Random Name Generator

This random name generator picks first and last names from lists of common names – for characters in stories and games, test data or baby-name ideas. Choose a country, gender and how many; get first names only, surnames only, names starting with a letter, or invented fantasy names.

Source: W3C Recommendation, W3C Web Cryptography API – getRandomValues(). Updated: 5 October 2026.

How it is calculated

How the name generator works

Pick a country – names come from lists of that country’s most common names.
Choose gender, how many (up to 50) and the type: first and last name, first name only or last name only.
Press "New names". Changing any setting draws again; "Copy list" copies all names.

Every name on a list has the same chance, so besides classics like Smith or Johnson you also get less common names. The draw uses the browser’s cryptographically secure randomness and never repeats a name within one list.

Where the names come from

United States: first names from the 1990 census and surnames from the 2010 census, published by the U.S. Census Bureau – names across all generations, from Mary and James to Tyler.
France: INSEE’s register of first names (births since 1946) and the most common French family names.
Spain: first names and surnames from the national statistics office INE. Spaniards have two surnames (father’s and mother’s), so the generator gives two.
Brazil: names from the 2022 census (IBGE).
Germany: the yearly top-10 first names since 1977 and the most common German surnames.
Poland: the PESEL population register; women get the female surname form (Kowalska, not Kowalski).

Fantasy names for games

For elves, dwarves, D&D characters or sci-fi crews, choose "Fantasy": the generator builds names from syllables, such as "Syliawen Tharvane". They are invented and appear in no statistics.

Good to know

First and last names are combined at random, so a real person with the exact name may exist – don’t use generated names to portray real people. To draw from your own list, use the random name picker; for random words, try the random word generator, and for secure logins the password generator.

Length, alliteration and saved names

Length: “short” draws first names of up to 4 letters (Mary, Lisa), “medium” 5 to 6 (Linda, Susan), “long” 7 or more (Patricia). With “last name only” the length applies to the surname.
Alliteration: first and last name start with the same letter, like “Mary Miller” – a favourite for story and game characters.
Saved names: the star next to a name puts it on the “Saved names” list, so good finds stay while you keep drawing. You can copy the list or save it as a text file; it only lives for this page visit and is not stored anywhere.

Every draw stays fair: among the names that match your filters, each first name has the same chance. For handles and accounts there is the username generator, for groups the team name generator.

Frequently asked questions

How do I generate a random first and last name?

Choose a country and gender and press "New names". The generator combines a first name and a surname from that country’s lists of common names.

Can it make fantasy or D&D names?

Yes. Select "Fantasy" under "Names from" to get invented names built from syllables – good for role-playing games and stories.

Are these real names?

The first names and surnames are real, common names from official or published name lists. Their combination is random; fantasy names are entirely made up.

Can I get only girl or boy names?

Yes – set gender to female or male and type to "first name only". You can also require a first letter.

Why do Spanish names have two surnames?

In Spain people usually carry their father’s first surname followed by their mother’s, for example José García López.

Sources and legal basis

As of: 5 October 2026 · Editorial policy