Half-Orc Name Generator
Half-orc names for D&D, by the people who raised the character.
Male Half-Orc Names
Related Name Generators
This half-orc name generator makes names for half-orc characters in Dungeons & Dragons and similar games. A half-orc is named by whoever raised the child, so the first choice is the upbringing. Among orcs the name is short and hard, with an epithet earned later, such as Grath Half-Tusk. Among humans it is an ordinary name like Bram Holloway. The third option takes one name from each side.
Half-Orc Names by Upbringing
| Upbringing | How the name is built | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Among orcs | An orc personal name with an earned epithet or the tribe | Grath Half-Tusk, Dursha of the Split Rock |
| Among humans | A human given name and the family surname | Bram Holloway, Greta Fenwick |
| Between the two | An orc name with a human surname, or a human name with an orc epithet | Thorg Marsh, Edith the Unbowed |
What Makes a Name Sound Orcish
Orc names in fantasy are short, usually one or two syllables, and built on hard consonants: g, k, r, th and z, with a, o and u as the vowels. Grath, Brakk and Thorg all follow that pattern. Female names in this generator keep the same consonants and end in a vowel, as in Grasha and Thovra. The second part of the name is earned and not given. Half-Tusk, Scarback and the Unbowed each say something that happened to the character.
Choosing a Name for Your Character
- Decide the backstory first. The name tells the table where the character grew up before a word of history is spoken.
- Let the epithet fit the class. A barbarian suits Scarback or Ashknuckle. A paladin or cleric suits Oathkeeper or the Patient.
- Consider two names. A half-orc who left the tribe for a city may use a human name in town and keep the orc name for those who knew them before.
- Say it aloud. The name will be spoken many times at the table. One or two syllables is easiest.
For full orcs use the Orc Name Generator. Other mixed heritages are covered by the Elf Name Generator and the Tiefling Name Generator, and a class-based title can be added with the Barbarian Name Generator.
How to Use the Half-Orc Name Generator
- Choose the upbringing: Pick who raised the character: orcs, humans, or a mix of both.
- Choose full name or first name: A full name adds an epithet, a tribe or a surname to the personal name.
- Choose a gender and generate: Each press gives six new names.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are half-orcs named in D&D?
By the culture that raised them. A half-orc brought up in an orc tribe has an orc name, and one brought up in a human town has a human name. Some who move between the two worlds change their name to fit in.
What is a good half-orc barbarian name?
A short orc name with an earned epithet: Grath Half-Tusk, Brakk the Unbowed, Dursha Scarback. Choose the orc upbringing and a full name.
What are good female half-orc names?
Grasha, Dursha, Thovra, Kezra, Morga and Vashka are typical of this generator. For a half-orc raised among humans, Brenna, Greta or Sigrid with a plain surname works well.
Do half-orcs have surnames?
Those raised among humans usually take the family's surname. Those raised among orcs use the tribe's name or an epithet they have earned.
Are these the names from the Player's Handbook?
No. The handbook prints a short list of examples, and those are left out here. These names are new but follow the same short, hard sound.
Can I use the names for a full orc?
Yes, the orc-style names suit an orc. The Orc Name Generator has more of them, with clan names.