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Name generators for standard fantasy races

ELF

Generator Sage
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
I'm putting together name generators for some of the most clichéd familiar fantasy races, like elves, dwarves and orcs.

But I'm not sure what would be the best way to handle the generators, as each of these races has several interpretations in various sources, many of them copyrighted.
  • Dwarves are probably the easiest. Most sources agree that they have Old Norse or Germanic sounding names. The Völuspá part of the Poetic Edda even includes a listing of Dwarf names that conveniently was used verbatim by the best known modern source, JRR Tolkien.
  • Tolkien is also the source for elven names, but even he has several variants of the Elvish language. But there are well-known variations that differ more than what is typically used for dwarves.
  • Orcs names are probably the most varied in the various sources (from Tolkien who invented the race to later interpretations in literature, film, and games). Also here Tolkien would probably be the best known source, but for example Warcraft or Warhammer fans might expect something a bit different.
I was thinking of creating syllable-based name generators based on the prime sources. They produce results that resemble names from the source material, but would not (necessarily) be exactly the same, due to the randomization process. I would bluntly name these as the dwarf, elf and orc name generators.

Later on it might make sense to add name generators that more accurately reflect a more specific culture or language, such as Tolkien's Quenya. (Possibly not using the original nomenclature to avoid any potential legal issues.)

Would this kind of semi-authentic, syllable-based randomization make sense? Provided that the end result turn out well enough, of course. Any ideas on how to refer to other well-known sources without infringing anyone's copyright? (I'm planning to contribute these to the generator library, so that's an issue to consider.)
 

JohnnFour

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Cool beans!

I like various styles. So perhaps pick a style and name it. Dwarves - Epic Fantasy, Dwarves - Simple Fantasy. etc.

Some name patterns can't be copyrighted. Stumpy Slowhammer, for example. The word/adjective mashup approach.

And patterns themselves can't be copyrighted. So if you grabbed 100 samples from a Tolkien generator and broke them up into syllables, that's ok.
 
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ELF

Generator Sage
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
I like various styles. So perhaps pick a style and name it. Dwarves - Epic Fantasy, Dwarves - Simple Fantasy. etc.

Hmm, something like that could work. Like Elvish (low fantasy), Elvish (high fantasy), Elvish (Celtic), Dwarvish (Nordic), Dwarvish (Germanic), Orcs (totally not WoW), etc. Quite obvious, but not naming the source directly. Thanks!

Some name patterns can't be copyrighted. Stumpy Slowhammer, for example
Yep, I was thinking of using these common elements as bynames and appellations to create more varied names, something like these Elfin examples:
Bealanun, widely known as Moonglow of the Golden Spires
Oanun, variously known as Dawnblade
Irun, known as Traveler

(Those have been generated from a very small sampling of syllables, they all even end in -un...)

But indeed it seems that handling these potentially troublesome cases on the syllable level could be the right approach. Some strange combinations may pop up even after testing, but that just takes more testing. :)
 
Last edited:

Ithril

New member
This has already been done, and brilliantly. There's a shareware program by Sami Pyörre called the Everchanging Book of Names. You can register it for a small fee, or use it unregistered with limited functionality (it automatically closes after generating a set number of names). Once you register, you can download chapters that will have generators for names in several different real world languages, styles, genres, and fictional worlds. If you're creative, you can even write your own chapters to generate random names to fit your world, and you can send them to him to publish on his page.

You can download it from: http://ebon.pyorre.net/

Currently it has chapters for the following:
World of Greyhawk
Forgotten Realms
Warhammer Fantasy
Wheel of Time
World of Glorantha
Old World (Franks, Goths, Lombards, Mongols, Picts, and Romans )
Africa
Far East
Middle East
British Isles
Eastern Europe
Northern Europe
Southern Europe
Western Europe
Americas
Oceania, Australia & NZ
Airica
Arcandio
East European Gods
Erinel
Fae
Midwrathe
Oddities & curiosities (gods/goddesses, great insults muses, planets, tavern names etc.)
Pokémon (This is new since I last checked the website.)
Seventh Sword
A Song of Ice And Fire
Star Trek (Bajoran, Betazoid, Cardassian, Federation, etc.)
Worlds of Fantasy


I think it's a fantastic program that works well, and simply, and it's not expensive, so I try to promote it whenever I get a chance.

I
 

Ithril

New member
Oh, I almost forgot. The 'core chapters' that are included with the program have most of the Tolkein languages in them already.

I
 

ELF

Generator Sage
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
Yes, EBoN might just be the best of the syllable-based name generators out there, and it goes a long way back (the links section brings back quite a many memories).

I'm trying to create something similar that would be usable within Campaign Logger and could be used produce names of the requested type for other random generators. I also added an option to generate some appellations if you want to include some kind of a title as well:
Kílning the Sentry of the Vigilant Citadel
Yananun the Moonfriend of the Amaranthine Forest
Pug the Eyegouger

These of course won't fit each and every world, but hopefully can produce some additional ideas for characterization.
 

JochenL

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I do have an older project that uses the Markov Chain algorithm for such names (and words). It is currently down (due to GDPR issues). But I could easily embed it into generators. It just needs a sample word / name list, at least 100 and up to 1,000 words / names are good.
Everything else is done automatically.
 
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ELF

Generator Sage
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
But I could easily embed it into generators.

You mean the Markov chain algorithm? That would be fantastic!

I'm not 100 % sold on the Markov chain idea as in my previous experiments the results have not always been that good, but of course a lot depends on the source material as well. It would certainly be interesting to experiment with this, who knows what could follow.
 

JochenL

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Do you have an example name list?

EDIT:

I created a list for Sindarin:
Adar, Ae, Aegnor, Aerandir, Aerin, Alfirin, Amlach, Amlaith, Amras, Amrod, Amros, Ancalagon, Andrast, Andreth, Anfalas, Angerthas, Anglachel, Angrist, Angrod, Anguirel, Annúnaid, Aradan, Arador, Araglas, Aragorn, Aragost, Arahad, Aranarth, Aranrúth, Aranuir, Araphant, Araphor, Arassuil, Arathorn, Araval, Aravir, Aravorn, Araw, Argeleb, Argon, Argonui, Arvedui, Arvegil, Arveleg, Arwen, Barahir, Belecthor, Beleg, Belegorn, Belegurth, Belegûr, Belthronding, Beren, Berúthiel, Borgil, Borlach, Borlad, Boromir, Boron, Bór, Caranthir, Carcharoth, Celeborn, Celebrimbor, Celebrindal, Celebrindor, Celebrían, Celegorm, Celepharn, Chîn, Curufin, Curunír, Círdan, Cúthalion, Daeron, Dagmor, Denethor, Dorgannas, Dramborleg, Draugluin, Drû, Dírhael, Dúnadan, Echuir, Edegil, Edennil, Edhelharn, Eladar, Elbereth, Elboron, Eledhwen, Elleth, Elrond, Elu, Eluréd, Elurín, Elwing, Emeldir, Enerdhil, Ereinion, Erellont, Estel, Faelivrin, Faenor, Falathar, Fanuilos, Faramir, Felagund, Fen, Fimbrethil, Finarfin, Finduilas, Finglas, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finu, Fladrif, Fëanor, Gaerys, Galadlóriel, Galadriel, Galanes, Galathil, Gil, Gilbarad, Gilraen, Gilthoniel, Glamdring, Glaurung, Glewellin, Glinnil, Glorfindel, Glóredhel, Gorthaur, Gorthol, Gothmog, Grond, Gurthang, Gwaihir, Gwindor, Harlond, Hatholdir, Haudh, Hollen, Huan, Huor, Húrin, Húrin, Iarwain, Iaur, Idril, Ifant, Inglor, Iorhael, Ithilbor, Ivon, Ivonwin, Ivorwen, Lalaith, Landroval, Lasgalen, Lefnui, Lórindol, Mablung, Mablung, Maedhros, Maglor, Mallor, Mallos, Malvegil, Meldis, Melian, Melthinorn, Menelvagor, Miniel, Mithrandir, Mithril, Morgoth, Mormegil, Morwen, Narn, Neithan, Neth, Nienor, Nimloth, Nimrodel, Niphredil, Nornhabar, Nín, Níniel, Nínui, Onodló, Oraearon, Oranor, Orbelain, Orchaldor, Orcrist, Orgaladh, Orgaladhad, Orgilion, Orithil, Ormenel, Ornil, Pengolodh, Penlod, Peredhil, Perhael, Perian, Remmirath, Rochallor, Rodnor, Rodyn, Rían, Sador, Saelind, Saeros, Seregon, Silevril, Tarlang, Tauron, Thalion, Thorondor, Thorongil, Thuringwethil, Tinúviel, Torhir, Tulcus, Tuor, Turamarth, Túrin, Ulu, Ungoliant, Urwen, Varanduiniant, Yssion, Îdh, Óli, Ôl, Úmarth

And then run it through the algorithm to create 101 names:
Ae, Aegnornhabar, Aerind, Amrast, Andrethir, Angerth, Bar, Bór, Borlanglor, Borlegornhabaraw, Chîn, Círdan, Curungolod, Cúthas, Deneth, Dor, Dorgalen, Dorgonuir, Dorgoth, Echuir, Emeldis, Emelian, Estel, Falandir, Fant, Fanthir, Fëanor, Feladriel, Fimbor, Fimbrethol, Fladló, Gilraearothmog, Gilthilbaraphant, Grondorgalen, Gurthant, Gurthas, Gwaihir, Hollen, Huor, Húrindel, Húringlorfin, Iaur, Îdh, Ingweth, Iorhir, Ith, Ivonwindel, Lasgaladh, Lefnui, Lóredil, Lóriel, Lórin, Maedhros, Melthranduilasgalen, Menethiel, Miniant, Minion, Mithril, Mormeneth, Nimros, Níniel, Nor, Ôl, Óli, Onodló, Onodlóredil, Orbelecthor, Orgalen, Orgilthorn, Pengoliant, Pengolod, Pengonui, Penlod, Peredil, Perhaelindor, Remmir, Rían, Rocharn, Rodel, Rodnor, Sadorgannas, Saerys, Seren, Silevril, Thoniel, Ulu, Úmarth, Úmarthaldor, Úmartharongilbar, Úmarthonienornil, Ung, Urwen, Varad, Varadan, Varaglaurongilbar, Varamarth, Varandrethinor, Varapharlond, Varassuil, Varaval, Yssion

Not too stunning...
 
Last edited:

ELF

Generator Sage
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
Hmm, you could try with this (it's the current list of all the Finnish surnames with at least 20 people using the name - 22,654 entries). If that's too much, just copy from the beginning as many as you want to use (the names are sorted by frequency).

For me that kind of data makes it easy to spot any illogicalities. :)

The attachment is a plain text file with one name per line, but if that's not a good format, you can get the original Excel file from here:
https://www.avoindata.fi/data/en_GB/dataset/none/resource/d25831d1-82a9-476f-8f7c-374c348efc14
 

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  • Finnish surnames 2018.txt
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ELF

Generator Sage
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
The results for Sindarin don't look that bad (although there is that Minion in there and there must have been some lucky die rolls involved to produce Borlegornhabaraw). :)
 

ELF

Generator Sage
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
I made a comparison run using this online tool with the default settings:
https://www.samcodes.co.uk/project/markov-namegen/

I used the same source data as you, and here are the results:

Aegnorn, Amlain, Amrassuil, Amrodel, Androval, Anfalanes, Angerth, Angerthor, Anguir, Aranduilas, Aranor, Aranorn, Aras, Arathas, Beleboron, Belephant, Belthor, Beregorm, Berúthant, Borlegonui, Curung, Cúthallont, Cúthil, Daerongil, Edegilion, Edhel, Eladhad, Elbor, Elron, Elwin, Emeldis, Ereinian, Faladhad, Fanui, Felaith, Felaithros, Fimbreth, Find, Finduiniel, Fing, Fingoliant, Gaerongil, Gaeros, Galath, Gilbar, Gilthil, Giltholdis, Glewellind, Glind, Glóredil, Glóriel, Gorth Goth, Gwing, Harlach, Hathol, Hathor, Húrind, Iarwaihir, Idrif, Ifanthil, Inglach, Inglas, Iorhaelian, Ithil, Laladh, Landreth, Lóriel, Maglas, Meneth, Mith, Mithil, Mithros, Morgannas, Morgil, Morm, Nethoron, Nínuir, Oraenor, Orandui, Oranui, Orchalion, Orgalen, Pengolian, Peregon, Periant, Rodnorn, Sael, Saelivril, Saerys, Seredil, Seren, Sereth, Taur, Thaldor, Thurindol, Thuring, Torhael, Varant, Úmarthan

There are quite a many options to fine tune, so with different settings the results could vary wildly.
 

JochenL

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Here are the 101 Finnish names:

Abshidi, Ådjeblois, Ådjeskoiriruonkkylvisjärf, Åfelty, Aggreco, Ähkä, Ähkialhairalijefortmankov, Åhmalhorpeena, Äkrä, Ässirma, Åval, Axber, Azeminkindewi, Beck, Budd, Calopez, Ceesivikojasmaniovärenvakop, Çelil, Çetiki, Çetiö, Cimiä, Deckeraitfelt, Drufvel, Duvnässillam, Eastontsim, Eck, Eggelmmadsdalk, Ehtä, Elwanljunlams, Ennäinahork, Ewardy, Flycklén, Gebhanavunumetmäkiruorspanerojo, Gylde, Humuseenokkojämbäckmardingal, Huntsi, Ibist, Ikoitievisén, Ilén, Innukavo, Irmanokeen, Iveirfolkadekivu, Japulkkylmä, Jørge, Kässirmolauani, Kitonuantänisukkoivissén, Kjärf, Krugge, Kviktore, Lågasasmä, Låglume, Lång, Lusmetyine, Mesvuopilberahkursulehkil, Müllesoltlu, Muonténs, Mynevomajärnejon, Neherchi, Njie, Nulajovuliva, Nysaajääksnietemoff, Oeskäggmässinorén, Öhbernännaa, Oiluaho, Överkukoffellqvinassbeckmantzén, Owusulkosmä, Öztürk, Piovälipuvaimofeevahlänikupullgén, Plunpar, Qadright, Qasikevinmäkytösaarijäämi, Qeriranfolkaraojapaij, Raekomo, Rampas, Rchen, Rchmad, Rchmikokkopez, Red, Sjöroop, Småttsov, Söderer, Szabo, Tåg, Teckrot, Thodzic, Tömi, Tsoitavuotkus, Typursisa, Ukkeihäklimelrosnetyinevuojapuosanimenny, Ünaldiz, Ünaliflänesmitholuojusif, Ünalkansamskioinuoltzaryal, Unertteraja, Unkuruhponsyrén, Wheertele, Wrigsman, Xu, Zern, Zewi, Ziegelm, Zukirkmarcia
 
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ELF

Generator Sage
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Thanks! There seem to be quite a many exotic characters mixed in, although many of the patterns have a familiar sound to them (they could work as believable names if you switched some consonants and vowels to others). Some of the results could pass themselves as those exotic Sámi names to my ear.

But that algorithm seems to like really long results: "Ukkeihäklimelrosnetyinevuojapuosanimenny". That could challenge some Welsh towns! :)
 

JochenL

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The length can be tweaked. It looks at the last 3 characters and predicts the likely next character. With standard rules it can get into a vicious cycle. :)
 

JochenL

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I liked those language tables from Traveller the most. They combined initial consonants, vowels, and final consonants into VC, CV, CVC syllable patterns with 1d6 syllables per word. But I find it difficult to analyze a language for those patterns and the relative frequency of characters.
 

ELF

Generator Sage
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
It looks at the last 3 characters and predicts the likely next character. With standard rules it can get into a vicious cycle. :)

Hmm, it might need to check more than the 3 previous characters to produce more believable results. And I'm wondering why the algorithm came up with so many characters that are not used in Finnish at all: Ç, ü, x, z. Those å and é characters must come from Swedish surnames (they are quite common), but the other exotic characters must be really rare. I guess the algorithm again had some special luck with dice rolls...
 

JohnnFour

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This is very exciting! CL users will love the plethora of Borlegornhabaraws. :)
 

ELF

Generator Sage
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
I liked those language tables from Traveller the most. They combined initial consonants, vowels, and final consonants into VC, CV, CVC syllable patterns with 1d6 syllables per word.

It would be interesting to see how much syllable-based random names could be improved if the generator was able to use comparison functions for example to prevent repeating the same character too many times. Currently the syllables are just randomized from various lists (for example short, medium and long middle-of-the-word components), and the only way to prevent strange combinations is trying to avoid too risky-soundin entries when putting together the syllable tables.

The Ever-changing Book of Names apparently does quite a lot of checks like this, and indeed the results are amazingly good for names that have been randomly put together.
 
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