Gnome Name Generator
Generate clever gnome names for inventors, illusionists, and curious adventurers. Perfect for D&D 5e rock gnomes, forest gnomes, and deep gnomes.
Options
Generated Names
Click generate to create names
About Gnome Names
The word *gnome* was coined by the 16th-century Swiss alchemist Paracelsus to describe earth-dwelling elemental spirits. The etymology likely stems from Greek *gēnomos* ("earth-dweller") or *gnosis* ("knowledge")—and this dual origin shapes all gnome naming: folklore names emphasize the **Earth** aspect (grounded, rural, tied to mine and hearth), while modern fantasy names emphasize the **Knowledge** aspect (complex, technical, reflecting manic intellect). Before "gnome" existed as a distinct race, Germanic folklore had the *Kobold*—mine spirits so associated with treacherous ore that they gave us the element **Cobalt**, while mischievous *Kupfernickel* ("Old Nick's Copper") became **Nickel**. These spirits *were* the rocks they inhabited. The domestic *Heinzelmännchen* of Cologne used diminutive human names ("Little Heinz"), integrating the supernatural into the family unit. This tradition persists: gnome names accumulate throughout life—personal name, clan name, nicknames from friends and adventures—each a different facet of identity.
Naming Conventions
Gnome names follow distinct phonetic principles across all media. They disproportionately use **high-front vowels** (/i/, /e/) which linguistically signal "smallness" and "brightness" (the kiki/bouba effect). **Reduplication** appears constantly (*Boddynock, Loopmottin, Fizzwizzle*), mimicking chattering or clockwork ticking. The "double-letter" construction (*Boddynock, Jebeddo, Namfoodle*) creates a **trochaic or dactylic meter**—bouncy rhythms that sound inherently friendly. Male names favor bilabial stops (/b/, /p/) and nasals (/m/, /n/): Boddynock, Dimble, Fonkin, Gimble, Jebeddo. Female names often use suffix *-wick* or *-in* with higher-pitched vowels: Bimpnottin, Ellywick, Loopmottin, Waywocket. **Clan names** are grounded where personal names are whimsical—Scheppen, Turen, Timbers—anchoring the gnome to lineage and craft. Gnomes also love **compound surnames** describing their interaction with the material world: Gem-cutter, Fizz-crank, Stone-hewer.
Gnome Subraces & Styles
Rock Gnomes
Rock Gnomes inherit the Dragonlance "Tinker Gnome" tradition where names are collectibles. Their multi-nominative system includes mother's name, father's name, clan name, and countless nicknames. In Dragonlance, a gnome's "true name" is their entire genealogy—hours to recite, presented as run-on syllables: *Xorbanalakus Fizwumpadozzle*. For practical use, they adopt shortened forms: *Gnosh, Gnimish, Spanner, Kaboom*. Rock Gnome phonetics favor **bouncy sounds**: bilabial stops (/b/, /d/, /g/), round vowels (/o/, /u/, /a/). Names like *Boddynock Nackle* or *Namfoodle Beren* pair whimsical personal names with solid clan identifiers. World of Warcraft took this further with **compound engineering surnames**: Fizzcrank, Mekkatorque, Gearspinner—the name dictates the profession.
Forest Gnomes
Forest Gnomes diverge toward the organic. Their phonetic profile shifts to **softer consonants**: sibilants (/s/, /sh/), liquids (/l/, /r/), and glides (/w/, /y/). They avoid the hard "k" and "g" sounds of Rock Gnomes. While their true names remain Gnomish, they adopt **nature-based Common nicknames**: Badger, Cloak, Moss, Fern, Stumbleduck. Their names bridge Elven (melodic) and Gnomish (rhythmic)—names like *Warryn* or *Breena* suit the forest aesthetic. The Scandinavian *Tomte* (from *tomt*, "homestead") represents this archetype: the name literally means "the one of the homestead," a *genius loci* tied to place rather than invention.
Deep Gnomes ( Svirfneblin)
The Svirfneblin live where whimsy is a luxury they cannot afford. Their names are defined by **guttural stops and fricatives**—sounds like pickaxes hitting granite. Male names end in *-thud*, *-tick*, *-meck*, or *-war*: Belwar, Kronthud, Schnicktick, Durthmeck, Krieger. Female names end in *-iss*, *-narti*, or *-a*: Beliss, Schnella, Fricknarti, Thulmarra. The language is Gnomish heavily influenced by **Terran** (earth elemental) and **Undercommon**. Clan names describe survival functions: Crystalfist, Rockhewer, Ironfoot, Seamfinder, Gemcutter. The word *Svirfneblin* itself is a shibboleth—a tongue-twister keeping outsiders at bay. These names sound hard because hardness keeps you alive in the Underdark.
Famous Gnome Names
- •Boddynock Nackle - Classic Rock Gnome with bouncy trochaic rhythm
- •Namfoodle Timbers - Reduplication creating friendly, chattering quality
- •Ellywick Tumblestrum - High-front vowels signaling brightness and energy
- •Belwar Dissengulp - Svirfneblin name with guttural pragmatism
- •Schnicktick Gemcutter - Deep Gnome with hard consonants and functional clan name
- •Tana "Badger" Timbers - Forest Gnome with nature-based nickname
- •Gelbin Mekkatorque - WoW-style compound engineering surname
- •Fizzcrank Fullthrottle - Technonym structure: action + mechanical component
Tips for Using These Names
- •Use high-front vowels (/i/, /e/) to sound "small" and bright: Gimble, Bimpnottin, Ellywick
- •Add reduplication for chattering energy: double letters like Boddynock, Loopmottin
- •Pair whimsical personal names with grounded clan names: Namfoodle Scheppen
- •For Rock Gnomes, consider compound surnames: Gearspinner, Sparkwhistle, Cogsworth
- •Forest Gnomes use softer sounds: sibilants, liquids, glides—avoid hard k/g
- •Svirfneblin names need guttural stops: end males in -thud/-tick/-war, females in -iss/-a
- •Give your gnome multiple names for different contexts—they collect them like treasures
- •Nicknames should describe achievements or personality: Sparklegem, Stumbleduck, Badger
Frequently Asked Questions
How do gnome names work in D&D?
Gnomes have a multi-nominative system: personal name (from parents), clan name (family identifier), and countless nicknames from everyone they meet. A Rock Gnome doesn't have one name—they have a collection. This traces to Dragonlance's Tinker Gnomes, whose "true names" included entire genealogies taking hours to recite. For practical interactions, gnomes use shortened forms or context-appropriate nicknames. A gnome might be "Boddynock" to family, "Sparklegear" to adventuring companions, and "Boddy" to close friends.
What makes Rock Gnome names distinctive?
Rock Gnome names feature bouncy, rhythmic sounds using bilabial stops (/b/, /p/) and nasals (/m/, /n/). The "double letter" construction (Boddynock, Jebeddo, Namfoodle) creates trochaic meter that sounds inherently friendly—linguistically signaling "harmless" to the human ear. Personal names are whimsical while clan names are grounded (Scheppen, Turen), anchoring the gnome to lineage. World of Warcraft influenced compound surnames: Fizzcrank, Mekkatorque, Gearspinner.
How do Deep Gnome (Svirfneblin) names differ?
Svirfneblin names abandon whimsy for survival. They use guttural stops and fricatives—sounds like pickaxes on granite. Male names typically end in -thud, -tick, -meck, or -war (Belwar, Kronthud, Schnicktick). Female names end in -iss, -narti, or -a (Beliss, Schnella, Thulmarra). Clan names describe function: Crystalfist, Rockhewer, Ironfoot. The harshness reflects Underdark reality—and the word "Svirfneblin" itself is a shibboleth keeping outsiders at bay.
What names suit a gnome artificer or inventor?
Draw from the World of Warcraft "technonym" structure: combine an action/quality prefix with a mechanical suffix. Prefixes like Fizz-, Steam-, Gear-, Bolt- pair with -crank, -torque, -spinner, -wrench. Guild-based patterns work too: Hydraulics gnomes use fluid sounds (Flow-, Pump-), Thermodynamics use fricatives (Scorch-, Steam-), Kinetics use onomatopoeia (Spin-, Zoom-, Crash-). Nicknames should reference greatest inventions or memorable mishaps.
Where do gnome names come from historically?
Paracelsus coined "gnome" in the 16th century from Greek gēnomos ("earth-dweller") or gnosis ("knowledge"). Before this, Germanic Kobolds gave us the elements Cobalt and Nickel—miners blamed treacherous ores on earth spirits. The Heinzelmännchen of Cologne used diminutive human names (Little Heinz), while Scandinavian Tomte/Nisse were place-spirits or Christianized house guardians named after St. Nicholas. This folklore substrate—earthy, domestic, diminutive—underlies all modern gnome naming.
How do Forest Gnome names differ from Rock Gnomes?
Forest Gnomes shift toward softer phonetics: sibilants (/s/, /sh/), liquids (/l/, /r/), and glides (/w/, /y/) instead of Rock Gnomes' hard stops. They avoid harsh "k" and "g" sounds. While true names remain Gnomish, they adopt nature-based Common nicknames: Badger, Moss, Fern, Stumbleduck. Names like Warryn or Breena bridge Elven melodiousness with Gnomish rhythm. Think of them as the Scandinavian Tomte—tied to place and nature rather than workshop and invention.