Fantasy Name Generators

The origins and history behind fantasy names

Think names like Gandalf, Jon Snow, and Ged. Where did they come from, and how did their creators come up with them?

The truth is that fantasy names are like fantasy itself: they can come from anywhere you like, whether it's a real-world language, a myth, or a naming convention that you invented yourself. Elvish in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth, for example, is heavily inspired by Finnish and Welsh, while the names in George R.R. Martin's Westeros carry echoes of Old Norse. Other authors draw from Latin to name their fantasy characters.

What's most important about fantasy names in literature is that they are consistent, depending on the character's culture, lineage, or role in the story. Some naming patterns have also become familiar to us today: take a name that ends “-iel,” for instance. It often suggests angelic origins (as in “Daniel” or “Azriel”), while names with harsh consonants can signal danger or power. Such etymology can — and should — reveal deeper, thoughtful worldbuilding choices. 

So you want to create good fantasy names?

It’s tough out there for a fantasy author. In fantasy, everything is dreamt up from scratch — even the names. So it’s no coincidence that fantasy names can be some of the toughest (but most fun) to create, and that authors go to great measures to get them right. J.K. Rowling reportedly visited graveyards for inspiration. Then there was J.R.R. Tolkien, who invented whole languages to be sandboxes in which he could experiment with fantasy names.

If you’re struggling to come up with your own fantasy name, that’s what this fantasy name generator is for. The realm of fantasy names is rich with possibility, so we built it to give you a headstart in your search for the perfect name.

Here are some tips for you to consider while using this fantasy name generator.

• Put yourself in your audience’s shoes as they pick up your book for the first time. You’ll want to pick a name that readers will remember — but don’t pick a name that readers can’t pronounce.

• Keep the name consistent with your worldbuilding. Specific regions in your world might uphold specific naming traditions. In Game of Thrones, for instance, the Lannisters show a tendency to star names with “Ty” (Tyrion, Tywin).

• Pay attention to the sound of the character name. Does it roll off of your tongue? Can it capture the personality of your character? It’s safe to say, for instance, that Drogon probably won’t be the best bet for a fair maiden.

• Try tweaking existing names from cultures and countries (or a fantasy name generator). In Brandon Sanderson’s books, for instance, names such as Demoux and Vin are derived from France, whereas Dilaf, Hrathen, and Fjorden evoke Scandinavia.

So feel free to use this fantasy name generator as a springboard to your fantasy names! What if you’d like to learn more about the making of a character name? Great 👍

Head here for a guide on how to come up with character names, or if you're curious about the character types often appearing in fantasy, check out our post on fantasy characters.

10 fantasy names for inspiration

Want to get ideas straight from the source? You're in luck. Here are the coolest fantasy character names of all time: