Dwarf Names: 92 Dwarven Names, Clans and Holds

Dwarf names are short and solid, like the people who carry them. Two blunt syllables, hard consonants and a clan name that tells you what the family makes, mines or drinks. This list has 92 original dwarf names: men, women, clans, a few jokes and the holds they live in.

For more, use the dwarf name generator. It's free and takes one click.

All of these names are new, and the meanings are invented for flavor. None are taken from a book, film or game.

Dwarf names with meanings

• Brundak: could mean "brown shield"
• Korgrim: could mean "grim anvil"
• Grundel: could mean "deep ground"
• Thokrin: could mean "thick-armed"
• Dulgar: could mean "valley spear"
• Varnik: could mean "the wary one"
• Kazgrun: could mean "iron beard"
• Orgim: could mean "ore finder"
• Throlmar: could mean "famous tunneler"
• Grumnir: could mean "thunder voice"
• Baldrek: could mean "bold king"
• Hurnik: could mean "horn blower"

Male dwarf names

• Borrin: could mean "bear's son"
• Gharl: one syllable, like dropping a hammer
• Tordak: could mean "thunder stone"

Aldrun, Bengrim, Dargun, Edrik, Fenrik, Garrim, Hargin, Jorn, Keldrun, Lodrik, Norgim, Ragdun, Uldar

Female dwarf names

Same weight, slightly rounder endings: -a, -la, -hild, -da.

• Brunla: could mean "brown-haired"
• Hergild: could mean "army gold"
• Marghild: could mean "pearl of battle"
• Ingra: could mean "first daughter"
• Stenna: could mean "little stone"

Bergild, Dorla, Embra, Fridka, Halga, Jorda, Kettra, Lofra, Nurga, Ragda, Sigda, Torla, Vigga

Dwarf clan names

A clan name is a material plus something the clan is known for.

• Brasskettle: famous brewers, mediocre fighters
• Granitebrow: stubborn even for dwarves
• Cinderkeg: their ale is served warm on purpose
• Coalmantle: miners from the deepest seam
• Anvilsong: smiths who sing while they work
• Orebeard: the name is literal, and the beard glitters

Axeholt, Barrelhelm, Boulderback, Copperknuckle, Deepvein, Flintgather, Goldtally, Ironbraid, Lodestone, Rubyhand, Slagfoot, Stonequaff, Tunnelborn, Whetstone

Funny dwarf names

• Grumbold Shortfuse: it's a very short fuse
• Bodrin Twobeards: the second beard is a long story
• Marga Mugsworth: has never spilled a drop
• Nob Pebblepocket: collects rocks and will show you all of them

Dunk Alewhistle, Borik Buttertoes, Gruff McAnvil, Hobnail Hank, Old Gravelbeard, Pick Pickerson, Rumble Stonebelly, Ulf Underfoot, Burp Barleyson, Kegs O'Malt

Dwarven city and hold names

• Grimhollow: a mining hold under a dead volcano
• Hearthdeep: the oldest hall, where the first fire still burns
• Vuldrak Hold: named for its founder
• Thousand Stairs: what outsiders call it

Brazengate, Deepanvil, Emberhall, Forgecrown, Glimmerdeep, Orrenhal, Underpeak, Kettledeep

How to make your own dwarven names

First names are two blunt syllables. Pick an opening and a closing:

• Openings: Bal, Bor, Brun, Dor, Gar, Grim, Har, Kor, Thok, Var, Ul
• Male closings: -ak, -in, -ik, -grim, -dur, -un, -ek, -ar
• Female closings: -a, -la, -hild, -da, -ga, -ra, -gild

Kor + grim is Korgrim. Brun + la is Brunla. If a name has three syllables, it's probably two names.

Clan names are a material and a noun, joined with no space:

• Materials: iron, copper, brass, granite, coal, flint, gold, ore, slag
• Nouns: beard, brow, braid, hand, back, kettle, keg, anvil, vein

Copper + knuckle, Granite + brow, Brass + kettle. The best ones hint at a trade or a family trait.

Parent names work well for introductions: "Borrin, son of Gharl" or "Brunla, Hergild's daughter".

Funny names follow one rule: an ordinary dwarf first name, then a surname that describes one unfortunate habit.

Tips for choosing a dwarf name

• Use hard sounds: b, d, g, k, r, th. A dwarf called Liraelle will spend the whole story explaining it.
• Let the clan name say something true. If the clan is Brasskettle, somebody in the family should brew.
• Keep first names distinct. Borrin, Dorrin and Thorrin in one party will drive readers mad.
• Search the name. Famous dwarves have used up many of the obvious two-syllable combinations.

More names for the party

Balance the dwarves with elf names, find a fighter in warrior names or name the mountain they live under with kingdom names. The dwarf name generator makes new ones ten at a time.

FAQ

What is a good dwarf name?

Brundak, Korgrim, Borrin and Baldrek for men; Brunla, Hergild and Stenna for women. Two heavy syllables and hard consonants.

What are female dwarf names?

Brunla, Marghild, Ingra, Dorla, Halga and Vigga. They use the same blunt openings as male names with endings like -a, -la and -hild.

What are dwarf last names?

Usually clan names made from a material and a trait or trade: Granitebrow, Copperknuckle, Brasskettle, Ironbraid.

What are some funny dwarf names?

Grumbold Shortfuse, Bodrin Twobeards, Borik Buttertoes and Kegs O'Malt. Pair a serious first name with a surname about a silly habit.