One short first name, one rude surname
Every result pairs a first name with a surname, for example Brig Knifeear, Wiz Bogbottom or Fizz Ironbiter. The first names come from a list of 35 one-syllable words (Zik, Snit, Drib, Flik, Lurk) and the surnames from a list of 30 compounds. That makes 1,050 combinations, but because the first-name pool is small, a batch of results often repeats it. Over a longer run, the same first names come up repeatedly. For goblins that is more feature than flaw, since a tribe sharing a few names is part of the joke, but it does mean the surname has to do the distinguishing work.
What the surnames are doing
| Kind | Examples from the list | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Thieving habits | Pickpocket, Lootgrabber, Coinbiter, Backstabber | Tells you the goblin's job |
| Bodies and smells | Knifeear, Stinkfoot, Crabnose, Sludgebelly | Grotesque and easy to picture |
| Disgusting diets | Grimeater, Toadlicker, Wormgulper, Rustchewer | Comic, a little gross |
| Dens and dirt | Darkburrow, Dungheap, Bogbottom, Mudcrawler | Suggests where the clan lives |
How a result plays at the table
Snit Gobsmacker is good: a snappy sneeze of a first name and a surname that is a joke in its own right. Fizz Ironbiter is half-good, since the surname hints at a tougher goblin than the first name suggests, which is useful for a boss with a silly name. Vrik Sludgebelly is functional but mostly shows the tool's limit: the first name is a sound, not a character, so you must supply the personality.
When a pack of goblins is named all at once, keep the repeated first names and let the surnames sort them out. Wiz Bogbottom is the cook, Wiz Stinkfoot is the scout, and players remember them better than a row of unique but forgettable names. For an encounter, you can also swap a surname for something visible in the room, such as a lantern or a stolen boot, to give players a handle.
Goblin and orc names are built differently
This generator keeps a first name and surname as separate words. The orc name generator instead fuses a prefix and suffix into one longer word (Thrak plus nakh, for example), so orc names feel heavier and carry no joke. The half-orc name generator uses that same orc method. If a goblin needs a bigger title as a boss, try the villain name generator; for the other small folk, the halfling name generator has a gentler tone.
One limitation: the tool has no female or male option and no tribe names. If you need a clan name, attach one yourself, such as "of the Darkburrow".
Frequently Asked Questions
Do goblins have surnames?
Not in folklore. Here they are nicknames that stuck, built from habits, body parts or places. They give each goblin an identity, which is why every result from this tool has one.
Why do some first names repeat in the results?
The tool draws from only 35 first names, so repeats are common. Treat the repeated first name as shared tribe slang and rely on the surname to tell them apart.
Can I give a goblin a more serious name?
Yes. Keep the first name and swap the surname for something plainer, or take a name from the villain generator for a chieftain. Giving only one goblin a grim name keeps the others funny.
Is a hobgoblin named the same way?
This tool does not distinguish hobgoblins. Settings vary, but hobgoblins are often written as more disciplined and militaristic, so an orc-style name or a title may suit them better than a joke surname.