What is a good D&D character name?

One that fits the species, is easy for the whole table to say, and hints at who the character is. From this page's list, Dorvel of House Beline and Gular of the Greyhorn Peak show how different species sound. Pick the species first, then generate until a name makes you think of a backstory.

How do I name my D&D character?

Choose your species and class here, generate a list and say the best ones aloud. Keep the given name true to the species, then decide whether your character has earned an epithet yet. Check the name with your table: if nobody can pronounce it, it will not survive the first session.

Which species are included, and why not others?

The nine species in the SRD 5.2: dragonborn, dwarf, elf, gnome, goliath, halfling, human, orc and tiefling. Species found only in other rulebooks or setting books are not included, because they aren't covered by the open licence.

Can I use these names in my campaign, stream or book?

Yes. All generated names are free for any use, including commercial projects and streamed games, and we claim no rights in them. If you name a product after one, check trademark registers first.

Is this an official D&D tool?

No. Character Namer is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast. Dungeons & Dragons is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast LLC; we use it only to describe what the generator is for.

D&D Name Generator – Character Names by Species & Class

Names for the nine SRD 5.2 species.

Nine species, nine naming styles

This generator covers the nine species in the System Reference Document 5.2, which Wizards of the Coast released under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence: dragonborn, dwarf, elf, gnome, goliath, halfling, human, orc and tiefling. We use the species names as subjects only; every name, grammar and description here is written by us, and no rulebook text is used. The licence statement is on our About page.

Each species has its own grammar. Dwarves get short, first-stressed names and clan surnames; elves long, flowing names and house names; gnomes bouncy three-syllable names with a workshop nickname; goliaths a deed-nickname in quotes and a clan; tieflings either an infernal name or a virtue name chosen for what they want to become.

Class flavour

Picking a class doesn't change how a species names its children, so the given name stays true to the species. What the class adds is the name an adventurer earns: about one name in three gets a class epithet, such as a cleric's "the Devout" or a rogue's "Quickfingers". You can switch epithets off under More options if you prefer to let your character earn one in play. The first name on this page is Kalion of the Brass Court (Tiefling · Warlock).

Party mode

Party mode returns four, five or six names at once, each with a different class and, when the species is on Any, a different species. It is a quick way to name a group of pre-generated characters for a one-shot, a rival adventuring party, or the mercenaries your players are about to hire.

Species	Name style	Examples
Dragonborn	Strong, hissing consonants; a clan name or a childhood nickname	Jharun Vorenix, Qarith “Kindling”, Arva “Gravel”
Dwarf	Short and hard, first-syllable stress; clan or craft surnames	Gunddun of Clan Balrum, Inggaja of Clan Ulaholm, Dalobek Hammertongs
Elf	Long and flowing; nature compounds or 'of House' surnames	Elari of House Vaennor, Nalaz Inkwake, Sylas of House Iluyr
Gnome	Bouncy, often three syllables; tinkerer family names and nicknames	Gabrup “Ladder” Coppertwist, Dabo of the Nutmeg Workshop, Tibpio of the Brass Workshop
Goliath	Terse highland names; a deed-nickname and a clan name	Dakira “Farcarrier”, Arkora “Spearshaper”, Bruak “Peakdancer” Katurok
Halfling	Homely country nicknames; comfortable compound family names	Dankin of Pumpkin Hall, Camard of the Ginger Lot, Bunson of Clover Hall
Human	Regional styles: northern, southern, coastal	Tavaise Fenworth, Hrolith Ravenhurst, Caewyn Foamness
Orc	Blunt one- or two-syllable names; deed-names and clan epithets	Durboruk Stonegnasher, Horgimba Bonecleaver, Golugnar of the Scarred Banner
Tiefling	Infernal names, or a virtue name chosen for what they want to be	Nyxae of the Hollow Spire, Pelnais of House Irachor, Belai of House Orioth

Names at the table

Say it three times fast. Your fellow players will use your character's name for months. If it twists the tongue, expect a nickname to replace it within two sessions.
Different initials for the party. A table with Thara, Thorn and Thessa will spend every combat asking who is who.
Have a short form ready. Long elven and gnomish names are part of the fun, but tell the group what to call you.

Fit the name to the story

Before you pick, ask your game master about the setting. A dwarf raised among humans might use a human name; a tiefling who has left home might choose a new one. A name the character chose for themselves is a backstory hook the game master can use, and the generator's virtue names for tieflings are built for exactly that.

D&D Name Generator

How to use the D&D name generator

Nine species, nine naming styles

Class flavour

Party mode

The nine species at a glance

More D&D character names

Female character names

Male character names

Tiefling names

Halfling names

Names at the table

Fit the name to the story

Frequently asked questions

What is a good D&D character name?

How do I name my D&D character?

Which species are included, and why not others?

Can I use these names in my campaign, stream or book?

Is this an official D&D tool?

D&D Name Generator

How to use the D&D name generator

Nine species, nine naming styles

Class flavour

Party mode

The nine species at a glance

More D&D character names

Female character names

Male character names

Tiefling names

Halfling names

Names at the table

Fit the name to the story

Frequently asked questions

What is a good D&D character name?

How do I name my D&D character?

Which species are included, and why not others?

Can I use these names in my campaign, stream or book?

Is this an official D&D tool?

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