Human Names in the Styles of Fantasy Authors

Like many gamers, I like to give particular realms and regions their own distinctive flavors – and distinctive names are an important part of this.  Different areas of the world ought to have their own sets of naming practices.

The usual way to do this is quickly is to use real-world analogues: you have the pseudo-Celts with their pseudo-Celtic names over here; the pseudo-Romans with their pseudo-Latinate names over there, and so on.  This can be ok – and I’ve certainly included some real-world names here – but it’s not really the method I prefer.

My preferred solution is to crib from the work of talented people who have already given a lot of thought to the problem of coming up with decent-sounding fantasy names: fantasy authors.  So I tend to have this kingdom sound kind of Tolkienesque, whereas that one sounds a bit Ursula Le Guin, and that one over there sounds a bit Stephen Donaldson, or George R.R. Martin, or whatever.

So I’ve included tables for that here.  I hope you get some use out of them!  You’ll find the following tables:

• First Names – J.R.R. Tolkienesque
•  First Names – Ursula Le Guinesque
• First Names – Stephen Donaldsonesque
• First Names – Robert E. Howardesque
• First Names – Robert E. Howardesque (Continued)
• First Names – George R.R. Martinesque

First Names – J.R.R. Tolkienesque

Roll 1d, 1d.   (Need a die roller?)   You can choose any name in the indicated row. These are mostly taken from Quenya. Female Names Male Names 1-3 1 Alma Malina Arton Logon 1-3 2 Anna Mariel Astar Mélo 1-3 3 Áriel Melisse Athëo Mindon 1-3 4 Calen Meren Baron Miro 1-3 5 Candis Merilin Beren Órion 1-3 6 Cellin Míriel Callon Poldo 4-6 1 Elen Nessa Cevon Ríon 4-6 2 Estel Pia Dorion Romon 4-6 3 Haleth Rína Fion Russo 4-6 4 Helin Tára Gîl Teren 4-6 5 Lia Vanesse Iston Varand 4-6 6 Linda Wista Lëo Wëo/Vëo

 First Names – Ursula Le Guinesque

Roll 1d, 1d.   (Need a die roller?)   You can choose any name in the indicated row. These are all from the Earthsea books: they are a mix of “true names” and “use-names.” 1-2 1 Aihal Elfarran Hatha Losen Rose Akbe Alder 1-2 2 Akaren Elt Heather Maharion Rowan Embar Apple 1-2 3 Anieb Emer Heleth Manan Seppel Irian Arha 1-2 4 Ard Ennas Highdrake Mebbeth Serrathen Lily Arren 1-2 5 Ath Erisen Hound Mead Serret Moss Aspen 1-2 6 Ayeth Erreth Ioeth Medra Serriadh Ogion Diamond 3-4 1 Ayo Essiri Irian Mevre Seserakh Otak Dragonfly 3-4 2 Azver Estarriol Irioth Morred Skiorh Otter Dulse 3-4 3 Beech Etaudis Ivory Murre Spark Rose Duny 3-4 4 Benderesk Flint Ivy Nemmerle Sopli Silence Early 3-4 5 Yevaud Gamble Jasper Nereger Tangle Sunbright Ember 3-4 6 Brand Tuly Kalessin Nesty Tehanu Kelub Flag 5-6 1 Cob Gensher Kest Onyx Tenar Tern Gelluk 5-6 2 Crow Golden Kossil Orm Teriel Therru Gift 5-6 3 Deyala Hara Lark Pechvarry Thar Veil Goha 5-6 4 Duby Hare Lebannen Penthe Thol Vetch Gully 5-6 5 Dune Hayohe Licky Uahto Thorion Yarrow Sparrow 5-6 6 Elehal Hemlock Littleash Yahan Tinaral Hawk

First Names – Stephen Donaldsonesque

Roll 1d, 1d.  (Need a die roller?)   You can choose any name in the indicated row. These are (fairly loosely) extrapolated from the Haruchai names in the Thomas Covenant series. All are gender neutral. 1-3 1 Ban, Bannor, Bannin, Bannik 1-3 2 Tuv, Tuvor, Tuvin, Tuvik 1-3 3 Mor, Morin, Movin, Morik 1-3 4 Val, Vale, Valin, Vailk 1-3 5 Shull, Shullor, Shullin, Shullik 1-3 6 Sill, Cillor, Gullanin, Sillik 4-6 1 Por, Porib, Pannor, Porik 4-6 2 Rin, Rinnor, Runnik, Rinnik 4-6 3 Kor, Korib, Konnin, Korik 4-6 4 Tare, Terrel, Terrin, Terrik 4-6 5 Parl, Parylo, Parvlin, Parvlik 4-6 6 Net, Netio, Netilin, Netilik

First Names – Robert E. Howardesque

Roll 1d, 1d.  (Need a die roller?)   You can choose any name in the indicated row. These are almost all male names, of course – when you sort through Howard’s books, it’s no surprise to find that male characters vastly, vastly outnumber female characters – even more than in similar works by other authors.  I’m hardly the first to remark that Howard has almost no genuine interest in the lives of women.  I mention this just in passing. Keshan, etc (African Flavor)   Turan, etc (Turkish or Middle Eastern Flavor)     Zingara (Spanish Flavor)   Shem Assyrian Flavor)   Nordheim (Nordic Flavor) 1-2 1 Lumbeba Yar Afzal Jamal Avvinti Sancha Afrit Bragi 1-2 2 Mbega Ashraf Jelal Carico Sandokazi Aramas Heimdul 1-2 3 Mkwana Babur Khalid Chabela Santiddio Bêlit Gorm 1-2 4 Nenaunir Nader Mulai Cratos Shevatas Dathan Niord 1-2 5 Aja, Yela Tahmasp Munthassen Destandasi Valbroso Eblis Ymir 1-2 6 Ajonga Balash Murad Ferdrugo Valenso Ebunezeb Horsa 3-4 1 Bajujh Hakhmanni Shapur Galbro Valerio Elohar Wulfhere 3-4 2 Bombaata Kobad Tavik Gebellez Vancho Enosh Hialmar 3-4 3 Bwatu Nanaia Tureg Godrigo Velio Gilzan Kamoinen 3-4 4 Gobir Sassa Vardan Gonzalvio Zapayo Gomer Vammatar 3-4 5 Juma Abdul Yezdigerd Julio Zaporavo Isaiab Njal 3-4 6 Laranga Aram Baksh Yildiz Kapellez Zarallo Mena Rann 5-6 1 Saidu Atalis Zosar Korst Zarono Nahor Sigurd 5-6 2 Sakumbe Bakra Marco Zingel Nitokar Wulfhere 5-6 3 Yasala Banaric Mordermi Uriaz Atali 5-6 4 Bakumbe Ghurran Murzio Yin Allal Ilga 5-6 5 Gorluga Hamar Kur Rimanendo Zebah 5-6 6 Owarunga Hormaz Rinnova Zil

First Names – Robert E. Howardesque (Continued)

Roll 1d, 1d.  (Need a die roller?)   You can choose any name in the indicated row. Cimmerian (Celtic Flavor) Aquilonian (Classical Flavor) Stygian (Egyptian Flavor) Female Male Female Male Female Male 1-2 1 Aideen Ailis Comala Adair Aonghus Ahern Amargain Adamina Aegina Alcimede Alida Abantiades Acastus Amalric Acrisioniades Akila Amunet Astarte Abasi Abubakar Agymah Ak 1-2 2 Becuma Artis Binne Boann Brogan Barram Bearach Bran Angerona Dacia Arianne Bolbe Aegides Alcaeus Alcides Alerio Amulius Aziza Bahiti Bastet Amenoteph Amon An-Her Anok 1-2 3 Casideh Alma Ernine Cahan Calbhach Chullain Aodh Bithynia Balbina Epione Horacia Andrion Anguis Arpello Arctos Atabulus Araris Dendera Dalila Echidna Apophis Asim Badru Atemu 1-2 4 Dairine Dealla Cliona Connacht Cael Cormac Cruaidh Catena Albiona Cardea Aracelia Attalus Attelius Aufidus Calleo Baraccus Barras Eshe Kephira Chione Bakari Baruti Behdeti 1-2 5 Earlene Elva Eavan Eilis Daigh Dearg Doon Domnall Damiana Emera Donelle Devota Carneades Codrus Belus Ballas Cepheus Hafsha Heqet Hatshepsut Chigaru Chuma Cris 1-2 6 Fallon Flidais Fenella Fialla Eachan Eithriall Eamha Eremon Deidameia Ilia Echidna Elvera Cladian Damon Glacus Dardanus Decualion Kakra Kanika Kesi Meht-Urt Fadil Heru Hak Fenukuh Hanif 3-4 1 Gormlaith Grania Culann Fionn Curaidh Fechine Euandra Felice Fluonia Calliope Drago Achaeus Edric Dexitheus Dion Eligius Mafuane Mandisa Horemheb Ini-Herit Issa Khaza 3-4 2 Kacey Keavy Kevyn Gaer Giall Bain Gillean Donal Iphinome Gryne Galatea Glauce Fabron Balendin Fulk Favonius Gonzalvio Meshkenet Monifa Karanthes Khafra Khaldun 3-4 3 Liadan Neala Luiseach Imar Iuchar Dubaltach Kern Hecuba Inige Leta Herophile Hilarion Gratian Iphis Horatius Ilus Inachus Nefertari Nabirye Nuru Kutamun Menes Mes Mun 3-4 4 Mab Maeve Moninne Keallach Keelan Kennet Kenyon Kalare Larunda Lelia Leis Ilius Kester Kostas Krelis Lares Laudalino Nailah Nekhbet Naheemah Naeem Narmer 3-4 5 Naomh Niamh Nessa Lorcan Murchad Lochlainn Lunn Levana Kornele Lamia Lorelle Leonidos Lorimer Epeus Mezentius Olufemi Rabiah Omorose Onuris Osahar 3-4 6 Rionach Ryann Rylee Malachy Manus Marcan Mellan Malvina Marina Matuta Messina Modestus Nereus Emilius Mercer Valerius Rashida Rehema Sabah Rakllamon Ramsa Re 5-6 1 Saorla Saraid Shanley Sile Morann Tormey Nechtan Eion Nelia Noleta Nydia Phaedra Numedides Nolio Octavian Orastes Liber Sagira Sakhmet Sanura Sebak Serapis 5-6 2 Taillte Tarra Trevina Patraic Phelan Ronan Conaldar Pallantia Panya Pasithea Nautia Parnassus Sura Metabus Periphetes Rigello Shani Sharifa Setankmek Siptah 5-6 3 Tuiren Creidne Nemghan Ruarc Ragallach Regan Rosabel Rhea Pellonia Renita Thespius Rinaldo Rufio Soractus Tahirah Tauret Teferi Thoth 5-6 4 Shonda Nola Siobhan Scanlon Sualtam Sithchean Sloan Salacia Salvia Secuba Suada Thorus Tiberias Tiberio Trocero Guilaime Thema Thermuthis Thugra Tuthamon 5-6 5 Muireann Murine Tarlach Riddoc Tiarnahn Rafer Virilis Timandra Tethys Vigilia Valannus Marinos Victorin Tulio Subira Muminah Thutothmes Chibale 5-6 6 Briana Brid Sorcha Cul Conchobar Conleth Tuathal Zelata Valeria Verna Tryphene Zetus Zorian Pallantides Vilerus Volmana Zahra Zalika Thutmekri Ctesphon

First Names – George R.R. Martinesque

Roll 1d, 1d.  (Need a die roller?)   You can choose any name in the indicated row. These are from A Song of Ice and Fire.  All are from Westeros. Female Names 1-3 1 Arwaya Cynthea Jocelyn Marna Perra 2 Anya Donyse Kristyne Morya Rosamund 3 Alysanne Dolyse Lorra Marya Rowenna 4 Alla Dasina Lanna Minisa Randa 5 Arla Dyanna Lynora Mariya Sabitha 6 Annara Eleyna Leonella Mirria Shyra 4-6 1 Aemma Faye Layna Monica Tanelle 2 Aerona Jocey Lythene Megga Teora 3 Annette Jorelle Lyra Megette Tessa 4 Brella Joanna Malora Melina 5 Catelyn Josmyn Meera Maerie 6 Ceryse Jenelyn Marla Melesa Male Names 1 1 Aegon Borros Drennan Glendon Jafer Mawney Robar Tobbot Waldom 2 Aeron Bonifer Durran Gawen Jaxar Malcolm Robert Torrhen Waldon 3 Alren Benedar Durwon Gwayne Jasper Medger Robin Tyrek Wendell 4 Ashter Bryan Donnel Gunthor Jerren Mychel Roger Tywell Wyman 5 Arneld Bryen Dywen Guyard Kevan Melwyn Roland Tyrion Wilbert 6 Ardrian Brenyn Dunstan Grance Karlon Martyn Rolder Triston Willam 2 1 Asfred Barton Damion Griffin Kemmett Maynard Rolland Tregar Wimark 2 Alliser Cregard Davon Gilwyn Lucion Nestor Rolph Trevyr Warron 3 Armond Coren Errold Gregor Lorren Norwin Rolphar Trovar Walderen 4 Alkwin Cayden Edwell Gareth Lorent Norbert Romny Tywin Wolmer 5 Andron Cregard Emmond Gerold Lothar Orson Ronard Tygett Walder 6 Amory Cedric Evlys Gerion Lorean Otter Ronnel Torrek Willum 3 1 Adrian Casper Elyas Gylbert Lymond Ossyn Ronnet Tyland Xander 2 Addam Cleos Elmar Garryl Luwion Ottyn Rooney Tymond Yorbert 3 Allun Cleoden Emmon Harrion Lewis Orton Roril Tywald Yohn 4 Allus Creighton Ellery Harkon Larence Ossifer Ruger Tybold 5 Arrec Colliss Ebbert Harker Lomys Olymer Runcel Tybon 6 Allard Cerion Eduard Herros Lyman Othell Rycherd Terrence 4 1 Aston Caspor Ellys Hewel Lendon Ormond Ryger Theomar 2 Arstan Clarent Eyan Heward Laswell Olyvar Rymol Thoren 3 Albar Cadwyn Erich Hubard Lomas Osney Sybell Theon 4 Arwen Dirron Eldon Howlan Lester Oswell Samnus Theos 5 Arron Dickon Endrew Hendry Lancel Percen Symond Umfred 6 Amarey Dillan Eustace Humfrey Lewys Petyr Stafford Uthor 5 1 Aubrey Dorren Eddison Hyle Lambert Podrick Sandor Urron 2 Addison Denlen Edmund Hosman Loreth Preston Samwell Vardis 3 Branton Dorron Esson Hoster Merrett Quenten Sewane Vickon 4 Bayard Denys Ethan Holman Matthar Rafford Steffon Veron 5 Benfred Dennett Eyron Hollis Matthos Ramsay Selmond Vayon 6 Brandon Danwell Ellard Harry Marston Ramson Saffron Vyman 6 1 Branston Davos Eggon Harwyn Mallow Randyll Trentan Willem 2 Baramy Denys Forley Harrold Merlon Raymar Tommen Wyllis 3 Boyce Dennis Frenlyn Harren Manfryd Raymund Torwon Waltyr 4 Bertin Damon Fergon Ilyn Myrion Raynald Todric Weslar 5 Balian Derris Frederick Joshua Maudon Regenard Torwyn Walton 6 Bollo Denner Flement Jon Margot Reynard Tytos Wendel