How to Name Your D&D Character: A Complete Guide

You've rolled your stats, chosen your class, and written a compelling backstory. Now comes one of the most important decisions: what do you name your character?

A great name does more than identify your character—it sets expectations, hints at their personality, and helps other players remember them. A poorly chosen name can break immersion or make your character forgettable.

This guide will help you create names that resonate with your character's identity and stick in everyone's memory.

Why Character Names Matter

Names are the first thing other players learn about your character. Before they see your character in action, they hear the name. Research in psychology shows that names carry strong associations:

• Harsh sounds (K, G, hard R) feel aggressive or strong
• Soft sounds (L, S, flowing vowels) feel gentle or elegant
• Short names feel punchy and direct
• Long names feel formal or important

Consider the difference between "Krag" and "Aelindria"—you immediately form different mental images, even without any other information.

Matching Names to Race

Each fantasy race has distinct naming conventions that have evolved across decades of fantasy literature and gaming. Using race-appropriate names helps your character feel authentic.

Elves

Elven names typically feature flowing sounds, multiple syllables, and vowel combinations. They often sound melodic when spoken aloud.

→ Generate Elf Names

Dwarves

Dwarven names use hard consonants, shorter syllables, and often end in strong sounds. They feel solid and grounded, like stone.

→ Generate Dwarf Names

Humans

Human names have the most flexibility. Consider your character's cultural background within the game world—a noble from a medieval-inspired kingdom will have different naming conventions than a merchant from a desert realm.

→ Generate Human Names

Class Considerations

While race typically drives naming conventions, class can influence the type of name within those conventions:

• Fighters and Barbarians — Short, strong names that are easy to shout in battle
• Wizards and Sorcerers — Longer, more mysterious names that sound arcane
• Rogues — Names that could be aliases, or deliberately common names to avoid attention
• Clerics and Paladins — Names with religious significance or virtue names

"A name should be a poem in miniature, telling the story of who your character is in just a few syllables."

Connecting Name to Backstory

The most memorable character names connect to their story. Consider:

• Were they named by their parents? The name might reflect parental hopes or family traditions
• Did they choose their own name? It might represent who they want to be
• Is it a title or epithet earned through deeds? "Dragonbane" tells a story
• Are they hiding their true identity? An alias can be intentionally plain

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Unpronounceable Names
If your DM and fellow players can't say your name, they'll avoid using it. "Xzyrthk'lax" might look cool, but "Zira" will actually get used at the table.

2. Joke Names
"Stabby McStabface" is funny for one session. By session ten, you'll wish you'd chosen something else. Save the jokes for one-shots.

3. Famous Character Names
Naming your elf "Legolas" or your wizard "Gandalf" invites constant comparisons. Create your own legend instead.

4. Names That Don't Fit the Setting
A high elf named "Bob" breaks immersion (unless that's intentionally part of their story).

Quick Tips for Great Names

• Say it out loud — If it's awkward to say, change it
• Consider nicknames — Long names often get shortened at the table
• Check for unintended meanings — Google your name to avoid embarrassment
• Have a backup — Generate a few options before committing
• Use a name generator — Tools like MythicNames can spark inspiration