The Complete Guide to D&D 5e Racial Names

The Player's Handbook gives example names for every major race in D&D 5e. The lists are the canonical reference for what each race "sounds like" — naming conventions designed by the rules team to be distinct enough that you can tell which race a character belongs to from the name alone.

This guide compiles all the canonical examples, explains the linguistic register each draws from, and points to the generators on this site that produce names in each register. Use it as a one-page reference for character creation.

Humans

D&D humans don't have one naming convention — they have many, organized by cultural ethnicity within the setting. The Player's Handbook gives nine ethnic groups, each with distinct names:

Calishite (Arabic-influenced):

Male: Aseir, Bardeid, Haseid, Khemed, Mehmen, Sudeiman, Zasheir
Female: Atala, Ceidil, Hama, Jasmal, Meilil, Seipora, Yasheira
Surnames: Basha, Dumein, Jassan, Khalid, Mostana

Chondathan (English/Anglo-Saxon-influenced):

Male: Darvin, Dorn, Evendur, Gorstag, Grim, Helm, Malark, Morn, Randal, Stedd
Female: Arveene, Esvele, Jhessail, Kerri, Lureene, Miri, Rowan, Shandri, Tessele
Surnames: Amblecrown, Buckman, Dundragon, Evenwood, Greycastle, Tallstag

Damaran (Eastern European/Slavic):

Male: Bor, Fodel, Glar, Grigor, Igan, Ivor, Kosef, Mival, Orel, Pavel, Sergor
Female: Alethra, Kara, Katernin, Mara, Natali, Olma, Tana, Zora
Surnames: Bersk, Chernin, Dotsk, Kulenov, Marsk, Nemetsk

Illuskan (Norse-influenced):

Male: Ander, Blath, Bran, Frath, Geth, Lander, Luth, Malcer, Stor, Taman, Urth
Female: Amafrey, Betha, Cefrey, Kethra, Mara, Olga, Silifrey, Westra
Surnames: Brightwood, Helder, Hornraven, Lackman, Stormwind, Windrivver

For an Illuskan character, use the Viking name generator — the corpus overlaps significantly.

Mulan (Egyptian-influenced):

Male: Aoth, Bareris, Ehput-Ki, Kethoth, Mumed, Ramas, So-Kehur, Thazar-De
Female: Arizima, Chathi, Nephis, Nulara, Murithi, Sefris, Thola, Umara, Zolis
Surnames: Ankhalab, Anskuld, Fezim, Hahpet, Nathandem, Sepret

Rashemi (Russian/Central Asian-influenced):

Male: Borivik, Faurgar, Jandar, Kanithar, Madislak, Ralmevik, Shaumar, Vladislak
Female: Fyevarra, Hulmarra, Immith, Imzel, Navarra, Shevarra, Tammith, Yuldra
Surnames: Chergoba, Dyernina, Iltazyara, Murnyethara, Stayanoga, Ulmokina

Shou (Chinese-influenced):

Male: An, Chen, Chi, Fai, Jiang, Jun, Lian, Long, Meng, On, Shan, Shui, Wen
Female: Bai, Chao, Jia, Lei, Mei, Qiao, Shui, Tai
Surnames (used before given name): Chien, Huang, Kao, Kung, Lao, Ling, Mei, Pin, Shin, Sum, Tan, Wan

Tethyrian (Anglo-Saxon/British):

Same as Chondathan, with slight variations

Turami (Greek/Italian-influenced):

Male: Anton, Diero, Marcon, Pieron, Rimardo, Romero, Salazar, Umbero
Female: Balama, Dona, Faila, Jalana, Luisa, Marta, Quara, Selise, Vonda
Surnames: Agosto, Astorio, Calabra, Domine, Falone, Marivaldi, Pisacar, Ramondo

For Turami characters, the medieval name generator can provide Iberian/Italian-flavored names.

Elves

D&D 5e elves have multiple sub-races, each with slightly different naming. The PHB gives a general elf naming convention; sub-race differences are mostly stylistic.

Male: Adran, Aelar, Aramil, Aust, Beiro, Berrian, Carric, Enialis, Erdan, Erevan, Galinndan, Hadarai, Heian, Himo, Immeral, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis

Female: Adrie, Althaea, Anastrianna, Andraste, Antinua, Bethrynna, Birel, Caelynn, Drusilia, Enna, Felosial, Ielenia, Jelenneth, Keyleth, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia

Family: Amakir (Jewel Blossom), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel (Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir (Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne (Oakenheel), Naïlo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel (Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)

Child name: Used between birth and around age 100. Examples: Ara, Bryn, Del, Eryn, Faen, Innil, Lael, Mella, Naill, Naeris, Phann, Rael, Rinn, Sai, Syllin, Thia, Vall

Adult name: Chosen at coming-of-age, replacing the child name.

For elven names, the elf name generator and sub-race generators (dark elf, wood elf, high elf, half-elf, Tolkien elf) all produce names in the elven register.

Dwarves

Male: Adrik, Alberich, Baern, Barendd, Brottor, Bruenor, Dain, Darrak, Delg, Eberk, Einkil, Fargrim, Flint, Gardain, Harbek, Kildrak, Morgran, Orsik, Oskar, Rangrim, Rurik, Taklinn, Thoradin, Thorin, Tordek, Traubon, Travok, Ulfgar, Veit, Vondal

Female: Amber, Artin, Audhild, Bardryn, Dagnal, Diesa, Eldeth, Falkrunn, Finellen, Gunnloda, Gurdis, Helja, Hlin, Kathra, Kristryd, Ilde, Liftrasa, Mardred, Riswynn, Sannl, Torbera, Torgga, Vistra

Clan: Balderk, Battlehammer, Brawnanvil, Dankil, Fireforge, Frostbeard, Gorunn, Holderhek, Ironfist, Loderr, Lutgehr, Rumnaheim, Strakeln, Torunn, Ungart

Dwarven names lean Norse / Old Germanic. The Viking name generator produces names in a closely overlapping register — many of its outputs work directly as dwarf names. See How to name a dwarf for the full Tolkien tradition behind this.

Halflings

Male: Alton, Ander, Cade, Corrin, Eldon, Errich, Finnan, Garret, Lindal, Lyle, Merric, Milo, Osborn, Perrin, Reed, Roscoe, Wellby

Female: Andry, Bree, Callie, Cora, Euphemia, Jillian, Kithri, Lavinia, Lidda, Merla, Nedda, Paela, Portia, Seraphina, Shaena, Trym, Vani, Verna

Family: Brushgather, Goodbarrel, Greenbottle, High-hill, Hilltopple, Leagallow, Tealeaf, Thorngage, Tosscobble, Underbough

Halfling names lean Anglo / pastoral English — short, friendly, often with rural surname compound. The medieval name generator provides Anglo-Saxon names that often work in this register.

Dragonborn

Male: Arjhan, Balasar, Bharash, Donaar, Ghesh, Heskan, Kriv, Medrash, Mehen, Nadarr, Pandjed, Patrin, Rhogar, Shamash, Shedinn, Tarhun, Torinn

Female: Akra, Biri, Daar, Farideh, Harann, Havilar, Jheri, Kava, Korinn, Mishann, Nala, Perra, Raiann, Sora, Surina, Thava, Uadjit

Clan: Clethtinthiallor, Daardendrian, Delmirev, Drachedandion, Fenkenkabradon, Kepeshkmolik, Kerrhylon, Kimbatuul, Linxakasendalor, Myastan, Nemmonis, Norixius, Ophinshtalajiir, Prexijandilin, Shestendeliath, Turnuroth, Verthisathurgiesh, Yarjerit

Dragonborn names have a mixed Persian/Mesopotamian feel for personal names and long invented compounds for clan names. See the Dragonborn naming guide for deeper coverage.

Tieflings

Tieflings have multiple naming traditions in D&D 5e:

Virtue names (English abstract concepts, chosen for character):

Art, Carrion, Chant, Creed, Despair, Excellence, Fear, Glory, Hope, Ideal, Music, Nowhere, Open, Poetry, Quest, Random, Reverence, Sorrow, Temerity, Torment, Weary

Infernal names (Latin/Latin-sounding, hellish):

Male: Akmenos, Amnon, Barakas, Damakos, Ekemon, Iados, Kairon, Leucis, Melech, Mordai, Morthos, Pelaios, Skamos, Therai
Female: Akta, Anakis, Bryseis, Criella, Damaia, Ea, Kallista, Lerissa, Makaria, Nemeia, Orianna, Phelaia, Rieta

See the Tiefling naming guide for the full tradition.

Gnomes

Male: Alston, Alvyn, Boddynock, Brocc, Burgell, Dimble, Eldon, Erky, Fonkin, Frug, Gerbo, Gimble, Glim, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar, Seebo, Sindri, Warryn, Wrenn, Zook

Female: Bimpnottin, Breena, Caramip, Carlin, Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Ellyjobell, Ellywick, Lilli, Loopmottin, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Nyx, Oda, Orla, Roywyn, Shamil, Tana, Waywocket, Zanna

Clan: Beren, Daergel, Folkor, Garrick, Nackle, Murnig, Ningel, Raulnor, Scheppen, Timbers, Turen

Gnome names are whimsical and Old English-feeling with deliberate comic flavor. Many end in -ock or -ink or contain double consonants for percussive effect.

Half-Elves

Half-elves use either elven or human names, or both. The PHB doesn't give a separate list — most half-elf characters pick from the elven or human lists. See Half-Elf naming guide for the four standard naming patterns.

Half-Orcs

Male: Dench, Feng, Gell, Henk, Holg, Imsh, Keth, Krusk, Mhurren, Ront, Shump, Thokk

Female: Baggi, Emen, Engong, Kansif, Myev, Neega, Ovak, Ownka, Shautha, Sutha, Vola, Volen, Yevelda

Same as orc names (above) in Orc names guide. See Orc names: harsh, guttural, and meaningful for the broader conventions.

Aasimar, Genasi, Goliath, Etc.

Later supplements added many more races, each with their own naming traditions:

Aasimar (celestial-influenced) — often Greek/Latin or angelic-sounding
Genasi (elemental-influenced) — names reflecting their elemental plane (Aqasi for water, Ignan for fire)
Goliath — descriptive multi-part names (Belkor, Strong-Shoulder, Stone-Tooth)
Tabaxi (cat-folk) — descriptive English (Five Timber, Stalks-the-Moon)
Tortle — descriptive English with shell references

For these, the fantasy name generator provides flexible output you can customize.

Quick Reference Table

| Race | Style | Generator | |---|---|---| | Human (Chondathan/Tethyrian) | Anglo-Saxon | Medieval | | Human (Illuskan) | Norse | Viking | | Human (Damaran/Rashemi) | Slavic | (custom needed) | | Human (Shou) | Chinese | (custom needed) | | Elf | Sindarin/Quenya | Elf, Tolkien elf | | Drow | Drow-style | Dark elf | | Wood elf | Silvan | Wood elf | | High elf | Quenya | High elf | | Half-elf | Hybrid | Half-elf | | Dwarf | Norse/Anglo | Viking | | Halfling | Anglo pastoral | Medieval | | Dragonborn | Persian/Mesopotamian | (specialized) | | Tiefling | Latin infernal / virtue | (see Tiefling guide) | | Gnome | Whimsical Anglo | Fantasy | | Half-orc / Orc | Harsh guttural | (see Orc guide) |

Tips for Mixing Races in a Party

A typical D&D party has 3-5 PCs of different races. The cultural and naming diversity is part of the fun. Tips for keeping the party feeling like a coherent group:

Match the campaign setting first. If your campaign is in the Forgotten Realms, draw from the FR ethnicity options. If it's a homebrew Anglo-Saxon-flavored world, use those name registers across the party.
Allow individual cultural mixing. A halfling character raised by dwarves might have an Anglo first name and a dwarven clan name. This is realistic and fun.
Don't make every name super-elaborate. Most adventuring parties have a mix — one wizard with an archaic four-syllable name, one fighter with a one-syllable byname, one rogue with a simple Anglo name. Variety is good.
Pick a default for casual play. In casual table conversation, party members usually go by their first names or shortened forms. Drizzt instead of Drizzt Do'Urden. Volo instead of Volothamp Geddarm.

Final Recommendations

The D&D 5e racial naming conventions are deeply researched — they draw from real linguistic traditions (Sindarin, Old Norse, Arabic, Chinese, Slavic) and apply them consistently across the Player's Handbook and Monster Manual. Using the official examples directly is the safest approach; constructing your own following the conventions is the most rewarding.

When in doubt:

Check the Player's Handbook example list for your race
Pick a name with the right phonetic register
Add a family or clan name appropriate to the race
Confirm the name doesn't accidentally match a famous NPC from your campaign setting

Names anchor characters to cultures. In D&D, the racial naming conventions are how you signal which culture without 200 words of backstory.

Pick the convention, pick the name, and your character will read as authentically of their race from the first introduction.