#10 Unique Elf Surnames with Meanings | Dungeons and Dragons

When you're rolling up an Elf character in your Dungeons and Dragons game, finding the perfect last name can be a challenge! Here are ten name ideas for your next character - with their meaning in Elvish!

Lyath-tel - "belonging to a temple"

This name comes in two parts "tel" and "lyath".

The form "tel" can be seen in several places in Elvish, such as when talking about a group of people (e.g. ór-tel-quessir, "people of the
wood").  

"Lyath" is the Elvish word for temple. 

This name is perfect for an Acolyte character. 

vantur Ravanor - "from the Forestland"

The first part of this name simply means "from". It is commonly used at the beginning of surnames derived from a place of origin. 

Ravanor is a pretty generic place name, especially if your character is a Wood Elf. 

tyr Vomira - "born to Vomira"

This is a matronymic name, that means it's dervived from your character's mother's name. Many cultures use matronymic or patronymics rather than set last names. For example, in Iceland you are known by your father's name. 

In the case of this character, their mother's name was Vomira. 

shan-Stakiaren - "branch of the House of the Beloved Star"

The Elves have many words for the heavenly bodies, each with their own implication. "Stakia" or "Stacia" can variously mean:  star, treasure, trove, gem, gold, blaze; sweetheart, beloved. 

The translation here is something like "Beloved Star" or "Treasured Ones".

The prefix, shan, is an Elven word that literally means "branch (of a tree)".however when used in names it refers to a member of a family (the branch of a family tree). 

The final element "ren" is the Elvish word for House or Clan.

This is a great name for an Elf with Noble Background. 

Gisirie - "of the guardians"

This is a great name for an elf who comes from a family with the Knight background. Or perhaps their kin are paladins. 

The Elvish word "Gisir (plu. Gisiae) means "guardian".

The name takes the rare sociative case, which means something like "with, in the company of". This is often used in situations of adoption, fostering, or even the foundation of a particular order. 

The family as a whole would be known by the plural form: Gisieii.

Maedran - "wind speaker"

Combining the words "mae" wind and "dran" speaker, this name could refer to a profession or be a nickname. If it's a nickname it could be something noble - or refer to the fact your character doesn't shut up!


Regardless, this is a great surname for a Bard character.

Amnesha - "tree friend"

The tree this name refers to is specifically an oak tree (amne). The suffix -sha, means "friend".

This is another great name for a Druid character.

Anogwinn - "moon guide"

The first part of this name is one of the Elvish words for moon. The second part means guide and comes from the Elvish word "gwin" meaning walkway, path. A gwinn is a pathmaker or a guide.


This is ideal for a High Elf character since they like to associate themselves with celestial objects.

Daanethun - "bright struggle follower"

Another translation for this surname could probably be "daredevil". The elves have the concept that some struggles make a person stronger while others only serve to harm. "Daan" (plural: daana) is the positive type, called "bright struggles".

Those who are followers of bright struggles look for adventure in all aspects of their life.

Artarhin - "dawn scholar"

"Artar" is the Elvish word for dawn. It means "new sun", though it can also translate to "new heights".


The second element is even more ambigious, as it has no true English equivalent. It can mean: collector, scholar, researcher. Or more broadly, a person who recieves something, usually an idea. The word can also be translated as "a welcome".
So while the name is translated as "dawn scholar" above, it could also mean "scholar of new heights" or "welcome to the dawn".


This name would be ideal for a High Elf character.

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Elven Masculine Names!

Looking for an elven name with meanings in DnD Elvish? This is the list for you!

Kalarrn

Pronounced: KAL-arn

Meaning: Wrestling the Storm

This name combines two Elvish words: kal and arrn. The first is an adjective that means "struggling, contending, wrestling". It refers to someone who is hardy and will put up a fight, especially against things greater than themselves. The second part is the word arrn which means "storm". 

Audon

Pronounced: OR-don

Meaning: Reborn Silver

The prefix au means "reborn". While the word don means "silver". 

Sigór

Pronounced: sig-OR

Meaning: Snow Forest

This name is an example of the Elvish alternative stress. When pronounced SIG-or, it means simply "snow place". But with the stress on the final syllable it become "snow forest". This could also be used as a place name. 

Variants: Órsigin, Sigórn

Selmor

Pronounced: sel-mor

Meaning: Dark Forest

This name combines two words in Elvish: sel and mor. With this name, each syllable carries the same amount of stress. If not, the meaning of the name changes a lot!!

The word sel translates to "forest, woods" but has a deeper meaning. The woods it refers to are ancient - ones from a time many generations ago. These are the ancestral woods or one's related to a deity.

When the vowel is stress it gains even more importance in its mean. It means, "ancient, important, divine". This can be seen in the Elvish Séldarine, the name of their pantheon. As well as Séldal, which means "god, deity". It's important to make sure your elf doesn't accidently call themselves a god! (or maybe that's the point...)

The final element is a little simpler! The word mor means "darkness".  Though, when stressed it means "true death" (dead without reincarnation). 

Ultimately this is a very goth name when it comes to the Elves - while still retaining the popular nature theme of many Elvish names!

Mathor

Pronounced: MA-thor

Meaning: Defender

This name is simply the Elvish word for defender. A great name for a Fighter or Paladin character. 

Shalmi

Pronounced: SHAL-mi

Meaning: Spear of the Tree

Shalmi combines the word shal "spear, lance" and mi "tree". Elvish actually has several words for trees: mi, shantal, amne, and lath.

Rusian

Pronounced: ru-SEE-an

Meaning: Brook of Dreams

 

Ryvel, Rùvel

Pronounced: ruh-VEL

Meaning: Jade Blade

 

Órvian

Pronounced: OR-vi-an

Meaning: Forest Boon

 

Želnar, Jelnar

Pronounced: JEL-nar

Meaning: Strong Goal, Eternal Goal

 

Want to generate your own unique name? Get the booklet!