A name is the first thing people learn about your character, and it sets expectations before they see a single drawing. "Bramble" sounds very different from "Vesper," and both sound different from "Kevin." Below you'll find more than 300 OC names sorted by vibe, plus tips for choosing the right one.
Want a name that comes with a full personality and backstory? Roll one in the OC Generator.
Cute OC names
Mochi, Pippa, Clover, Biscuit, Juniper, Pip, Daisy, Tofu, Maple, Peaches, Bean, Sunny, Button, Honey, Nibbles, Poppy, Taffy, Waffles, Bunny, Cocoa, Marshmallow, Kiwi, Sprout, Twinkle, Cupcake, Fig, Pudding, Bubbles, Lulu, Momo, Nori, Pebble, Sugar, Plum, Dewdrop
Soft and pretty OC names
Lilia, Elowen, Seraphine, Isolde, Wren, Amara, Celeste, Rosalind, Ophelia, Lark, Mirelle, Aurelia, Fleur, Linnea, Esme, Delphine, Rosie, Aveline, Iris, Calla, Noelle, Liora, Marisol, Briar, Sylvie, Odette, Meadow, Thea, Selene, Ivy
Cool OC names
Ryder, Jax, Kai, Zane, Nova, Axel, Blaze, Rook, Vex, Ember, Phoenix, Talon, Raven, Kade, Onyx, Ash, Storm, Dash, Rogue, Jett, Sable, Knox, Cypher, Zephyr, Echo, Flint, Slate, Volt, Ace, Nyx
Dark and mysterious OC names
Vesper, Morvena, Lucian, Ravena, Malachai, Nocturne, Thorne, Lilith, Damon, Hex, Mordecai, Seraph, Corbin, Isadora, Grimm, Shade, Wraith, Vale, Corvin, Nightshade, Belladonna, Silas, Umbra, Cassius, Obsidian, Draven, Ebon, Hollow, Requiem, Moros
Unisex OC names
Robin, Sage, Rowan, Quinn, River, Avery, Ellis, Remy, Sky, Jules, Morgan, Lane, Indigo, Finley, Emery, Arden, Reese, Kit, Taylor, Marlowe, Blair, Ira, Noa, Sol, Hollis, Oakley, Rain, Shiloh, Wynn, Lennox
Fantasy OC names
Aldric, Elara, Thalion, Brynja, Caelum, Eirwyn, Faelan, Gwendara, Isembard, Kaelith, Lysander, Mireille, Orrin, Perrin, Rhosyn, Sylvaris, Tamsin, Ulric, Valen, Ysolde, Corwyn, Elsbeth, Garrick, Halvard, Ilsa, Jorund, Leofric, Maelis, Oswin, Theodric
More ideas in our list of fantasy character names.
Sci-fi OC names
Orion, Lyra, Atlas, Vega, Juno, Castor, Nexa, Kepler, Andromeda, Rigel, Zara, Halcyon, Io, Sirius, Quasar, Titan, Astra, Electra, Nebula, Pax, Rho, Solace, Tycho, Xen, Zenith, Aero, Byte, Cobalt, Lumen, Unit-7
Anime-style OC names
Hana, Ren, Akira, Yuki, Sora, Haru, Rin, Kaito, Mei, Hikari, Daichi, Aoi, Kenji, Nanami, Riku, Sakura, Takumi, Yuna, Itsuki, Kohana, Minato, Natsuki, Ryota, Shiori, Tsubasa, Yoru, Asahi, Chiyo, Hayato, Mio
Nature-inspired OC names
Willow, Ash, Fern, Hazel, Cedar, Laurel, Moss, Brook, Aspen, Birch, Heather, Linden, Rain, Sorrel, Thistle, Basil, Coral, Dune, Flint, Gale, Holly, Lake, Marsh, Pine, Reed, Sky, Tide, Vale, Yarrow, Zinnia
Funny or quirky OC names
Gerald, Pancake, Sir Reginald, Bartholomew, Noodle, Dorothy, Gus, Pickles, Mildred, Wilbur, Crumb, Toast, Beans, Chester, Humphrey, Mabel, Ferdinand, Nugget, Ricardo, Spud
How to choose the right OC name
- Match the setting. A medieval knight named "Jaxon" can work, but it tells readers the world isn't historical. Make sure that's what you want.
- Think about the character's parents. Who named them, and why? A name chosen by hopeful parents might not match the person the character became, and that's a story in itself.
- Say it out loud. If it's hard to pronounce, readers will skip it or say it wrong.
- Keep your cast distinct. Avoid giving main characters names that start with the same letter or sound similar, like "Mara" and "Myra."
- Use meaning carefully. A name that means "dark" for a villain can feel heavy-handed. Subtle meanings are more satisfying when people discover them.
- Give them a nickname. What do friends call them? What does their mother call them when she's angry?
- Search it. Make sure your OC's full name isn't already a famous character.
Turn a name into a character
Once you've picked a name, build the rest of your OC with our OC template, or describe them in the Character Creator to see what they look like.
FAQ
How do I come up with a good OC name?
Start with the character's setting, culture and personality, then brainstorm names that fit. Say them out loud, check they don't clash with other characters, and pick the one that feels right after a day or two.
Can I use these names for my characters?
Yes. Names themselves can't be owned, so feel free to use any name on this list for your stories, art and games.
What are some cute OC names?
Mochi, Clover, Juniper, Pippa, Maple, Poppy and Biscuit are popular cute names, especially for small, cheerful or animal characters.
Should my OC's name have a meaning?
It doesn't have to. Many great characters have ordinary names. A meaningful name can add depth, but personality matters more.
