Gnome Name Generator

How gnome names are usually built

Gnome names are short bursts of sound with a bounce in the middle. Soft consonants such as b, p and z meet quick vowels, and the endings do the character work: wick, kin and nock for a tinker who is always busy, bell, ette and nelle for a gnome who sounds like a small ringing. Many gnomes carry more than one personal name, one for family and one for friends, so a long name is part of the joke.

The clan name says what the family does. Rock gnomes take names from their workshops, such as Brassbobbin. Forest gnomes take them from the places they hide, such as Mossthimble. Deep gnomes take them from stone and silence, such as Agateglow.

Keeping gnome names consistent

Decide how many names a gnome has and who is allowed to use which one. A common pattern is a short everyday name, a longer full name and a clan name that only turns up at formal meetings. Keep the rule and let it carry the comedy: a human who calls a gnome by the wrong name should be corrected, patiently. Give each clan one trade or habit and keep the clan name tied to it, so a reader who meets a Cogtwist knows to look for a workbench.

Twenty example gnome names

• Fizzwick Brassbobbin a clockmaker whose shop is never quiet.
• Nimbelle Mossthimble a herb gardener who talks to snails.
• Dibbock Cogtwist an inventor with a patent on a spoon.
• Wimpina Agateglow a deep miner who hums while she digs.
• Quibnock Gearwobble a courier who runs on caffeine and clockwork.
• Tinkelle Fernwhisper a wandering healer who sleeps in trees.
• Bimbleric Copperfuse a showman who blows up a barrel at every fair.
• Zimzle Flintsifter a prospector with a good nose for ore.
• Pipsy Dandelionnest a hedge witch who knows every weed.
• Glimwick Valvetumble a plumber who is secretly a spy.
• Fobzle Pebbledew a forest scout, small even for a gnome.
• Wibette Sprocketsnap a runaway apprentice with a toolbox.
• Nibbin Slatehush a deep gnome watchman, rarely spoken to.
• Jinlyn Hazelgleam a bard whose lute plays itself on odd days.
• Skibrick Lensfiddle an optician and a gossip.
• Lipple Thistledell a beekeeper with a famous honey.
• Zipnock Springrattle a young mechanic who lives in a wagon.
• Mimeta Quartzlantern a deep gnome lamp keeper.
• Dimpwort Hingeknuckle a carpenter who carves toys.
• Ritabell Violetroot a village mayor of a very small village.