How the titles are put together
The Type menu picks a genre: Fantasy (the default), Mystery, Romance or Sci-Fi. Each genre has its own list of 25 adjectives and 25 nouns, so a mystery draw gives words like Alibi, Cipher or Inquest, a romance draw gives Vow, Kiss or Rendezvous, and a sci-fi draw gives Signal, Protocol or Singularity. The tool then drops two of those words into one of five shapes:
- The Adjective Noun, as in The Ancient Kingdom
- Noun of the Adjective Noun, as in Sword of the Eternal Quest
- Adjective Noun and the Noun, as in Lost Tower and the Oracle
- The Noun of the Noun, as in The Dragon of the Crown
- Adjective Noun: The Noun, as in Hollow Quest: The Tower
Titles come out in a form like Burning Champion: The Amulet or Hidden Prophecy: The Legend. There are no author names or numbers.
Where the output is weak
The same two lists feed every shape, so some pairings repeat a feeling twice or make no sense together. Treat the list as vocabulary and phrasing to react to, not as finished titles.
| Genre you are writing | Which Type to try | What to adjust afterward |
|---|---|---|
| Epic or sword-and-sorcery | Fantasy | Swap a generic noun for a place or object from your book. |
| Crime or thriller | Mystery | Thriller titles tend to be short. Cut to a single noun or a pair. |
| Love story | Romance | Drop the "of the" shapes if they feel stiff; lighter wording suits the genre. |
| Space or near-future | Sci-Fi | Technical nouns read well alone, so try removing the adjective. |
Making a generated title specific
Fantasy nouns such as Crown, Shadow and Throne appear in a great many existing books. A title becomes more distinct when one general word is replaced by something from your manuscript, such as a named object or a place that exists only in your world. "The Ancient Covenant" is generic; "The Ashgrove Covenant" belongs to one story.
Title rights and searching
As a general rule, the title of a single book is not protected by copyright, so different books can share a name. A title can sometimes be protected as a trademark, particularly for a series, and retailers may have their own rules. This is general information only; if a title matters commercially, search existing books and consult a qualified advisor.
If your author name is still open, the pen name generator and the guide to choosing a pen name can help. A story's antagonist or setting often ends up in the title, so the villain name generator and the fantasy kingdom name generator are useful companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a good book title?
It is specific enough to intrigue and clear enough to place the book in a genre. Short titles are easier to remember, and an unusual pairing stands out. Look at it at thumbnail size, since that is how many readers first see a cover.
Can I copyright a book title?
Generally no. Titles of individual books are usually not protected by copyright, so two books can share one. Series names and brands can sometimes be protected by trademark. Rules differ between countries, so get professional advice for anything commercial.
Why do some generated titles feel odd?
Each shape draws its words independently, so a pairing can repeat a feeling, as in Dark Shadow, or put two unrelated ideas together. Rerun the tool, or keep a shape you like and swap one word for something from your own story.
When should I choose a title for my novel?
A working title can be chosen at any point and changed later. Many writers wait until the draft is finished, when the central image is clear. Publishers sometimes change titles for market reasons.