Dungeons & Dragons Name Generator

Crafting the Perfect D&D Character Name

I’ve been running Dungeons & Dragons campaigns for over a decade, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that a name carries weight. You’ve rolled your stats. You’ve picked your class. You’ve written a tragic backstory about your village burning down (classic). Now comes the hardest part of character creation: the name.

In D&D 5e, a name is more than just a label—it’s the first thing other players learn about your character, and it sets the tone for your entire campaign. A barbarian named “Tim” hits differently than one named “Grommash Hellscream.” One implies a Monty Python sketch; the other implies a mountainside covered in skulls.

Creating a stoic Dragonborn Paladin or a chaotic Tabaxi Rogue requires finding a name that fits both your character’s mechanics and the world’s lore. I designed this generator specifically for the 2026 D&D landscape, respecting the unique linguistic traditions of each race found in the 5e Player’s Handbook and beyond.

Why Use a D&D Name Generator?

Every Dungeon Master (DM) and player knows the panic of needing a name right now. You’re introducing a crucial NPC, and your mind goes blank. “Uh, his name is… Boblin. Boblin the Goblin.” And just like that, the tension of your dark fantasy epic deflates.

Using a specialized D&D name generator solves this problem by providing names that are:

• Lore-Accurate: Our tool understands that Tieflings have Virtue names and Dragonborn put their clan first. It respects the linguistic rules established in the 5e Player’s Handbook.
• Instant Inspiration: Sometimes you just need a starting point. A generated name like “Valerius” might inspire you to make the character a fallen noble, whereas “Rat-Catcher” suggests a very different background.
• Culturally Consistent: If you’re building a dwarven stronghold, you need twenty names that sound like they belong to the same clan. Our generator provides that consistency, helping your world feel lived-in and real.
• Class-Appropriate: A rogue needs a name that can be whispered; a bard needs a name that looks good on a marquee. We tailor suggestions to fit the archetype you’re playing.

For more general fantasy options, you can also check our fantasy character name generator, but stick here if you want names strictly adhering to D&D 5e rules.

Naming Conventions by Race (5e Lore)

Every race in the Forgotten Realms (and most D&D settings) has specific naming customs. Following these adds instant depth to your character. That said, I’m not sure if sticking 100% to the lore is always the best move—sometimes breaking the rules creates the most memorable characters (like a Dwarf named “Flower”). But knowing the rules before you break them is key.

Tiefling Names: Virtues and Vices

Tieflings are unique because they often cast off their birth names to adopt “Virtue Names.” These aren’t just names; they’re declarations. They represent a concept the Tiefling embodies, strives for, or perhaps is cursed with.

• Virtue Names: Art, Chant, Despair, Excellence, Fear, Glory, Hope, Ideal, Music, Nowhere, Open, Poetry, Quest, Random, Reverence, Sorrow, Temerity, Torment, Weary.
• Infernal Names: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai.

Roleplay Tip: A Tiefling named “Silence” might be ironically loud, or literally mute. The relationship between the name and the character—whether they embrace it or fight against it—is gold for roleplay.

Dragonborn Names: Clan First

For Dragonborn, the clan is more important than life itself. This is reflected in their names, where the Clan Name typically comes before the Personal Name (though some Dragonborn dealing with humans flip this to avoid confusion).

• Structure: [Clan Name] [Personal Name]
• Example: Ophinshtalajiir (Clan) Kriv (Personal)
• Clan Names: Clethtinthiallor, Daardendrian, Delmirev, Drachedandion, Fenkenkabradon, Kepeshkmolik, Kerrhylon.

If your Dragonborn is an exile, they might refuse to speak their clan name, or use it with shame. It’s a powerful storytelling tool.

Gnome Names: The Longer the Better

Gnomes love names. A gnome’s name is a tapestry of their history. They have a name given by their mother, one by their father, a clan name, and several nicknames earned along the way. When introducing themselves to humans (who they think have short attention spans), they usually pick just one or two.

• Style: Multi-syllabic, whimsical, hard to pronounce but fun to say.
• Examples: Dimble, Ellywick, Fonkin, Gimble, Gnimsh, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar, Seebo, Sindri, Warryn, Wrenn, Zook.
• Nicknames: Badger, Cloak, Doublelock, Filch, Fnipper, Ku, Nim, Oneshoe, Pock, Sparklegem, Stumbleduck.

Tabaxi Names: Poetic Descriptions

Tabaxi names are among the most flavorful in D&D. They use gender-neutral, descriptive phrases based on astrology, prophecy, or clan history. Because these names are long, they almost always use a monosyllabic nickname derived from the full name.

• Full Names: Cloud on the Mountaintop, Five Timber, Jade Shoe, Left-Handed Hummingbird, Seven Thundercloud, Skirt of Snakes, Smoking Mirror.
• Nicknames: Cloud, Timber, Jade, Bird, Thunder, Snake, Mirror.

Dwarven Names: Hard as Stone

Dwarven names are full of hard consonants and often include a clan name that describes a feat or trade. They sound sturdy, reliable, and ancient.

• Male: Adrik, Baern, Berend, Brottor, Bruenor, Dain, Darrak, Delg, Eberk, Einkil, Fargrim, Flint, Gardain, Harbek, Kildrak, Morgran, Orsik, Oskar, Rangrim, Rurik, Taklinn, Thoradin, Thorin, Tordek, Traubon, Travok, Ulfgar, Veit, Vondal.
• Clan Names: Balderk, Battlehammer, Brawnanvil, Dankil, Fireforge, Frostbeard, Gorunn, Holderhek, Ironfist, Loderr, Lutgehr, Rumnaheim, Strakeln, Torunn, Ungart.

Exotic Races and Their Naming Customs

Beyond the Player’s Handbook staples, 5e is full of exotic lineages with fascinating naming conventions. Our generator supports these rarer choices too.

Aasimar: Celestial Harmonics

Aasimar are touched by the Upper Planes, and their names reflect this celestial heritage. They often sound melodic, beautiful, and “perfect,” sometimes unnervingly so.

• Characteristics: Lots of vowels, soft consonants (L, S, Th), and meanings related to light, dawn, or virtue.
• Examples: Aurelia, Caelus, Dawn, Elohi, Gabriel, Leora, Solara, Theia.

Unlike Tieflings, Aasimar rarely take ironic names. Their names are often given by celestial guides or devout parents hoping for a blessed child.

Genasi: Elemental Identity

Genasi names typically relate to their elemental parentage (Air, Earth, Fire, Water). They might use a name from their non-genasi culture, or adopt a word that represents their element.

• Air Genasi: Breeze, Gust, Sky, Zephyr, Aura.
• Earth Genasi: Flint, Granite, Onyx, Terra, Clay.
• Fire Genasi: Ash, Blaze, Ember, Pyre, Cinder.
• Water Genasi: Brook, Coral, Rain, River, Wave.

If you’re looking for more nature-inspired names, our elf name generator often produces results that work well for Air and Water Genasi.

Warforged: Function over Form

Warforged naming is fascinating because it’s often assigned, not chosen. Created for battle, they were often just given numbers or military designations. As they develop independent personalities, many choose names that reflect their purpose, appearance, or a nickname given by comrades.

• Designations: Unit 734, Shield, Scout, Guard.
• Adopted Names: Anchor, Bash, Book, Hammer, Null, Rusty, Smasher.
• Virtuous Names: Some Warforged adopt names like “Honor” or “Duty” to define their new path.

Orc and Half-Orc: Strength in Sound

Orcish is a language of hard consonants and guttural sounds. It’s not a language for whispering. Names are short, punchy, and sound like a weapon hitting a shield.

• Sounds: G, K, R, U, Z.
• Examples: Dench, Feng, Gell, Grut, Holg, Imsh, Krusk, Mhurren, Ront, Shump, Thokk.
• Epithets: Half-Orcs raised among humans often take no surname, or earn a descriptive one: “The Unbreaking,” “Ironhide,” or “One-Eye.”

For more inspiration on naming clans or tribes, check out the official D&D Systems Reference Document (SRD) which outlines the basic cultural traits of these races.

Class-Specific Naming Strategies

While race dictates the language, your class defines your character’s role in the world. A wizard and a barbarian from the same human city might have very different names simply because of their life paths.

The Arcane Caster (Wizard, Sorcerer, Warlock)

Arcane names often lean into the mystical or the slightly eccentric. If you want a more British-inspired magical feel for your caster, our Harry Potter name generator offers fantastic inspiration for that classic school-of-magic vibe. For more traditional D&D arcane names, think about: Magic users often adopt “working names” or titles that sound more impressive than their birth names. “Tim the Enchanter” is funny, but “Timotheus the Violet Flame” commands respect. If you’re struggling to name your signature spells or magical effects, our magic spell name generator can spark some arcane inspiration.

• Tip: Use multi-syllabic names with “exotic” letters like X, Z, or Y.
• Examples: Xalith, Zandor, Lysandra, Morven.
• Titles: Adding “The Great,” “The Diviner,” or “of the Eighth Circle” adds instant gravity.

The Divine Conduit (Cleric, Paladin)

These characters often carry names that reflect their deity or their order. Their names sound solid, traditional, and trustworthy. I often look to real-world history for these; checking the etymology of ancient names on sites like Behind the Name can yield perfect results for a pious character.

• Tip: Look at real-world saints’ names or archaic biblical names for inspiration.
• Examples: Benedict, Cassian, Mercy, Thelonius, Valerius.
• Surnames: Often related to light, protection, or judgment: “Lightbringer,” “Shieldheart,” “Truthseeker.”

The Shadow Walker (Rogue, Ranger, Monk)

Stealthy characters need names that don’t take long to say. They often use monosyllabic aliases that are easy to whisper over a campfire. If you’re building a character for a more sinister role—perhaps a rogue who has fully embraced the dark side—you should check out our villain name generator for names that command fear and authority.

• Tip: Think of verbs or nouns related to silence, darkness, or nature.
• Examples: Ash, Flint, Hawk, Night, Shade, Vex, Whisper.
• Monk Special: Monks might take “Dharma names” or abstract concept names like “Tranquility” or “Flowing Water.”

The Martial Powerhouse (Fighter, Barbarian)

These names need to have impact. They should sound strong. A fighter’s name is often shouted across a battlefield, so it needs to be distinctive.

• Tip: Hard consonants are your friend. Avoid soft “S” or “Th” sounds.
• Examples: Bragnar, Drax, Korg, Titus, Vor.

DM Corner: Naming NPCs on the Fly

If you’re a Dungeon Master, you know the struggle. The players ignore your carefully crafted plot hook to talk to a random stableboy. You panic. “Uh, his name is… Stable… ton. Stableton.”

Don’t do that. Here is a strategy for better NPC names:

1. The “Rule of Two”: Give every NPC a name and a descriptor. “Gareth the One-Eyed” or “Martha with the Gout.” The descriptor makes the name stick in players’ heads better than the name itself.
2. Cultural Buckets: Decide ahead of time that “All elves in this forest have names starting with L” or “All dwarves here are named after tools.” It narrows your mental search space.
3. The Hub of Adventure: Every group of NPCs needs a place to gather. Use our fantasy tavern name generator to give your players a memorable home base.
4. Use This Generator: Keep this page open during sessions. Use the “Simple Mode” with “Any Race” selected to generate a list of 10 names at the start of the session. Write them on an index card. Cross them off as you use them.

For creating towns and locations for these NPCs to live in, our city name generator is an invaluable companion tool. If your players decide to form an official adventuring party or merc company, you’ll want to use our guild name generator to find a banner they’ll be proud to rally behind. If your campaign spans the stars or planes, you might even need our planet name generator to name the distant worlds your party discovers.

How to Choose the Perfect Name

With so many options, how do you pick the right one? Here is a checklist to validate your choice:

1. The Pronunciation Test

Say the name out loud three times fast. If you stumble, your DM will stumble. If your DM stumbles, they will stop using your character’s name and start calling you “The Elf.” Don’t let that happen.

• Bad: Xyr’thzz’t
• Good: Xyr (Zer)

2. The Nickname Factor

Players will shorten your name. It is inevitable. I once played with a Paladin named “Theodoric the Brave.” Within two sessions, the bard started calling him “Ted.” It completely ruined his mystique.

• Strategy: Pre-empt this by introducing yourself with your preferred nickname. “My name is Valerius, but you can call me Val.” If your character is a bard, a traveling performer, or an undercover agent, they might even have a professional persona distinct from their birth name. You can use our stage name generator to brainstorm these “public” identities for your roleplaying sessions.

3. The “Serious vs. Silly” Scale

Read the room. If you’re playing a grimdark campaign like Curse of Strahd, a gnome named “Bimbble Fart-Squeezer” is going to ruin the mood. Conversely, in a lighthearted feywild romp, “Lord Edgelord the Dark” is going to feel out of place. Use the Tone selector in our generator to match the campaign vibe. If you are specifically looking for comedy, our funny name generator is perfect for one-shots, but for long-term campaigns, aim for something memorable rather than just a joke.

4. Search for Accidental Puns

Write the name down. Look at it. Does “Ana L.” sound okay? Yes. Does it look okay when written as “Anal”? No. Always check your initials and how the first and last name sound when run together.

Advanced Tips: Modifying Generated Names

Our generator gives you a strong foundation, but you can make the names even better with these tweaks:

• Change the Ending: Like the start of a name but not the end? Swap “-us” for “-or” (Valerius -> Valeror) or “-a” for “-ia” (Bella -> Bellia).
• Blend Cultures: Playing a Half-Elf? Take a human first name and an elven surname. “Gareth Moonwhisper.” It perfectly tells the story of their heritage.
• Add an Epithet: Especially for higher-level characters. “Gareth” is a level 1 fighter. “Gareth the Unbroken” is a level 10 fighter.

For deep dives into the linguistics of D&D languages, the Forgotten Realms Wiki is an endless resource for finding ancient naming conventions and dead languages to plunder for your game.

Final Thoughts: It’s Your Story

Ultimately, the “correct” name is the one that makes you excited to play the character. D&D is a game of imagination. If you want a Goblin named “Sir Reginald the Third,” and you have a good backstory for it (maybe he stole a noble’s clothes and identity?), then that is the perfect name.

Use this generator as a spark, a guide, and a tool. Let it handle the linguistics so you can focus on the heroics. Now, go forth and make a name for yourself—literally.