The Joys of a Great Character Name [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Joys of a Great Character Name [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Osiris Memnoch
11-13-04, 02:31 AM Probably my favorite part of making a character's gackground is topping it off with a great name. Who could forget such classics as Tinkle Soggy-Bumm, Atticus 9-Finger, Myxlplyx Mudknuckle, and obviously Osiris Memnoch? Man, those are some good names.
Here's the problem. I just generated a Dwarven Undead Stalker. He's a good character but I can't for the life of me think of a good name for him. Maybe some of you guys have a good one, but if you don't feel free to share some of your favorite names, characters, and/or backgrounds.
His Majesty
11-13-04, 09:13 AM I've started a thread about name creation over in the Camapign Workshop that you might find useful.

How-To: Name Stuff

I really want to finish the work there, but tomorrow I'm flying to Ireland.. bah.
Osiris Memnoch
11-13-04, 01:27 PM Thanks for the tip YM. I'm not much for random names though. I prefer to invent a custom name that really fits the character. And that's only one part of this post. What I'd really like to see is some great names that people are already using and maybe an interesting story behind it.

DM-on the alter is a set of platinum chalises and a jeweled dagger. They look expensive so you could probably sell them for a lot.
PLAYERS-no way! Those could be cursed!
ME-what! That's obviously just some random treasure that we're supposed to sell.
PLAYERS-well we wouldn't recomend you taking them but we're not going to stop you.
ME- ok fine! I'll take all the treasure then. You guys sure showed me!

(note: the treasure was not cursed. I kept all the money for myself and baught a headband of intelligence for my level 2 gnome illusionist)
TheMightyMcClaw
11-14-04, 09:42 PM I personally have become a huge fan of the Professional Name, even when not playing in Chinese-style game. I once had a LG Halfling Necromancer (I randomly generated the character) named "Demon-Carving Undertaker" McKinty. Perhaps you could run something similar....

"The Ghost Eater"
"The Lesser Magistrate of Death"
"Hunter of the Damned"

And so forth....
Osiris Memnoch
11-15-04, 05:15 PM Those are some intimmidating names. I'm not such a big fan of "noun-verbing" for names though.
SpellMaster
11-15-04, 07:39 PM I love coming up with Elven names. They just flow so nicely.

Some examples:

Tanithilis Quil'Anthalasa (Tanith Quill, grey elven book worm wizard)
Em'Dari Sul'Roth'Eldar ("Life Keeper of the Elves", ancient elven cleric of healing)
Solanthulas (Sol, wood elven ranger)

and so forth.

It is also fun to come with names for big combat brutes. A half-ogre fighter of mine is named Gore, and a minotaur fighter was named, appropriately, Tor. Thinking about it now, I like the "or" sound for brutes.

And the name "Dante" has always been cool-sounding to me.

For your undead-stalker, some suggestions:

- Gilkanok Deadaxe
- Reorx Lightbringer
- Dilgram of the Dead Hunter clan
- Torkor Corpseslayer
- Xarkam Sunsword
- Miphosto Bonecrusher

I like dwarven names that use a standard, gruff-sounding dwarven name for the first name, then a deed, role, task, or clan name for the last name. I also stay away from starting these names with S, L, P, N, and V, just because they sound soft. There are of course many exceptions.
Light Dragon
11-15-04, 10:27 PM SpellMaster- you certainly seem to have the naming thing down pat.

The philosophy you approach Dwarven names with is exactly how I employ it... as is the one you use for brutes.

I however, take a different approach to Elven names, since I don't like making ungodly long names (Even though they do make elves sound more otherworldly) I prefer instead to focus on making names with a lot of "Ill's" and "Lill's" and incorporate trills into their names ;)

TheMightyMcClaw great ideas, but wouldn't those work better for NPCs than players... unless of course the player was very mysterious? ;)
Darthvegeta800
11-19-04, 04:20 PM Villains and dark heroes... (good guys on the side of evil/imperialists) are funnest.

Esteban Chaos
Maximillian Ronar
Vilar
Vile Escaflowne
Magnus Thane
Maximus
Sarissa
Ayame Taki
Shishio Shingen
Ragnar
Marcus
Kor'bayn
Vayden
Edymnion
11-19-04, 04:54 PM I love coming up with Elven names. They just flow so nicely.

Some examples:

Tanithilis Quil'Anthalasa (Tanith Quill, grey elven book worm wizard)
Em'Dari Sul'Roth'Eldar ("Life Keeper of the Elves", ancient elven cleric of healing)
Solanthulas (Sol, wood elven ranger)Don't know about your group, but around here anything that can't be easily pronounced almost instantly gets ditched by the group in favor of a nickname. Tanithilis would become Tani, Em'Dari would become Ed, Solanthulas would be Sol, and thats just if they didn't do something really stupid to earn them a less respectful nickname.
SpellMaster
11-19-04, 07:32 PM As you may have noticed in my post, Edymnion, I almost always take into account that the other party members will not be able to pronounce my name. So, I always try to make a name that has a simply short form. Tanith for Tanithilis, Sol for Solanthulas, and either Em or Dari for Em'Dari, although that last one is fairly simple on its own.

I find allowing the other players to make a nickname quite fun, and it helps flesh out my characters.
ILL34GL3
11-21-04, 03:57 PM Maybe these names will help you flesh out your character: Pwenis Frobber, Taintlock, or Bagina Stabbins.
heinzk23111
11-21-04, 06:10 PM Osiris,

I like the Name : Ollom Hammersong for your undead hunter.

I've always used the Hammersong surname for all my Dwarves. A little unimaginative maybe but easier for me. I just need a first name that way.
Callista
11-22-04, 05:25 PM Maybe these names will help you flesh out your character: Pwenis Frobber, Taintlock, or Bagina Stabbins.

Heh.
lostone
03-14-05, 09:32 AM Pwenis Frobber, Bagina Stabbins.Oh...I see bad nicknames with these in an immature group.

Edit: Bah...just realized how old this thread was, went looking for name ideas and didn't realize I had gone so far back. :D
Daefyre
03-16-05, 02:47 PM Osiris Memnoch,

When I think of a Dwarven Undead Stalker, I think Umbar Stoneskull. The first name being tough and masculine. The first part of the last name, Stone, being very Dwarven. Skull, kinda undead-ish. In fact, no, you can't use this name, I'm keeping it for myself. j/k :D

Edit: Bah...just realized how old this thread was, went looking for name ideas and didn't realize I had gone so far back. :D

DITTO

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Osiris Memnoch 11-13-04, 02:31 AM	Probably my favorite part of making a character's gackground is topping it off with a great name. Who could forget such classics as Tinkle Soggy-Bumm, Atticus 9-Finger, Myxlplyx Mudknuckle, and obviously Osiris Memnoch? Man, those are some good names. Here's the problem. I just generated a Dwarven Undead Stalker. He's a good character but I can't for the life of me think of a good name for him. Maybe some of you guys have a good one, but if you don't feel free to share some of your favorite names, characters, and/or backgrounds.
His Majesty 11-13-04, 09:13 AM	I've started a thread about name creation over in the Camapign Workshop that you might find useful. How-To: Name Stuff I really want to finish the work there, but tomorrow I'm flying to Ireland.. bah.
Osiris Memnoch 11-13-04, 01:27 PM	Thanks for the tip YM. I'm not much for random names though. I prefer to invent a custom name that really fits the character. And that's only one part of this post. What I'd really like to see is some great names that people are already using and maybe an interesting story behind it. DM-on the alter is a set of platinum chalises and a jeweled dagger. They look expensive so you could probably sell them for a lot. PLAYERS-no way! Those could be cursed! ME-what! That's obviously just some random treasure that we're supposed to sell. PLAYERS-well we wouldn't recomend you taking them but we're not going to stop you. ME- ok fine! I'll take all the treasure then. You guys sure showed me! (note: the treasure was not cursed. I kept all the money for myself and baught a headband of intelligence for my level 2 gnome illusionist)
TheMightyMcClaw 11-14-04, 09:42 PM	I personally have become a huge fan of the Professional Name, even when not playing in Chinese-style game. I once had a LG Halfling Necromancer (I randomly generated the character) named "Demon-Carving Undertaker" McKinty. Perhaps you could run something similar.... "The Ghost Eater" "The Lesser Magistrate of Death" "Hunter of the Damned" And so forth....
Osiris Memnoch 11-15-04, 05:15 PM	Those are some intimmidating names. I'm not such a big fan of "noun-verbing" for names though.
SpellMaster 11-15-04, 07:39 PM	I love coming up with Elven names. They just flow so nicely. Some examples: Tanithilis Quil'Anthalasa (Tanith Quill, grey elven book worm wizard) Em'Dari Sul'Roth'Eldar ("Life Keeper of the Elves", ancient elven cleric of healing) Solanthulas (Sol, wood elven ranger) and so forth. It is also fun to come with names for big combat brutes. A half-ogre fighter of mine is named Gore, and a minotaur fighter was named, appropriately, Tor. Thinking about it now, I like the "or" sound for brutes. And the name "Dante" has always been cool-sounding to me. For your undead-stalker, some suggestions: - Gilkanok Deadaxe - Reorx Lightbringer - Dilgram of the Dead Hunter clan - Torkor Corpseslayer - Xarkam Sunsword - Miphosto Bonecrusher I like dwarven names that use a standard, gruff-sounding dwarven name for the first name, then a deed, role, task, or clan name for the last name. I also stay away from starting these names with S, L, P, N, and V, just because they sound soft. There are of course many exceptions.
Light Dragon 11-15-04, 10:27 PM	SpellMaster- you certainly seem to have the naming thing down pat. The philosophy you approach Dwarven names with is exactly how I employ it... as is the one you use for brutes. I however, take a different approach to Elven names, since I don't like making ungodly long names (Even though they do make elves sound more otherworldly) I prefer instead to focus on making names with a lot of "Ill's" and "Lill's" and incorporate trills into their names ;) TheMightyMcClaw great ideas, but wouldn't those work better for NPCs than players... unless of course the player was very mysterious? ;)
Darthvegeta800 11-19-04, 04:20 PM	Villains and dark heroes... (good guys on the side of evil/imperialists) are funnest. Esteban Chaos Maximillian Ronar Vilar Vile Escaflowne Magnus Thane Maximus Sarissa Ayame Taki Shishio Shingen Ragnar Marcus Kor'bayn Vayden
Edymnion 11-19-04, 04:54 PM	I love coming up with Elven names. They just flow so nicely. Some examples: Tanithilis Quil'Anthalasa (Tanith Quill, grey elven book worm wizard) Em'Dari Sul'Roth'Eldar ("Life Keeper of the Elves", ancient elven cleric of healing) Solanthulas (Sol, wood elven ranger)Don't know about your group, but around here anything that can't be easily pronounced almost instantly gets ditched by the group in favor of a nickname. Tanithilis would become Tani, Em'Dari would become Ed, Solanthulas would be Sol, and thats just if they didn't do something really stupid to earn them a less respectful nickname.
SpellMaster 11-19-04, 07:32 PM	As you may have noticed in my post, Edymnion, I almost always take into account that the other party members will not be able to pronounce my name. So, I always try to make a name that has a simply short form. Tanith for Tanithilis, Sol for Solanthulas, and either Em or Dari for Em'Dari, although that last one is fairly simple on its own. I find allowing the other players to make a nickname quite fun, and it helps flesh out my characters.
ILL34GL3 11-21-04, 03:57 PM	Maybe these names will help you flesh out your character: Pwenis Frobber, Taintlock, or Bagina Stabbins.
heinzk23111 11-21-04, 06:10 PM	Osiris, I like the Name : Ollom Hammersong for your undead hunter. I've always used the Hammersong surname for all my Dwarves. A little unimaginative maybe but easier for me. I just need a first name that way.
Callista 11-22-04, 05:25 PM	Maybe these names will help you flesh out your character: Pwenis Frobber, Taintlock, or Bagina Stabbins. Heh.
lostone 03-14-05, 09:32 AM	Pwenis Frobber, Bagina Stabbins.Oh...I see bad nicknames with these in an immature group. Edit: Bah...just realized how old this thread was, went looking for name ideas and didn't realize I had gone so far back. :D
Daefyre 03-16-05, 02:47 PM	Osiris Memnoch, When I think of a Dwarven Undead Stalker, I think Umbar Stoneskull. The first name being tough and masculine. The first part of the last name, Stone, being very Dwarven. Skull, kinda undead-ish. In fact, no, you can't use this name, I'm keeping it for myself. j/k :D Edit: Bah...just realized how old this thread was, went looking for name ideas and didn't realize I had gone so far back. :D DITTO