50 Dragon Names & Their Legendary Origins
Dragons have soared through human imagination since the dawn of storytelling. From the serpentine lóng of Chinese mythology to the fire-breathing wyrms of European legend, these magnificent creatures deserve names that match their grandeur.
A dragon's name should rumble with ancient power, echo through mountain halls, and strike fear into the hearts of mortals who dare speak it. Whether you're naming a fearsome antagonist, a noble ally, or a character of draconic heritage, the right name transforms a creature into a legend.
This collection presents 50 dragon names drawn from mythology, fantasy literature, and original creations. Each entry includes the name's meaning, origin, and the type of dragon it suits best. Use these names directly or as inspiration for your own legendary serpent.
Ancient Mythology Dragons
Dragons from real-world mythology carry millennia of cultural significance. These names connect your dragon to humanity's oldest stories.
Fáfnir
♂The Embracer; Norse dragon who guarded cursed gold, slain by Sigurd
Níðhöggr
♂Malice Striker; Norse serpent who gnaws at Yggdrasil's roots
Jörmungandr
♂Huge Monster; the World Serpent encircling Midgard
Tiamat
♀Sea; Babylonian primordial dragon goddess of chaos
Apophis
♂To Slither; Egyptian serpent of chaos opposing Ra
Ladon
♂Unknown; Greek dragon guarding the golden apples
Typhon
♂Smoke; Greek father of all monsters, dragon-like titan
Vritra
♂The Enveloper; Vedic dragon of drought
Yinglong
♂Responding Dragon; Chinese winged dragon of rain
Ryūjin
♂Dragon God; Japanese deity of the sea
Fantasy Literature Dragons
These legendary dragons from beloved fantasy works have defined how we imagine dragonkind today.
Smaug
♂From Germanic "smugan" (to squeeze); Tolkien's golden terror
Ancalagon
♂Rushing Jaws; greatest of Morgoth's winged dragons
Glaurung
♂Gold-worm; Father of Dragons in Tolkien's legendarium
Saphira
♀From sapphire; Eragon's noble blue dragon
Drogon
♂Named for Drogo; Daenerys's largest dragon
Falkor
♂Unknown; luck dragon from The Neverending Story
Norbert
♂North bright; Hagrid's Norwegian Ridgeback (later Norberta)
Toothless
♂Retractable teeth; Night Fury from How to Train Your Dragon
Temeraire
♂Reckless; Napoleonic-era dragon companion
Draco
♂Dragon (Latin); noble dragon from Dragonheart
D&D & Gaming Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons and video games have created iconic dragon characters that define modern fantasy.
Bahamut
♂From Arabic mythology; D&D's Platinum Dragon god of good
Tiamat
♀Five-headed Queen of Evil Dragons in D&D
Alduin
♂Destroy Devour Master; World-Eater of Skyrim
Paarthurnax
♂Ambition Overlord Cruelty; wise Skyrim dragon
Deathwing
♂The Destroyer; corrupted Warcraft dragon aspect
Alexstrasza
♀Unknown; Dragon Queen of Life in Warcraft
Onyxia
♀From onyx; infamous black Warcraft dragon
Kalameet
♂Unknown; feared Dark Souls black dragon
Midir
♂Unknown; Dark Souls descendants of the Archdragons
Fatalis
◎Fatal; legendary Monster Hunter elder dragon
Fire & Destruction Dragons
Names befitting dragons of flame and devastation. These names evoke heat, ash, and unstoppable power.
Ignatius
♂Fiery One; Latin root for fire
Pyralith
♂Fire Stone; combining Greek pyr and lith
Infernus
♂Of Hell; Latin underworld fire
Ashclaw
◎Claws of cinders; leaves ash in its wake
Cindermaw
◎Mouth of embers; endless flame breath
Emberstorm
◎Tempest of fire; apocalyptic destroyer
Scorchwing
◎Wings that burn; fire follows its flight
Vulkros
♂Volcano king; from Latin Vulcan
Ice & Storm Dragons
For dragons of winter winds and thundering skies. These names carry the chill of glaciers and crack of lightning.
Frostfang
◎Teeth of ice; freezing bite
Glacieron
♂Of the glacier; ancient ice dragon
Boreas
♂North Wind; Greek god of winter winds
Tempestrix
♀Storm queen; feminine storm power
Stormwraith
◎Ghost of thunder; spectral storm dragon
Thundermaw
◎Roaring thunder; sky-shaking voice
Rimescale
◎Frost-covered scales; eternally frozen
Crystalwing
◎Wings of ice crystal; beautiful and deadly
Ancient & Wise Dragons
Names for elder dragons of immense age and wisdom. These dragons have watched empires rise and fall.
Aurelion
♂Golden one; from Latin aurum
Chronorax
♂Time king; master of ages
Eternyx
◎Of eternity; ageless wyrm
Primordius
♂First one; oldest of dragonkind
Sagithorn
♂Wise thorn; ancient protector
Mythrandir
♂Keeper of myths; living legend
Conclusion
A dragon's name is the first hint of its legend. From the mythological Fáfnir to the literary Smaug, the greatest dragon names share common traits: they're powerful when spoken, meaningful in their origins, and memorable long after the story ends.
When naming your dragon, consider its nature. Fire dragons deserve names with hard consonants and aggressive sounds—Infernus, Scorchwing, Pyralith. Ice dragons suit smoother, colder names—Glacieron, Rimescale, Frostfang. Ancient dragons carry the weight of ages in names like Chronorax or Primordius.
Remember that in many cultures, knowing a dragon's true name grants power over it. A dragon might have a common name mortals use and a true name known only to itself. This duality adds depth to your worldbuilding.
Use our Dragon Name Generator to create endless variations, or combine elements from this list to forge your own legendary name. Whatever you choose, make it worthy of a creature that has captured human imagination for thousands of years.