Elf Name Generator

Looking for a cool elven name to give your newest Dungeons & Dragons character—or a character from any action roleplaying RPG or fantasy video game? You might even be here because you’re coming up with elven names for a character in a story you’re writing, and regardless, we’re here to provide ideas.

Because elves are (obviously) fictional, there are lots of different naming conventions depending on the work of fiction they’re featured in—but we’ll go over some of the most iconic examples.

Tolkien Elves
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings , The Hobbit , and extended works (including The Silmarillion ), he created extensive lore for his version of elves—including naming conventions and an entire language. In fact, he’s contributed more to modern interpretations of fantasy elves than any other singular author!

• In Tolkien’s Middle-Earth, many elves take names from the Sindarin language (one of the languages spoken by elves), and their names are typically meaningful in some way. They often describe the elf—or have a nature theme, since elves are so closely attuned to the natural world.
• Additionally, Tolkien elves can get more than one name throughout their lives; they typically have a name given by their fathers, one from their mothers, and then a third, personal name used by close friends. Later in life, they can also receive an “after-name” reflective of their experiences.

There are many prefixes and suffixes you can combine to create a Sindarin elven name. For example:

• Common Prefixes : Adan- (man), And- (long) Aeg- (sharp), Ar- (noble), Aran- (king), Bara- (fiery), Celeb- (silver), Dag- (slay), Dol- (head), Edhel- (elf), El- (star), Fan- (cloud), Fela- (cave), Galadh- (tree), Gal- (light), Gil- (bright), Hal- (lift), Hir- (lord), Ior- (course), Ir- (when), Lin- (pool), Mel- (love), Mal- (pollen), Mor- (dark), Nim- (white), Pin- (little), Sael- (wise) Tar- (tough), Tinu- (spark), Ul- (odor)
• Common Suffixes : -adan, -adar (father), -bor (trustworthy), -born (hot), -dir (male person), -dis (bride), -dor (land), -el (star), -gil (star), -had (throw), -iel (daughter of), -ion (son of), -las (leaf), -or (above), -raen (enlaced), -randir (wanderer), -reth, -riel (another form of “iel”), -rod (noble), -rond (arched roof), -thalion (hero), -thir (expression), -uil (seaweed), -wen (female)
• Elven Name Examples in Tolkien Literature: Legolas, Galadriel, Elrond, Arwen, Celeborn, Gil-galad, Gildor, Fëanor, Eärendil, Ingwë, Eldalótë, Elanor, Elladan, Daeron, and Aredhel
  
  

Dungeons & Dragons Elves
Elves are also featured in the famous fantasy roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons , where players can create their own elven characters (and, of course, interact with elven characters already in the world). In D&D, elves are known for their natural affinity for magic and connection to nature; they’re long-lived and possess ethereal beauty. Like Tolkien elves, their names typically come from common prefixes and suffixes in their elven language (called Elvish, or the True Tongue) and are often related to nature, magic, or music in some way.

Typically, elves in D&D get a “child name,” when they’re born, which tends to be shorter, followed by a “chosen name” when they reach maturity, as a sign that they’ve come of age. Some elves also have surnames, or their last name is simply based on where they come from.

• Common Prefixes : Ael- (knight), Al- (sea), Ama- (beautiful), An- (hand), Ari- (silver), Bael- (guardian), Cael- (archer), Cal- (faith), Cla- (rose), Cy- (onyx), Dae- (white), Eil- (azure), El- (green), Fera- (champion), Fir- (dark), Gar- (owl), Ha- (freedom), Ker- (spell), Ky- (ruby), Lue- (riddle), Mai- (death), Nai- (oak), Rhy- (jade), Rua- (star), Sel- (high), Syl- (faerie), Tra- (tree), Ver- (peace), Zy- (ivory)
• Common Suffixes : -ae (whisper), -ael (great), -aer/aera (singer), -am/ama (strider), -avel (sword), -dar (world) -ean (rider), -el/ela (hawk), -evar (flute), -fel/afel (lake), -har/ihar (wisdom), -ki (void), -lan/lanna/lean (son or daughter), -lar (shine), -lis/elis/lys (breeze), -mah/ma (mage), -nal (distant), -on/onna (keeper), -quis (branch), -rail/ria (hunter), -reth (arcane), -sel (mountain), -sha (ocean), -tae/itae (beloved), -tril (dancer), -vain (spirit), -via (fortune), -yth (folk), -zair/zara (lightning)
• D&D Elven Name Examples : Adrie, Aelar, Althaea, Berrian, Birel, Caelynn, Enna, Enialis, Ielenia, Laucian, Leshanna, Meriele, Naivara, Sariel, Soveliss, Thamior, Theirastra, Vadania, Varis
  
  

Elves in Other Works of Fiction
Elves have been depicted in many other works of literature, as well as fantasy movies, shows, and games. For example, World of Warcraft features multiple elven subraces in the world of Azeroth, including Night elves, High elves, Void elves, and Blood elves. In The Elder Scrolls franchise, elves (or Mer) include High elves, Dark elves, Wood elves, Wild elves, Snow elves, and Sea elves.

Elves also appear in games and franchises like RuneScape , Dragon Age , Warhammer , and Pathfinder ; though their lore differs with each franchise, there are recurring themes: you can typically expect an elven name to be flowing, graceful, rooted in the elven language of that world, and likely related to nature or magic in some way! Unless, of course, you’re aiming for more of a classic “Christmas” feel for your elf—then, naturally, you’ll want something more festive like “Buddy”!