In most fantasy settings, dwarves are stout, long-lived people with deep roots in mountains, mines and forges. They're known for craftsmanship, stubbornness, long memories and even longer beards. When players name a dwarf, they usually want the name to carry some of that weight: hard consonants, short and solid syllables, and a family name that sounds like it has been carved over a doorway for a few centuries.
Dwarf names in fantasy fiction have long borrowed their sound from Old Norse and other northern European languages, and that tradition is a good place to start. Names ending in hard sounds like -k, -r and -d feel sturdy, while doubled consonants and rolling Rs add a gruff, rumbling quality. Clan names are usually compounds of two plain words, one drawn from stone, metal or fire and the other from a body part, tool or place, like Granitebrow or Anvilheart.
Borrow any of them for your campaign; none come from a sourcebook or a famous novel. If you need a dwarf in a hurry, the generator above builds a complete character sheet around each name, down to armor class, hit points and a plot hook.
Sturdy given names
Short, heavy names with a hammer-on-anvil sound.
- BorvikBlunt and solid. Suits a fighter or a smith.
- KeldrunRumbling and old-fashioned.
- HedrokSimple and strong, easy to say at the table.
- ThrundarSounds like distant thunder in a mountain hall.
- BramwickFriendly and rustic, good for a tavern owner.
- GrumvaldGravelly, with a stubborn edge.
- HarvaldDignified, like a clan elder.
- KorvekHard at both ends. Great for a warrior.
- TolgarSteady and reliable-sounding.
- VardrumA drumbeat of a name.
- RognarGruff and loud, like its owner.
- DurganEarthy and dependable.
Strong names for dwarf women
Names with the same sturdy sound, many drawn from real Norse names.
- BrenkaCrisp and fierce.
- HelviShort and bright, with a northern ring.
- IngraStrong and simple.
- RunaA real Norse name linked to runes and secrets.
- SignyA real Old Norse name for women, graceful but sturdy.
- ThyraA historical Scandinavian name with a regal feel.
- YrsaA real Old Norse name, short and unusual.
- KettlaHomely and warm, good for a brewer or cook.
- HildraBuilt on the Norse hild, "battle."
- BrynjaAn Icelandic name meaning "armor." Perfect for a cleric or paladin.
Clan names
Compound family names built from stone, metal, fire and craft.
- AnvilheartA family of smiths, steady and dependable.
- DeepdelveMiners who dig further than anyone else.
- GranitebrowFamously stubborn, even for dwarves.
- CoalhelmHardworking and soot-stained.
- SlatebeardGray-bearded and serious.
- StonemantleAn old family that guards the mountain gates.
- EmberholdKeepers of a forge that has never gone out.
- ForgewrightMaster craftspeople, known for their work.
- BoulderbackStrong, broad and hard to move.
- CinderhandSmiths with burn scars and good stories.
- TunnelbrookA family from a mine beside an underground river.
- AxebearerA clan of warriors and guards.
Nicknames and epithets
What the rest of the party will actually call your dwarf.
- GrumbleFor a dwarf who complains about everything, but always shows up.
- AnvilFor a dwarf who's impossible to knock down.
- BellowsFor the loudest voice in any tavern.
- RedbraidFor a dwarf with a famous beard.
- PickaxeA miner through and through.
- TankardNever seen without a drink.
- Old SootFor a veteran smith.
- Two-BraidsNamed for a distinctive beard style.
Tips for naming a dwarf
- Keep given names short and solid. One or two syllables with hard consonants feel most dwarven.
- Pair the given name with a clan name that tells a story, like a family of miners or a line of smiths.
- Give them a nickname the party can use. Grumble or Tankard is easier to shout mid-battle than a full name.
- Make sure it's easy to say. You'll hear it hundreds of times over a campaign.
Common questions
What makes a good dwarf name?
Short, strong syllables with hard consonants, like Borvik or Keldrun, paired with a compound clan name like Granitebrow or Anvilheart.
Do dwarves have last names in D&D?
Usually a clan or family name, although your setting and your table can decide. Compound names built from stone, metal or craft words are a popular choice.
Can I use a real Norse name for a dwarf?
Yes. Real names like Runa, Thyra and Yrsa have exactly the northern sound that fantasy dwarves are known for.