Dwarf Name Generator
Generate strong dwarven names for your fantasy characters. Perfect for D&D dwarves, Warhammer, and fantasy RPG campaigns.
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About Dwarf Names
Dwarven names originate in the *Dvergatal* ("Catalogue of Dwarves") from the Norse *Völuspá*, where the first dwarves were shaped from the blood of giants and bones of Ymir. These primordial names are **strictly descriptive**: *FĂli* means "File," *KĂli* means "Wedge," *Durinn* means "Sleepy," and *Gandálfr* (yes, that Gandalf) means "Magic Elf." The four dwarves who hold up the sky—NorĂ°ri, SuĂ°ri, Austri, Vestri—are literally "North, South, East, West." This establishes the dwarven principle: names are not mere labels but definitions of function. Tolkien built on this foundation, creating **Khuzdul**, a secret Semitic-structured language dwarves guard jealously. "Gimli" is actually a Northern Mannish name—his true Khuzdul name remains unknown, as dwarves never reveal their inner names to outsiders.
Naming Conventions
The **Dwarven Phonaesthetic** is validated across all fantasy media: names of weight forged from hard consonants and deep vowels. **Plosives** (B, D, G, K, T) dominate, creating "punchy" sounds mimicking hammer strikes. **Fricatives** (Th, Kh, Gh, Z) add guttural depth. **Back vowels** (O, U, Au) are preferred over front vowels. Names rarely end in vowels (except female)—common male endings are **-in, -or, -ur, -ak, -ar** (Thorin, Bombur, Gimli). Female names soften slightly with **-a, -i, -is, -ra** endings (DĂs, Vistra, Sigrun). **Clan names** are always compound descriptors of trade, deed, or home: Battlehammer, Ironfoot, Oakenshield. To be clanless is worse than death.
Dwarf Subraces & Styles
Hill Dwarves ( Gold Dwarves)
Gold Dwarves in the Forgotten Realms are culturally proud, traditional, and sometimes haughty. Their names reflect wealth, stability, and ancient lineage. Common male names: Adrik, Baern, Dain, Eberk, Einkil, Fargrim, Gardain, Harbek, Kildrak, Morgran, Orsik, Rangrim, Rurik, Taklinn, Thoradin, Tordek, Ulfgar, Vondal. Female names: Amber, Audhild, Bardryn, Dagnal, Diesa, Eldeth, Falkrunn, Gunnloda, Helja, Kathra, Kristryd, Mardred, Riswynn, Torbera, Vistra. Surnames emphasize gems and status: Goldthumb, Gemscepter, Mithril-born.
Mountain Dwarves ( Shield Dwarves)
Mountain Dwarves are rugged, martial, and utilitarian. Their names feature harder consonants and surnames are almost always **compound words recounting clan deeds**. Names like Bruenor, Flint, Delg, Krum carry weight. Surnames read like battle honors: Battlehammer (Mithral Hall's legendary clan), Ironfist, Stoneshaft, Foehammer, Frostbeard, Rockfist, Trueforger. The tradition of **ancestral name repetition** (Bruenor II) honors past heroes. A dwarf may earn a "deed name" through great acts—a Stonefist might become Dragonslayer.
Duergar ( Gray Dwarves)
Duergar names reflect their grim Underdark existence. They lack the "nature" or "joy" elements of surface names—no 'Ale,' no 'Gold.' Instead: ash, chains, darkness, psionics. Male names: Bruthwol, Horgar, Ivar, Murgol, Thangardt, Xardor. Female names: Brilmara, Dorthis, Olga, Ulara, Weltha. Clan names are unrelentingly harsh: Ashlord, Battlegore, Doomfist, Earthlord, Firetamer, Knifemind, Mindeater, Necksnapper, Orehammer, Runehammer, Thundermaster, Underearth. These are names forged in suffering.
Tolkien Dwarves ( Khuzdul)
Tolkien's dwarves maintain **dual identities**: public Norse names (from the Dvergatal) and secret Khuzdul names never revealed to outsiders. Khuzdul uses **triconsonantal roots** (like Hebrew): KH-Z-D gives us *Khazâd* (Dwarves), *Khuzdul* (Dwarvish), *Khazad-dûm* (Moria). The battle cry *Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!* ("Axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!") shows the B-R-K root for axes. The Seven Fathers founded clans named by traits: Longbeards (Durin's Folk), Firebeards, Broadbeams, Ironfists, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks, Stonefoots.
Famous Dwarf Names
- •Thorin - From Old Norse Þorinn meaning "The Bold" or "The Darer"
- •Gimli - Northern Mannish name; his true Khuzdul name remains secret
- •Dvalin - "The Torpid" or "Sleeping One," a progenitor figure
- •Brokkr - "The Badger," supreme craftsman who forged Mjölnir
- •Bruenor Battlehammer - Hero of Mithral Hall, compound clan name
- •Azaghâl - Possibly Khuzdul for "Warrior," Lord of Belegost
- •Gotrek Gurnisson - Warhammer Slayer with patronymic (-sson)
- •Durinn - "Door-Warden," second mightiest of all dwarves in Norse myth
Tips for Using These Names
- •Use plosives (B, D, G, K, T) for the "hammer strike" sound dwarves need
- •Back vowels (O, U, Au) feel heavier than front vowels (I, E)
- •Male endings: -in, -or, -ur, -ak, -ar (Thorin, Bombur, Gimli)
- •Female endings: -a, -i, -is, -ra (DĂs, Sigrun, Vistra)
- •Clan names should be compounds: [Material/Action] + [Tool/Body Part]
- •Consider patronymics for Warhammer style: Gurnisson, Thorgrimsson
- •Duergar names avoid positive elements—use ash, doom, fire, mind
- •Many Norse dwarf names reference tools: Fili (File), Kili (Wedge), Dori (Borer)
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a good dwarf name?
The "Dwarven Phonaesthetic" is consistent across all fantasy media: plosive consonants (B, D, G, K, T) that mimic hammer strikes, fricatives (Th, Kh) for guttural depth, and back vowels (O, U, Au) for weight. Names rarely end in vowels for males. Good dwarf names should sound like they could be shouted across a forge or carved into mountain stone—Thoradin, Balgrim, Kazador.
Where do dwarf names come from historically?
The foundational source is the *Dvergatal* ("Catalogue of Dwarves") from the Norse *Völuspá*. These names are strictly descriptive: FĂli means "File," KĂli means "Wedge," Durinn means "Sleepy." Even "Gandalf" originally meant "Magic Elf" and was a dwarf name. Tolkien lifted these names wholesale for The Hobbit, establishing them as the template for all fantasy dwarves.
What is Khuzdul and how does it work?
Khuzdul is Tolkien's secret dwarven language, built on a Semitic model with triconsonantal roots (like Hebrew/Arabic). The root KH-Z-D generates *Khazâd* (Dwarves), *Khuzdul* (Dwarvish), and *Khazad-dûm* (Moria). Dwarves jealously guard their Khuzdul names—"Gimli" is actually a borrowed Northern Mannish name. True Khuzdul names are never revealed to outsiders or even inscribed on tombs.
How do D&D dwarf subraces differ in naming?
Hill/Gold Dwarves use names emphasizing wealth and stability—surnames like Goldthumb, Gemscepter. Mountain/Shield Dwarves favor martial compound surnames recording clan deeds: Battlehammer, Foehammer, Ironbreaker. Duergar (Gray Dwarves) strip away positive elements entirely—no "Ale" or "Gold"—replacing them with Ashlord, Doomfist, Mindeater, Knifemind.
What is the difference between male and female dwarf names?
Male names end in hard consonants: -in, -or, -ur, -ak, -ar (Thorin, Bombur, Balin). Female names soften slightly with -a, -i, -is, -ra endings (DĂs, Sigrun, Vistra, Helja). In Tolkien, DĂs is the only named female dwarf. In D&D, female names like Diesa, Kristryd, Torbera maintain hard consonants but use softer endings.
How do I create authentic dwarf clan names?
Clan names are compound descriptors of trade, deed, or home. The formula is [Material/Action] + [Tool/Body Part]: Battlehammer, Ironfoot, Stoneshaft, Fireforge, Goldthumb, Frostbeard. Names can also record legendary deeds: Dragonslayer, Wyrmslayer, Foehammer. Consider your clan's history—smiths get Forge names, warriors get Battle names, miners get Stone/Ore names.
What about Warhammer dwarf names?
Warhammer Dwarfs (Dawi) use strict patronymics: -sson for son, -sottir for daughter. Their language Khazalid emphasizes concepts: *Dawi* (Dwarfs), *Umgi* (Humans), *Dammaz* (Grudge), *Kazak* (War). Common name elements include Grim- (harsh), Thungni- (rune), Snorri (turning). Names like Gotrek Gurnisson, Thorgrim Grudgebearer follow these patterns.
Are there World of Warcraft dwarf naming differences?
WoW has three distinct clans. Bronzebeard (Ironforge) use Germanic/Norse names: Magni, Muradin, Brann with surnames like Stonehammer, Thunderforge. Wildhammer have Celtic/Highland influence: Falstad, Kurdran with nature surnames like Gryphonheart, Stormbeak, MacDuff. Dark Iron are sinister and industrial: Thaurissan, Dagran with surnames like Shadowforge, Moltenfist, Angerforge.