About Namewright

Namewright exists because a name should be more than a string of syllables. It is a small, independent project for players, game masters and writers who want names that sound like they come from somewhere, and that mean something when they get there.

Every fantasy people on the site has its own constructed tongue with a fixed vocabulary, so names are consistent, translatable and pronounceable. These tongues are our own inventions, not reconstructions of anything historical and not the languages of any published game. Human cultures are different: they use genuine historical name-elements. Places, gods and guilds are built from the same roots, so a world named with Namewright hangs together.

Principles

• Useful first. The generator is at the top of every page, instantly, with no sign-up.
• Original. No borrowed name databases, no setting-specific names, no famous characters.
• Honest. Meanings are shown because they are real within our tongues, and historical etymologies are described plainly.
• Respectful. We screen out offensive strings and avoid caricaturing real-world cultures.

Read how the tongues are built, or see our licensing notes.