100 Dwarf Names with Meanings for D&D and Fantasy
Dwarves are among the most enduring figures in mythology and fantasy. Their roots reach back to the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda of Old Norse literature, where the dvergar were master craftsmen who forged treasures for the gods — from Thor's hammer Mjolnir to Odin's golden ring Draupnir. The Voluspa alone lists over sixty dwarf names in the famous Dvergatal ("Catalogue of Dwarves"), and many of those names later inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's Company of Thorin Oakenshield.
Tolkien transformed the Norse dvergar into the Khazad, a proud and secretive people with their own constructed language, Khuzdul. His dwarves carried names drawn directly from the Dvergatal — Thorin, Balin, Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur — giving ancient Norse syllables new life in Middle-earth. This tradition of stout, mining, metalworking folk was then adopted wholesale by Dungeons & Dragons, where dwarves became one of the core player races with distinct subraces: Hill Dwarves, Mountain Dwarves, and the sinister Duergar of the Underdark.
Dwarven names tend to share recognizable qualities across all these traditions. They favor hard consonants — K, T, D, G, R — and short, punchy syllables that sound as solid as stone. Clan names often combine elements of craft, material, and landscape: Ironforge, Stonehelm, Deepdelve. Whether you are building a D&D character, writing a fantasy novel, or naming a dwarf in a video game, the right name should feel as though it was carved from granite.
This collection presents over 100 dwarf names organized by category, each with a meaning and its cultural origin. Draw from Norse mythology, Tolkien's legendarium, D&D sourcebooks, and original creations rooted in authentic dwarven naming traditions.
Male Dwarf Names
Strong, earthy names for male dwarves. These draw on Norse phonology, Old English roots, and the hard-consonant tradition that defines dwarven naming across every fantasy setting.
Thorgar
♂Thunder spear; from Old Norse thorr (thunder) and gar (spear)
Durin
♂Sleepy One; from the Dvergatal in the Voluspa, eldest of the dwarves in Tolkien
Barik
♂Strong as stone; from Proto-Germanic berkaz (birch/strong)
Grundar
♂Of the deep ground; from Old Norse grunnr (ground, foundation)
Kolvar
♂Coal guardian; from Old Norse kol (coal) and vardr (guardian)
Thrain
♂Stubborn; from Old Norse, appears in the Dvergatal and Tolkien's dwarves
Borin
♂Son of battle; from Old Norse bor (battle) with patronymic suffix
Grumnak
♂Grim-axe; from Old English grimm and Old Norse hnakkr (notch, axe)
Dvalinn
♂The Dawdler; one of the four stags of Yggdrasil, also a dwarf in the Eddas
Korrin
♂Heart of the mountain; from Old Norse korr (cairn, heap of stones)
Haldrek
♂Rock ruler; from Old Norse hallr (rock) and rikr (ruler)
Ulfgar
♂Wolf spear; from Old Norse ulfr (wolf) and gar (spear)
Torvald
♂Thunder ruler; from Old Norse thorr (thunder) and valdr (ruler)
Grimjaw
♂Fierce-jawed; denotes an unyielding warrior
Beldur
♂Bold fire; from Old English beald (bold) and Old Norse eldr (fire)
Narvi
♂Narrow; a dwarf named in the Prose Edda, also a son of Loki
Skarn
♂Hard rock; from geological term for metamorphic rock formed near ore veins
Draupnir
♂The Dripper; named for Odin's golden ring forged by dwarves Brokkr and Sindri
Ketilmund
♂Helmet protector; from Old Norse ketill (helmet) and mund (protection)
Brundar
♂Armor-bearer; from Old Norse brynja (chain mail) and darr (spear)
Gortak
♂Mountain heart; from Old English gor (gore, earth) and strong-ending -tak
Andar
♂Breath of the forge; from Old Norse ond (breath, spirit)
Rurik
♂Famous ruler; from Old Norse Hroerekr, common among Norse craftsmen
Dolgrim
♂Hidden grimness; from Old Norse dolgr (hostile) and grimm (fierce)
Faldur
♂Mountain fold; from Old Norse fald (fold, layer) suggesting deep-earth origins
Female Dwarf Names
Dwarven women in Norse mythology were rarely named, but modern fantasy has built a rich tradition of female dwarf names. These combine the same hard consonants and earthy roots with endings that signal femininity across Germanic languages.
Dagna
♀New day; from Old Norse dagr (day), a fresh beginning in the deep
Thordis
♀Thor's goddess; from Old Norse thorr and dis (goddess, lady)
Brynhild
♀Armored battle; from Old Norse brynja (armor) and hildr (battle)
Kelda
♀Spring, fountain; from Old Norse kelda, one who brings life to stone halls
Grista
♀Grey stone; from Old Norse griss (grey) with feminine suffix
Ilvara
♀Ember guardian; from Old Norse eldr (fire) and vara (to guard)
Ragna
♀Counsel of the gods; from Old Norse regin (the gods) and shortened form
Astrid
♀Divine beauty; from Old Norse ass (god) and fridr (beautiful)
Hilda
♀Battle; from Old Norse hildr, a valkyrie name fitting for warrior dwarves
Dura
♀Enduring one; feminine form echoing Durin, eldest of dwarves
Sigrun
♀Secret victory; from Old Norse sigr (victory) and run (secret, rune)
Torhild
♀Thunder battle; from Old Norse thorr (thunder) and hildr (battle)
Gyda
♀Good, beautiful; from Old Norse, a name borne by Norse noblewomen
Magnara
♀Mighty counsel; from Old Norse magn (might) and feminine form
Brunhild
♀Armored warrior; variant of Brynhild, evoking chain-mail smiths
Kara
♀Curly-haired; from Old Norse, also a valkyrie name in the Eddas
Valdis
♀Goddess of the slain; from Old Norse valr (the slain) and dis (goddess)
Embla
♀Elm; the first woman in Norse mythology, crafted from wood by the gods
Forga
♀She of the forge; from English forge with Old Norse feminine ending
Steinra
♀Stone counsel; from Old Norse steinn (stone) and feminine form
Gudrid
♀God-beautiful; from Old Norse gudr (god) and fridr (beautiful)
Tova
♀Beautiful Thor; from Old Norse Thorfridr, shortened feminine form
Orla
♀Golden princess; from Old Irish or (gold), adopted into dwarven use
Haldra
♀Rock woman; feminine form of Haldrek, she who rules the stone
Valkra
♀Chooser of the forge; from Old Norse val (choice) and craft suffix
Dwarf Clan & Surname Names
Dwarven clans define identity as much as given names. Clan names are typically compound words joining a material, tool, or landscape feature with a craft or stronghold term. These surnames double as the names of great dwarf holds and lineages.
Ironforge
◎Forge of iron; the most iconic dwarven compound, evoking endless industry
Stonehelm
◎Helmet of stone; a clan famed for impenetrable defenses
Deepdelve
◎Those who dig deepest; miners who reach the roots of mountains
Goldvein
◎Vein of gold; a prosperous clan blessed by rich ore deposits
Hammerfall
◎Where the hammer falls; smiths whose strikes ring through the halls
Frostbeard
◎Frost-touched beard; a northern clan from frozen mountain peaks
Anvilborn
◎Born of the anvil; a lineage of legendary weaponsmiths
Copperkettle
◎Copper cauldron; brewers and alchemists among dwarfkind
Graniteshield
◎Shield of granite; defenders who have never broken formation
Coalmantle
◎Cloaked in coal; a clan of deep-mine furnace tenders
Runecarver
◎One who carves runes; keepers of magical inscriptions and lore
Mithrilheart
◎Heart of mithril; the rarest and most honored of dwarven lineages
Boulderback
◎Back strong as a boulder; laborers and tunnel builders
Firebrand
◎Burning brand; a militant clan known for aggressive expansion
Orebreaker
◎One who breaks ore; a mining clan specializing in raw extraction
Darkhollow
◎Of the dark hollow; a secretive clan from the deepest caverns
Silverpick
◎Silver mining pick; prospectors who struck the greatest silver lode
Battlehammer
◎War hammer; a warrior clan whose name doubles as their weapon of choice
Stonebraid
◎Braids strong as stone; known for elaborate ceremonial hair braiding
Forgefury
◎Fury of the forge; smiths whose passion for craft borders on madness
Famous Dwarf Names from Mythology & Fiction
The most recognizable dwarf names in history, drawn from the Norse Eddas, the Brothers Grimm, Tolkien's legendarium, and other landmark works. These names carry real etymologies and centuries of storytelling weight.
Brokkr
♂The one who works with metal fragments; Norse dwarf who forged Mjolnir alongside his brother Sindri, per Skaldskaparmal
Sindri (Eitri)
♂Spark-sprayer; Norse dwarf smith who crafted Mjolnir, Draupnir, and Gullinbursti for the gods
Alviss
♂All-wise; Norse dwarf who sought to marry Thor's daughter and was turned to stone by the dawn in the Alvissmol
Andvari
♂The Careful One; Norse dwarf who owned a cursed ring of gold, source of the Nibelung legend
Thorin
♂Bold one; from the Dvergatal, made famous as Thorin Oakenshield in Tolkien's The Hobbit
Gimli
♂Fire; from Old Norse, Tolkien's dwarf member of the Fellowship of the Ring
Balin
♂Burning one; from the Dvergatal, Tolkien's elder dwarf lord who led the ill-fated expedition to Moria
Dwalin
♂The Dawdling One; from Old Norse Dvalinn, Tolkien's fierce warrior dwarf
Doc
♂Learned one; the wise leader of Snow White's seven dwarfs in the Brothers Grimm / Disney tradition
Grumpy
♂Ill-tempered; the cantankerous dwarf from Snow White, whose name reflects the Germanic Rumpelstiltskin tradition of naming by trait
Bashful
♂Shy, timid; one of Snow White's seven dwarfs, embodying the gentle side of dwarven character
Hreidmar
♂Home ruler; Norse dwarf king and father of Fafnir and Regin in the Volsunga Saga
Regin
♂Counsel of the gods; Norse dwarf smith who reforged the sword Gram for Sigurd
Flint Fireforge
♂Flint (fire-starting stone) + Fireforge; Dragonlance's stalwart hill dwarf companion
Bruenor Battlehammer
♂Brown warrior + Battle hammer; king of Mithral Hall in R.A. Salvatore's Forgotten Realms novels
D&D Dwarf Names by Subrace
Dungeons & Dragons divides dwarves into distinct subraces, each with naming conventions that reflect their culture. Hill Dwarves favor warm, rounded sounds; Mountain Dwarves use harder, more regal tones; and Duergar (grey dwarves) bear harsh, guttural names that echo their grim Underdark existence.
Oskar Stonewalker
♂Divine spear + Stone walker; a Hill Dwarf name with approachable warmth, per the Player's Handbook naming tables
Kathra Ambergrip
♀Pure + Amber grip; Hill Dwarf female name suggesting trade and hospitality
Torbek Goldmantle
♂Thunder stream + Gold cloak; Hill Dwarf merchant prince
Bardryn Aleborn
♀Axe friend + Born of ale; a jovial Hill Dwarf brewer
Gardain Ungart
♂Enclosed garden + Ungart clan; Hill Dwarf from the Player's Handbook clan list
Rangrim Frostmantle
♂Shield fierce + Frost cloak; Mountain Dwarf warrior of high station
Orsik Ironfist
♂Bear strength + Iron fist; Mountain Dwarf warlord, hard and unyielding
Vistra Strongheart
♀Wise + Strong heart; Mountain Dwarf female name projecting royal authority
Brottor Thundershield
♂Bridge builder + Thunder shield; Mountain Dwarf siege engineer
Riswynn Holderhek
♀Rising joy + Holderhek clan; Mountain Dwarf noble from official D&D sources
Xunderbrek
♂Shadow breaker; Duergar name with harsh consonants reflecting Underdark cruelty
Gruldak
♂Grey delver; Duergar miner who tunnels through madness and stone alike
Nulara
♀Void watcher; Duergar female overseer, cold and calculating
Horgar Steelshadow
♂Horror spear + Steel shadow; Duergar name from official Forgotten Realms lore
Durthane
♂Dark endurance; Duergar warlord name suggesting centuries of suffering and spite
Conclusion
Dwarven names carry the weight of stone and the ring of hammered steel. From the sixty-plus dvergar catalogued in the Voluspa to the Fellowship's Gimli son of Gloin, these names have evolved across a thousand years of storytelling while keeping their essential character: short, strong, and rooted in earth and craft.
When choosing a dwarf name, let the sounds guide you. Hard consonants like K, G, T, and D evoke the strike of a pickaxe. Rolling Rs suggest grinding stone. Short, punchy syllables — one or two beats — feel stout and solid, just like the characters who bear them. For clan names, combine a material (iron, stone, gold, mithril) with a craft or feature (forge, helm, shield, heart) to create compounds that immediately signal dwarven heritage.
Consider your dwarf's background. A Hill Dwarf merchant might carry a warm, approachable name like Oskar or Kathra, while a Mountain Dwarf warlord demands something harder — Rangrim, Orsik, Brottor. Duergar names should feel alien and harsh, reflecting centuries in the Underdark. And if your dwarf hails from a famous lineage, borrowing or echoing a name from the Dvergatal or Tolkien adds instant mythological depth.
Use our Dwarf Name Generator for endless combinations, or mix and match elements from this list — a given name from one section, a clan name from another — to build a name that feels both authentic and uniquely yours. The best dwarf names sound as though they have been spoken in mountain halls for generations.