Current Events > making a new DnD character: names are the hardest part

(+) Yeah! (+)

i'm gonna make an Elf Rogue
i was considering calling him something like Safiir (pronounced as the gem Sapphire)
but i'm open to suggestions

Elf names, I think, should be naturey.

Or you could just go and find some foreign city and fantasy it up.

Just use a random brand drug name.

Seroquel
Tysabri
Daraprim

I just use one of the d&d race name generators and mash the refresh button until I come across something I like.

Philip

Tyranthraxus posted...

Just use a random brand drug name.

Seroquel
Tysabri
Daraprim

This works really well lol

Acova
Betagan
Cerdelga

YugiNoob posted...

This works really well lol

Acova
Betagan
Cerdelga

Especially if you go poison usage.

Hydrochlorothiazide

Pofiglio Drinkwater

Tyranthraxus posted...

Just use a random brand drug name.

Seroquel
Tysabri
Daraprim

Have a high charisma character named Skyrizi

Kim_Seong-a posted...

Pofiglio Drinkwater

Deer Park Spring Water

Thale Greenmoor

mystic_belmont posted...

Elf names, I think, should be naturey.

i guess that's a good point, though he is a city boy first and foremost

let's look at some old Irish Celtic
Greagoir or Gragir(probably pronounced Gregor)
Stiofan
Branainn

mystic_belmont posted...

Especially if you go poison usage.

is there some poison reference i'm missing here?

ThunderTrain posted...

Have a high charisma character named Skyrizi

Do you have the Skyrizi song as their theme. Because it's sometimes a bop.

this is for a game of Descent into Avernus

okay, so i named him Gragir, he's a High Elf Rogue
like middle aged (for an Elf)

i decided he's gonna have a family. a wife and let's say two kids, who he has previously sent away to the completely safe city of Elturel, cause his Rogue activities made Baldurs Gate unsafe for them

I am bad at names too.

Last character I named was Gintsuchi.

It was named after another character I made in the past.

Which was named because I thought it meant "silver hammer" in Japanese.

...that said, don't be afraid to use a naming style like "looks at the sky" as a name. We are all used to using names based on 1000 year old languages from ancient European influences these days, but this was not just a thing to be stereotypically associated with native Americans. ALL our names used to be like that.

Also, the USA has a remarkable number of towns and such that seem to be named after random stuff that happened to be in line of sight at the time. Like, say, "Little Rock." But then, maybe the same thing is true elsewhere too. I mean, I don't know what/where the heck random french town names came from.

So if all else fails, you could find whatever "knife ears" translates to in some random language and just use that.

Edit: Incidentally, in esperanto its

Tranilo Orelo
So, um, I suggest that!

Edit 2: If you choose this name, you are now required to bribe the DM to play spanish guitar music when your character is introduced and maybe also whenever they are doing something important.

These are the only reference sources you will need in the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFHlJ2voJHY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oymWAeqv_-c

Sephiroth_C_Ryu posted...

I am bad at names too.

Has someone actually told you this?

Poop McDinglefart

https://youtu.be/SjfxMaMpID0

all these names suck, just pick something that's easy to say.

Gillan or w/e sounds like an elf. Easy to say. Once you start needing pronunciation guides u done fucked up.

Robot2600 posted...

Gillan or w/e sounds like an elf.

i might use that for one of his kids

Elftonio

Lazuriel

Side note: my username is the name of my first ever DnD character from back in high school.

okay, i got his backstory ready. just for fun, i'm gonna post it here
he's just under middle age (for an elf)

Gragir grew up in and around Baldurs Gate, living a fairly normal life. Normal enough to get a wife (Safiir, pronounced Sapphire) and two sons (Gillian, 15) and (Stiofn 18)
possibly divorced depending on what makes more sense/ what's more interesting

At one point a few years ago when he desperately needed money, he fell into the Thieves Guild/Pirate Group/ whatever illegal group makes sense for the game. i would like it to be some group that has some connection to the further main plot, so DM, do as you see fit, please let me know what you come up with.

it started as just running messages, then moving illicit items, lookout, to eventually grow into taking part in scams, burglary and pickpocketing.
he tried his best to never hurt anyone physically, but he wasn't always succesful.

shortly before the campaign start, due to a job gone wrong, he began thinking of ways out of at least the worst of the criminal life, but as a wise man once said: Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in.
at DMs discretion, possibly he was arrested by the Fist and ordered to help take down this group, depending on what the main plot needs.

worried that this started to be an unsafe environment. he sent his family to the realtive safety of Elturel.

This is why I literally have named D&D characters Jack and Johnny. Fuck coming up with names.

This is why I named my Dragonborn Sorcerer in BG3 "Dovahkin". No regrets.

Blue_Dream87 posted...

This is why I literally have named D&D characters Jack and Johnny. Fuck coming up with names.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/1/1b89f42a.jpg

Blue_Dream87 posted...

This is why I literally have named D&D characters Jack and Johnny. Fuck coming up with names.

sure, i've done that too
my Sorcerer is just named Sebastian. i think that one came from a similar topic i made at the time

If you want an Irish dude with a relatively simple name go with Oisin.

Pronounced "UH-sheen."

Or Fearghal, which is Fergal with fancy pants on.

"Safiir" is a great choice! It has an elegant sound and fits well with the theme of an Elf Rogue. If you're open to other suggestions, here are a few more:

1. Thalasien: A name that sounds mysterious and elven, evoking the sea and the forest.
2. Aelar: This name has a sharp, stealthy sound to it, perfect for a Rogue character.
3. Lorandil: Combining "Lorien" (a nod to the enchanted forest in Tolkien's works) with "dil" (meaning "leaf" in Elvish), this name has a natural and adventurous feel.
4. Aldaron: A name that sounds ancient and wise, fitting for an Elf character who navigates the shadows with skill and cunning.
5. Erevan: A name inspired by the elven god of mischief in Dungeons & Dragons lore, suitable for a Rogue character known for their trickery and agility.
6. Nimue: This name carries an air of mystery and magic, making it an intriguing choice for an Elf Rogue character who may have a hidden past or arcane talents.
7. Faelar: Combining "fae" (referring to faeries or magical creatures) with "lar" (suggesting agility and grace), this name reflects the character's elven heritage and rogue-like abilities.
8. Riardon: A name that sounds both noble and roguish, hinting at a character with a complex background and a knack for deception.

Feel free to mix and match or modify these suggestions to suit your vision for your Elf Rogue character!

DrizztLink posted...

If you want an Irish dude with a relatively simple name go with Oisin.

Pronounced "UH-sheen."

You know, i like that. I'm gonna take that for his father or brother, whichever comes up first

SilvosForever posted...

Faelar: Combining "fae" (referring to faeries or magical creatures)

And there we have his mother

Don't know if they will ever be relevant, but there they are

Some people like to take a comventional name and spin it to make it more fabtastic. I like to unfantasy names by changing them to be somewhat similar but conventional.

Legolas and Gimli? Lars and Greg.

Boromir and Aragorn? Bob and Arthur

Gandalf and Bilbo? Gary and Bill. Easy.

Pippin and Merry are Paul and Mark.

Frodo and Samwise? Frank and .... Sam.

Imagine. The Wizard Gary comes to tell Frank that the magic ring his grandfather Bill found is trouble so he goes on a quest with his friends Paul, Mark and Sam and they end up in a fellowship with Lar, Greg, Bob and Arthur.

Classic fantasy.

ROBANN_88 posted...

You know, i like that. I'm gonna take that for his father or brother, whichever comes up first

No wait, what the fuck am i thinking
I know i wanna play around with disguises and fake names.
Oisin is gonna be the main go-to alter ego. That's much better

Sephiroth_C_Ryu posted...

Also, the USA has a remarkable number of towns and such that seem to be named after random stuff that happened to be in line of sight at the time. Like, say, "Little Rock." But then, maybe the same thing is true elsewhere too. I mean, I don't know what/where the heck random french town names came from.

My favorite is literally naming a place yellow, but in Spanish. I probably should look up why it's called Amarillo.

ROBANN_88 posted...

No wait, what the fuck am i thinking
I know i wanna play around with disguises and fake names.
Oisin is gonna be the main go-to alter ego. That's much better

"Hey, uh, Gragir, what's up with all these wanted posters that say 'HAVE YOU SEEN OISIN?" with your face on them?"

"...I can confirm that I have not seen Oisin."