Clan Name Generator

How clan names are built

A clan is a family that grew large enough to need a flag, so its name usually starts small. Some are named after a founder (Clan Brakmund, the Sons of Ulfgar), some after the animal on their banner (the Grey Wolf Clan) and some after the place they hold (the Cairn Clan of Torvald). The animal and place names are easier for readers to hold, while founder names sound older because they come with a story. Many clans carry two names at once: the one they use for themselves and the one their enemies say with a sneer.

Epithets help too. Clan Dagmund the Lame is a different clan from Clan Dagmund the Bold, even though the founder is the same.

Keeping clans consistent in a story

Give each clan a symbol, a colour and a reputation, and let the name point to at least one of them. If three clans are named after animals, make the fourth different on purpose so readers can tell it stands apart. Keep the naming grammar the same inside a culture: if the northern clans say Clan and then a name, do not suddenly have one called The Children of the Moon unless it has a reason to be strange. Track feuds on paper, because a clan name used inconsistently makes a feud confusing. And decide whether members take the name or the name takes them: a clan can be a family, a territory or an oath.

Twenty example clan names

• Clan Brakmund a hard mountain family led by the oldest sister.
• The Grey Wolf Clan hunters who winter in the high passes.
• Clan of the Red Heron river folk who guard the fords.
• The Sons of Ulfgar proud descendants of a long-dead war leader.
• The Cairn Clan of Torvald keepers of the burial stones.
• Clan Dagmund the Lame a clan that outlived its founder's injury.
• The Black Raven Clan of Hakkund scouts and messengers for the northern lords.
• Clan Eldvik a small coastal clan famous for its smiths.
• The Stag-Kin quiet forest folk who rarely meet strangers.
• The Broken Ridge Clan survivors of a landslide that took their village.
• Clan Svarthal a rival of long standing with a grudge.
• The Children of Jorund a clan that includes anyone Jorund once adopted.
• The Pale Swan Clan singers and healers on the marsh edge.
• Clan Gunnvald cattle raiders with a code of honour.
• The Iron Bear Clan of Vorndal famous for strength and bad temper.
• Clan of the Hidden Glen a clan most maps leave blank.
• The Rook-Folk thieves, spies and traders in rumour.
• Clan Kordheim a ruling house that claims the high seat.
• The Salt Skerry Clan fishers who trade in dried cod.
• The Wild Boar Clan of Rask a young clan, proud and always hungry.