Like so: https://sunderedshillings.blogspot.com/2026/08/trying-to-fire-up-bandwagon-names.html
It's funny - not "ha ha" funny, but funny queer - I like people like a dog likes people, just about everyone's got something interesting about them, something to like about them, but I don't like making characters. Worldbuilding and such I enjoy, but not making characters. Perhaps this is what saved me from the terrible fate of "trying to be a writer".
So names I find kind of annoying to come up with. Typically I use www.behindthename.com, search up a word's etymology and/or use google translate to find somewhat-related words to mash together, or just make up some bullshit that sounds good. I'm very bad at coming up with names on the spot, and my boys still make fun of me for coming up with "Tigré LeSharp" like a decade ago.
I didn't like Elden Ring that much, and haven't played their other games, but FromSoft has discovered the Sauce to good fantasy names - Eleum Loyce, Anor Londo, Lost Child of Antiquity, Raya Lucaria, Mohgwyn, etc.
Also, because I don't like doing this "meta" stuff (it's like an actor looking into the camera), here's some naming schemes for the people of the planes of the Great Wheel:
The Clockwork Nirvana of Mechanus: They get designations and numbers, no I can't come up with anything more creative than that. Puller of the Crucible Lever in Sector A34-K70 No. 4,987, friends get to call them "Pully" or "Eight'n'seven".
Mount Celestia: These guys are named after virtues (Justice, Mercy, Fortitude, etc.) or they've got those weird Puritan names like "Destroy-Wickedness" or "Follow-The-Righteous".
Arcadia: There's nothing interesting about this place, so the people there give themselves fake wuxia-ass names like Flourishing Orchid in the Whirlwind of Regret or Tiger's Shadow Cast Over A Mountain. They're named like the deathlords in Exalted but nice.
The Twin Paradises of Bytopia: Their names have some kind of duality to them, or their names are palindromes, duality is like the only interesting thing about Bytopia, they've got names like VincentnecniV or Felicity-Felix.
Elysium: They're just Greek. Why not. But it's nice Greek meanings like Antares or Philosophia or whatever.
The Beastlands: They've got names like pets have like Spot or Rover or Tibby or they name themselves what animals would name themselves like Lounges-In-Sunbeams or Happily-Wallowing.
The Olympian Glades of Arborea: (One day I will figure out something interesting to do with these lame extra heavens) - fuuuck I already did Greek for Elysium... ok so they've got... plant names? Is that anything? Chloranthy and Cotyledon and Cyme and so on and suchlike.
Ysgard: They've got strong old-timey names with boastful epithets like Hrodnand the Hunter or Invincible Ysolde.
Limbo: They've got non-binary names like Mud or just kludge words that aren't names together like Cupajoe or Onthetable or Wheelnailcloud.
Pandemonium: Random kludges like Limbo but phonemes instead of words - Bvoolakalaka, Fiotria, Zzeem.
The Infinite Abyss: Only demon lords get real names and they're like Lolth and Pazuzu and Demogorgon, lesser demons might get a nickname based on a distinguishing feature like Milkeye or Shitstink, or if they're useful to their lord they might get one based on their purpose like Slaughter or Hostage-Killer.
Carceri: Everyone's a prisoner and a guard here, discipliner and disciplined... they've got a "face name" and a "mask name" and which is which depends on whether they're overtly or covertly part of the plane's power structure - like one guy might be Mr. Forsythe and El Loco Malvado and another might be Stumpfuck and also Her Ladyship the Dean.
The Grey Waste of Hades: Cenobite names. I know I keep leaning on cenobites for these guys - maybe I'll come up with more later. Pinhead. Chatterer. Sawn-off. Gouged.
Gehenna: (One day I will figure out something interesting to do with these lame extra hells) - uhh these guys get fuckin uhhh Hebrew names - Shemamama, Alivut, La'anot, Vile Shlomo.
The Nine Hells of Baator: (I like to imagine Baator as the name of the plane, which the devils have colonized after exterminating the native Baatorians) - they've got Key of Solomon-ass names and titles and they insist you use them all - e.g. Gavoriax, Grand Duke of the Boiling Baths, He Who Transformeth Men Into Serpents, Knower of the Mansions of the Stars, Master of Thirty-Three Legions.
Acheron: The rank-and-file get demeaning names like Maggot or Chirpy, distinguish yourself and work your way up and you earn a name like Captain Siegebreaker or General Butt Naked or Commander Spineripper.
Appendix Z: A list of names I have previously come up with, and am reposting here
The Republic of Beards/Gherriot, Curdle, Thaw, Itaban's Verge, Jornu, The Brayreyt Peninsula, Bakseo, Glower's Fen, Mandle Maar, Abrogance, Gomgastile, Lahasam, Seobex, Illa Vadenar, Talmer Iffre, Lantham, Holy Muss, Pxtou, Caolao, Secodorem, Mawuz Brin, Gattaband, Shinshir, Begor, Ichepu, THE HOWITZAR (Kaiser of kabooms), Finigal, the scrutch, the Old Stone Soul, Tumeld-Maer, kythe, the Confederacy of Humps, Ixaret, Hickoryholt, Skarlang, Ostelottz, the Tyrannies of Quelm, Theyis, the Republic-in-Chains, Avino, Etilig, Zelorn, Cathalo, Bick, Manap, Ogal, Mizoolah, Habiru, En-Yen-Yee, Warlumderby, Shiersha, Haxty Gron, Portry, Gurdielark, Pisnong, Bellganver, Umeziya, Harmonious Wallab, the Grace-Eater, Sacred Blue, the Land of Cobb, Godlove the Penitent, Chernabbas, Xenarthra, Aka-Shaan, the Prey Kingdoms, Yhanzeng, Sea-Meets-Sky, Snareybrush, Kalekenny, Phu-Neng, Xos-Gotox, Makoma, Gemakurie, Feallu, Thin Parkin, Rosha, Dismund, Fewmish, Fenwall, Kemüt, Dyrnu, Wagata, Oztarak, the Reach of Rot, Rhudreem, Ardenlaor, Aklay, Zalazeel, Old Grouse Hills, Boncloud, Yigadraz, Quilala Bucho, Shyshmu, Kao-Kha-Kao, Arembolus, Llod Mü, Chuma Sumaki, Amartza, the God-in-the-Keg, Demaerel, Abol, Blissum, Potreze, Vasalerat, Shashagosa, Addegastus, Solatio, Lentibelsinea, Hascell, Robin King Agbisherea, Arkhebalataia, Mossassul, Hamorda-morda, T'Jem, Buchevult, the Hushlands, Lyr Branwen, Scrome Blapherd, Mirramessa, the Stonies, Lindhog, Dumaruga, Sarconensis, Imrane, Ogdala, Scrammatelia, Dire Ulixes, Perfidious Albion, Nectanebos, Nystagmus, Modredus, Sonthonax, Aristide, Orfeo & Heurodis, Deirdriu Anbroin, Maesalynbeth, Indolent Semyon, Free Lance Ypolita, Yrento, Voivode Cyrus, Strong-Thewed Uruk, Loathsome Margot, Siglief, Gaheirn, Dirnemir, Berbiolette, Soldeva, Viraloon, Zecho, Pirralene, Lowch, Metton, Peygon, Ashumarit, Yamulpiiki, Darklord Duplicitous
Appendix S: A list of words & phrases I think would make good names for superheroes and supervillains (finally I have an excuse to post this)
Longshoreman, Skyclad, Skyscraper, Dustbunny, Fancyflight , Threnody, Lil Oozy, Death By Chocolate, Flambeau, Shadeshifter, Deadringer, Death Rattle, Shadowboxer, Purr, Knuckledragger, Snoozefest, Mote, Rocketglare, Junkyard Dog, Serum, Stonewear, Dirge, Incognito, Pigeonhole, Deathspiral, Charlatan, Acidreign, Sonicboom, Lancette, Top-Notch, Second-String, Munchkin, Whipsaw, Foie de Grâce, Steeplechaser, Kowtow, Freemartin, Catbird, Beach Bod, Pointbreaker, Polypro, Synth, Stargazer, Zero Day, Painstake, Man-at-Harms, Brack, Killage (like collage but for murder), Doctor Disorder/Shatterbrain (& The DSM 5), Robuster, Snowbird/Snowdrift, Tonguetwister, Tektite, Dropdead, Crystolero, Levy, Firstblood, Eldritch, Rightside/Brightside, Claviger, Turbo Hydroponic, Warhead, Kugelblitz, Derecho, Sunkissed, Arms' Length, Beefcake, Pursuit, Songstress, Battlehound, Tearjerker, Tocsin, Paramount, Intro/Outro, Blackstrap, Bellweather/Belle Weather, Gobsmack, Mortsafe, Jailbird, Team: The Sunday Best, Calling Card, Crux, Eyewitness, Varmint, Stormsarge, Pixie Cut, Grave Danger, Widdershins, Furrow, Undertow, Tailspin, Knightshade, Alkahest, Bodybag, Top Brass, Sidereal, Soulmate, Acumen, Aureate, Bioterror, Primetime, Team: The Birds of Purgatory, Evergreen, Hullaballoo, Frontrunner, Marathon, Team: Traffickstop, Shakedown, Tryst, Verruca, Nostrum, Lullaby, Flipside, Florid, Brainchild, Fleece, Jaunt, Eyrie, Whopside, Headstone, Candyflip, Pepperpot, Blur, Scofflaw, Iron Lion, Halcyon, Hoax, Darling, Melange, Durance, Killerwatt, Debauch, Silver Platter, Bluegrass, Scram, Rasp, Concertina, Nightspot, Bulkhead, Hirsute, Wickerman, Pratfall, Slapstick, Stucco, Oopsie Daisy, Sandbox, Hobnob, Kindread, Carapacious, Lovetap, Heyday, Smokescreen, Smokeshow, Horrorshow, Cottontail, Tailgate, Pepperbox, Capsize, Umpteenth, Exodus, Mechaniacal , Outbreak, Wallflower, Mother Tongue, Landfall, Cityslicker, Trench Rat, Gym Rat, Tailwind, Blood Diamond, Scoundrel, Dichotomy, Handiwork, Windshear, Hardknock, Hell’s Belle, Globster, Fullbore, Painwheel, Pen Pal, Surefire, Piece of Eight, Rite of Passage, Foxhole, Malinger, Gung Ho, Lopside, Goofball, Bugout, Hellbroth, Beknighted, Potbelly, Dogpile, Nemetom, Periplus, Double Trouble, Doubledip, Smithereen, Basketcase, Pigsty, Hogwild, Lollygag, Eureka, Scattershot, Jitterbug, Strafe, Tantrum, Yesteryear, Showstopper, Limelight, Harvestman, Stinkeye, Cornucopia, Draconian, Incendium, Tornadic, Sonor, Syzygy, Alcazar, Badmash, Barmecide, Bezoar, Chanticleer, Chiliad, Dwaal, Famulu, Gallus, Gnathic, Martlet, Mistigris, Noyade, Oretic, Pinguid, Mother Goose, Eclipse, Gullinbursti, Khamsin, Bygone, Thornback, Backbeat, Bloodsport, Anathema, Firebug, Beeline, Malpractice, Hayseed, Pipsqueak, Bakushinchi, Man of the Hour, Debonair, Staredown, Stainless, Dreadnought, Chickenhawk, Earshot, Polliwog, Bingo, Trellis, Doggerel, Fracas, Topspeed, Headcase, Road Gator, Crowdsourcerer, Guttersnipe, Needlenose, Catspaw, Sellsword, Aplombomb, Tinsel, Lametta, Trample, Wannabe, Crooktalon, Fiasco, Packrat, Akimbo, Stampede, Recurve, Tagalong, Buckaroo, Brawn, Straitlace, Knitwit, Hearsay, Windburn, Scrum, Rotgut, Pharaoh, Damascene, Pronto, Derby, Nervewrack, Kibosh, Maven, Meshuga, Knickknack, Tsuris, Nightwitch, Tankette, Char, Clade, Whizbang, Elan, Crying Wolf, Reticle, Rally, Hardboiled, Masterpiece, Sterling, Featherweight, Sleuth, Blood/Blue Moon, Skein, Heartthrob, Ironbound/Hidebound, Creche, Siege, Wallop, Barebones, Leather Daddy, Crybaby, Veto, Bittersweet, Sea Change, Bazooka, Silhouette, Spectator, Mulligan, Flamingo, Wink/Hoodwink, Pesticide, Royal Flush, Paper Tiger, Cumulus, Anthem, Fleetfoot, Rampant, Lionheart, Scrimshaw, Sniffle, Grizzly, Dryad, Rivet, Vorpal, Corona, Moodswing, Canopic, Chorus, Recluse, Tallow, Pathfinder, Sham, Fluster, Pelt, Impetus, Stowaway, Moot, Pinion, Anthill, Powderkeg, Protege, Rancor, Callithrix, Cicatrix, Marmouset, Decorum, Highborne, Charnel, Rendezvous, Ephemeral, Blunderbuss, Rabbithole, Vagabond, Wilt, Rollick, Black Sheep, Fluke, Thespian, Scorch, Scoria, Solace, Zeal, Bushwhack, Singsong, Flock, Multitude, Feedback, Skindeep, Greenthumb, Leeway, Stovepipe, Stormchaser, Acme, Crackerjack, Bravura, Intrepid, Puck, Apeshit, Rottreiter, Mothball, Salvo, Cordial, Heist, Angelface, Armiger, Burnout, Auspice, Martyr, Cloudburst, Lookalike, Bootleg, Forerunner, Tumbleweed, Artifex, Skyrocket, Jackpot, Growthspurt, Hazmat, Vorpal, Maximal, Maxim, Fusillade/Salvo, Aviatrix, Phaneron, Sennet, Thane, Hecatomb, Brand, Coyote Ugly, Top Dog, Sleight, Clandestine, Facade, Charade, Armada, Revhead, Burgermeister, Genome/Gegnome, Haste/Hastewaste, Exile, Conatus, Vermiform,, Creature Feature, Lariat, Collision Course/Crash Course, Little Green Monster, Lawbringer, Sacrosanct, Keelhaul, Gamut, Flea Circus, Morning Glory, Crossfade, Steadfast, Ironsight, Hierophant, Shrinking Violet, Tirade, Hegemon, Woebegone, Brazen, Vaunt, Ardent, Lambent, Ambrosia, Leeway, Whodunit, Florentine, Pilgrim, Jumpstart, Witchhunter, Speakeasy, Crocodile Tears, Maid of Dishonour, Leapfrog, Dashing, Flourish, Stockholm (like the syndrome), Worg, Deep Six, Reprise, Veneer, Grimalkin, Dibs, Knight Errant, Spearhead, Slouching Beast/Rough Beast, Grudge, Gab, Agony Aunt, Palate, Kuga (Serbian plague demon), Nectanebos, Miss Demeanour, Vagary, Muckraker, Mudslinger, Wild Goose, Flimflam, Hell’s Heart, Jaws of Defeat, Deathmetal, Avalanche, DEFCON, Exoplasm, King of Beasts, Pottymouth, Mosaic, Justiciar, Furball, Marmorean, Farrago, Swindler, Drench, Incarnadine, Shoutout, Rictus, Warchest, Esquire, Snake Eyes, Epitaph, Foursquare, Sleepyhead, Dark Horse, Torrent, Raze, Donnybrook, Caracole, Raffle, Doggone, Pointblank, Incognito, Liberty Cap, Forthright, Amigurumi, Jumpscare, Yomi, Manslaughter, Trichosis, Hardline, Gild, Pellmell, Imbroglio, Smashcut, Triage, Egress, Milk of Kindness, Gibs, Somnelier, Splashdown, Blitz, Awooga, Kachi-Kachi, Jetset, Regalia, Highroller, Glassjaw, Musclebound, Crazy Fox, Bogey, Whipcrack, Whiptail, Garland, Lockstep, Punchline, Grok, One Hit Wonder, Hotshot, Absentia, Repertoire, Malomagus, Trifecta, Chatterbox, Mr. Right, Ricochet, Eavesdrop, Bloodblister, Onfall, Diving Belle, Gunplay, Alleycat, Chokechain/Stranglehold, Mollycoddle, Wunderwaffe, Hedgemon, Pintsize, Nectar, Peek, Ninth Circle, Den Mother, Columbiad, Nitpick, Lockdown, Bolide, Coldsnap, Keepsake, Aureole, Menagerie, Quagmire, X-Rayzor, Gravitas, Swagger, Freedom Fry, Bushmeat, Chud, Idol, Odalisque, Turtledove (Bird of Purgatory), Gnash, Alias/Alibi, Tokamak, Joyride, Ikijime, Vault, Scathe, Poltergeist, Starlet, Blank, Longshot/Elfshot/Bloodshot, Gamine, Truphane, Bullpup, Vamprey, Auteur, Negentropic, Boiling Frog, Clawful, Sweetheart, Dero, Argent, Mainline, Throng, Greasetrap, Wreckless, Manhandle, Diamond Duchess (baseball theme), Hooplala, Southpaw, Vigilant, Scale Model, Deadbeat, Trencheon, Bunkerbuster, Hawkshaw, Lummox, Desperado, Unsound, Glare, Torcher, Ruckus, Chalk-Full/Monumental, Breakneck, Carrion King, Pittersplatter, Headliner, Chimneysweep, Chiffon, Hitherthither, Heartburn, Ibid, Pyroclasm, Onslaughter, Marshal, Fishstick, Pest Control, Paraswooper, Whitehot/Redhot, Thwart, Azimuth, Epiphany, Lionshare, Starfall, Blowback, Knack, Milestone, Hissyfit, Bloodmoon, Cold Comfort, Dominant Hand, Timetested, Fulltilt, Thaumatonaut, Ramp-Up, Flak, Slalom, Sector, Outroar, Canacapé, Chiasmus, Creosote, Fettle, Chromatose, Coldforge, Caldera, Cavalcade, Stellaqua, Feathercap, Crocquette, Equipoise, Ozymandias' Work (like Frankenstein's Monster), Brine, Ideal, Loot, Gorm, Kern, Invictus, Blitzen, Prise, Miracle Mile, Jolty, Carbon Copy, Smoking Bee, Saurus, Checkmate, pHazard, Halite, Bud, Hoard, Powerhouse, Hike/Hitchhike, Albedo, Angler, Curglaive, Anguiped, Yen, Team: Honey & Vinegar, Team: Bright - “Bright Makes Right”, Team: Valliance, Team: EpitoWe, Junglelaw, Cookiecutter, Sketch, Spiderweb, Cuirass, Ordeal, Sledgeslammer, Big Game, Lotus, Herkyjerky, Sprout, Diable en Boîte, Axial, Curbstomp, Skedaddle, Tearaway, Cabochon, Wick, Boo, Flotsam, Factotum, Songseer, Sortilege, Roughshod, Turnabout, Screed, Blockhead, Gray Mater, Rabid, Crown Jewel, Plenitude, Hat Trick, Patient Zero, Extradition, Gloamveil, Doline, Doldrum, Brumalia, Rout, Deodand, Mortasheen, Defect Prefect, Oubliette, Lament
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