But for now, let's see what our options and prerogatives are when it comes to naming our mighty holy knight. First, let's briefly answer the question of what a Paladin is so we know where we are headed. And what we should steer clear of.
Staying in the appropriate fantasy ball-park
The Paladin is a champion of the Light, a holy defender of the downtrodden and weak. The noblest of knights and so forth. Naturally, it would be wise to name your creation something that reflects that; not something uncharacteristic of the archetype. I would never name my Paladin "Killforce", or "Shadowstriker". That's just not me, ever. So, that's your tip number one, if you may.
What should you do then? An example: Serena, a feminine given name. It is derived from the Latin word serēnus, meaning "clear, tranquil, serene". If it's a male character then Serin will do just fine.
Generally speaking, I stick with female names because Lady Justice is a woman. For one. And, secondly, I always prefer to play as a female character if the game allows me that option. I'd rather look at a female's butt that's running in front of my eyes for hours on end, than at the male counterpart. Do you know what I mean? 🤤
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| Human Paladin by TagoVanTor |
Getting creative and unique with your toon
Using the above-mentioned example, you can transform the name and make it more unique. One such example is Serina or Serianna. Yeah, I just made that last one up.
It's also a good idea to steer away from those names that sound too "normal" or real-life-like; like 'Christina'. There's nothing wrong with using this name as your character name. But if you're going for some RP adventure, I think it's best to go all out and not just pretend you are playing that character; become it by having a unique name.
Using the first two paragraphs/tips, we can already see a pattern. As mentioned, the Paladin stands for order and law. Well then, why not use those words and conjure up something representative? Take the word 'law', for example. How easy is it to transform it in Lawrine or Lawrina (or maybe even Lawrence, if it's a guy) for your Paladin?
From 'justice' we can easily develop Justine, Justinian, and so forth.
Game-specific character naming solution
Taking the last category even further, we can make up game-specific names. In the Dungeon Siege games franchise for example one could use the name Aranea for his or her female character. How so? Well, the action takes place in the continent of Aranna so, there you go.
OK! So the title says this is a collection of names but so far we've seen none. You might think to yourself... Well, as with all my databases I of course went ahead and scraped the internet for all of the articles that presumably listed hundreds of #Paladin names.
Let me just say right off the bat - most are incoherent letter associations or just have nothing to do with being a knight or even a warrior. Go ahead and Google at your own leisure. But when you've had enough come back and check out the curated lists I put together below.
Aribeth de Tylmarande - Yama Orce (Source)
Paladin female first names scraped from the web
I made sure that any name you can read on this page has a bit of medieval fantasy or paladin-like flavor. If you allow me this culinary sensation. :-) Feel free to change these names, I did not add all possible variations.
Adalinda
Adena
Amantine
Amaris
Angelette
Angeline
Annika
Arwen
Asena
Athena
Auriol
Aurora
Avyanna
Bari
Belinda
Bellatrix
Brenna
Brienne
Cassandra
Damaia
Damarissa
Davina
Diva
Duraina
Emmeline
Eowyn
Eretria
Esabel
Eudora
Euphoria
Evangelista
Ezlyn
Flora
Glismoda
Gwendolyn
Hanna
Idril
Imogene
Juliette
Justinia
Lara
Laurana
Leia
Liadrin
Libelle
Lumis
Lysandra
Madlyn
Meliana
Melinda
Meredit
Minka
Mirael
Nesryn
Ondrea
Orianna
Paladina
Paradise
Renna
Rieta
Ronda
Roseheart
Safira
Saia
Sânziana
Saphira
Searil
Selene
Sephira
Serena
Serina
Siara
Sierra
Sienna
Summer
Tiamat
Tyra
Valeria
Vitala
Xandra
Xena
Xenia
Yena
Zafira
Zelrana
Zena
Zenaida
Zerelda
Zilla
Uther, The Lightbringer - Mr--Jack (Source)
Paladin male first names scraped from the web
As mentioned, I went through many articles such as this one and hand-picked the ones that resonate most with the Paladin archetype. Not many of them do! And I did find some crazy names in those articles. Check this one out: 'Frufatalta'. What the hell is even that supposed to mean? Or the full name 'Dhosgrouc Beastbranch'. Sheesh!
Aethelflaed
Albwin
Aldwin
Ambrogio
Arthur
Arthurius
Atlassian
Ballador
Baralion
Basil
Believor
Bolvar
Carillon
Damaris
Damian
Darian
Darion
Derelus
Durian
Duthorian
Ernest
Exelar
Ezra
Fintan
Gabranth
Gaius
Gallus
Garandorn
Gavril
Godric
Gregor
Helios
Idris
Illuminax
Ira
Irulon
Jophiel
Jorah
Ladon
Lancelot
Leonard
Linguard
Lucian
Menethil
Palacios
Paladice
Paladino
Percival
Radian
Richard
Roderic
Roderick
Romus
Saladin
Salin
Savin
Sennin
Stallard
Thane
Theoden
Theradin
Tirion
Tolin
Tural
Turin
Tyrael
Valoric
Xandor
Zaigan
Zander
Zenaidos
Zuldrin
Dwarf Paladin - Vera Afraymovich (Source)
When you need a Paladin last name too
Some of the above can double up as last names too, but let's actually see some true last names that I cropped up from the web. I admit, though, that so many of them sound like Dwarven names. Not that I mind even a bit, actually not at all since I am #TeamDwarf. 😎
Avelane
Baneforge
Bigforge
Boulderback
Brandur
Bravehearth
Breakspear
Brighthammer
Brightshield
Brightsteel
Dawnbreaker
Dawnseeker
Dirgehammer
Dragonfire
Dragonsbane
Dreadforge
Duskbreaker
Faithseeker
Fearforge
Fordragon
Fordring
Goldfist
Goldhammer
Greatforger
Heartsbane
Highforge
Highfount
Ingelrandus
Ironhammer
Ironhand
Ladimore
Lightbound
Lightbringer
Lightrain
Lionheart
Mornshield
Nimblebringer
Nobleheart
Oakenshield
Oakshield
Oathbearer
Oathbound
Oathkeeper
Oathsworn
Palebreaker
Peacekeeper
Powerbrow
Rageforger
Razorsight
Serpenthelm
Smitefist
Steelbeard
Stonebridge
Stoneshield
Stoneteeth
Stormbright
Stormbrow
Stouteye
Stoutmantle
Stronghammer
Sunward
Swiftbrow
Swiftstriker
Swiftsword
Thunderbeard
Thunderhammer
Thunderknight
Trueblade
Truthbearer
Valorcall
Verigan
Wardenshield
Whiteshield
Winterkorn
Zeraldene
Steel in our Bones - Prospass (Source)
The/of/de/le/la Paladin naming scheme
So far we've seen the first and last names of Paladin boys and girls. But what if you're into something more epic? More legendary sounding for your character? You might be familiar with names such as 'Uther the Lightbringer' from World of Warcraft; or 'Aribeth de Tylmarande' from Neverwinter Nights. And how can we not mention the historical 'Joan of Arc'?
So perhaps that's where you are headed with your naming scheme. Well, using the names given above we can then connect them using 'the', 'of', 'de', 'le', and 'la' words to get our desired result. Generally speaking, I would use them like this:
the - when it describes a quality or title perhaps gained later in life, not necessarily born with it: Lumis the Lightbringer, Theradin the Truthbearer, Mina the Faithful.
For more title ideas you can use this fantasy title generator.
of - when it denotes the clan, city, family, guild, order, or region you are part of. Godric of Stonebridge, Leia of the Holy Temple, and Xandr of the Lightsmith clan for example. But it can also be used as a quality just like 'the': Godric of Nobleheart.
For more clan name ideas use this and for order ideas this database.
de - this French word is again useful for a family name attribution but perhaps you can do more with it yourself. Emmeline de Chanassard, Gavril de Dumont.
To find family names I used this article. Moreover, to find regions and zones you can Google them and use pages such as this.
le/la - these two give a French vibe to the matter as well and make for great unique names: Richard Le Puissant (puissant means having great power or influence); Jeanette la Pure (aka 'Janet the Pure', but this 'la' word usually means the adjective should be in French too).
Dwarf Paladin Commission - KeeperFairy (Source)
Random names I collected over the years
A bit of a disclaimer before you read the names in the next section. I might also use them wherever I want to, and you should do the same, of course. As the paragraph suggests, these are names I saved in a file somewhere over the years to get back to when I lacked naming inspiration ideas for my new characters.
Afrodia
Anaxagora
Archana
Augmentor
Bastet
Blandine
Dracarna
Fuxico
Herotique
Judicator
Karma
Karman
Lagertha
Lorraine
Love
Neith
Oxidia
Puxico
Radamant
Radial
Returan
Saxena
Sinead
Socotra
Synesthesia
Velda
Jeanne D'Arc Blessing the Sword - GENZOMAN (Source)
List of warriors in folklore and mythology
Here's another way to find awesome names for your characters, whether they're a Paladin or not. Many articles talk about heroes from folklore and mythology, but nothing beats Wikipedia's list of women warriors in folklore, and, respectively, the list of male heroes of mythology.
You can then pair it up (or any other name from this article for that matter) with this great resource I stumbled upon. Behind the Name is an online database that tells you the "meaning, origin, and history" of any name you throw at it.
As an example, I found 'Decebal' on the wiki page, and then read that it means "powerful, brave" in Dacian. Appropriate for any Paladin, wouldn't you say?
What the internet says on Paladin names
A guy from this thread gets it:
"Some Paladins have their "good" attributes in their last names like Lightbringer or Proudmoore, so think of something like "Faith....", "Justice...", "Truth...". The first name is either short (Uther, Arthas) or has the property of having lots of vowels (Tirion, Daelin). A serious name for a Paladin therefore could be Baralion Faithseeker. An epic name could be Victor(y) Justicebringer."
From the same thread, another user mentions:
"From a strict RP name, shouldn't you just go with a racial name? I would highly doubt (unless your character's history included something that caused their parents or guardians to believe they'd become a Paladin) that they'd name their child with a paladin-type name."
Some other cool and quirky ideas can be seen on this Reddit thread too.
Saber Lily - Liang Xing (Source)
The Paladin funny and edgy name-listing
Well, maybe you don't take things so seriously and just want something that stirs up a smile in the people you meet online. A name that is fun, edgy even. Look no further. I have compiled the funniest Paladin names and references for your perusing pleasure. Some I even came up with myself!
Alladin - quite obvious once you first start seeing it, but Alladin is basically 'Paladin' without the 'p'.
Barbariana - I love this one, such a creative way of combining the Barbarian class and Rihanna.
Blessarella - In WoW the Paladin class's main support in a raid or party is its short-timed blessings; so a somewhat derogatory blessing machine innuendo here. Or is it just a new Disney princess idea?
Bubblebee - is a stab at the 'Bubble Hearth' spell combination in WoW plus the name Bumblebee from Transformers that gives the funny result.
Bubbleoseven - is a stab at the same 'Bubble Hearth' spell combo in WoW that gives Paladins a unique (and unbeatable) way of getting out of any confrontation.
Dwarfvader - if you replace Darth with Dwarf you still get a Star Wars-themed sounding name.
Goldenforce - like the Police force (I think) but Holy Light oriented.
Hearthvader - another stab at the Bubble+Hearth combo.
Invigilator - this is an actual word that means exam supervisor that goes well with the judge archetype but for me, it sounds funny, in a sexual toy kind of way.
Layonthese - this one works better for female characters as it is a sexual innuendo based on the 'Lay on Hands' spell.
Lightinator - The Paladin is a robotic dispenser of Light.
Obvious - then you need to get the title Captain (in WoW it is possible). Your name will then be Captain Obvious.
PallyMcBeal - a funny association of Ally McBeal, the attorney from the TV show, and 'Pally', diminutive of the word Paladin.
Pauladean - the chef and author Paula Dean's name sounds just like the 'Paladin' word.
Pawnstar - I used to name my PvP Twink alt characters this and get a lot of whispers for the cool name. Simple version: Pwnstar. Not my original nickname though.
Powerbuffgirl - saw this once in a Classic WoW battleground and I think it's one of the most creative names ever. A Paladin is a buff machine and in The Powerpuff Girls, the characters were female. In my opinion, this is the best (WoW) female Paladin name ever.
Pronstar - similar to the Pwnstar nickname above but with a more obvious poke toward the adult film industry.
Pumanhaladin - is just a funny reversal of the first letters of one of the class and race combinations in WoW.
Sarahpalidin - a reference to politician Sarah Palin, found here.
Sealyheally - in WoW the Paladin is also very reliant on his/her seal spells, but ultimately healing is the most desired role he or she takes. It's also a nod at the silly nature perhaps of the whole thing.
Strike - then you would need to get the title Crusader (in WoW it is possible). Crusader Strike is a Retribution Paladin spell.
More funny names for a Paladin can be laughed at on this thread.
Knight, Bongsa Temple, Spearman - Chaehoon Kim (Source)
Make your own Paladin name from scratch
So I mentioned at the beginning of this long piece that I'll tell you how I've come up with the perfect names for my toons when Classic WoW launched a few years ago. Well, let me tell you, I spent so much brain power on this that it hurt. I was obsessed with having the perfect names for my characters. But first, and this is my tip to you, decide on the race and sex of your character(s). For me, it was a female dwarf because I really liked the combat animations.
Once I finally concluded that topic I had to name my main characters something that made sense and that also connected them in some capacity. Don't ask why... I think I was browsing YouTube and saw this Xena the Warrior Princess video or something, and immediately realized that Xena is a great warrior name. Since I wanted a Fury Warrior main besides my Paladin I took that as a first.
From there I don't know how I thought of it but it dawned on me that I could name my Paladin character Zena. A small change of just one letter transformed Xena, such a recognizable warrior-like name, into a more tranquil, peaceful, yet still powerful name. Huzzah! I rejoiced greatly when I took this cumbersome naming conundrum off of my shoulders.
And, of course, from there it was plain easy to name my rogue Hena, my hunter Yena. They don't mean much, but they're just so orderly named regarding one another that it made me happy.
Famous last few words on Paladin names
Get creative and use your own spin. Start with 'justice' or 'law' or whatever word you find fancy when thinking of the Paladin. See my article on Paladin words for inspiration. I am always off to a great start if I spend the necessary amount of time to find that perfect name variation for my Paladin characters. Here are some unique names I had the audacity of originally thinking myself.
