OneTaskBy Tim King · Updated
RPG Race Name Generator
Character Names for Every Core D&D Race in Each Race's Own Style
OneTask is free, with no sign-up, and built by one person.
If this tool saved you time, a coffee helps keep new ones coming.
How the RPG Race Name Generator works
A RPG race name generator for every core race: humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, gnomes, half-elves, half-orcs, tieflings and dragonborn. Each race builds its names differently, so pick one from the list or leave it on Any and roll a mixed party. Clan names, family names, gnome nicknames and tiefling virtue names come out in the shape each race uses.
How the RPG race name generator works
Dungeons and Dragons gives every playable race its own naming habits. Humans take a given name and a family name much like real medieval Europe. Elves have long, flowing names with liquid consonants and a family name that often describes nature or light. Dwarves put the clan first in importance, so a dwarf name almost always travels with a clan name built from stone, forge and hammer words. Halflings use cosy, homely family names that sound like a village green. Gnomes collect names, often several, and pick up a nickname that sticks. Half-orcs use short, blunt orcish names or a human name if they grew up among humans. Tieflings use infernal names, or choose a virtue name as a statement of who they want to be. Dragonborn put the clan name first, as a sign that the clan matters more than the individual.
Choosing a name for your character
Say the name out loud at the table. A good character name is one the other players can pronounce and remember by the second session, and a long elvish or dragonborn name is fine as long as it has a short form. Match the name to the character's background as well as the race: a half-elf raised by humans probably has a human first name and an elvish surname, and a tiefling who hates their heritage might go by a virtue name.
Not affiliated
Dungeons and Dragons is a trademark of Wizards of the Coast. This site is not affiliated with it. The lists here are original and follow the general conventions of the game rather than copying any rulebook's name tables.
FAQ
What is the best D&D name for a first character?
A name that is short, easy to say and fits the race. Pick the race you are playing, generate ten names and read them aloud. The one you can say without stumbling, and that still sounds like it belongs to that race, is usually the right one. You can always add a title or epithet later as the character earns it.
Why do dragonborn put their clan name first?
In the game's lore, a dragonborn's clan is more important than the dragonborn, and a dragonborn who shames the clan can be cast out. Putting the clan name first shows that loyalty. The generator puts the clan first in most dragonborn results, and occasionally uses the "of clan" form for variety.
What are tiefling virtue names?
Some tieflings reject the infernal names their families use and pick a word for a concept they want to embody, such as Hope, Glory or Sorrow. It says a lot about a character in one word. Pick Tiefling and about a third of the results will be virtue names.
Can I use these names for other fantasy games?
Yes. The names follow broad fantasy conventions that D&D shares with most other fantasy settings, so an elf or dwarf name from here will sit comfortably in Pathfinder, a video game or a novel. For names tuned to a specific setting, use the D&D setting pages in this section.
See also: all Fantasy & RPG tools, People, Sci-fi, Culture & Language, Online & Social, Business & Brand, Places & Things.
Related tools
7th Sea Name Generator
Swashbuckler names for seven European-inspired nations.
Aarakocra / Birdfolk Name Generator
Trilling aarakocra names, wind names, elders and aerie names.
Aasimar Name Generator
Celestial aasimar names, human-born names and angelic guides.
Adventuring Party Name Generator
Heroic, mercenary and funny names for a D&D adventuring party.
Albion Online Name Generator
Player names, guild names and alliance names for a sandbox MMO.