Beyond Fantasy: Unearthing the Secrets of Elf Names

Fantasy World Elf Names

Fantasy Elf names are based on fictional languages existing only in the novel or game. In Middle-Earth mythology, Tolkien devised two Elven languages, the Quenya and Sindarin. He based all the Elf names in his book on these two languages, making them very distinct and exclusive compared with other novels. Tolkien’s brilliant work on Elf names makes it a grand reference for future literary works involving elves. 

A common structure and name convention can be observed in Elf names regardless of the source. Elf names should sound mythical, foreign (coming from a different language), and elegant when pronounced. Elf names must also have meaning. Their names are associated with terms defining nature, magic, abilities, or power. We can always draw inspirations from Tolkien’s fantasy Elven languages to create our own Elf words and names. Take a look at some of the best new Elf names we prepared for readers.

Popular Elf Names in Fantasy Literature

• Elrond – The Half-Elf lord of Rivendell. He is a main character in the Second and Third Ages of Middle-Earth, participating in the War of The Rings and witnessing The One Ring’s destruction.
• Iorweth – The commander of the remnants of Scoia’tael from The Witcher Series. He is a skilled bowman and had numerous campaign victories against the Northern Kingdoms.
• Avallac’h – Avvalac’h is one of the prominent Elf characters in The Witcher Series. He is the one who prophesized to Geralt of Rivia his fate with the Cintra Princess, Ciri. 
• Kreacher – Kreacher was a very loyal house-Elf introduced in the Harry Potter series. He was a former loyal servant of the House of Black until he was transferred service to Harry Potter after Sirus Black’s death. 
• Dobby – Dobby was also a house-Elf serving the Malfoy Family in the Harry Potter series. Unlike Kreacher, Dobby was mistreated and abused during his life service with the Malfoy family. He was freed by Harry Potter by tricking Lucius Malfoy into freeing Dobby unintentionally. 
• Filavandrel – Filavandrel is the royal Elf of the Blue Mountains in The Witcher Series. He was born royal and was forced to escape in exile into the Blue Mountains during the human cleansing of the Elven race. 
• Haldir – Haldir is a Lothlorien Silvan Elf introduced in The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers. He was a great warrior both in books and in movies. In The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers movie adaptation, he was killed in battle during the defense of Helm’s Deep.
• Morwen – Morwen was a main character in the book The Children of Hurin, set in the First Age of Middle-Earth, published by Christopher Tolkien. She is the wife of Hurin and the mother of Turin Turambar, Urwen, and Nienor. 
• Celebrimbor – The great Noldor prince from the House of Feanor during the Second Age of Middle-Earth. Celebrimbor was the master-smith ruler of Eregion, renowned for forging the Three Rings of Power.
• Galadriel – Galadriel is known as the Lady of Lothlorien as described in The Lord of the Rings book. She is the wife of Celeborn and the last remaining Light-Elf in Middle-Earth. 

Good Suggested Fantasy Elf Names

Below are some examples of self-made Elf names based on the Elf naming convention and ideas from Tolkien’s Mythology of Moddle-Earth.

• Thuniel
• Shaheel
• Elaina
• Alaina
• Maeral
• Anadeine
• Tahini
• Nimwel
• Eiralia
• Maive

Male Elf Names for Games

• Vinhall – is good for a magic-casting Elf character.
• Naelen – an ideal Elf name for a ranger.
• Qiran – meaning “order” or “law”, ideal for a judiciary Elf.
• Morneiros – perfect for a vagabond or lone Elf warrior.
• Beiran – a commoner’s name. Ideal for an NPC Elf character.
• Elhorn – a heroic Elf name.
• Helion – a good name for a strong-built Elf character.
• Cormyr – an Elf skilled with swords.
• Nerilandir – an Elf guard or an Elite Elf warrior.
• Barathir – a royal-blood Elf name.

Female Elf Names for Game Stories & Novels

• Melriel – meaning “the quiet”. This name is ideal for a silent-type she-Elf.
• Irwen – a common female Elf name.
• Daenya – An Elf name describing a battle maiden.
• Anadella – a beautiful Elf name ideal for a princess or a queen.
• Kamara – a perfect name for a maiden warrior Elf.
• Eilfel – a good name for an Elven archer or marksman.
• Althyra – A female Elf name that sounds heavenly or superior.
• Midalla – a regal name for a royal-blood Elf.
• Ysmora – an Elf name describing the darkness of the night.
• Myrrad – a perfect name for a mysterious or shady Elf girl.

Common Types of Elfs in Fantasy Stories

There are many types of Elves depending on the sources. For example, the novel and video game Warcraft, including its online expansion World of Warcraft, mentioned 6 types of Elves namely; The Kaldorei (Night Elves), the Quel’dorei (Highborne Elves), the Shal’dorei (Nightborne Elves), the Sin’dorei (Blood Elves), the Darkfallen Elves (Undead Elves), and the Ren’dorei (Void Elves). Tolkien’s Middle-Earth, on the other hand, divided Elves into three main types, followed by a branching out of Elf subtypes.  The main types are the Vanyar, the Noldor, and the Teleri. From these main types branched out other Elf subtypes such as the Sindar, Umanyar, Amanyar, and the Moriquendi.

Dungeons & Dragons Elf also introduced types or subraces in their game. Elf subraces were first introduced in the Forgotten Realms campaign. A few of the many Elf types introduced n this version are: The Aquatic Elves (or Sea Elves), the Avariel (Winged Elves), the Drow (Dark Elves), the Mithral (Star Elves), the Sylvan (Wood and Copper Elves), and the Silver Elves (Moon Elves).

The Elder Scrolls Saga introduced 4 common types of Elves in the game, namely: The Altmers (High Elf), the Bosmer (Wood Elf), the Dunmer (Dark Elf), and the Orsimer (Orcs). There are also sub-race variants introduced as an offshoot from the main Elf type. This includes the Dwemer (Dwarves), the Chimer (Changed Elves), the Maormer (Sea Elves), the Aldmer (First Elves), the Ayleid (Wild Elves), and the Falmer (Snow Elves). 

The Moon Elf Names

The moon Elves is a subrace of the Elf introduced in the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons & Dragons (DnD). They are also known as silver Elves and they are considered the most common kind of Elf subrace. Contrary to most Elf kinds, a moon Elf has pale skin with blue hues, dark hair, and greenish or bluish eyes. 

Another popular game that featured Moon Elves is the Warcraft III franchise. They named the moon Elves “Night” Elves as they have a strong affinity with the night especially with the moon. They also have the pale and bluish complexion as with the DnD Moon Elf. Moon Elf names are sharper and rougher when pronounced compared to the elegant-sounding Elf name. They also use surnames that represents their house, or their affinity or relationship with the moon.

Popular Moon Elf Names

• Vindra Shadowisle
• Ne’Vharal Dawnstorm
• Anrovil Nightgrove
• Ecariah Quel’Tissar
• Azundra Moonwell
• Novyr Darkbreeze
• Vag’Rha Nak’Chazzar
• Cladine Wyrmhollow
• Kaelyr Shadewight
• Dehovann Dairon

Best Wood Elf Names

Wood Elves are the most common type of Elf to be used in fantasy games and series. They are included in games like The Elder Scrolls (called Bosmers) and Warhammer, and in novels such as The Lord of the Rings (called Silvan Elves). Wood Elves are the masters of forests and trees. They are skilled with the bow and can shoot targets from a far distance. They can traverse trees easily and they mastered planting and befriending wild animals. The same with other Elf variants, Wood Elf also shares the same naming convention. The only difference is they have names that are associated with forests, trees, and animals.

• Chava Thornwood
• Hegrel Ironwood
• Olref Willowmaker
• Saryah Springvale
• Calumi Hearthwrath
• Syldura Redpine
• Hal’Dan Shadowweed
• Dhevan Arrowthorn
• Thuviel Willowcreek
• Azkha Bloomfields