatt.

ORC

Agar, Akaros, Arrakk, Augh, Bree, Bruegar, Dahk, Derkk, Devdas, Dgul, Drood, Druuk, Eagol, Edals, Ekk, Franch, Fukel, Gaaki, Gam, Gamlak, Ghorn, Gnarsh(t), Gobar, Gogam, Grai, Gmemog, Grigri, Grim slade, Grinkel, Gronz, Grumbar, Gugal, Guzud, Gynk, Hargul, Haril, Hogar, Honzu, Hoog, Hool, Hordar, Horrach, Hoygh, Huagh, Huru, Jhanzur, Jutor, Jzets, Kalip, Karash, Kol, Korgul, Krell, Krusk, Lagazi, Lorzak, Lubash, Lugh, Mimerk, Mord, Mumook, Nizam, Nogu, Nyarl, Omotam, Ohm, Ohtar, Ootah, Orngart, Ordich, Oth, Parih, Puyet, Puyetto, Raorr, Rendar, Rheen, Sark, Scrag, Sorgh, Taing, Tanglar, Tarak, Tamg, Tawar, Thar, Thom, Toemor, Tomph, Toop, Tmood, Tulmak, Tupacu, Tzens, Ubada, Udhgar, Ugarth, Ungar, Ungvar, Urzad, Vaath, Vanchu, Vtam, Whudu, Wogg, Wogar, Wrriach, Wung, Wykks, Xar, Xtec, Yark, Yazar, Yetto, Yurk, Zarx, Zoti, Zuboko.

A FINAL WORD

Note that characters are not limited to the list that fits their own race. For example, many a human bears an elven or dwarven name that his or her parent simply heard and liked. Many characters, whatever their race, are named after friends of their parents (sometimes former adventuring partners) or people their parents admired. In addition, humans and halflings are apt to imitate elven and dwarven names, producing new names that sound vaguely dwarven or elven but have no meaning in the Dwarven or Elven languages.