Medieval Name Generator
Generate authentic medieval names from the Middle Ages for knights, peasants, nobles, and commoners. Perfect for historical fiction, D&D campaigns, and fantasy worldbuilding.
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About Medieval Names
Medieval names were potent vessels of identity, carrying the weight of dynastic legitimacy, spiritual aspiration, and tribal affiliation. The period (500-1500 CE) witnessed three distinct phases: the **Heroic-Dynastic Phase (500-1000)** dominated by Germanic dithematic names—compounds of martial and totemic elements; the **Christian-Hagiographic Phase (1000-1300)** when biblical and saintly names displaced indigenous traditions; and the **Bynomial Phase (1300-1500)** when bynames ossified into hereditary surnames. Understanding these patterns—from the Merovingian courts where *Chlodovechus* (Clovis) meant "Famous Battle," to Anglo-Saxon England where *Æthelred* meant "Noble Counsel" and his epithet *Unræd* punned "No-Counsel"—creates authentic characters for any medieval setting.
Naming Conventions
Germanic dithematic names combined two elements from a specialized vocabulary of war, governance, animals, and the supernatural. *Wulfgar* combined *wulf* (wolf) + *gar* (spear)—not literally "Wolf-Spear" but invoking combined symbolic power. Alliteration indicated kinship: a father named *Eadmund* might name sons *Eadgar* and *Eadwig*, retaining the *Ead-* (wealth/blessed) element for dynastic continuity. Male suffixes: *-ric* (ruler), *-wald* (power), *-bert* (bright), *-mund* (protection). Female suffixes: *-hild* (battle), *-gund* (war), *-wyn* (joy), *-burga* (fortress). The House of Wessex almost exclusively used names beginning with *Æthel-*, *Ead-*, or *Os-*—creating a "brand" of legitimacy.
Medieval Subraces & Styles
Anglo- Saxon ( Pre-1066)
Dominated by vowel-initial elements: *Æthel-* (noble), *Ead-* (wealth/blessed), *Os-* (god). The House of Wessex created a "brand" using these elements exclusively. Examples: Æthelstan, Eadgar, Oswald, Wulfstan. Feminine: Æthelflæd, Eadgyth.
Merovingian Frankish (450-750)
Raw, guttural Germanic: *Hlud-* (fame) evolved into Louis/Ludwig. *Chlodovechus* (Clovis), *Theudericus* (Theodoric → Thierry/Dietrich). Female names like Brunhild and Fredegund were as martial as male names.
Norse/ Viking (800-1100)
Heavy Thor-cult influence: Thorsten, Thorbjorn, Thorkell. Animal totems: Bjørn (Bear), Ulf (Wolf), Orm (Serpent), Hrafn (Raven). Bynames were descriptive, not hereditary: Ragnar Lothbrok, Ivar the Boneless.
High Medieval (1100-1300)
Christian names dominate: John, William, Robert, Thomas for men; Mary, Alice, Matilda, Margaret for women. Biblical names replaced Germanic ones due to Church influence. Bynames evolving into hereditary surnames.
Famous Medieval Names
- •Æthelstan - *Æthel* (Noble) + *Stan* (Stone) = "Noble Stone," King of England
- •Clovis (Chlodovechus) - *Hlud* (Fame) + *Wig* (War) = "Famous in War," Frankish king
- •Brunhild - *Brun* (Armor) + *Hild* (Battle) = "Battle Armor," Merovingian queen
- •Æthelred Unræd - "Noble Counsel" nicknamed "No-Counsel"—a grim pun on his reign
- •Fredegund - *Frith* (Peace) + *Gund* (War) = Oxymoronic "Peace-War," rival of Brunhild
- •Thorsten - *Thor* + *Sten* (Stone) = "Thor's Stone," common Norse name
- •Eadgyth - *Ead* (Wealth/Blessed) + *Gyth* (War) = "Prosperous War"
Tips for Using These Names
- •Royal Anglo-Saxon names often began with *Æthel-* (noble), *Ead-* (wealth), or *Os-* (god)
- •Use alliteration for kinship: father *Eadmund* might name sons *Eadgar* and *Eadwig*
- •Merovingian names favored *Hlud-* (fame), *Hild-* (battle), *Theud-* (people)
- •Norse names invoked *Thor-* frequently (Thorsten, Thorbjorn, Thorkell)
- •Bynames were descriptive: Ragnar *Lothbrok* (Hairy-Breeches), Erik *the Red*
- •"Lall-names" (Bugga, Offa, Dudda) were used by royalty, not just peasants
- •Post-1066 Norman names (William, Robert, Richard) replaced Anglo-Saxon names
- •Surnames only became hereditary in the 14th-15th centuries
Frequently Asked Questions
What were common medieval names?
Common medieval names varied by period and region. In England after 1066, William, John, Robert, and Richard dominated for men, while Matilda, Alice, Joan, and Margaret were popular for women. Earlier Anglo-Saxon names like Aethelred, Eadric, and Godwin were common before the Norman Conquest. Biblical names became increasingly popular throughout the medieval period due to Church influence.
Did medieval people have last names?
Most medieval people didn't have hereditary surnames until the late medieval period. Instead, they used descriptive bynames based on their father's name (Johnson, Robertson), occupation (Smith, Baker), location (Hill, Atwood), or personal traits (Strong, Little). These gradually became fixed surnames by the 14th-15th centuries in most of Europe.
What makes a name sound medieval?
Medieval names often feature Germanic compound elements (-ric, -wald, -bert for men; -hild, -gard, -trude for women), lack of modern spelling variations, and period-appropriate sounds. Avoiding names that became popular after 1500, using older forms of common names (Geoffrey vs Jeffrey), and incorporating Old English or Norman French elements all contribute to authenticity.
Are these names historically accurate?
Our generator uses authentic medieval naming elements drawn from historical records, including Anglo-Saxon chronicles, Norman records, and medieval manuscripts. While randomly combined, the resulting names follow genuine medieval naming patterns and would sound appropriate in any Middle Ages setting.
Can I use these for D&D characters?
Absolutely! Medieval names are perfect for D&D campaigns set in medieval-inspired worlds, which includes most fantasy settings. They work especially well for human characters, knights, nobles, peasants, and any character from a feudal society.
What is the difference between Anglo-Saxon and Norman names?
Anglo-Saxon names (pre-1066 England) featured compound Germanic elements like Aethel- (noble), Ead- (prosperity), and -wulf (wolf). Norman names, introduced after the 1066 conquest, had French influence - William, Robert, Richard, Hugh. Over time, Norman names largely replaced Anglo-Saxon ones among the English population.