Looking for a good name for male and female MMO characters? These tips are better than name generators.
We’ve all been in the following situation: A new game is launched and a lot of time is spent in the character editor to ensure the new character looks appealing. After all, you’ll be walking around with it for a long time. Then comes the next hurdle: The name of the character.
Often, players choose the same name in different games. But if, for example, the name “Laila” is already taken, despair sets in. With the following tips, you can still find a unique name for your online character.
Special characters just to get the favorite name? No way!
It’s always disappointing when someone else has snatched your favorite name. You’ve imagined stories of how you roam the worlds as Laila and start a great career on the new servers. But a rogue beat you to it and has already claimed Laila. So, what to do?
Bad idea: I will stick to my name, no matter the cost. This leads to names like Lâila, Làilá, or Láìlâ. While it’s cool that you still have your name, no one in the game will be able to find you because everyone will be asking, “What is that thing above your ‘a’? Is that with Shift or what?”
Before you resort to these means, take a look at the following tips.
Cool gamer names – Add a syllable
If you don’t want to give up your favorite name, even though it’s already taken, you can modify it. For example, by adding another syllable at the end. Thus, from Laila, you can create Lailana, Lailavar, or Lailaris.
This way, you still carry the core of your beloved name with you and don’t have to resort to ugly special characters or L33T-SP34K. And that’s a good thing.
Swap vowels
Instead of extending the name with a syllable, sometimes it helps to simply swap out vowels. Laila might become Layla or Leila. This can sometimes lead to silly results. Alternatively, you can simply append the vowel to the end.
So from the popular Haxxor, you get a Haxxora, Haxxori, or of course a Haxxoro. This gives the name a different feeling as well.
Build something new from the favorite name – Anagram
Eventually, the time comes when you have to part from your favorite name in a game. All name variations that still sound okay are taken.
Now there’s still the option for a middle ground between “keeping the old name” and “coming up with a completely new name”. Throw all the letters of your favorite name together and form a new word from them. You create an anagram.
So from Laila, you might get Liala, Laail, Laali, Aalil. This is about the last hopeful step before you switch to a completely new name. But we’re also happy to help you with that.
Think of a theme
A good name often depends on which game you are playing. Are you fighting through dark worlds, slashing your way through hordes of enemies? Then “Sonnenblume14” may not be the best choice to fit in with the environment.
Then the name should lean more toward “Dark” or “Noir” and could form the basis of the new name.
Variations of popular characters in the game?
Ideas for a name can also come from characters in the game where you are currently creating your character. Dive into the lore of your game.
- Do you read about characters in the lore that appeal to you?
- Are there powerful warriors fighting on the front lines?
- Are there supportive mages controlling enemies with powerful spells?
Make something out of their names. If you don’t want to copy the characters’ names 1:1, distort them a bit.
Combine two into one
If you create a character in a game that has been active for a long time, popular single words are usually taken. You have much more choice when you create a new word from two words.
From a Dark Lord, you might get a Dalor, from an Arms Warrior an Arwar. If you have several names that are both taken, you can simply form a new word from them.
Don’t allow silly abbreviations
If you create your character in a multiplayer game that is often played with voice chat, keep in mind that players are “lazy”. If your name is too long, you will often be addressed by an abbreviation. Our “Laila” example is hard on the border – it could be called Laila or just Lai.
But TheDarkLord will be abbreviated to Dark or Lord. Usually, the first letters are decisive. ShoePete will be called Shoe, Badexia will be addressed as Badex in voice chat, and so on. So pay attention to how your name might be shortened in voice chat and whether you can deal with that – in case you play multiplayer.
It also helps to say the made-up character name out loud once. Do you like the name when you “hear” it? Then it really suits you.
What do you call yourself in online games?
