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Elf names: 170+ female, male and elven name ideas

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

Good elf names are soft, flowing and a little ancient, like Ilvessa, Corvaelin and Faelor. Most fantasy elf names lean on l, r, th and s sounds, long vowels and endings such as -iel, -wyn and -or.

This page has 170+ elf names: real elves from Norse, Germanic and Welsh folklore, real names that mean elf, and original female, male, wood elf, high elf, dark elf and Christmas elf names, plus elf last names and a few funny ones. The invented names are our own coinages, but soft elven names get reinvented often, so search a name before you use it in a published book or game.

Can't decide? Shuffle 6 random picks

  • Sylthra

    Whispery, secretive and hard to find

  • Alfred

    Elf counsel; Old English. The Wessex king who held off the Vikings

  • Warden Faelindor

    Guardian of the realm's borders

  • Elegast

    Outlaw knight whose name means elf spirit; he robs with Charlemagne in a Middle Dutch poem

  • Coranthil

    Rhythmic and proud, good for a knight

  • Aldarven

    Grand and heroic, suited to a prince

Find an elf name on this page

Narrow 171 names by section, length or first letter, or search the notes.

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Elves of myth and folklore

Real elves, elf peoples and elf realms from Norse, Germanic, Danish, Icelandic, Welsh and Dutch tradition.

  1. Álfar: The elves of Norse myth, linked with the god Freyr
  2. Ljósálfar: Light elves, fairer than the sun, according to Snorri Sturluson
  3. Dökkálfar: Dark elves of Norse myth, said to live down in the earth
  4. Svartálfar: Black elves of Norse lore, often equated with dwarves
  5. Álfheimr: Home of the light elves, given to the god Freyr
  6. Huldufólk: The hidden people of Iceland; a few roads have been moved around elf rocks
  7. Ellefolk: Danish elf folk; the elle-maid looks lovely but is hollow behind
  8. Ellyllon: Welsh elves of groves and valleys, said to feed on toadstools
  9. Alp: German night elf who sits on sleepers' chests and brings bad dreams
  10. Tomte: Swedish farm elf who guards the house and expects Christmas porridge
  11. Heinzelmännchen: Cologne house elves who finished people's work overnight
  12. Erlking: Elf king of Goethe's 1782 ballad, from Danish ellerkonge
  13. Elegast: Outlaw knight whose name means elf spirit; he robs with Charlemagne in a Middle Dutch poem
  14. Alberich: Elf ruler; Germanic. The dwarf who guards the Nibelung hoard
  15. Wayland the Smith: Master craftsman of Germanic legend, called a prince of elves

Real names that mean elf

Real given names built on the old Germanic word for elf, with their meanings.

  1. Alfred: Elf counsel; Old English. The Wessex king who held off the Vikings
  2. Aubrey: Elf ruler; the Norman French form of Alberich, now mostly a girls' name in the US
  3. Alvin: Elf friend; from the Old English name Ælfwine
  4. Elvin: Elf friend; a variant spelling of Alvin
  5. Elfrida: Elf strength; Old English. A 10th-century queen of England
  6. Ælfric: Elf ruler; Old English. A famous abbot and writer around 1000
  7. Ælfgifu: Elf gift; Old English. Borne by several Anglo-Saxon queens
  8. Ælfwynn: Elf joy; Old English. Ruled Mercia briefly after her mother, 918
  9. Alfhild: Elf battle; Old Norse. A legendary shield-maiden princess
  10. Alf: Elf; Old Norse. A Norwegian favorite until the 1970s

Female elf names

Original names for elf women and girls, coined for this page.

  1. Ilvessa: Graceful and quick, with a soft v at its heart
  2. Nimrithel: Delicate and starlit, good for a healer or seer
  3. Yllaria: A rare double-L opening that sounds old and musical
  4. Ithrenne: Cool and elegant, suited to a court diplomat
  5. Saelyra: Lyrical and light, made for a bard
  6. Siravelle: Open vowels that sound like birdsong at dawn
  7. Orinthe: Short and noble, with a soft ending
  8. Selvara: Silver-toned and calm, for a moonlit ranger
  9. Eilanthe: A gentle, flowering sound for a garden keeper
  10. Quillyra: Quick and clever, perfect for a scribe or spy
  11. Tiralei: Bright and playful, easy to say at the table
  12. Amarenth: Long-lived and steady, like an evergreen
  13. Naelith: Quiet and watchful, good for a scout
  14. Erivanne: Courtly and warm, fit for a noble daughter
  15. Lumeria: Full of light, made for a cleric or mage
  16. Faenya: Fae opening and a soft finish; hints at fey blood
  17. Cirelle: Crisp and pretty, like ice on a leaf
  18. Velwyn: Short and airy with a Welsh-style ending
  19. Ysoriel: Mysterious Y opening and a classic elven ending
  20. Thaliora: Sunny and generous, suited to a druid
  21. Sennelith: Whispery and wise, for an elder or archivist
  22. Avennil: Calm as a still pool, good for a monk

Male elf names

Original names for elf men and boys, built from soft consonants and long vowels.

  1. Corvaelin: Steady and noble, good for a guard captain
  2. Caelvoren: Sky-bright opening and a deep, serious finish
  3. Faelor: Short and strong, with a hint of fey ancestry
  4. Seryndal: Elegant and calm, made for a diplomat
  5. Orythas: Old and stately, good for a loremaster
  6. Lanvaeth: A long middle vowel gives a slow, ancient sound
  7. Aldarven: Grand and heroic, suited to a prince
  8. Taerovan: Adventurous and friendly, made for a wanderer
  9. Mirathel: Gentle and thoughtful, perfect for a healer
  10. Kaelthorn: A hard K and a thorny ending for a warrior
  11. Sarethiel: Musical and refined, ideal for a court poet
  12. Quenthar: Sharp and rare, good for an archer
  13. Noralin: Soft and northern, for a quiet ranger
  14. Elthanor: Dignified and old, fit for a council elder
  15. Thessarion: Long and ceremonial, for high-born nobility
  16. Halvaren: Sturdy and warm, a dependable companion
  17. Coranthil: Rhythmic and proud, good for a knight
  18. Varethis: Cool and clever, suited to a rogue
  19. Ysmarin: Sea-flavored and calm, made for a sailor
  20. Lorithan: Bookish and patient, perfect for a wizard
  21. Fendrael: Earthy and quick, good for a scout
  22. Aerovin: Light as air, for an archer who never misses

Elf last names and family names

Invented nature compound surnames for elven houses and clans.

  1. Dawnmantle: A family cloaked in first light
  2. Willowmere: Clan of the weeping trees by the lake
  3. Starhollow: A house that watches the sky from a quiet valley
  4. Leafsong: Musicians of the forest canopy
  5. Brightbough: Keepers of the oldest blooming trees
  6. Mistvale: A secretive family from a fog-filled valley
  7. Fernshadow: Hunters who move unseen through the undergrowth
  8. Larkspire: A tower family known for early risers and singers
  9. Wintermere: Northern elves of a frozen lake
  10. Thornveil: Guardians behind a hedge no one can cross
  11. Ashenbough: A family that survived a great forest fire
  12. Rainpetal: Gentle healers of the spring rains
  13. Duskfern: Twilight wanderers of the deep woods
  14. Cloudmantle: Mountain elves who live above the clouds
  15. Gladewalker: Rangers who know every clearing by heart
  16. Riverlight: Fisher-folk of a shining stream
  17. Amberleaf: An autumn family of artists and dyers
  18. Hollowsong: Bards whose music echoes through hollow trees
  19. Moonglade: Moon-worshiping elves of a silver clearing
  20. Lightvale: Sunny valley elves, cheerful and open-handed

Wood elf names

Invented names for forest elves, each built on a real tree or plant.

  1. Aspenor: From the aspen, whose leaves tremble in any breeze
  2. Larchwyn: From the larch, a conifer that turns gold in fall
  3. Yewlan: From the yew, the ancient tree of longbows
  4. Birchandel: From the birch, with its pale, papery bark
  5. Elmwyn: From the elm, tall and shady
  6. Hazelith: From the hazel, tree of wisdom in Irish lore
  7. Rowael: From the rowan, an old charm against bad magic
  8. Cedrael: From the cedar, fragrant and long-lived
  9. Alderin: From the alder, which grows beside rivers
  10. Oakriel: From the oak, the mightiest tree of the forest
  11. Hollyth: From the holly, green all winter long
  12. Hawthiel: From the hawthorn, a classic fairy tree
  13. Mossrin: From moss, soft and quiet underfoot
  14. Fernavel: From the fern, unfurling in the shade
  15. Juniel: From the juniper, a tough and fragrant shrub
  16. Sorrelin: From sorrel, a sharp-tasting woodland herb

High elf and royal elven names

Invented names with titles for elven queens, kings and nobles.

  1. Queen Ilvessandra: A long, regal name for a monarch who rules for centuries
  2. Lord Caelithor: A sky-bright noble who commands the city guard
  3. Lady Sylmaraen: A court lady with a silver tongue
  4. Archmage Thessaril: Head of an ancient academy of magic
  5. High Lord Valandrel: Proud, careful and very old
  6. Princess Elyssandre: Elegant heir with a mind of her own
  7. King Oriathon: A golden-age ruler remembered in songs
  8. Lady Aelvarys: Keeper of the royal archives
  9. Duchess Seraviel: Graceful hostess of a forest palace
  10. Lord Evenhallow: Lord of a hall that glows at evening
  11. Queen Lyrathiel: A musician queen whose court is all song
  12. Prince Talorien: A young prince eager for adventure
  13. Warden Faelindor: Guardian of the realm's borders
  14. Countess Iliraen: A sharp-witted noble and skilled duelist
  15. Lord Celvanor: A calm envoy sent to every peace treaty
  16. Lady Quessandra: A rare Q name for a high-born scholar

Dark elf and moon elf names

Invented names for elves of the night, the moon and the deep places of the world.

  1. Nyxara: Echoes Nyx, the Greek goddess of night
  2. Velkyra: Sharp and commanding, for a matriarch
  3. Ilzareth: A hissing Z gives quiet menace
  4. Shyndra: Silky and sly, perfect for a spy
  5. Mordiel: Dark opening, graceful elven ending
  6. Xalvyn: A rare X opening for an outcast
  7. Ulvessa: Cool and wolfish, good for a hunter
  8. Vaszeth: Clipped and cold, for a blade master
  9. Duskiriel: Born at twilight, between two worlds
  10. Sylthra: Whispery, secretive and hard to find
  11. Nocthiel: Built on noct, the Latin root for night
  12. Ravanthe: Raven-dark, elegant and quietly proud
  13. Zyrelle: Bright Z sound for a moonlit sorceress
  14. Umbraleth: From umbra, Latin for shadow
  15. Kaszira: Hard consonants for an underground warrior
  16. Thessyr: Short, soft and quietly dangerous

Christmas elf names

Cheerful invented names for Santa's helpers and the elf that visits your shelf each December.

  1. Peppermint Pixel: A tech-savvy elf who runs the naughty-or-nice database
  2. Tinsel Twinkletoes: Dances down every aisle of the workshop
  3. Jingle Jangleboots: You always hear this one coming
  4. Sprocket Snowdrift: Fixes every broken toy before Christmas Eve
  5. Gumdrop Glitterboots: Leaves a sparkly trail wherever she goes
  6. Cocoa Bean Buttons: Keeps the hot chocolate flowing at the North Pole
  7. Sir Sparkles-a-Lot: Overdresses for every occasion
  8. Figgy Pudding: Named after the dessert in the famous carol
  9. Snowball Sprinkles: Starts every winter fight and wins most of them
  10. Gingersnap: Quick, spicy and great at hiding
  11. Twinkle Tinkerton: Tinkers with the lights until they blink just right
  12. Marshmallow Mittens: Soft, sweet and always cozy
  13. Chestnut Crackle: Roasts treats by the workshop fire
  14. Pinecone Pockets: Collects pinecones for decorations
  15. Ribbon Rascal: Wraps presents and ties everything in bows
  16. Captain Candy Cane: Leads the sleigh-loading crew
  17. Professor Popcorn: Strings tree garlands with scientific precision
  18. Snickerdoodle: A sweet cookie name with built-in giggles
  19. Jolly Jellybean: Small, colorful and always smiling
  20. Cupcake Crinkletoes: Bakes treats for the reindeer on Sundays

Funny elf names

Puns and jokes for a shelf elf, a party costume or a cheeky character.

  1. Elf Esteem: Believes in himself, and in Santa
  2. Shelf Control: Never moves when anyone is watching
  3. Elfie Selfie: Posts a picture from every new hiding spot
  4. Elfred Hitchcock: Master of suspense on the bookcase
  5. Elfis Presley: The king of rock and roll and wrapping paper
  6. Elfbert Einstein: Genius inventor of the self-wrapping gift
  7. Elfa Fitzgerald: Scats carols while sorting the mail
  8. Elfretha Franklin: Demands a little respect in the workshop
  9. Middle Elf Crisis: Wonders if toy making is still his passion
  10. Elf Care Sunday: Spa day for a hard-working helper
  11. Shelf Indulgent: Always picks the best spot in the house
  12. Elfspresso: Runs entirely on very strong coffee
  13. Elf-Employed: Freelances for three different holidays
  14. Shelf-Made Millionaire: Started small on a bookcase, ended up on a throne

How to pick the right name

Match the kind of elf

Wood elves suit earthy names built on trees and plants. High elves suit long, formal names with a title. Dark elves suit sharper sounds like z, x and sh.

Keep it easy to say

A name your group can pronounce on the first try gets used. Three syllables is the sweet spot for most elf names.

Add a family name

Nature compounds such as Willowmere or Duskfern tell a story about where the elf comes from. Pair a soft first name with a surname from the same landscape.

Check it is not famous

Many elf names belong to well-known novels and games. Choosing an original name keeps your character from being mistaken for someone else's.

Elf names: 171 ideas from Nomezo

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Elf names: where elves come from, why elvish sounds Welsh, and which famous names to avoid

By The Nomezo Editors · Updated October 25, 2026 · How we research names

Elves are older than fantasy. They come from the beliefs of early Germanic peoples, and the Old English word ælf still hides in everyday names: Alfred is elf counsel, Alvin elf friend. Modern elf names sound the way they do largely because of Tolkien, who based the sounds of his Sindarin elvish on Welsh.

Famous elves are best left alone if you are writing something to publish: the names of Tolkien's characters are licensed property. The finder above narrows the names on this page by type, length and first letter, and the elf name generator builds new ones.

  1. Step 1Pick the kind of elfFolklore, wood, high, dark or Christmas: filter by section.
  2. Step 2Borrow real rootsAlfred, Alvin and Aubrey all carry the old word for elf.
  3. Step 3Avoid the famous onesLegolas and Galadriel belong to Tolkien.
  4. Step 4Say it out loudSoft l, r and th sounds with an -iel or -wyn ending feel elvish.

Real names that hide the word elf

Elf names in use for US babies, 2025
NameMeaningUS use in 2025
AubreyElf rulerNo. 146 for girls; 70 boys
AlvinElf friendNo. 838 for boys
AlfredElf counselNo. 840 for boys
ElvinElf friend102 boys

Sources: Behind the Name (Alfred, Aubrey); US Social Security Administration. Aubrey, from the same root as Alberich, has gone mostly to girls since the 1970s.

Famous elves: pick something else

  • Films move baby names. US girls named Arwen went from 12 in 2001 to 41 in 2002, 117 in 2003 and 166 in 2004, as the Lord of the Rings films came out.
Famous elf names and US babies in 2025
NameFromUS babies, 2025
ArwenThe Lord of the Rings158 girls
GaladrielThe Lord of the Rings15 girls
TaurielThe Hobbit films (2013), not the book8 girls
LegolasThe Lord of the RingsUnder 5; never more than 7 a year
ElrondThe Lord of the RingsNever recorded

Source: US Social Security Administration. Middle-earth Enterprises holds worldwide rights to the names of characters, places and objects in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (Wikipedia), so avoid these names in a book, game or product you plan to sell.

Where elves come from

  • Light elves and dark elves. The 13th-century Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson describes light elves and dark elves; scholars think the split may borrow from Christian ideas of angels and demons (Wikipedia).
  • Small elves came from writers. Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Michael Drayton made "elf" and "fairy" the normal words for very small beings, and Christmas elves were popularized in the late-19th-century US (Wikipedia).
  • Tall elves came back with Tolkien, whose books re-popularized elves as human-sized beings. He based the sounds of Sindarin on Literary Welsh (Wikipedia), which is why endings like -wyn sound elvish today.
  • Drow is folklore, not D&D. The word comes from the Orkney and Shetland dialects of Scots, a form of trow; Gary Gygax built the game's dark elves around it (Wikipedia)).

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How do you come up with an elf name?

Join a soft opening such as Ae, El, Fae or Sy to a flowing ending such as -iel, -wyn, -or or -thas, then say it aloud. The elf name generator does this for you and adds an optional nature surname.

What are good female elf names?

Ilvessa, Saelyra, Ithrenne, Naelith and Yllaria are graceful original choices. For a real name, Elfrida means elf strength, Alfhild means elf battle, and Aubrey, from the same root as Alberich, is now mostly a girls' name in the US.

What are good male elf names?

Corvaelin, Caelvoren, Aldarven, Faelor and Lorithan all have a classic elven sound. Real names include Alfred, Alvin and Elvin, which all contain the old word for elf.

What names mean elf?

Alfred means elf counsel, Aubrey and Ælfric mean elf ruler, Alvin means elf friend, Elfrida means elf strength and Alf simply means elf in Old Norse.

Where do elves come from in mythology?

Elves come from the beliefs of early Germanic peoples, including the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse. The 13th-century Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson describes light elves and dark elves. From Shakespeare on, writers shrank elves to tiny beings, and Tolkien made them tall and noble again.

Can I use Tolkien elf names?

For a home game or a pet, nobody will mind. For a book, game or product, avoid them: Middle-earth Enterprises holds worldwide rights to the names of characters, places and objects in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

What does drow mean?

Drow comes from the Orkney and Shetland dialects of Scots, where it is a form of trow, a folklore word for a troll-like being. Gary Gygax used it for the dark elves of Dungeons & Dragons.

What should I name my Elf on the Shelf?

The 2005 book tells families to give their elf a name, and ends with a page to write it down. The Christmas and funny sections above are full of ideas, from Jingle Jangleboots to Shelf Control.

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