How to Create a Fantasy Name (5 Techniques Writers Use)
"Gandalf. Aragorn. Daenerys. Geralt." Some fantasy names stick with us forever. Others feel generic or unpronounceable. What's the difference? It comes down to technique—and good news: these techniques can be learned.
Whether you're naming a D&D character, writing a novel, or building a game world, these are the same methods used by published fantasy authors. Let's break them down.
The most authentic-sounding fantasy names aren't invented from nothing—they're built on real linguistic foundations. Tolkien based his Elvish on Finnish and Welsh. George R.R. Martin drew from medieval European names.
| Language | Best For | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Latin/Greek | Mages, scholars, empires | Aurelius, Theron, Magnus |
| Celtic (Welsh, Irish) | Elves, druids, fae | Aisling, Branwen, Cormac |
| Norse/Scandinavian | Vikings, dwarves, warriors | Thorin, Astrid, Bjorn |
| Arabic/Persian | Desert cultures, merchants | Khalid, Zara, Rashid |
| Japanese | Samurai, monks, spirits | Akira, Yuki, Kenji |
Many memorable fantasy names are compound words with meaning. Tolkien did this constantly: Shadowfax (shadow + horse), Rivendell (valley + dell), Longbottom.
EXAMPLES
Common fantasy elements to combine:
- Prefixes: Shadow, Storm, Bright, Dark, Silver, Golden, Iron, Frost
- Suffixes: -blade, -heart, -wind, -fall, -wood, -mere, -forge, -born
Sound symbolism is real: certain sounds evoke specific feelings. Use this to make names feel "right" for the character.
SOFT SOUNDS → GENTLE, ELEGANT, MAGICAL
L, M, N, soft vowels (a, e, i), flowing syllables
HARD SOUNDS → STRONG, AGGRESSIVE, POWERFUL
K, G, D, T, hard consonants, abrupt endings
SIBILANT SOUNDS → MYSTERIOUS, SINISTER, SERPENTINE
S, Z, SH, soft C, hissing sounds
In well-built fantasy worlds, each culture has consistent naming rules. This makes names feel authentic and helps readers identify characters.
🧝 ELVES
Flowing, melodic, often 3+ syllables. Use lots of L, R, N, soft vowels. Names often mean something in nature or celestial.
Pattern: [Nature element] + [Elvish suffix like -iel, -wen, -dor, -ion]
Examples: Galadriel, Legolas, Celeborn, Arwen
⛏️ DWARVES
Short, sturdy, often Norse-inspired. Hard consonants, ending in -in, -i, -ur. Use patronymics (son of).
Pattern: [Single strong syllable] + [Dwarvish suffix like -in, -dur, -rik]
Examples: Thorin, Gimli, Balin, Durin
đź’€ ORCS
Guttural, harsh, aggressive. Lots of K, G, hard R, apostrophes. Often short and blunt.
Pattern: [Harsh prefix] + [Brutal suffix like -gash, -uk, -thak]
Examples: Groknak, Shagrat, UglĂşk, Azog
🧙 WIZARDS/MAGES
Classical, scholarly, often Latin or Greek roots. Mysterious with uncommon letter combinations.
Pattern: [Ancient root] + [Magical suffix like -us, -or, -ias, -eth]
Examples: Gandalf, Merlin, Elminster, Mordenkainen
Certain phonetic patterns make names instantly memorable. The most memorable fantasy names use these tricks.
Alliteration
Repeating the first sound makes names catchy: Bilbo Baggins, Severus Snape, Peter Parker.
Rhythm & Syllables
Most memorable fantasy names have 2-3 syllables with clear stress: GAN-dalf, A-ra-GORN, da-EN-er-ys.
Uncommon Letter Combos
Using rare combinations makes names feel exotic: ae (Daenerys), th (Thranduil), wy (Gwynevere), ph (Morpheus).
Quick Reference: Name Creation Formulas
Celtic "Bran" (raven) + suffix "-wen" = Branwen
"Storm" + "wind" = Stormwind
Gentle healer → soft sounds → Miriel, Lyanna
⚔️ Generate Fantasy Names Instantly
Try our fantasy name generator for unlimited inspiration!
Fantasy Name Generator →Final Tips
- Say it out loud. If you stumble, readers will too.
- Google it. Make sure your invented name doesn't mean something embarrassing in another language.
- Keep a naming doc. Track your naming conventions for consistency.
- Less is more. One memorable name beats five forgettable ones.
- Trust your ear. If it sounds right, it probably is.