Help: Names [Archive] - Wizards Community

Help: Names [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ultima0071
08-15-07, 02:40 PM So, I'm a fairly new DM. Iv'e been playing DnD for a year now; just on the other side. So, as I am making my capaign, I can't think of any names!

Humans and Elves are the dominant race.
Darth Syntax
08-15-07, 03:18 PM Names can be tricky things, but thankfully not impossible to devise. If your setting is a rather traditional affair, then having a look at something like The Ever-Changing Book of Names (http://ebon.pyorre.net/) might be a good idea. If, however, your setting is a bit more unconventional, you might have a more difficult time finding names that meet your needs.

One thing I have found useful is to loosely define what sort of sounds (and combination of sounds) I want a particular culture to make use of. For example, the Jaur (an elven ethnic group which plays an important role in the setting I am working on) have a distinct sound to their language and names. They favor rather large consonant clusters, nasalized vowels, and sounds that might seem either very odd or "harsh" when compared to the standard elf name.

Examples:

Ejan Odga Gethshya
Bargja Goln Hagirje
Uli Margú Sulg
Vraijan Nvlarto Nlö
Tlöhlen Clegarú Sclahl
Amurmur_In_The_Shadows
08-15-07, 09:58 PM Behind the Name (http://www.behindthename.com/)which has names from various cultures, regions, and time periods as well as their meanings. This allows you to keep names more or less consistent sounding like Darth Syntax suggested, but for people who are either lazy or very bad with names.
Either way make sure the name is pronounceable before you get to the table.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ultima0071 08-15-07, 02:40 PM	So, I'm a fairly new DM. Iv'e been playing DnD for a year now; just on the other side. So, as I am making my capaign, I can't think of any names! Humans and Elves are the dominant race.
Darth Syntax 08-15-07, 03:18 PM	Names can be tricky things, but thankfully not impossible to devise. If your setting is a rather traditional affair, then having a look at something like The Ever-Changing Book of Names (http://ebon.pyorre.net/) might be a good idea. If, however, your setting is a bit more unconventional, you might have a more difficult time finding names that meet your needs. One thing I have found useful is to loosely define what sort of sounds (and combination of sounds) I want a particular culture to make use of. For example, the Jaur (an elven ethnic group which plays an important role in the setting I am working on) have a distinct sound to their language and names. They favor rather large consonant clusters, nasalized vowels, and sounds that might seem either very odd or "harsh" when compared to the standard elf name. Examples: Ejan Odga Gethshya Bargja Goln Hagirje Uli Margú Sulg Vraijan Nvlarto Nlö Tlöhlen Clegarú Sclahl
Amurmur_In_The_Shadows 08-15-07, 09:58 PM	Behind the Name (http://www.behindthename.com/)which has names from various cultures, regions, and time periods as well as their meanings. This allows you to keep names more or less consistent sounding like Darth Syntax suggested, but for people who are either lazy or very bad with names. Either way make sure the name is pronounceable before you get to the table.