How a D&D Expert Chooses Gnome Names (+ 190 Fun Ideas)

Gnome characters in Dungeons & Dragons are curious, chaotic, and mischievous–in other words, they’re a blast! If you’re stumped trying to come up with a name for your PC, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we provide tons of examples for male and female first names, as well as ideas for gnome clan names (last names). We also share naming advice from one of wikiHow’s Dungeons & Dragons experts to help you create a character name that fits your gnome’s personality and story. Plus, we have a gnome name generator if you want even more options! We’ll also discuss gnome naming conventions in D&D so you have a complete picture of this delightful race.

Gnome Name Inspo for D&D Characters

Dungeons & Dragons expert Johnny Stanton IV suggests giving a gnome a whimsical or steampunk-inspired name, like Sprinkle or Sprocket. Some other great name ideas include:

Male first names: Alvyn, Boddynock, Dimble, Frug, Roondar, Tinker, Zook
Female first names: Bimpnotten, Dapple, Ellyjobel, Loopnotten, Mirri, Nyxie
Clan names (last names): Bumbleburr, Greenbark, Rootwizzle, Tisktoss
Examples of full gnome names: Fuddwick Glimmerleaf, Ellyjobel Berrymoss

Section 1 of 6:

Male Gnome Names

Download Article

A male gnome’s first name is usually a made-up word that includes playful sounds or musical syllables that embody their personality traits and overall vibe. For example, Stanton IV recommends names that have a steampunk vibe or are related to gears and technology, while also having a whimsical, goofy, or fairy-like sound, such as Sprocket.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Johnny Stanton IV
Dungeons and Dragons Expert

Expert Interview} Gnome names also tend to roll off the tongue delightfully, so pick something that’s fun to say!^{[2]
X
Research source} Here are some male first names to consider for your gnome:
- Alston
- Apledosp
- Alvyn
- Boddynock
- Borwass
- Brocc
- Bumble
- Digby
- Dimble
- Eldon
- Erky
- Fiddlefern
- Fizzlebang
- Fonkin
- Frug
- Fudwick
- Gaerick
- Gimble
- Glim
- Glimtwiss
- Grick
- Grosgo
- Jasper
- Jebeddo
- Jemeny
- Kellon
- Kerrfuffle
- Minnizig
- Myrloch
- Namfoodle
- Nelvyn
- Nib
- Orryn
- Ozrick
- Padfoot
- Persnick
- Pilwinkle
- Pip
- Quibble
- Roondar
- Rumble
- Seebo
- Sindri
- Snorri
- Splat
- Sprocket^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Johnny Stanton IV
  Dungeons and Dragons Expert
  
  Expert Interview}
- Thicket
- Tinker
- Tripp
- Tuggle
- Tumble
- Warryn
- Wiggletink
- Wrenn
- Zook
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Johnny Stanton IV is a Dungeons & Dragons expert who’s been playing D&D for over 10 years. He’s also a former NFL player for the Cleveland Browns.

Section 2 of 6:

Female Gnome Names

Download Article

Female gnome names tend to be even more musical and fanciful than their male counterparts, often with a hint of mischievousness and absurdity thrown into the mix. Generally speaking, female gnome names are very bouncy and multi-syllabic, and they tend to evoke personality traits just by the way the syllables sound. For instance, Stanton IV recommends the name Sprinkle for a gnome!^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Johnny Stanton IV
Dungeons and Dragons Expert

Expert Interview} Here are some female gnome names to inspire you:
- Amorette
- Bimbletune
- Bimpnotten
- Bitty
- Brilda
- Brina
- Caramip
- Carthi
- Dapple
- Dewdrop
- Donella
- Dotti
- Ella
- Ellyjobel
- Elliwyck
- Enyth
- Gemhair
- Greika
- Hedbiddle
- Hymnir
- Katria
- Lilli
- Loopmotten
- Lorilla
- Lumwinkle
- Lyda
- Mardnab
- Mirri
- Mith
- Nelp
- Nissa
- Nolla
- Nyx
- Nyxie
- Oda
- Orla
- Pebblebrook
- Pippa
- Poppy
- Posy
- Ralli
- Roywyn
- Samsimmi
- Shamil
- Sprinkle^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Johnny Stanton IV
  Dungeons and Dragons Expert
  
  Expert Interview}
- Tana
- Tykelle
- Trina
- Twinkle
- Vexa
- Waywocket
- Willa
- Willow
- Zanna
- Zemni
- Zenna
- Curious about which DnD race you'd be based on your personality? Take our quiz to find out!

Section 3 of 6:

Gnome Surnames (Clan Names)

Download Article

Along with a first name, each gnome has a last name that reflects family traits or their clan (lineage) in some way. Because gnomes are so connected to the natural world, their surnames are often idyllic and nature-inspired, especially if they have a special kinship with a specific element (like moss, trees, flowers, etc.) Stanton IV especially recommends compound surnames, as you can never go wrong with a weird and funny-sounding name like Jump-Fiddle!^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Johnny Stanton IV
Dungeons and Dragons Expert

Expert Interview} Here are some surnames to consider for your character:
- Acornwhistle
- Berennock
- Berrybrush
- Berryleaf
- Brassbuttons
- Brightcog
- Bumbleburr
- Daergel
- Dandelion
- Dewdrop
- Flickersprocket
- Flintshadow
- Folkor
- Fonkinmeln
- Garrick
- Glimmerleaf
- Greenbark
- Grettles
- Glittergem
- Hazelnut
- Honeyblossom
- Hushfizzle
- Jademoss
- Jump-Fiddle^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Johnny Stanton IV
  Dungeons and Dragons Expert
  
  Expert Interview}
- Knotroot
- Lichenloch
- Meadowmoss
- Middles
- Mossyrock
- Mosswhistle
- Murnig
- Nackle
- Nettlebreeze
- Nimblefern
- Ningelton
- Nossensmoss
- Numbletwig
- Oakenthorn
- Orchidshade
- Raulnor
- Rootwizzle
- Sageblossom
- Sapling
- Scheppen
- Singsong
- Stumpsen
- Thimbleton
- Timbers
- Tinkerton
- Tinkertop
- Tisktoss
- Thollow
- Turintuck
- Vineroot
- Wildbloom
- Whistlefen
- Wobblegear

Section 4 of 6:

Gnome Naming Conventions in D&D

Download Article

Typically, gnomes have two names–a first name (given to them by their parents) and a surname (last name) connected to their family. Because gnomes are proficient with illusion magic and artifice, commonly combine magic with science, and tend to be sneaky, Stanton IV says they usually have whimsical and steampunk-inspired names.^{[8]
X
Expert Source

Johnny Stanton IV
Dungeons and Dragons Expert

Expert Interview} Their names are often associated with nature, descriptive, and musical to the ear, usually with soft consonants and multiple bouncy syllables.
- If you want to create your own gnome name, start with a fun sound like “nib,” “zim,” “fon,” or “bip.” Then, add a bouncy second syllable like “wick,” “nobb,” “burr,” “kor,” or “fizzle.”
- For the last name, include a nature-inspired element like “blossom,” “moss,” “bloom,” or “leaf” paired with another fun or musical-sounding syllable.
- Then, put it all together! A few examples we just made up on the fly: Nimfizzle Leafnobb, Bipburr Mosswick, Fonkor Zimblossom.
- It’s also very common for a gnome to acquire a whimsical nickname as their unique personalities develop (so keep that in mind as you’re playing).

Section 5 of 6:

DnD Community Advice for Naming Gnomes

Download Article

1
Swap in "Gn" for any normal name that starts with "N." If you can't find a gnome name that you like (or you're running out of time to decide), this simple tip can help you out in a pinch! As one user says in the r/DnD subreddit, "If the gname starts with [an] N, [just] put a G in front of it. [For example], Gnicholas, Gned, etc." Here are some other fun ideas:
- Gnewt
- Gneville
- Gnancy
- Gnarcissus
- Gnymphadora
- Gnapoleon
- Gnikki
- Gnorma
- Gnyx
2
Try the "4 syllables and a rhyme" naming trick. As one Redditor says in the r/DnD subreddit, "I love surnames that are four syllables, made up of two sets of two, and the second one rhymes. For example: Bertram Muzzleguzzle. Ignacious Rumbletumble. Gitzelbrag Spragglefraggle." This tip can yield some pretty interesting results (and the names are usually really fun to say)! Here are some other ideas:
- Fizzbang Tizzywizzy
- Willow Bumbledumble
- Glimtwiss Nogglefoggle
- Alvyn Razzledazzle
- Jasper Bibblefibble
3
Don't underestimate the power of a silly or punny name! LARPing is supposed to be fun, and this naming tip can ensure everyone at the table smiles when they have to speak your character's name! Really lean into it, consider details about your character's background, and don't hold back.
- For example, one user in the r/DnD subreddit suggests, "Metro Gnome: an exceedingly fashionable gnome who is also a music teacher."
- Another Redditor says, "[I] made a gnome monk and named him Aste (Ah-stay). He was chill and your classic mystic. He was called Gnome Aste."
- Another user in the r/DnD subreddit lists a whole slew of hilarious ideas based around pop culture names:
  - Gnomore Mr. Niceguy (The Rogue)
  - Gnome Cold Steve Austin (The Fighter)
  - Sherlock Gnomes (The Wizard)
  - Tony Sopragnome (The Barbarian)
  - Gnomer Simpson (The Ranger)
  - Gnome Of Arc (The Paladin)
- Other Redditors chime in with equally hilarious puns like:
  - Gnomen Clature
  - Gnome Chomsky
  - Gnomewhere Torun
  - Gnome de Plume
  - Gnome A. Lone
  - Gnomelander
  - G-nome
  - Gnome Eensno

Section 6 of 6:

More D&D and Fantasy Content

Download Article

Here at wikiHow, we have so much fun content for D&D and fantasy enthusiasts! Gameplay guides, character name generators, mythological creature descriptions… and much more. Here are some links to get you started (but don’t be afraid to poke around on your own, too):
- Generators:
- D&D guides:
- Other fantasy-related content:

Gnome Name Generator

Unearth the perfect name for your whimsical gnome!
Gnomes are short, humanoid creatures of fantasy and folklore that are everywhere in popular media. Whether you are mining names for the guardians of your garden or for a new fantasy novel, our Gnome Name Generator will help you unearth the perfect fit!
- Continue with your date?
  
  Start Over
  
  Continue
  
  All fields are optional.
  
  Gender
  
  Vibe
  
  See ad to
  
  Response failed. Please try again.
  
  Retry
  
  Try the full generator here.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

If you can’t think of a great name, Stanton IV notes that every D&D book has a list of names that you can use for your characters’ race/species. Simply roll a die to choose a name.^{[9]
X
Expert Source

Johnny Stanton IV
Dungeons and Dragons Expert

Expert Interview}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
At the end of the day, Stanton IV says you can name your character whatever you want, as long as your Dungeon Master (DM) agrees. Some DMs might have no rules for naming, while others have specific naming conventions for species/races that they want to adhere to.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Johnny Stanton IV
Dungeons and Dragons Expert

Expert Interview}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Take our "What DnD Class Am I?" quiz to find out which class aligns with your personality!

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0