Naming Conventions
Altmeri names
Altmer have incredibly lengthy full names due to their long-standing heritage and value for family. As such, most Altmer tend to not display their last names. If you wish to create a Full Name for an Altmer character, check out THIS incredibly useful resource.
Alinori and Auridoni NamesBalfieri and Corelanyan Names
Argonian Names
Obtaining Names
Generally Argonians utilize two types of names from different languages: Jel and Tamrielic.
Jel Names
Chukka-sei is an Argonian traditional Naming day, which comes in the Argonian season of Hist-Dooka (Second Seed). On that day, a young Saxhleel licks the Hist Sap and receives their name. It is not clear whether the young Saxhleel's name is granted by their elder tribesman or by the Hist itself, but the name is definitely obtained through a Hist, hence native-born (born and raised to maturity in Black Marsh) Argonians that had successfully passed their Chukka-Sei would receive their aborigine name in the native Argonian language of Jel. Most likely this name is what they reference to outsiders as their "Black Marsh name."
Tamrielic Names
Obtaining a Tamrielic name for an Argonian may vary between individuals. Sometimes, the Tamrielic name is a direct translation of their Jel name. For instance, an Argonian named "Haj-Ei" may take on the Tamrielic name "Hides His Eyes". "Haj" in Jel roughly means "hidden", and "Ei" means "eye" or "eyes". It is possible that the Tamrielic name may be used preferentially when the Argonian's Jel name is considered unpronounceable, unnecessary, inappropriate or unsuitable.
Naming Convention
There are three types of Argonian names.
Argonian Names
Bosmeri Names
Most Bosmer do not have family names, instead prefering various titles such as Arrow-Catcher or Blood-Letter.
Bosmeri NamesBretonic Names
Bretic Bjoule NamesBretic Glenumbran Names
Bretic Iliac Names
Bretic Northmen Names
Bretic Systrean Names
Bretic Wrothgarian Names
Dunmeri Names
Dunmeri NamesAshlander Names
These are the names of the Ashlanders, traditional Dunmeri inhabitants of Vvardenfell.
Dunmeri Ashlander NamesImperial Names
Cyro-Nordic NamesNote on above: Like their Nordic half, the Cyro-Nords tend towards primarily using titles or nicknames gained in life over clan names.
Cyrodilic Strident Names
Cyrodilic Rimmenese Names
Cyrodilic Nibenu Names
Cyrodilic Nibenese Names
Cyrodilic Heartlander Names
Cyrodilic Colovian Names
Khajiiti Names
Naming Convention
Khajiit names mostly describe the talents or skills of the to-be-named. Sometimes Khajiit take a byname or nickname with meaning, either Cyrodilic or in Ta'agra. They can be taken additionally to the Khajiiti name, either as suffix (e.g. M'Aiq the Liar or Ra'zaym Iron-Ear), or a prefix (e.g. Krin Ren-dro or Sugar-Lips Habasi). Nicknames also can be used in appropriate situation, but note that they do not replace the name entirely. (e.g. Eats-Spiders or Kink-Tail). In this case, they never have an honorific added.
Another important aspect of Khajiit names are honorifics, more commonly amongst males than females. They reflect their status in life or society, and can change accordingly. Thus, it is considered improper and insulting to apply a wrong honorific. Commonly a Khajiit takes up just one honorific at a time, as using two either shows great ignorance or great pride. They also sometimes are given in terms of endearment, banter or deceit. Rarely, even non-Khajiit take up Khajiit honorifics. Honorifics are usually a prefix before a Khajiit's name, usually separated by an apostrophe, uncommonly a hyphen, or rarely without separation. During the mid-Second Era however, suffixed honorifics were the norm, separated by a hyphen, with prefixed honorifics being seen as a fashionable fad among the youth of Alabaster. If a honorific is taken as prefix, they can be shortened to one letter. Suffixed honorifics never are shortened. Ta'agra names can also contain apostrophes or hyphens, which does not necessarily make parts of names an honorific. Capitalization in Khajiit names with honorifics varies: The name after a prefix can have either a capital or minuscule first letter, while suffixes are usually—but not always—minuscule. Honorifics sometimes are gender-specific, though sometimes Khajiit with gender-swapped honorifics exist.
Khajiiti NamesNordic Names
Most Nords have no family name. However, some Nords have clans, or titles added after or occasionally before their given name. Titles as suffixes are often hyphenated. Note that unlike clan names, titles may be changed over the course of one's lifetime, and there are a few incidents of single individuals with multiple titles at different times.
Cyro-Nordic NamesNordic Names
Skaal Names
These are the names of the Skaal, a tribe of Nords inhabiting Solstheim.
Skaal NamesOrcish Names
Orcish family names are usually (but not always) prefixed depending on gender: "gro-" for males, and "gra-" for females. (In a few cases there are male Orcs with the feminine "gra-" prefix, or a third prefix "gor-"; and female Orcs with the male "gro-" prefix. ) The prefix is usually followed by the name of the Orc's clan or the stronghold where they were born. Some family names may not have a prefix at all.
Orsimer NamesReachfolk Names
Reachfolk NamesReach Clan Names
Redguard Names
Naming Convention
In addition to their given name, sometimes Redguards will also have a surname, of sorts, deriving from a person or place that they are related to.
The prefixes for these derivation names are as follows:
For the prefix "al-" you may use this table for location names.
Crown NamesYokudan Names
Forebear Names
