Choosing a name for a dragon will depend on personal preference as well as the personality and characteristics of your dragon.
Choosing good names for dragons can be a fun and creative process. Here are some great tips to help you choose the perfect name for your ornamental dragon:
Based on the dragon’s appearance: The dragon’s outstanding physical features can be a great source of inspiration for choosing a name for it. For example, a dragon has bright red scales, you might consider a name like “Flame” or “Crimson” would be appropriate.
Based on the dragon’s personality: Depending on the personality of each dragon, name it appropriately. If your dragon is fierce and powerful, a name like “Thunder” or “Storm” might be appropriate. If it is docile and gentle, a name like “Moonbeam” or “Starlight” might be appropriate.
When it comes to dragon names, there are different types to choose from, including:
Traditional Dragon Name Ideas: These are the names found in dragon lore, some like Smaug, Dragon and Drake. These traditional dragon names often have a historical background and have strong connotations.
- Long (龙) – Chinese
- Ryu (龍) – Japanese
- Yong (龍) – Korean
- Draig – Welsh
- Fafnir – Norse
- Draco – Greek
- A Dragon – Anglo-Saxon
- Quetzalcoatl – Aztec
- Nidhogg – Norse
- Vouivre – French
- Jormungandr – Norse
- Naga – Hindu
- Bahamut – Arabic
- Tiamat – Babylonian
- Zmey – Slavic
- Krakken – Norse
- Wyvern – Medieval Europe
- Lindworm – Germanic
- Y Ddraig Goch – Welsh
- Ddraig – Welsh
Fantasy-inspired dragon name ideas: These names are often inspired by popular fantasy literature, such as Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings. Some names from this idea include Drogon, Norbert and Glaurung.
- Smaug – J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”
- Dragonbait – R.A. Salvatore’s “The Orc King”
- Glaurung – J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Silmarillion”
- Drogon – George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire”
- Frost – Christopher Paolini’s “Eragon”
- Norbert – J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”
- Tempest – Trudi Canavan’s “The Dragon Keeper”
- Vermithrax Pejorative – “DragonSlayer”
- Cyclone – E.E. Knight’s “Dragon Champion”
- Ember – Tui T. Sutherland’s “Wings of Fire”
- Dragonlord – R.A. Salvatore’s “The Legend of Drizzt”
- Thunder – Cressida Cowell’s “How to Train Your Dragon”
- Smelter – E.K. Johnston’s “That Inevitable Victorian Thing”
- Shadow – J.D. Rinehart’s “Dragon Apocalypse”
- Crimson – James A. Owen’s “The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica”
- Ancalagon – J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Silmarillion”
- Saphira – Christopher Paolini’s “Eragon”
- Shruikan – Christopher Paolini’s “Inheritance Cycle”
- Khellendros – Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman’s “Dragonlance”
- Viserion – George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire”
Mythical Dragon Name Ideas: These are cool names inspired by dragons found in different cultures and myths, such as Chinese dragons, European dragons, and Japanese dragons. Examples of good names for dragons include Lung, Fafnir, and Ryū.
- Quetzalcoatl – Aztec mythology
- Nidhogg – Norse mythology
- Vouivre – French mythology
- Jormungandr – Norse mythology
- Naga – Hindu and Buddhist mythology
- Bahamut – Arabic mythology
- Tiamat – Babylonian mythology
- Zmey – Slavic mythology
- Kraken – Norse mythology
- Wyvern – Medieval European mythology
- Lindworm – Germanic mythology
- Y Ddraig Goch – Welsh mythology
- Dragon King – Chinese mythology
- Ryujin – Japanese mythology
- Lung – Chinese mythology
- Fafnir – Norse mythology
- Draco – Greek mythology
- Vritra – Hindu mythology
- Azhdaha – Persian mythology
- Kiyo-hiko – Shinto mythology
Movie-inspired dragon name ideas: Names inspired by dragons from popular movies and cartoons like How to Train Your Dragon, Dragon Heart, and Dragon Prince. Examples of good names for dragons inspired by movies include Tooth, Saphira, and Haku.
- Smaug – “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” (2012)
- Dragonbait – “The Legend of Drizzt: The Orc King” (2008)
- Glaurung – “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003)
- Drogon – “Game of Thrones” (2011-2019)
- Frost – “Eragon” (2006)
- Norbert – “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (2001)
- Tempest – “Dragon Keeper” (2009)
- Vermithrax Pejorative – “DragonSlayer” (1981)
- Cyclone – “Dragon Champion” (2006)
- Ember – “Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy” (2012)
- Dragonlord – “The Legend of Drizzt: The Crystal Shard” (1988)
- Thunder – “How to Train Your Dragon” (2010)
- Smelter – “Dragon Apocalypse” (2010)
- Shadow – “Dragon Apocalypse” (2010)
- Crimson – “The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica” (2007)
- Ancalagon – “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003)
- Saphira – “Eragon” (2006)
- Shruikan – “Inheritance” (2011)
- Khellendros – “Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight” (2008)
- Viserion – “Game of Thrones” (2011-2019)
Unique Dragon Name Ideas: These names are less commonly used and may reflect a dragon’s unique personality, physical characteristics, or breed. For example unique names for dragons like Zephyr, Nimbus and Thor.
- Ignis – Latin for fire
- Nivosus – Latin for snowy
- Luminos – Latin for bright or shining
- Emberheart
- Aurorawing
- Stormbringer
- Frostfire
- Shadowstrike
- Nightscale
- Thunderclap
- Rainwing
- Vortexclaw
- Starfire
- Moonblade
- Solaris
- Nova
- Cyclonefury
- Tempestwing
- Aurora
- Infernoheart
Creative Dragon Name Ideas: Creativity is non-stop, some people love to create unique and creative 1st names for their dragons by combining different words and sounds. Examples of some creative names for dragons include Flamefury, Stormwing and Nightscale.
- Starfang
- Shadowblade
- Frostbreather
- Flamecaller
- Thunderwing
- Stormchaser
- Moonfire
- Nightfury
- Solarstorm
- Auroraheart
- Thunderstrike
- Raincaller
- Vortexwing
- Starweaver
- Moonwhisper
- Solarcrown
- Novablaze
- Cycloneheart
- Tempestrider
- Infernoclaw
