Army Name Generator

How army names are built

Armies are named for the place that raises them, the number in the order of battle, or the quality they want to be remembered for. In old worlds, a host takes the name of a lord or a land (the Host of Brakmund) or a sworn quality (the Steadfast Spears). Modern forces number their units and add a role: the Third Armoured Division. Far-future fleets add a mission: the Hollow Picket Fleet. Numbers feel official, adjectives feel proud, and a place name tells you whom the army belongs to.

Soldiers also give their units nicknames, and these often outlast the official name. The Iron Seventh is a name a legion earns.

Keeping an order of battle straight

Pick one numbering system and keep to it. If the First, Second and Third Legions are listed, readers will notice a Seventh Division in the same army. Give each force a banner and a reputation that matches its name, and let rival armies use clearly different naming styles: one by number, one by place, one by animal. Think about who named each force. A royal army uses the king's titles, a mercenary company uses a boast, and a conscript army uses a number because nobody asked the soldiers. Keep the short form too, since soldiers say the Ninth and not The Ninth Mountain Rifle Regiment of the North.

Twenty example army names

• The Iron Legion of Brakmund heavy infantry that has never been broken.
• The Third Armoured Division a modern unit with a rough reputation.
• The Steadfast Spears a defensive host that holds the river fords.
• The Hollow Fleet of Sevarion a deep-space patrol with few survivors.
• The Calarian Host the standing army of a proud kingdom.
• The Ninth Mountain Rifles light infantry who live in the high passes.
• Army of Kordheim a conscript army with grim discipline.
• The Silver Vanguard a ceremonial unit that sees real battle.
• The Twelfth Expeditionary Force sent to a distant colony and forgotten.
• The Black Banner of Tarnholm a mercenary company that serves the highest bidder.
• The Ashen Lancers cavalry that fights at dusk.
• The Orsendal Marine Brigade sea soldiers famous for night landings.
• The Void Corps boarding troops with a short life expectancy.
• The Red Wolf Warband raiders who answer only to one chief.
• The Fifth Royal Rifles a regiment with a long list of battle honours.
• The Grey Wardens of Elorenne border guards, old and wary.
• The Static Picket Fleet ships that wait at the edge of the system.
• The Brandmark Guards palace troops who rarely leave the city.
• The Winter Levy farmers called up when the snow arrives.
• The Thorned Cohort a unit that holds the line at any cost.