If you are new to this series here’s the deal; ‘From The Ground Up’ is a series of blog posts aimed at helping you create a roleplay character from the ground up. Says it on the tin, right? These guides are mostly geared towards creating characters for roleplay within the World of Warcraft. The basic principles, however, could likely be used for character creation for a variety of different games both online and on table-top, perhaps even for fiction writing. You can find the index for this series here for easy navigation of the other parts. From The Ground Up: Series Index
Naming Basics
One of the most important things when it comes to the creation of your character is the naming process. This something that’ll most likely stick with you through until potentially the end of your character’s story. People can sometimes struggle to formulate a name for their character. Due to the aging game of World Of Warcraft; a lot of names can often be already in use and
When you are thinking up a name for your character make sure it’s something you like; and can stand to hear and see over and over. Make sure it’s something that can’t be broken down into nicknames you can’t stand. And for everyone’s sake try and make it something pronounceable without too many vowels.
Online Resources
There’s a multitude of sources and examples you can look to when trying to figure out a name for your character. If you are struggling you can try Name Generators online. Even if you don’t use the examples generated, they might help spark an idea of your own. Fantasy name Generators has one specifically for Warcraft Goblins! You can find it here; Fantasy Name Generators/Goblins
In-Game Examples
The biggest and best examples are the NPCs that build the world around you. Furthermore the quests and their cultural themes. Take a look at the names around you in Orgrimmar for examples and inspirations. If you are really committed; run through the starter zone on a throwaway alt to get the feel for the race and culture before you make your real toon. Honestly, the goblin starter zone is amazing, it’s worth doing twice.
If you take a look over on WoW Wiki’s Goblin Page; they have a list of notable NPC’s there as well. Which can help give examples of possible names and naming
Goblin Naming Composition
Key features within the goblin language is the usage of ‘x’ and ‘z’. This is often represented in the first names of a goblin. They are quite snappy, quick paced and at times difficult to make sense of for outsiders; since it blends well with their native tongue. It suits their needs well when going about their business, known as a mercantile race sometimes they wish to keep their things secretive away from prying ears.
You can see examples of these in lore represented characters such as Gazlowe, Gallywix, Pozzik, Razdunk, Izzy and many more.
Surnames and Story
Goblin’s last names, much like orcs have some sort of meaning behind them. It’s either passed down through the
It’s good to keep in mind when giving your goblin a last name that there is some meaning behind it. Making it correlate well with the one you’re trying to portray within a roleplaying setting. It adds
This Guest Post was written by Fuse! If you’d like to catch more of him you can find him on Twitch and Twitter!
