Skip to content
NomezoNomezo

Drow names: 170+ female, male and dark elf name ideas

174 names · Updated · By The Nomezo Editors · Save to Pinterest

Good drow names sound sharp and silky at once, like Ilvraeth, Velkzar and Zaelith, mixing hissing z and sz sounds with liquid l, r and y. Female drow names tend to be long and grand, while male names are shorter and harder.

This page has 170+ original drow and dark elf names: female and male names, priestess and matron titles, noble house names, names built on real Latin and Greek words for darkness, spy names, short names, gender-neutral names and a few funny ones. None are taken from novels or games, so your character stays your own.

Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks

  • Sorrith

    Calm and low, for a scholar or scout

  • Szir of the Thousand Doors

    Knows every secret passage in the city

  • Draeth

    Short and grim, easy to remember

  • Mazrhen

    An uncommon cluster that sounds like a secret language

  • House Orvelith

    Healers whom even their rivals protect

  • Mushroom Marvin

    Grows twelve kinds of cave fungus and names each one

Want endless ideas? Try the elf name generator and generate new names in one click.

Female drow names

In most tabletop settings, drow society is ruled by women, so female names often sound grand and dangerous. All of these are original.

  1. Ilvraeth: Cold and whispery, made for a high priestess
  2. Zesryn: Sharp Z and a soft finish, like silk over steel
  3. Vel'quara: An apostrophe adds the classic Underdark clip
  4. Shalvrae: Smooth as spider silk, for a schemer
  5. Myrzith: Hissing and secretive, suits a spymistress
  6. Xaldra: Short, regal and a little dangerous
  7. Nalyssra: Long and serpentine, for a poison expert
  8. Ylvaine: A rare Y opening, elegant and cold
  9. Quarzel: Hard as quartz, for a stone-hearted noble
  10. Isziva: A buzzing Z sound, great for a sorceress
  11. Phaelyss: Pale and graceful, like moonlight on stone
  12. Kyrvanna: Strong start, sweet finish, a misleading combination
  13. Szendra: An old-world SZ cluster gives it an exotic edge
  14. Ulzaveth: Low and luxurious, for the eldest daughter of a house
  15. Ethryl: Short and airy, for a scout or messenger
  16. Zhilvara: A soft ZH sound with a commanding ending
  17. Raelzyn: Bright opening, shadowy close
  18. Vyshara: Breathy and quick, made for a dancer with knives
  19. Ilmaris: Calm and cool, for a scholar of forbidden texts
  20. Nethyra: Like nether, the deep below, made into a name
  21. Chalyth: A hard CH start and a gentle lisping end
  22. Sorvynne: Long and lavish, for a noble daughter
  23. Zaelith: A classic dark elf sound with Z and TH
  24. Merveth: Low and mysterious, for an oracle of the deep

Male drow names

Original names for drow men and boys: weapons masters, wizards, rogues and the occasional rebel.

  1. Velkzar: Clipped and fierce, made for a weapons master
  2. Ryzhaun: Exotic and fluid, good for a mage
  3. Tazrith: Quick and hissing, ideal for an assassin
  4. Nizzaren: A buzzing double Z for a sharp-tongued noble
  5. Kolvyrn: Cold, deep and steady, suits a guard captain
  6. Xenvar: A sleek two-syllable name with a lethal X
  7. Ilzhar: Smooth and proud, for a son of a great house
  8. Dravyn: Simple to say, impossible to trust
  9. Sorzhul: Dark and heavy, made for a war wizard
  10. Vaerith: Silky and old-sounding, for a scholar
  11. Ghalvren: A throaty GH that commands respect
  12. Mazrhen: An uncommon cluster that sounds like a secret language
  13. Ulvarth: Rumbling and strong, for a fighter
  14. Zhennic: Short and sly, good for a rogue
  15. Quelvaris: A rare QU opening, long and noble
  16. Ebrythe: Ebony-dark in sound, built for a shadow mage
  17. Kethvaer: Crisp and courtly, for a diplomat with secrets
  18. Ozrhyn: Odd and memorable, for a deep scout
  19. Syrlath: A soft hiss and a solid ending
  20. Valdhrin: Old-fashioned and proud, for a patriarch in exile
  21. Nyzzar: Snappy and sinister, for a mercenary leader
  22. Delvorn: From delve, fitting for a deep tunnel explorer

Drow priestess and matron names

Invented names with titles for the women who rule drow houses and temples.

  1. Matron Ilzivessa: A long name for the head of a powerful house
  2. High Priestess Nhaeryn: Leads the temple with a voice like cold iron
  3. Mother Szalvyra: Raised nine daughters and outmaneuvered them all
  4. Matron Qeldrisse: Rules from a throne carved into a stalagmite
  5. Priestess Vyrnaleth: Reads omens in strands of spider silk
  6. Revered Daughter Zhaelys: Third in line and planning to be first
  7. Matron Szaveth: Feared in council, adored by her spiders
  8. First Mother Orlyth: Founder of a house older than the surface cities
  9. Priestess Mylvarre: Keeps the temple's poisons and its secrets
  10. Matron Xelphine: Silver-haired and coldly patient
  11. High Priestess Ilthraine: Speaks rarely and is obeyed instantly
  12. Sister Zaevra: A junior priestess with senior ambitions
  13. Matron Valkyrra: Battle-hardened head of a warrior house
  14. Oracle Nysthra: Sees the future in still black water
  15. Keeper Yshaliss: Guards the house archive and all its traps

Drow house names and last names

Drow usually take the name of their noble house instead of a surname. These invented houses each come with a reputation.

  1. House Vyrzhael: An old noble line known for spider-silk armor
  2. House Ozzandre: Merchants who trade with the surface in secret
  3. House Myrrathe: Poisoners with impeccable manners
  4. House Zelvyn: Small, cunning and always on the rise
  5. House Quaelith: Keepers of a forbidden library
  6. House Szarrath: A warrior line whose blades never dull
  7. House Dhalvenn: Famous for its mushroom gardens and its ambushes
  8. House Ilkaryn: Rules the markets of the deepest cavern city
  9. House Xyrrae: Short name, long grudges
  10. House Nhaeldrin: Spymasters who know every tunnel
  11. House Velzanth: Mages who study the light they cannot stand
  12. House Thalzurra: Beast tamers who ride giant cave lizards
  13. House Ghaelvorn: Exiled and plotting a return
  14. House Ryzzik: A minor family with major ambitions
  15. House Phaezra: Artists who carve stone as fine as lace
  16. House Ulmarith: Old money and older enemies
  17. House Kezzaryn: Smugglers of surface fruit and gossip
  18. House Orvelith: Healers whom even their rivals protect
  19. House Zirrenvae: Diplomats who smile while sharpening knives
  20. House Sylkaran: Weavers whose cloth seems to bend shadows

Dark elf names for any world

Not playing a tabletop game? These original dark elf names fit any fantasy setting, from night-loving forest elves to exiles of a fallen court.

  1. Nocthariel: A night root plus the classic elven -iel ending
  2. Morwyth: Moody and Welsh-sounding, for a forest exile
  3. Duskariel: A twilight opening with an elegant elven tail
  4. Vaelorn: A noble name for a prince of a fallen court
  5. Shaevarel: Soft and shadowy, good for a ranger
  6. Ombraleth: From ombra, the Italian word for shadow
  7. Nyctaris: From nyx, the Greek word for night
  8. Ravenyth: A raven's darkness in an elven shape
  9. Thessalune: A moon-touched name for a night priestess
  10. Ylmorien: Long and lyrical, an exile's noble name
  11. Caeldra: Cool and simple, for a watcher of the night sky
  12. Veshariel: A graceful hiss for a court magician
  13. Lorvael: Gentle and old, for a keeper of lost songs
  14. Sabraeth: Dark and velvety, like the color sable
  15. Umbrysse: From umbra, the Latin word for shadow
  16. Nihtariel: From niht, the Old English word for night
  17. Gloamwyn: Built on gloaming, an old word for twilight
  18. Myrkveil: Pairs Old Norse myrkr, darkness, with a veil
  19. Eclipsar: Named for the moment the light disappears
  20. Vespraen: Evening-dark and soft, for a twilight scout

Drow names built on words for darkness

Invented names built on real Latin and Greek words for shadow, caves, spiders and stone. The roots are real and the notes say which word each one comes from.

  1. Caligra: From caligo, Latin for mist or darkness
  2. Erebessa: From Erebus, the primeval darkness of Greek myth
  3. Aranyth: From aranea, the Latin word for spider
  4. Speluncar: From spelunca, the Latin word for cave
  5. Skiadra: From skia, the Greek word for shadow
  6. Melanvyr: From melas, the Greek word for black
  7. Atrava: From ater, Latin for deep, dull black
  8. Argenthe: From argentum, Latin for silver, like moonlit hair
  9. Venyra: From venenum, the Latin word for poison
  10. Lithrae: From lithos, the Greek word for stone
  11. Silentha: From silentium, the Latin word for silence
  12. Crepuscara: From crepusculum, the Latin word for twilight
  13. Obscuryn: From obscurus, Latin for dark or hidden
  14. Cavernyx: From caverna, Latin for a cave or hollow

Drow assassin and spy names

Code names and epithets for the drow who work in the dark: spies, thieves, scouts and blades for hire.

  1. Silkstep: Moves so quietly the web never trembles
  2. Nine-Needles Zyrra: Keeps a poisoned pin hidden in every sleeve and boot
  3. Ghostweb: Leaves no trace except a single silver thread
  4. The Quiet Thread: Ties up loose ends without a sound
  5. Lirza Halfmoon: Works only when the city lamps burn low
  6. Saevrin Glasshand: Steals anything without leaving a print
  7. Mothsilk: Soft as a moth's wing and just as hard to catch
  8. Nightdrop: Drops from the ceiling without warning
  9. Zhess the Patient: Waits for years to make a single move
  10. Velvet Fang: Polite in person, dangerous in the dark
  11. Coldlantern: Carries a hooded light that shows only enemies
  12. Szir of the Thousand Doors: Knows every secret passage in the city
  13. Inkfinger: A forger whose letters fool every matron
  14. Velyn Stillwater: Calm, unreadable and always listening
  15. Vexil the Unseen: Has never once been caught on any patrol

Short drow names and nicknames

One or two syllables, easy to say at the table and quick to shout in a tunnel fight.

  1. Zyl: One buzzing syllable, quick to call in a fight
  2. Szira: Short, sharp and very Underdark
  3. Ryzz: Sounds like a blade being drawn
  4. Ilza: Soft and sleek, for a young scout
  5. Quel: Clipped and cool, for a quiet sentry
  6. Xass: Hisses like a cornered spider
  7. Zhel: A soft ZH that slips past unnoticed
  8. Myrr: Rolling and murky, like a deep pool
  9. Thyss: Breathy and secretive, a spy's whisper
  10. Ezzi: A cute nickname for a not-so-cute assassin
  11. Vrin: Gruff and simple, for a tunnel fighter
  12. Kyth: Hard K and a soft finish, for a hunter
  13. Shyl: Quiet as silk, for a thief
  14. Nhal: A silent H gives it an old, foreign feel
  15. Draeth: Short and grim, easy to remember

Gender-neutral drow names

Original dark elf names that suit a drow of any gender.

  1. Ilvyr: Silvery and neutral, for any noble child
  2. Zaeryn: Smooth Z and a soft finish that fits anyone
  3. Nhyss: Hushed and mysterious, a name to whisper
  4. Vethiel: Elegant and old, with an elven -iel ending
  5. Qaelryn: A rare Q opening that stands out on a roster
  6. Sorrith: Calm and low, for a scholar or scout
  7. Xyleth: Sleek and modern, with a crisp X
  8. Ezryth: Bright start, shadowy end
  9. Lhaeryn: A silent H adds an air of old magic
  10. Myrrhyn: Like myrrh, an old perfume resin, made into a name
  11. Thaezar: Commanding and flexible, for a leader of any gender
  12. Vaszryn: Hissing and stylish, good for a duelist
  13. Ozryl: Odd and memorable, for a wanderer
  14. Kaelyth: Graceful and quick, for a mage

Funny drow names

Puns and jokes for a comic relief dark elf, a one-shot or a player who keeps forgetting their darkvision.

  1. Drowsy: Naps all day, which is hard to notice in the dark
  2. Lamp-Shy Lenny: Flinches at every torch, candle and glowworm
  3. Sunburn Sally: Lasted three minutes on the surface
  4. Squints McGee: Still adjusting to daylight after ten years
  5. Matron Mildred: Rules her house with cozy sweaters and an iron will
  6. Silky Sid: Spends all day spinning and sorting spider silk
  7. Drow Barrymore: A star of the Underdark stage and screen
  8. Drowning in Paperwork: A house clerk buried in endless contracts
  9. Dark Elf on the Shelf: Watches the surface kids every December
  10. Cave Dweller Dave: Has never seen the sky and is fine with it
  11. Mushroom Marvin: Grows twelve kinds of cave fungus and names each one
  12. Lady Gloomsworth: Sighs dramatically at every bright idea
  13. Duke of Damp: Lord of the drippiest cavern in the deep
  14. Count Cavendish: Fancy name, lives in a cave
  15. Sir Hides-a-Lot: Excellent at stealth, terrible at parties

How to pick the right name

Lean on hard and hissing sounds

Z, X, SZ and ZH give a drow name its edge. Balance them with a liquid L, R or Y so the name still flows.

Use apostrophes sparingly

One apostrophe, as in Vel'quara, adds a foreign clip. Two or more make a name hard to read and harder to say.

Add a house for status

A drow without a house is an outsider. Pair a first name with a house, like Zesryn of House Myrrathe, to show rank and rivalries at a glance.

Keep it your own

Famous drow from novels and video games are easy to recognize. An original name keeps your character from being mistaken for someone else's.

Drow names: 174 ideas from Nomezo

Save this list for later

Pin it to a naming board, or tap the heart next to any name to keep it in your favorites on this device.

Save to PinterestOpen favorites

Frequently asked questions

What are good female drow names?

Ilvraeth, Zesryn, Shalvrae, Nalyssra and Zaelith are original picks with a classic dark elf sound. For a ruler, add a title, as in Matron Ilzivessa.

What are good male drow names?

Velkzar, Tazrith, Xenvar, Quelvaris and Vaerith all sound sharp and noble. Shorter names like Vrin or Kyth suit fighters and scouts.

What is the difference between drow and dark elves?

Drow is the name tabletop games, especially Dungeons & Dragons, give their underground dark elves. Dark elf is the wider fantasy term, going back to the dark elves of Norse myth, and many books and games use it for their own versions.

Where does the word drow come from?

Drow is a word from the Scots dialects of Orkney and Shetland, where it is another form of trow, a mischievous creature of island folklore. Gary Gygax brought it into Dungeons & Dragons as a name for dark elves in the late 1970s.

Do drow have last names?

In most settings drow use their noble house name instead of a surname, so a character might be Velkzar of House Szarrath. Houseless drow often go by one name or an epithet like Silkstep.

More fantasy & d&d and generators

See every page in Fantasy Names →