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Dwarf names: 200+ dwarven, female and D&D dwarf names

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

The classic dwarf names are short, sturdy and Norse, like Dvalinn, Thorinn and Brokkr, all real dwarves from Old Norse myth. Invented dwarven names follow the same pattern, with hard consonants and solid endings such as -rik, -grund, -dra and -hild.

This page has 200+ dwarf names. The first three groups are real: dwarves named in the Völuspá, the Old Norse poem that lists them in a long roll call, plus famous smiths of Norse and Germanic legend, each with its usual meaning. The rest are original female and male dwarf names, clan names, last names, full names for D&D characters, titles and a few funny ones.

Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks

  • Velgunn

    Ends with gunn, from the Old Norse word for battle

  • Clan Slatebrook

    Live where an underground river runs over gray stone

  • Yngvi

    Prince or warrior; also a name for the god Freyr

  • Althjófr

    All-thief, a sly pick for a light-fingered character

  • Bömburr

    Drummer, or the swollen one

  • Bildr

    Edged weapon, or plowman

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

Dwarf names from the Völuspá

The Völuspá, an Old Norse poem preserved in a 13th-century Icelandic manuscript, includes a roll call of dwarves known as the Dvergatal. These are real names from it, with þ written as th; ð sounds like the th in this. Many meanings are uncertain, so the notes give the usual readings.

  1. Mótsognir: Named first and mightiest; perhaps one who roars in rage
  2. Durinn: Second dwarf named; perhaps sleeper or door-warden
  3. Nýi: New moon, listed right beside Niði
  4. Niði: Linked with the dark of the moon
  5. Norðri: Northern; one of four dwarves who hold up the sky
  6. Suðri: Southern; holds up a corner of the sky in Snorri's Edda
  7. Austri: Eastern; another of the four sky-bearing dwarves
  8. Vestri: Western; the fourth dwarf at the corners of the sky
  9. Althjófr: All-thief, a sly pick for a light-fingered character
  10. Dvalinn: The dormant one; said to have carved runes for the dwarves
  11. Dáinn: The dead one, or deathlike; a grim, solemn choice
  12. Bífurr: Perhaps quaking one, or beaver
  13. Báfurr: Usually translated as bean
  14. Bömburr: Drummer, or the swollen one
  15. Nóri: Little shaver, an old phrase for a small boy
  16. Ánarr: Starer, good for a watchful lookout
  17. Gandálfr: Wand elf or magic elf; Tolkien reused it for his wizard
  18. Vindálfr: Wind elf, a breezy name for a quick dwarf
  19. Thráinn: The threatening, the audacious or the stubborn one
  20. Thekkr: The welcome one, or the well-liked
  21. Thorinn: Bold or daring; Tolkien borrowed it for his dwarf king
  22. Thrór: Thriving, or inciter of strife; also one of Odin's names
  23. Vitr: Wise, short and simple
  24. Litr: Color or complexion; Thor kicked a dwarf so named into Baldr's pyre
  25. Nýr: New, a fresh start for a young character
  26. Nýráðr: New counsel, for a young adviser
  27. Reginn: The mighty one; a smith of this name fostered the hero Sigurd
  28. Ráðsviðr: Wise in counsel, a fine name for an elder

More Norse dwarf names from the Völuspá

The later stanzas of the list name more dwarves, including the company of Dvalinn traced down to one called Lofarr. Again, meanings are the usual scholarly readings and several are uncertain.

  1. Fíli: The one who files, a craftsman's name
  2. Kíli: Wedge; Tolkien made Fíli and this dwarf brothers
  3. Fundinn: Found, for a foundling raised by the clan
  4. Náli: Needle, or perhaps corpse; the meaning is uncertain
  5. Hannarr: The skillful, or perhaps chanter
  6. Frár: Swift, for the fastest runner in the tunnels
  7. Hornbori: Perhaps horn-borer, a worker of horn
  8. Frægr: Famous, for a dwarf who means to be
  9. Lóni: Lazy person, fun for a dwarf who loves naps
  10. Aurvangr: Mud field or gravelly plain
  11. Jari: Warrior, or the disputing one
  12. Eikinskjaldi: Oaken shield, the source of a famous fictional epithet
  13. Draupnir: Dripper; also the name of Odin's gold ring
  14. Dolgthrasir: Battle-eager, for a fierce defender
  15. Hár: The high one, also used as a name for Odin
  16. Haugspori: Mound-treader, for one who walks among barrows
  17. Hlévangr: Sheltered plain, or perhaps grave mound
  18. Glói: The glowing one, warm as a forge
  19. Dúfr: The crooked, the deep or the nodder
  20. Andvari: Careful one; he cursed the gold ring Loki took from him
  21. Skirfir: Skillful artisan, perfect for a woodworker
  22. Skáfiðr: The scraper, a hands-on craftsman's name
  23. Yngvi: Prince or warrior; also a name for the god Freyr
  24. Fjalarr: Perhaps paneler; a dwarf so named helped make the mead of poetry
  25. Ginnarr: Deceiver, for a trickster
  26. Lofarr: Stooper; the poem traces a line of dwarves to him
  27. Veggr: The toothy one, or wedge
  28. Brúni: Brown or dark, simple and earthy
  29. Bildr: Edged weapon, or plowman

Other dwarves of Norse and Germanic legend

Famous dwarves from Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, other Eddic poems, a later Icelandic tale and Tyrolean legend. Most of them are master smiths.

  1. Brokkr: Worked the bellows while his brother forged Thor's hammer
  2. Eitri: Forged Thor's hammer, Odin's ring and a golden boar
  3. Sindri: Spark; some versions give this name to Brokkr's smith brother
  4. Alvíss: All-wise; he talked with Thor until the sun rose
  5. Alfrigg: Elf king; one of four dwarves who made Freyja's necklace
  6. Berlingr: Little bar or handspike; another maker of Freyja's necklace
  7. Grérr: Roaring; the fourth smith of Freyja's necklace
  8. Galar: Yeller or singer; made the mead of poetry with Fjalar
  9. Ívaldi: His sons made Sif's golden hair and Odin's spear
  10. Laurin: Dwarf king with a magic rose garden in Tyrolean legend

Female dwarf names

Every dwarf named in the Völuspá is male, and named dwarf women are very rare in Norse sources, so these female dwarven names are our own inventions.

  1. Brunhalda: Sturdy and proud, for a shieldmaiden of the deep halls
  2. Gerdrun: A strong double R with a runic ring to it
  3. Dagrid: From dagr, Old Norse for day, a bright name
  4. Thorvella: A thunderous start with a gentle finish
  5. Keldra: Cool and clear, like an underground spring
  6. Hilvra: Crisp and unusual, for a gem appraiser
  7. Ormilda: Old-fashioned and solid, for a clan matriarch
  8. Brisvana: Brisk and bright, for a gem cutter
  9. Rundis: Short and runic, for a stone carver
  10. Magrith: Warm and firm, for a keeper of the hearth
  11. Ingrella: A friendly name for a cheerful cook
  12. Torvalda: Commanding and rocky, for a mine boss
  13. Feldra: Simple and earthy, easy to say at the table
  14. Ostrid: Crisp and frosty, for a mountain guide
  15. Velgunn: Ends with gunn, from the Old Norse word for battle
  16. Ambrild: A golden name for a jeweler's daughter
  17. Skaldra: From skald, the Old Norse word for poet
  18. Barvina: Round and hearty, for a beloved innkeeper
  19. Drovna: Deep and steady, for a tunnel engineer
  20. Ketilda: From ketill, Old Norse for kettle or cauldron
  21. Halvra: Short and strong, good for a fighter
  22. Dunhild: Dusky and dignified, for a keeper of records
  23. Embra: Short and glowing, perfect for a forge apprentice
  24. Sigrella: Built on sigr, the Old Norse word for victory

Male dwarf names

Original dwarven names for men and boys, built from hard consonants, rolling Rs and a few real Old Norse roots.

  1. Hargrund: Rough and grounded, for a veteran miner
  2. Brumli: Bumbling and lovable, for a young apprentice
  3. Durvik: Quick and tough, for a tunnel scout
  4. Grondal: Growling and solid, for a guard of the gates
  5. Thrungar: Heavy as an anvil and twice as stubborn
  6. Korvek: Clipped and hard, for a battle engineer
  7. Balgrund: Built on grund, Old English for ground
  8. Haldrek: Steady and dependable, for a quartermaster
  9. Ormvald: Built on ormr, the Old Norse word for serpent
  10. Skarnak: Sharp and craggy, for a mountain climber
  11. Bodrak: Blunt and friendly, for a beloved uncle
  12. Thrandok: Deep and rumbling, for a war chief
  13. Gurdrik: Gruff and grinding, made for a miner
  14. Volgarn: Weighty and old, for a lorekeeper
  15. Dromnar: Pounds like a war drum in the deep
  16. Hjalvik: From hjálmr, the Old Norse word for helmet
  17. Stenmar: From sten, the Swedish and Danish word for stone
  18. Brokvald: A smith's name with a hammer-strike start
  19. Tolvrek: Short and tough, easy to shout across a forge
  20. Dunvald: Dark and dignified, for a clan elder
  21. Ekkrin: An unusual double K for an eccentric inventor
  22. Mordrun: Dark and deep, for a delver of the lower tunnels
  23. Faldur: Warm and simple, for a kindly blacksmith
  24. Ulvrin: From úlfr, the Old Norse word for wolf
  25. Kolbrak: From kol, the Old Norse word for coal

Dwarf clan names

Invented clan names, each with the reputation that comes with it.

  1. Clan Deepvein: Miners who always find the richest seam
  2. Clan Anvilheart: Smiths whose loyalty is as solid as iron
  3. Clan Granitebrow: Famous for never changing their minds
  4. Clan Hearthkettle: Cooks and hosts of the best feasts under the mountain
  5. Clan Emberdeep: Forge-keepers of the hottest halls
  6. Clan Runecutter: Carvers of every important stone in the hold
  7. Clan Slatebrook: Live where an underground river runs over gray stone
  8. Clan Gemwarden: Guardians of the royal treasury
  9. Clan Ironroot: Rooted deep and unmoved by trouble
  10. Clan Tunnelwright: Engineers who dig the roads beneath the world
  11. Clan Goldhearth: Wealthy, welcoming and fond of long dinners
  12. Clan Stonebraid: Wear beads of polished stone in every braid
  13. Clan Coalbeard: Miners with soot in their whiskers and pride in their work
  14. Clan Shieldwall: Defenders who never break formation
  15. Clan Bellowsmith: Keepers of the great forge bellows
  16. Clan Quartzhelm: Helmets set with glittering crystal
  17. Clan Brightpick: Their picks shine, and so do their prospects
  18. Clan Grimstone: Serious, silent and very good at mining
  19. Clan Oakenbarrel: Coopers who make every barrel in the hold
  20. Clan Lodehammer: Followers of iron ore and magnetic stone

Dwarven last names

Invented family names built from metals, stones and tools. Pair any of them with a first name above.

  1. Coppergrip: A family of toolmakers with famously steady hands
  2. Flintmantle: Sparks fly whenever this family argues
  3. Steelbrow: A line of stern judges, and fair ones
  4. Veinseeker: Prospectors who can smell silver in the rock
  5. Ashanvil: Smiths who rebuilt after a great fire
  6. Boulderbeard: A family proud of braids as heavy as stones
  7. Silvervein: Owners of a modest but very reliable mine
  8. Stonehewer: Masons who built half the halls in the hold
  9. Forgeborn: Every child born within earshot of the hammers
  10. Cragmantle: Mountain folk who live on the windy heights
  11. Ambershard: Jewelers known for golden resin and fossil gems
  12. Hammerhand: Born blacksmiths, every one of them
  13. Tinderhelm: Firekeepers who never let the forge go out
  14. Slagkettle: Smelters who turn leftovers into treasure
  15. Gravelgrit: Tough, gritty and impossible to discourage
  16. Quarrystone: Stonecutters who supply every building project
  17. Orebreaker: Crushers of rock and keepers of the mill
  18. Ironwhistle: Engineers who signal shift changes with steam
  19. Chiselhand: Sculptors of statues for the great hall

D&D dwarf names

Full first-and-family names ready for a tabletop character sheet. All original, none taken from a rulebook.

  1. Thura Gemhollow: A gem-cutting cleric with a dry sense of humor
  2. Bramrik Coalvein: A front-line fighter who never leaves a friend behind
  3. Ondra Brightanvil: A forge cleric who blesses every blade she makes
  4. Kelvar Ironlantern: A ranger who maps the deepest caves
  5. Durna Lockwright: A rogue who can open any lock in the hold
  6. Grimmar Saltbraid: A seafaring dwarf, rare and proud of it
  7. Hesska Runemark: A wizard who carves spells into stone tablets
  8. Torvin Ashdelve: A warlock who made a deal with something under the mountain
  9. Marga Kettleforge: A bard whose rowdy songs are all about tea
  10. Yarvik Deepsong: A monk who meditates in silent caverns
  11. Brissa Mountainward: A paladin sworn to protect the mountain roads
  12. Oskvar Hammerline: A barbarian whose rage ends in a big group hug
  13. Tovra Glimmerpick: A sorcerer whose magic sparkles like quartz
  14. Bolgrund Embercoat: A fighter whose armor glows after every battle
  15. Ivrik Mossdelve: A druid who talks to bats and beetles
  16. Ganna Silverpeak: An artificer who builds clockwork ravens

Dwarf titles and epithets

Add a title after any name for a proper dwarven introduction.

  1. the Anvil-Sworn: Made a solemn vow at the forge of their ancestors
  2. Last of the Deep Kings: Heir to a throne under a fallen mountain
  3. Keeper of the Ninth Gate: Guards the final door of the hold
  4. the Iron-Voiced: Can be heard over any forge
  5. Breaker of Mountains: Tunneled through a peak in a single winter
  6. the Patient Hammer: Never rushes a blade, never misses a strike
  7. Lorekeeper of the Low Halls: Remembers every clan's history and every debt
  8. the Unbent: Has never once bowed to a tyrant
  9. Hearth-Warden: Protects the fires that keep the hold alive
  10. the Twice-Tempered: Came back stronger after a terrible loss
  11. Runefather: Elder who carves the clan's protective runes
  12. Gemsight: Can spot a flawless jewel in a pile of gravel
  13. Thane of the Silver Seam: Lord of the richest mine in the mountain range
  14. the Smiling Shield: Cheerful in battle, unbreakable in defense
  15. the Long-Remembering: Forgets nothing, especially a broken promise

Funny dwarf names

Puns for a comic relief dwarf, a one-shot or a garden statue with a big personality.

  1. Gemma Stone: A jeweler whose name was always meant to be
  2. Pickaxe Patty: Never leaves home without her favorite tool
  3. Sir Mines-a-Lot: Has never met a tunnel he did not extend
  4. Dug Deeper: Always finds one more layer to dig
  5. Ore-ville Wright: Dreams of building a flying mine cart
  6. Rubble Rouser: Starts trouble, then cleans up the debris
  7. Anvil Lavigne: A pop-punk smith with a very loud forge
  8. Gravelda: A grandmotherly name with a rocky twist
  9. Tunnel Vision Tom: Focused on the dig, misses everything else
  10. Stone Cold Stevie: Totally unflappable in any cave-in
  11. Grandpa Granite: Tells the same mining story every winter
  12. Rocksanne: A stone-solid twist on a classic song title
  13. Mason Jarl: A Norse earl who keeps everything in glass jars
  14. Quarry Grant: Film-star charm, covered in stone dust
  15. Shale O'Neal: A slam-dunk pick for a sporty dwarf
  16. Carat Cake: Bakes treats decorated with tiny gems

How to pick the right name

Go real or invented

A Völuspá name like Dvalinn or Andvari brings a thousand years of myth with it. An invented name like Thrungar or Skaldra gives you a blank slate.

Use hard sounds and solid endings

Dwarven names sound best with k, g, d and r, and endings like -rik, -grund, -dra or -hild. Short names of one or two syllables feel the sturdiest.

Add a clan for instant backstory

A clan or family name such as Hearthkettle or Deepvein tells everyone what your dwarf's people are known for before you say a word.

Simplify Old Norse spellings if you like

Many English retellings drop the final -r or -nn and the accent marks, so Dvalinn becomes Dvalin and Bífurr becomes Bifur. Pick one spelling and stick with it.

Dwarf names: 202 ideas from Nomezo

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Frequently asked questions

Where do dwarf names come from?

The oldest come from the Völuspá, an Old Norse poem that includes a roll call of dwarves called the Dvergatal. J.R.R. Tolkien took many of the dwarf names in The Hobbit, and the name Gandalf, from that list.

What are good female dwarf names?

Every dwarf named in the Völuspá is male and named dwarf women are very rare in Norse sources, so most female dwarf names are modern inventions. Brunhalda, Skaldra, Ketilda, Sigrella and Torvalda all have a sturdy Norse sound.

What are good D&D dwarf names?

Pair a short first name with a clan or family name, like Bramrik Coalvein, Thura Gemhollow or Ondra Brightanvil. Original names keep your character from sounding like a famous one from a book or game.

What do the Norse dwarf names mean?

Many describe a trait or a job: Fíli means the one who files, Vitr means wise, Frár means swift and Eikinskjaldi means oaken shield. Scholars still debate some of them, so treat the meanings as the usual readings rather than certainties.

How do you make a dwarven clan name?

Join a metal, stone or craft word to a tool, a body part or a place, as in Anvilheart, Deepvein or Ironroot. Then decide what the clan is famous for, and the name will start to tell a story.

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