200+ Cool & Creative Dark Elf Names

Whether you’re making a new dark elf character for your own original story, coming up with a D&D character, or naming your new Skyrim or Elder Scrolls PC (player character), we have all the inspiration you’ll need. In this article, we’ll introduce you to a wide variety of dark elf names across multiple different franchises, as well as unique names that could work for any dark elf character (even outside of pop culture). Let’s dive in!

An Introduction to Dark Elf Names

Dark elf names vary heavily by origin. In the world of The Elder Scrolls, dark elf (Dunmer) names include Aleri, Ervona, Llandras, and Tythis. In the Forgotten Realms, classic drow (dark elf) names include Drizzt, Nalfein, Vierna, and Triel. The idea of dark elves themselves originated from Old Norse mythology.

Section 1 of 10:

Female Dark Elf Name Ideas

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Ultimately, there are no official conventions for dark elf names in general—for that, you’d have to look at a specific IP or franchise (like the Elder Scrolls or Dungeons & Dragons, which we’ll cover below). But if you’re trying to create an original dark elf character, you might consider names that feel ethereal and magical (like many elf names do)—or, conversely, names with harsher consonants and dark meanings. For example:
- Ebony - Latin, meaning “deep black wood”
- Elara - Greek, meaning “spear shaft” or “bright and shining one”
- Eris - Greek, meaning “strife” or “discord”
- Isolde - Germanic and Welsh, meaning “ice ruler”
- Lilith - Hebrew, meaning “belonging to the night”
- Lirael - Hebrew, meaning “beloved daughter”
- Lyra - Greek, meaning “lyre” (a stringed instrument resembling a harp)
- Lysandra - Greek, meaning “liberator” or “defender of mankind”
- Melantha - Greek, meaning “dark flower”
- Morrigan - Irish, meaning “phantom queen”
- Nebula - Latin, meaning “mist, cloud, smoke”
- Nyx - Greek, meaning “night”
- Ravenna - Italian and English, meaning “raven”
- Selene - Greek, meaning “the moon”
- Seraphine - Hebrew, meaning “burning ones,” or “fiery”
- Thaleia - Greek, meaning “flourishing”
- Thorne - Old English, meaning “thorn bush” or “thorn thicket”
- Umbra - Latin, meaning “shadow”
- Valeria - Latin, meaning “strong” or “brave”
- Vesper(a) - Latin, meaning “of the evening” or “evening star”
- Zandra - Greek, meaning “defender of man”
- Zephyra - Greek, meaning “strong wind” or “west wind”

Section 2 of 10:

Male Dark Elf Name Ideas

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In the same vein, let’s explore some masculine dark elf names that capture some of those magical, powerful, and ethereal elven vibes—as well as some names with fittingly dark, mystical meanings. And, since some dark elf names are also known for their harsh consonant sounds (t, k, g, z, b, ch, sh, for example), we’ve included some of those, too:
- Aric - Old Norse, meaning “eternal ruler”
- Azrael - Hebrew, meaning “God’s helper”
- Draven - Scottish, meaning “hunter”
- Elarion - Sindarin (fictional, from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings), meaning “heir of the stars”
- Elric - Germanic, meaning “elf ruler”
- Kael - Irish, meaning “slender” or “mighty warrior”
- Malakai - Hebrew, meaning “my messenger”
- Malekith - The leader of the Dark Elves in Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World
- Myrddin - Welsh, meaning “sea fort”
- Noctis - Latin, meaning “of the night”
- Nyxar - Greek, meaning “night”
- Onyx - Greek, meaning “nail” or “claw”
- Ravenor - Associated with “raven” (a black bird)
- Rune - Old Norse, meaning “secret” or “mystery”
- Shade - English, meaning “in shadow”
- Soren - Scandinavian, meaning “stern”
- Xander - Greek, meaning “protector of humankind”
- Vael - Old Norse, meaning “trick” or “ploy”
- Varian - Latin, meaning “variable”
- Valther - German, meaning “leather of the army”
- Vex - English, meaning “to annoy, irritate”
- Zarek - Polish, meaning “may God protect the king”
- Zephyr - Greek, meaning “west wind”

Section 3 of 10:

Female Dark Elf (Dunmer) Names for The Elder Scrolls

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In The Elder Scrolls lore, Dunmer (dark elf) names are based on the fictional languages of Aldmeris and Ald Chimeris, as well as Dunmeris—the modern language of the Dunmer. Because of their basis in fictional lore, Dunmer names don’t appear to have a definitive translation. Nonetheless, we’ve rounded up some Dunmeri-style names that would be right at home in the Elder Scrolls universe:^{[1]
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- Alarvyne
- Aleri
- Alonisea
- Alurue
- Balsa
- Bedynea
- Brelyna
- Dalami
- Dalnorea
- Darvynea
- Dralasa
- Drilame
- Elmera
- Eralane
- Ervona
- Fadile
- Fedura
- Fieryra
- Gadela
- Gilse
- Haleneri
- Hlavora
- Ivela
- Lauravenya
- Llandrale
- Llavesa
- Madayna
- Madura
- Manwe
- Narile
- Olvyne
- Ranis
- Rathyne
- Sadela
- Senise
- Tadera
- Talsi
- Tirele
- Ulyne
- Vadeni
- Varona
- Vivyne

Section 4 of 10:

Male Dark Elf (Dunmer) Names for The Elder Scrolls

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Once again, Dunmer names don’t have exact translations—and, unfortunately, developers haven’t confirmed any specific languages that these names draw from. However, fans of the franchise have noticed some parallels with Welsh, African, and even Scandinavian names; ultimately, Bethesda (the developer behind The Elder Scrolls) may get naming ideas from cultures around the world! Male Dunmer names include:^{[2]
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- Adril
- Ambarys
- Athyn
- Azarain
- Azaril
- Belyn
- Boran
- Casil
- Cason
- Demethys
- Drelas
- Erden
- Erebseth
- Evul
- Gaelion
- Galam
- Ilen
- Llandras
- Llevas
- Lorgresil
- Lorvyn
- Maldus
- Malur
- Meden
- Nisfar
- Nephiah
- Revyn
- Savos
- Shurkan
- Sindras
- Taldyn
- Tennus
- Tullas
- Tythis
- Vanikfar
- Vanryth
- Viras
- Yeveth
- Zahshur

Section 5 of 10:

Ashlander Dark Elf (Dunmer) Names for The Elder Scrolls

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In The Elder Scrolls (Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim, and so on), the Ashlanders are a nomadic Dunmeri people who, historically, live on Vvardenfell as well as mainland Morrowind. Ashlander names are also quite distinct from their Dunmeri counterparts; in terms of the real world, these names appear to be primarily inspired by ancient Assyrian and Mesopotamian names. Ashlander names include:^{[3]
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- Ababel (male)
- Adibael (male)
- Asharapli (female)
- Asha-ammu (male)
- Ashur-dan (male)
- Assi (female)
- Assimusa (female)
- Beden (male)
- Berapli (female)
- Conoon (male)
- Dakin (male)
- Dissu (female)
- Dralas (male)
- Elibael (male)
- Elitlaya (female)
- Hainab (female)
- Hansi (female)
- Hassour (male)
- Hirarend (male)
- Ilasour (male)
- Kanat (male)
- Kausi (male)
- Kausha (female)
- Lassour (male)
- Mabarrabael (male)
- Maeli (female)
- Maesat (male)
- Missamsi (female)
- Nirai (female)
- Ohibaal (male)
- Patus (male)
- Pilu (female)
- Raishi (female)
- Ranabi (male)
- Rawia (female)
- Sakin (male)
- Sakiran (female)
- Salattanat (male)
- Seba (female)
- Shannat (male)
- Shullay (male)
- Talkin (male)
- Tashpi (female)
- Yahaz (male)
- Yan (male)
- Yanabi-asa (female)
- Zabamund (male)
- Zanat (male)
- Zelay (male)
- Zula (female)

Section 6 of 10:

Female Dark Elf (Drow) Names for D&D

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Many drow names have their own meanings within the lore of the Forgotten Realms and D&D as a whole. In other words, they might not mean anything in the real world—but in the fictional drow language, they definitely do. So, we’ve included translations where possible for these female drow (dark elf) names:^{[4]
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- Alaundra - “Powerful match”
- Akordia - “Beloved rogue”
- Alysaaria - “Legendary” or “song”
- Angaste - “Savage keeper”
- Aunrae – “Deadly seeker”
- Balaena - “Flame, dancer, spirit”
- Belarbreena - “Arrow matriarch”
- Briza - “Graceful end”
- Chessintra - “Noble prophet”
- Dhaunae - “Plague dancer”
- Eclavdra - “Chaos lover”
- Elerra - “Quarry”
- Elvanshalee - “Elf wanderer”
- Elvraema - “Drow crafter”
- Faeyl - “Drow oath”
- Felyndiira - “Pale sibling”
- G’eldriia - “Spider teacher”
- Haelra - “Marked quarry”
- Ilivarra - “Warrior queen”
- Imrae - “Devoted seeker”
- Jhanass - “Shield savant”
- Laele - “Iron vassal”
- Larynda - “Lawful captain”
- Minolin - “Lesser, lover”
- Nathrae - “Doomed seeker”
- Nedylene - “Cunning maiden”
- Phyrra - “Blessed fool”
- Quarra - “Eternal fool”
- Rauva - “Stone breaker”
- Sabal - “Amber, yellow”
- Sabrae - “Void seeker”
- Sindyrrith - “Joy protector”
- T’risstree - “Blade exile”
- Talice - “Pain-taker”
- Triel - “Bat, winged”
- Ulitree - “Golden exile”
- Umrae - “Faithful”
- Vierna - “Dark adept”
- Vornalla - “Healer”
- Xune - “Fiendish vassal”
- Xyra - “Sage, teller”
- Yasrena - “Web haven”
- Zarra - “Shadow quarry”
- Zilvra - “Forgotten fool”

Section 7 of 10:

Male Dark Elf (Drow) Names for D&D

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Drow names tend to have a prefix and suffix, which is why you’ll see so many names with a two-part meaning. In this section, we’ll go over some established masculine drow names (and their drow-language translations), including:^{[5]
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- Balok - “Burning”
- Baragh - “Fate breaker”
- Belaern - “Burning blood”
- Bruherd - “Arrow-giver”
- Callimar - “Noble creator”
- Chaszmyr - “Earth bones”
- Drizzt - A famous drow hero in the Forgotten Realms; his name may be associated with the drow term for “hunter”
- Durdyn - “Cold flight”
- Elendar - “Voice”
- Elkantar - “Chaos patriarch”
- Filraen - “Pale disciple”
- Ghaundan - “Cursed strider”
- Guldor - “Pale fingers”
- Houndaer - “Magic trickster”
- Iymril - “Immortal outlaw”
- Jalynfein - “Ambitious minstrel”
- Jarlaxle - “Charmed” or “friend”
- Lesaonar - “Bound guardian”
- Malaggar - “Mystery”
- Micarlin - “Lost commander”
- Nadal - “Cunning maniac”
- Nalfein - “Horrible song”
- Nym - “Lost”
- Omareth - “Tattoo”
- Pharaun - “Honored dancer”
- Quave - “Charmed vassal”
- Quevven - “Charmed comrade”
- Ranaghar - “Minor death”
- Relonor - “Wind fool”
- Ryld - “Branded”
- Szordrin - “Amber rogue”
- Tarlyn - “Wounded assassin”
- Tazennin - “Winged rider”
- Valas - “Dark scholar”
- Valdan - “Dark strider”
- Vorn - “Honored”
- Welverin - “Stone advisor”
- Zeknar - “Rageful adept”
- Zyn - “Finder”

Section 8 of 10:

Dark Elf Names in Warhammer

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Now, let’s take a look at some dark elf names from the fantasy side of the Warhammer franchise! While not all of these names have definitive meanings (because fantasy names are just like that sometimes), we’ve done our best to uncover as many potential definitions and translations as possible. Dark elf names from Warhammer include:
- Alarion - A term with French origins for a heraldic bird
- Alizeabeth - Likely derived from Elizabeth (Hebrew), which means “God is my oath”
- Arathar - Unique (non-standard) name; could be a variant of Arath (Hebrew), which means “noble” or “traveler”
- Arspeth - Unique (non-standard) name
- Balthinal - Unique (non-standard) name
- Bel-Nenya - Unique (non-standard) name
- Boudicca - Celtic for “victory” or “bringer of victory”
- Caladrielle - Unique (non-standard) name; in Warhammer, Caladrielle is a powerful sorceress
- Cesirnoh - Unique (non-standard) name
- Corvass - Unique (non-standard) name; may be a variant of Corvus (Latin), meaning “raven”
- Danar - Filipino for “one who lives near water”
- Delekth - Unique (non-standard) name
- Drathella - Unique (non-standard) name
- Driellen - Unique (non-standard) name
- Elemire - May be a variant of Elmire (French), meaning “noble and famous”
- Elladan - Sindarin (from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion) name meaning “elf-man”
- Furion - The name of a sorcerer in Warhammer; also shares a root with the Latin furious, meaning “angry” or “violent”
- Galroth - Unique (non-standard) name
- Gynnash - Unique (non-standard) name
- Hagrene - Unique (non-standard) name
- Iliarch - Unique (non-standard) name
- Jadus - Hebrew or Latin name meaning “he who is praised”
- Keresta - Unique (non-standard) name
- Koval - Ukrainian name meaning “blacksmith”
- Leech - English name referring to a “physician” or “bloodletter”
- Litania - Latin term meaning “prayer” or “invocation”
- Maewhyn - Possibly a variant of Maewyn, which is Irish for “the great one”
- Maledicta - Latin, from the word maledictus, meaning “cursed” or “damned”
- Merovash - Unique (non-standard) name
- Myrielh - Unique (non-standard) name
- Narain - Sanskrit, meaning “the one who protects”
- Nelosi - Unique (non-standard) name
- Nonus - Latin, meaning “ninth”
- Olanis - Unique (non-standard) name
- Pardek - Unique (non-standard) name
- Ramon - Spanish name meaning “wise protector”
- Resara - Unique (non-standard) name
- Rinmaud - Unique (non-standard) name
- Sabioth - Possibly based on the Hebrew Sabaoth, which refers to an army in the Old Testament
- Sareth - Means “nobility, honor” (Arabic) and “to be sent” (Hebrew)
- Seraph - Hebrew, meaning “burning one” or “fiery”
- Tamarith - Possibly a variant of Tamar, meaning “palm tree” or “date palm” (Hebrew)
- Teneska - Unique (non-standard) name
- Tarnig - Unique (non-standard) name
- Urian - Celtic name meaning “city-born” (or “from heaven” in Hebrew)
- Vashas - Possibly based on the name Vasha, meaning “powerful” (Sanskrit) or “God is gracious (Hebrew)
- Vraneth - Unique (non-standard) name
- Wirtha - German name meaning “provider” or “inn-keeper”
- Yandis - A Dutch variant of Janz, as well as an African (Yoruba) name meaning “to be loved”
- Zoram - Unique (non-standard) name

Section 9 of 10:

Darkness-Inspired Elf Names

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Finally, we’ll take a look at names with dark, gloomy translations—just in case you’re looking for a name with lots of significance and deep meaning!
- Agrona - Celtic, meaning “battle, slaughter”; the Celtic goddess of war and death
- Amaia - Derived from the Basque word for “the end”
- Arawn - A Welsh mythological king associated with death and justice
- Balor - Celtic, meaning “the deadly one”
- Bellinor - French, meaning “beautiful and dark”
- Berodach - A Babylonian king from the Bible whose name means “the son of death”
- Bronach - Old Irish name meaning “sorrow” or “sadness”
- Cessair - Irish name meaning “sorrow” or “affliction”
- Ciara - Irish-Gaelic name meaning “black” or “little dark one”
- Daray - Means “dark” (Celtic), “gift” (Persian), and “to be a leader” (Hebrew)
- Darcel - French, meaning “dark”
- Deianeira - Greek, meaning “man-destroyer”
- Duvessa - Irish-Gaelic, meaning “dark beauty” or “dark beauty of the waterfall”
- Hadeon - Means “destroyer” (Ukrainian) or “hewer” (Hebrew)
- Hecate - The ancient Greek goddess of magic, witchcraft, and the night
- Isra - Arabic, meaning “journey of the night”
- Kalma - Finnish name associated with death or the grave
- Khalida - Arabic, meaning “eternal” or “everlasting”
- Meremoth - Hebrew name translating to “bitterness” or “myrrh of death”
- Morana - Slavic and Latin name meaning “death”
- Naenia - Latin, meaning “lament”
- Orpheus - Greek, meaning “darkness of night”
- Perran - Cornish, meaning “little dark one”
- Proserpina - The Roman goddess of life and death
- Sable - English and Slavic name meaning “black”
- Tamesis - Celtic name meaning “dark one” or “darkened”
- Than - Greek name meaning “death”
- Vakarė - Lithuanian name meaning “of the evening”

Section 10 of 10:

Dark Elf Naming Conventions

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Dark elf naming conventions can be extremely varied. The concept of a “dark elf” originates from Old Norse mythology; however, the concept has been adapted by many different fictional franchises—from the Forgotten Realms (Dungeons & Dragons) to The Elder Scrolls (Skyrim, Morrowind, ESO) and beyond. As a result, dark elves tend to have very different names based on the franchise they’re from.
- Overall, inspiration for dark elf names can come from sources such as Germanic and Old Norse names (since that’s where dark elves originate), as well as other names and terms that refer to darkness, wickedness, the night, and magic.
- Generally speaking, dark elves tend to have harsher-sounding names than their “light” (or, in D&D terms, “surface”) elven counterparts.
- However, some dark elf names still have the smooth, melodic consonants found throughout traditional elven names—including Ls, Ns, and Ss.