Goblin Name Generator
Generate chaotic goblin names for your D&D 5e characters, villains, and NPCs. Perfect for goblin player characters, tribal leaders, and goblinoid encounters.
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About Goblin Names
The word *goblin* traces from Middle English *gobelyn* through Old French to Medieval Latin *gobelinus* (a demon haunting Évreux, c. 1140), possibly from Greek *kobalos* meaning "rogue" or "knave." The Germanic parallel is the **Kobold**—from *kobe* (room) + *holdo* (ruler)—literally "ruler of the room," a household spirit to be placated. This dual origin explains the goblin's fundamental nature: trickster AND domestic menace. In British folklore, the "Hob-" prefix (*Hobgoblin*, *Robin Goodfellow*) is a diminutive of "Robert"—humanizing the spirit through familiar names. Warning names like **Redcap** (blood-dyed cap), **Bluecap** (mine flame), and **Knocker** (tunnel sounds) described threats. Tolkien transformed the whimsical hearth-spirit into an industrialized army, establishing the **"Goblin Sound"**: velar plosives, guttural growls, and back vowels that dominate modern fantasy.
Naming Conventions
The **"Goblin Sound"** is constructed from phonemes humans associate with harshness and threat. The **G-R cluster** is primordial goblin: *Grom, Grishnákh, Griphook, Grol, Gallywix*—evoking growls and grinding stones. **Velar plosives** (K/G) create hard, abrupt sounds: *Klarg, Krenko, Skarsnik*. **Back vowels** (U/O) produced deep in the throat sound "darker": *Uglúk, Azog, Bolg*. Smaller/sneakier goblins get **high vowels** (I/E): *Squee, Ziggy, Meep*. **Sibilant endings** (-s, -z) suggest sneakiness: *Grizgutz, Gazlowe*. Surnames are almost always compound words: [Body Part] + [Violent Verb] = Ear-biter, Knee-stabber, Bone-snapper. Boss names add titles or slightly more syllables: High Wyrmlord, Trade Prince, Warchief.
Goblin Subraces & Styles
D& D Standard Goblins
Chaotic scavengers, Neutral Evil, living under stronger masters. Names are monosyllabic or disyllabic, favoring Z, X, K, V for sharp, snapping sounds. Famous names: Splug, Droop, Yeemik. Surnames are compound violence: Sharp-tooth, Rat-eater, Dog-kicker, Mud-foot, Ear-biter. Tribal names reference territory or diet: Cragmaw, Licktoad, Birdcruncher, Seven Tooth, Mosswood. Female names: Vanka, Ziza, Mugg, Kiki, Meep—still harsh but may use higher vowels.
Hobgoblins
Lawful Evil, organized into legions under Maglubiyet. Names are longer (2-3 syllables), commanding, using 'Ar,' 'Ul,' 'Th,' 'Kh.' They sound like claims to power: Azarr Kul, Targor Bloodsword, Hravek Stormcaller. The Red Hand of Doom established the "Draconic-Goblin" hybrid style. Military ranks matter: High Wyrmlord, Legate, Fist of Maglubiyet. Famous: Dror Ragzlin (Baldur's Gate 3), Azrok (Undermountain). Iron Shadow monks have names like Ragnar, Kro.
Bugbears
Ambush predators, serving as goblin tribe muscle. Names are **monosyllabic grunts**—quick to bark: Klarg, Grol, Mosk, Thulk. They reference strength or crushing: Crush, Thudd, Smash, Maul, Rend. Their gods Hruggek and Grankhul have appropriately brutal names. Skiggaret is "The Bogeyman." Bugbear names sound slow and menacing compared to quick goblin names—the weight suggests their size.
Warhammer Grots
Warhammer goblins (Grots) exist in symbiosis with Orcs as "Greenskins." Names are essentially Cockney slang filtered through violence and filth. Night Goblins use fungus/squig/darkness themes: Skarsnik, Oddgit. Forest Goblins use spiders/venom: Snagla Grobspit, Vish Venombarb. Common names are descriptive insults: Leg-biter, Nose-picker, Ear-chewer, Yellow-Teef, Black-Toe. Famous: Grom the Paunch (legendary warlord), Gobbla (Skarsnik's squig).
World of Warcraft Goblins
WoW Goblins are capitalist engineers. Names reflect industry, not warfare: explosions (Blast, Boom), mechanics (Gear, Wrench, Spanner), money (Gold, Trade). Cartels dominate: Bilgewater, Steamwheedle. Titles are corporate: Trade Prince, Baron, Mogul. Names sound mechanical/explosive: Gazlowe, Gallywix, Noggenfogger, Blackfuse, Dr. Boom. Surnames combine tech terms: Gearspinner, Hardwrench, Fluxflame, Grapplehammer, Bassbolter.
Famous Goblin Names
- •Grishnákh - Black Speech, featuring classic sh + kh aspirates
- •Azog the Defiler - Open A + hard Z, a "Great Orc" name of power
- •Splug - D&D NPC, monosyllabic grunt sound typical of goblins
- •Skarsnik - Warhammer Night Goblin, combining Sk- harshness with -nik ending
- •Krenko - Magic: The Gathering, velar K sounds dominating
- •Trade Prince Gallywix - WoW capitalist with title + polysyllabic surname
- •Chuffy Lickwound - Pathfinder iconic rogue, sing-songy + gross epithet
- •Griphook - Harry Potter banker, G-R cluster + "hook" profession reference
Tips for Using These Names
- •Use the G-R cluster for instant goblin recognition: Grom, Grak, Grix
- •Velar plosives (K/G) create the harsh "goblin sound": Klarg, Krenko
- •Back vowels (U/O) for larger orcs/hobgoblins; high vowels (I/E) for sneaky goblins
- •Compound epithets follow [Body Part] + [Violent Verb]: Ear-biter, Knee-stabber
- •Monosyllables suggest grunts/low status; more syllables = boss/leader
- •Hobgoblin names should sound commanding: 2-3 syllables with Ar, Ul, Th, Kh
- •Bugbear names are slow and heavy: one syllable, crushing words like Thudd, Smash
- •Tribe names combine terrain + violence: Cragmaw, Skull-Cleavers, Night-Gnashers
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the word "goblin" come from?
The word traces through Middle English *gobelyn* from Old French *gobelin* to Medieval Latin *gobelinus* (a demon haunting Évreux around 1140). It may derive from Greek *kobalos* (rogue/knave). The parallel German *Kobold* means "room ruler"—a household spirit. This dual origin explains goblins as both tricksters and domestic menaces, only later becoming the monstrous armies of modern fantasy.
What is the "Goblin Sound" in linguistics?
The "Goblin Sound" uses phonemes humans associate with harshness: the **G-R cluster** (Grom, Griphook) evokes growling; **velar plosives** (K/G) create abrupt, violent sounds; **back vowels** (U/O) sound "darker" and larger for orcs/hobgoblins. Smaller goblins may use **high vowels** (I/E) for sneakiness: Squee, Ziggy. **Sibilant endings** (-s, -z) suggest whispering or swarms.
How do D&D goblinoid names differ by species?
Goblins: short, sharp, chaotic (Splug, Ziggy, Yeemik). Hobgoblins: longer, commanding, martial (Azarr Kul, Targor Bloodsword)—they use "Ar," "Ul," "Th," "Kh." Bugbears: slow, heavy monosyllables suggesting crushing power (Klarg, Thudd, Smash). The phonetic weight matches the creature's size and social role.
What makes a good goblin tribe name?
Tribe names are compound words combining terror with bluntness: [Terrain/Animal] + [Violent Noun] or [Body Part] + [Gross Verb]. Examples: Cragmaw (rocky lair), Licktoad (dietary/swamp), Skull-Cleavers (violent), Bone-Snappers (brutal). They should be descriptive rather than poetic—goblins aren't sentimental.
How do Warhammer goblin names differ from D&D?
Warhammer Grots use Cockney-influenced, darkly humorous names. They're descriptive insults: Leg-biter, Nose-picker, Yellow-Teef. Night Goblins reference fungus and squigs (Skarsnik, Oddgit). Forest Goblins use spider/venom themes (Venombarb). The tone is cynical and comedic rather than D&D's straightforward menace.
How do World of Warcraft goblin names work?
WoW goblins are capitalist engineers, so names reflect industry: explosions (Blast, Boom), mechanics (Gear, Wrench), money (Gold). Cartels like Bilgewater and Steamwheedle dominate. Corporate titles matter: Trade Prince, Baron, Mogul. Surnames combine tech terms: Gearspinner, Hardwrench, Grapplehammer. Think steampunk merchant, not fantasy monster.
What names suit heroic/player character goblins?
Heroic goblins can use traditional names—the contrast between crude name and noble deeds creates charm. Nott the Brave, Splug, Boblin work well. A goblin raised by other races might hilariously mispronounce their adopted culture's names. Pathfinder goblins like Chuffy Lickwound or Reta Bigbad show how "heroic" goblin names can still sound distinctly goblin.
What are Harry Potter goblin names like?
Rowling's goblins are intelligent bankers—serious and sophisticated. Names use G, R, N, K phonemes, often ending in "-ok" or "-uk": Griphook, Ragnok, Bogrod, Gornuk. They command respect rather than fear or amusement. Gringott (the founder) set the pattern. These are not crude monsters but shrewd, proud beings with their own culture.