How It Works

The generator combines curated syllable sets with lightweight phonetic rules so the output feels like names rather than random strings. Each genre uses different fragments, cadence patterns, and surname styles. You control the essentials—genre, gender preference, list size, and surname toggle—while the generator handles the assembly.

Because naming conventions vary by culture, the tool avoids strict “one true” rules and instead aims for plausible variety. It balances vowel placement, avoids overly harsh consonant clusters, and uses endings that match the gender preference you pick. The goal is to give you a strong starting point that you can refine to fit your world.

Step-by-step

• Select a genre: Fantasy, Sci‑Fi, Modern, or Historical—each uses a tailored pool of syllables and surnames.
• Choose gender preference: Any, Masculine, Feminine, or Neutral. This influences the ending sounds and cadence.
• Pick output size: Generate a single hero name or a full roster of NPCs with one click.
• Toggle surnames: Add last names for full identities, or keep it to first names for quick brainstorming.
• Add keywords (optional): Provide setting notes like “Nordic coast” or “cyberpunk alley” to subtly nudge the vibe.
• Use a seed (optional): Recreate the exact same results later for consistent drafts or deterministic tests.

In practice, many creators use a two-pass approach: first generate a broad batch, then regenerate with a seed to keep the style consistent while you explore variations. If you are preparing multiple regions or factions, record a different seed for each group so your naming conventions stay coherent across the project.

The tool also attempts to reduce duplicates in a single run. This is helpful when generating large lists for crowds or background characters, where repetition can break immersion. If you do see repeats, a quick regenerate typically resolves it.

Key Features

Genre-aware naming

Genre shapes expectations. Fantasy names often feel lyrical and ancient, while sci‑fi names may sound sharp, technical, or hybridized. Modern names typically lean familiar and readable, and historical names often reflect older spellings and surname traditions. The generator adapts patterns and fragments accordingly so your list “sounds” like the world you are building.

If your setting is a blend, treat genre as the base layer and use keywords to steer the tone. For example, pick Fantasy and add “desert caravan” for a warmer, flowing feel, or choose Modern with “noir” to get shorter, punchier names that fit a gritty atmosphere.

Gender preference without rigidity

Gender preference influences rhythm rather than enforcing stereotypes. Masculine settings tend to favor firmer consonant endings, feminine settings lean into softer vowel endings, and neutral settings balance the two. “Any” provides the widest variety. This approach keeps the generator flexible for characters that do not fit binary archetypes.

Batch generation for worldbuilding

Worldbuilding often needs quantity: townsfolk lists, ship crews, classroom rosters, or minor characters that only appear for a scene. Batch generation helps you get 10–50 names at once, then refine the best ones manually. You can also generate separate lists for different locations to create distinct local flavors.

For tabletop preparation, a large list is especially valuable. When players ask “What is the innkeeper’s name?” you can pick from your prepared roster immediately, keeping the pacing and immersion intact.

Optional surnames

Surnames add instant context—heritage, profession hints, or regional flavor. Toggle them on when you need full identities (character sheets, NPC handouts, data seeds) or off when you are only exploring first-name sound. Some genres will produce more “family name” style surnames, while others include occupational or descriptive patterns.

Once you have a good first name, you can regenerate surnames to find combinations that “click”. Many writers also mix and match: keep a first name you like and test it against several surnames until the cadence feels right.

Keyword nudges

The Keywords box is a simple steering wheel. Add terms like “Celtic”, “Nordic”, “Slavic”, “Victorian”, “samurai”, “cyberpunk”, “pirate”, or “academy”. The generator interprets common vibe markers and slightly shifts its choices so the resulting list leans in that direction. It is not a heavy prompt system; it stays lightweight so you can iterate quickly.

Keywords are also helpful for internal consistency. If you use the same keywords for a faction or region, the generated names will share a related feel, which helps your audience sense cultural structure even if you do not explain it explicitly.

Seed for reproducible results

If you want deterministic output—especially for testing—enter a numeric seed. With the same genre, options, and seed, the generator will produce the same sequence. That makes it ideal for demos, repeatable builds, stable fixture data, and collaborative projects where you want everyone to reference the same roster.

Seeds are also useful creatively. When you find a “near perfect” list, keep the seed and adjust only one setting at a time. You will get controlled variation without losing the overall naming vibe.

Use Cases

• Novel and screenplay drafting: Create a shortlist for protagonists, side characters, and extras, then pick names that match your tone.
• Tabletop RPG preparation: Generate NPC lists by region and keep them ready behind the screen to improve improvisation.
• Game development: Populate test scenes, procedural rosters, or UI lists without hand-typing placeholder names.
• Comics and visual storytelling: Build cast lists quickly, then tailor spelling to fit speech bubbles and visual tone.
• Classroom and workshop exercises: Use quick names for writing prompts, character studies, and collaborative storytelling.
• API mocking and QA: Produce identity strings for dummy JSON payloads, database seeds, and UI testing.
• Community and event planning: Create fictional attendee lists for prototypes, mockups, and sample documents.

A practical approach is to generate a batch, circle the strongest candidates, and then annotate them with short descriptors (role, goal, conflict). When a name and descriptor align, you have a character seed you can grow into a full arc. For software and QA, the same workflow applies: generate a roster, pin a few “canonical” names, and reuse them across tests for consistent screenshots and test cases.

Optimization Tips

Build naming conventions per group

Audiences recognize patterns. If one kingdom uses two-syllable first names and longer surnames, while another uses short first names and compound surnames, your world immediately feels organized. Use the generator to create multiple lists, then keep only the names that share a clear pattern. You can even assign a dedicated seed to each group to reproduce similar output later.

Pair genre with setting notes

If your story blends genres (for example, historical fantasy or modern sci‑fi), start with the closest genre and then add keywords that describe the setting. “Industrial”, “coastal”, “steppe”, “mountain”, “court”, “underground”, or “noir” can shift the feel without forcing you into a single rigid style.

Generate bigger batches, then curate

Creativity benefits from volume. Generate 30–50 names, pick 5–10 that stand out, and run another batch to explore similar options. Curation is faster than inventing from scratch, and you will notice which sounds naturally fit your world. For a polished result, consider adjusting spelling to avoid unintentional resemblance to real-world public figures.

Use a seed for continuity

When you return to a project weeks later, continuity matters. Save the seed used for a region or faction and you can recreate a similar list later. This is especially helpful when you want to introduce new characters from the same culture later in the story or campaign. For QA, it ensures your snapshots remain stable across versions.

FAQ