How to Name Your D&D Character Based on Official Dungeons and Dragons Lore
Naming your Dungeons and Dragons character matters more than it might seem at first. A good name fits your character's backstory, feels native to their race's culture, and is easy enough for everyone at the table to say without slowing down the game. A bad name is the one everyone mentally replaces with "that elf guy" within two sessions.
This guide covers the official naming conventions for the most common D&D races, drawn from the Player's Handbook and Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide.
Elf Names in D&D Lore
Elves in D&D have two names. The first is their childhood name, often a short nickname their family uses. The second is an adult name taken when they come of age, and this is the name they use with outsiders. Adult elf names are typically multisyllabic, melodic, and end with soft consonants or open vowels.
Male elf names from the PHB: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Arannis, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis
Female elf names: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia
Dwarf Names
Dwarven names are hard-edged and often end with consonant clusters. Male names frequently end in sounds like "in," "ar," or "rim." Female names tend to end in "a" sounds. Dwarves also use clan names, typically describing something geological, a notable deed, or a character trait of the clan founder.
Male dwarf names: Adrik, Alberich, Baern, Barendd, Brottor, Bruenor, Dain, Darrak, Delg, Eberk, Einkil, Fargrim, Flint, Gardain, Harbek, Kildrak, Morgran, Orsik, Oskar, Rangrim, Rurik, Taklinn, Thoradin, Thorin, Tordek, Traubon, Travok, Ulfgar, Veit, Vondal
Human Names
Humans in the Forgotten Realms have no single cultural naming convention because human civilizations are intentionally diverse in D&D. The PHB lists names by regional culture, Calishite, Chondathan, Damaran, Illuskan, Mulan, Rashemi, Shou, and Turami. If you are playing a human, pick a regional culture that fits your backstory and pull from that list for consistency.
Halfling Names
Halfling names are simple, warm, and often end in soft sounds. They usually have a given name plus a family name. The family name is frequently a compound of two common words, describing a plant, an animal, or an everyday household object.
Open Fantasy Name Generator
How to Choose a Name That Fits Your Character
The mechanical parts of character creation take an afternoon. The name will follow you for the entire campaign and everyone at the table will say it hundreds of times. It is worth spending a few minutes on it.
Think about where your character grew up. A wood elf raised in isolation by a small community might carry a rare regional name. A high elf from a major city would have a more conventional, widely recognized name within elvish culture. A character who was adopted or spent time among humans might use a shortened, human-compatible nickname.
Avoid names that are too similar to other players at the table. Erik and Erika in the same party creates constant confusion. Also avoid names that are jokes or references. They start funny and become tiresome by session five.