Dark elf names take the usual elven music and file it to a point. The soft l and r sounds give way to z, x, v and sh, and the endings get clipped. Here are 87 original names for elves from underground cities, night courts and shadowed forests, with house names and ready-made full names.
For more ideas, try the Dark style in the elf name generator.
Every name and meaning below is invented for this list. They aren't taken from any game or book, and the meanings aren't real etymology.
Azmira, Velzyra, Chessith, Dhaevra, Ezrith, Ilyzra, Lyzanne, Myrrzha, Nexaria, Thryssa, Vornessa, Zyrelle, Qessira, Ulvenne
Azkel, Drazhir, Elkzan, Ivzor, Jhazrel, Malzeth, Nyrkos, Rhazim, Sorvek, Tzalen, Vexmar, Zhovan, Brevzan, Orthrak
One strong image per name.
Cindrael, Draevix, Gloamir, Hexaris, Khyrae, Noctyra, Ravzen, Sylzen, Voidriel, Aphelis, Morzanne, Tenebrin
Dark elf societies in fiction are usually built around rival houses, so the surname matters as much as the first name.
Ashenveil, Deepcairn, Gloomharrow, Nightspindle, Starless, Thornvex, Underlume, Voidglass, Zarvenne
First name plus house, ready to drop into a story.
Xaelra Voidglass, Draeven Thornvex, Syzelle Gloomharrow, Rhovek Deepcairn, Nylessa Zarvenne, Tharzul Ebonmere
Take any ordinary elven name and run it through three changes.
1. Swap the soft consonants. Replace l with z or x, r with rz or zh, and s with sh or sz. Lirael turns into Zixael or Lizhrael.
2. Darken the vowels. Trade bright e and i for y, o and u. Elis becomes Ylos or Ulys.
3. Clip the ending. Use short, hard closers:
So: Vor + zath is Vorzath. Zhae + lis is Zhaelis. Ky + rv + ash is Kyrvash.
For house names, either compound two cold images in plain words (Gloomharrow, Voidglass) or join two short syllables with a single apostrophe (Vael'Zorin). One apostrophe per name is plenty.
For the other elven cultures, see high elf names and wood elf names. If your dark elf deals with darker company, demon names uses a neighboring sound palette. The elf name generator has a Dark style for quick batches.
Vyrissa, Zalvorn, Xilrae and Kezrin are good examples. Use sharp consonants like z, x and v, darker vowels and a short ending.
Zhaelis, Velkyra, Ixaleth, Savrisse and Velzyra. Endings such as -yra, -issa and -zra read as feminine.
Kezrin, Vorzath, Zyrek, Drazhir and Malzeth. Endings such as -ek, -ath and -zan read as masculine.
In most fiction they belong to a house, and the house name works as a surname: Ashenveil, Xyrrath, Vael'Zorin. Exiles sometimes drop it or use a title such as the Unlit.
Female demon names for fantasy stories and OCs: 82 original names with invented meanings, from queens and deal-makers to cute girl demon names.
Demon names for stories, games and OCs: 86 original names with invented meanings, from demon lords and fallen-angel styles to imps, plus how to make your own.
Wood elf names for hunters, druids and forest clans: 90 original female and male wood elf names with invented meanings, clan names and a root-word method.