Tribe & Clan Name Generator
Tribe and clan names for fantasy peoples, matched to the land they live in.
Tribe Names
Related Name Generators
This tribe and clan name generator makes names for the peoples of a fantasy world. A tribe is usually named for the land it lives on or an animal it respects, so the first choice is the homeland. Steppe riders get The Swift Hawks or People of the Long Grass. A mountain people get Clan Flintspear. Choose clan names when you need the family lines inside a tribe.
How the Names Are Built
| Kind | Pattern | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Tribe | A describing word and an animal | The Swift Hawks, The Quiet Owls |
| Tribe | The people and their place | People of the Long Grass, People of the High Pass |
| Tribe | A two-part name | The Dustspear Tribe, The Saltborn Tribe |
| Clan | Clan and a two-part name | Clan Flintspear, Clan Mossfoot |
| Clan | Clan and its emblem | Clan of the Grey Ram, Clan of the Red Jackal |
Names by Homeland
| Homeland | What the names draw on |
|---|---|
| Steppe and plains | Horses, hawks, wind, grass and distance |
| Forest | Stags, owls, moss, thorns and old trees |
| Mountain | Rams, eagles, stone, flint and high passes |
| Coast and river | Seals, herons, salt, reeds and tides |
| Desert | Jackals, vipers, sand, sun and hidden wells |
| Ice and tundra | Caribou, bears, frost, snow and the long night |
Using the Names in a World
- Give neighbours different patterns. If one tribe is The Swift Hawks, call the next People of the Dry River. Players tell them apart at once.
- Keep clans inside one homeland. Clans of the same tribe share a land, so generate them from the same option.
- Let outsiders use a different name. A people may call themselves People of the Long Grass while their enemies call them the Dustspears.
- Tie the name to something on the map. People of the Split Rock should live near a split rock, and the players should be able to find it.
For the individuals in the tribe, see the Barbarian Name Generator and the Orc Name Generator. Clans of other peoples are in the Dwarf Name Generator, the Goblin Name Generator and the Vampire Name Generator. Settled peoples can be named with the Kingdom Name Generator.
How to Use the Tribe & Clan Name Generator
- Choose tribe or clan: A tribe is a whole people. A clan is one family line inside it.
- Choose the homeland: The land decides which animals and places appear in the names.
- Generate and copy: Each press gives six new names.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a tribe and a clan?
A tribe is a people who share a territory and a leader. A clan is a group of families inside it who claim the same ancestor. One tribe usually holds several clans.
How do I name an orc clan or tribe?
These names work for orcs: Clan Flintspear and The Grey Ravens both suit them. The Orc Name Generator also makes orc clan names in the orcs' own style.
Can I use these for D&D clans?
Yes. They suit barbarian tribes, goliath and orc clans, and any people in a setting who are named for where they live.
What about vampire, elf, dwarf or goblin clans?
Those have their own conventions. Use the Vampire, Dwarf and Goblin Name Generators, which each include clan names.
Are these real tribal names?
No. They are invented for fiction and games and are not taken from any real people. Please do not use them to stand for a real culture.
How many clans should a tribe have?
Three to five is enough for a game. Name the tribe once, then generate clan names from the same homeland so they sound related.