#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.

Alternative Drow Lore

The Lorendrow | How to Add the Drow of the Jungle to Your Homebrew World

Zabrynn Lander ·

Among the Lorendrow, you shall find justice, but not mercy.

The Drow of the Jungle live deep in the jungles of Faerun. 

Known as the Lorendrow, or Loren tel Dhaerow (singular: Floren, plural: Lorenga). The term loosely translated to "the Judgement Drow" or "the Judges". 

The slang term for them is "Greenshadow Drow" due to their green pigmentation. This is Ardn'vaeg in Elvish (literally: green-shadow-monster). 

The drow call themselves Hælkolni, meaning "The Free Drow" or "The Unstoppable Drow". The singular is Haelkoln.

These drow are known for their strict adherance to the law, large government, and seemingly incomphresible legal structure. Punishment is often swift and brutal. Their gladiator pits are famous. So some, it's the stories of great entertainment. The marvels presented by the Drow nobles are something to behold. For others, the stories told as nightmares, where foolish foreigners made a misstep and found themselves succumbing to bloody end. 

An element of their legal system involves a special exemption known as “Redemption by Combat”. A criminal can choose to fight for their right to be freed or avoid execution by choosing to fight against a monster or another criminal. This is where the stories of gladiatorial contests between criminials comes from.

That being said, most bouts are actually fought by free drow while in pursuit of glory and fame. More often than not, Redemption by Combat is also a form of execution. The exact animal / beast the person must fight is determined by their crime. But, it is known as a "Redemption", because it allows any god a chance to intercede. If they so choose. 

These Drow are great ecologists. They have vast expasses of lichen, moss, and mushrooms which have been selected over centuries for both ultility and beauty. Their mushroom wines are - if you hear the merchants talk - quiet simply to die for.

The jungles of these drow are often marked with complex and detailed patterns of lichen, working as signage to those in the know. All Lorendrow are familiar with Druidic. These lichen attract glowing worms which provide both illumination and the possibility of hidden messages. 

The Lorendrow are dancers and warriors both. Art and violence are linked. They're dance style is based on a "weighty" lower body, usually gained with stomping and balancing on the heels, combined with an "airy" upper body, seen through delicate hand movements. 

The Lorendrow believe that only at the edge of the blade can one truly experience all the beauty of life.

Creating a group of Drow for your homebrew world? Check out the Drow Name Generator for name inspiration! Click here.

Drow Name Generator for DnD

 

Please note: these article is inspired by the Greenshadow Drow of the new Drizzt novels, which I do not own the rights to. Outside of the name and location, this is all homebrew and not official D&D lore. 

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