D&D name generator

Say it out loud

Your table will say this name a few hundred times. If it's hard to say, keep the first name short and put the flavor in the surname or nickname.

Pick a name that means something

A dwarf called Ironfist had an ancestor who earned it. Ask yourself who that was, and you've started your backstory.

Keep a list for NPCs

Players always ask the guard's name. Copy twelve names before the session and give them out as you go.

Play the character

Press Play as this character to start a free solo text adventure with that name, and see how they talk before session one.

Human names

Humans borrow from every real-world culture, so almost anything works. A plain first name with a surname that hints at a trade or a place (Wainwright, Marshfield) feels right for most settings.

• Clemence Craneford
• Clemence Brightrow
• Ysolde Wainbourne
• Matthias Stonefax
• Percival Underlock
• Greta Cranefield

Elf names

Elven names are long and melodic, full of vowels and soft consonants like l, r, th and n. Family names are often translated into the common tongue as something from nature: Moonwhisper, Silverbough.

• Nyros Mistweaver
• Aernevalen Windsong
• Maesalara Rainsong
• Silnylia Stargleam
• Saevavin Duskbloom
• Aernylara Briarglade

Dwarf names

Dwarf names are short and hard, with strong consonants. Clan names matter more than first names and usually come from a craft, a mountain or a deed: Ironfist, Anvilhelm.

• Morin Emberhammer
• Haryn Hammertankard
• Bromrik Copperforge
• Orskok Blackvein
• Vistrik Goldshield
• Balvi Hammerdelve

Halfling names

Halfling names are friendly and homely, and family names sound like a cozy village: Appleburrow, Goodbarrel, Butterdew.

• Ely Butterkettle
• Esme Greendew
• Violet Merrydew
• Wren Goodfield
• Winnie Warmbottle
• Gil Bunwick

Gnome names

Gnomes collect names. They have a long string of them and use whichever one their friends like best, which is often the silliest. Clan names lean toward tinkering: Sprocketwhistle, Cogbottom.

• Tinkdoette Gearcog
• Zanpery Pebblewick
• Fizzrikin Buttonbang
• Bimriss Whistlenozzle
• Bimrie Sparksocket
• Fenziber Pebblekettle

Half-elf names

Half-elves usually take a name from one parent's culture and a family name from the other, which is a quick way to show where they grew up.

• Cecily Dawnweaver
• Saelandor Wainway
• Alaric Mistweaver
• Percival Sunbrook
• Thamelia Fairfax
• Silthelara Coldby

Half-orc names

Half-orcs often carry an orcish first name and a human family name, or the other way around, depending on who raised them.

• Durka Ashfang
• Durthar Grimclaw
• Grumra Ashhide
• Yurash Thunderhorn
• Ogga Coldmaw
• Hroena Brookcott

Orc names

Orc names are guttural and short. Clan names come from a feature or a deed: Stonetusk, Bloodhide, Splitclaw.

• Vragash Skullhide
• Kramar Bloodclaw
• Hargul Splitmaw
• Thokrok Boneaxe
• Oggzan Brokenshield
• Ontdush Ashhand

Tiefling names

Tieflings use infernal names passed down in the family, a human name, or a virtue name they chose for themselves, like Mercy, Vigil or Penance.

• Errant
• Wander
• Vigil
• Vazethas
• Nevania
• Baris

Dragonborn names

Dragonborn put the clan name first in formal speech, because the clan matters more than the person. First names are rolling and harsh at once.

• Panarra Zarshakos
• Kriesh Kortothar
• Drainda Korveakos
• Draura Darkakos
• Suunesh Thartomondar
• Mysessa Ythmivos

Goliath names

Goliaths have a birth name, a nickname earned from something they did, and a clan name, written as Name “Nickname” Clan.

• Gaekaia “Skyborn” Thauliaga
• Lokag “Stormleaper” Pakaliaga
• Auneag “Longhand” Paokalath
• Mathaol “Lastleaper” Naugiano
• Galag “Snowwatcher” Galathi
• Makak “Bearkiller” Kanethi

Aasimar names

Aasimar names often sound bright or celestial, and many aasimar use the names of the human families that raised them.

• Aurel
• Lumara Greendown
• Cason Longmore
• Oraiel
• Valar Undercott
• Orael