Best Pirate Names for D&D and Tabletop RPG Campaigns
Building a pirate campaign or a sea-faring character? Here are the best pirate names for D&D, Pathfinder, and other tabletop RPGs.
Pirates in D&D: Setting the Scene
Pirate campaigns are some of the most popular in D&D — the combination of open seas, treasure, moral ambiguity, and colorful characters makes for incredible storytelling. And a great pirate name is the first step to a memorable character.
What Makes a Good D&D Pirate Name?
D&D pirate names sit at the intersection of historical pirate naming and high fantasy. They should feel grounded enough to be believable but fantastical enough to fit a world with magic and monsters.
Good D&D pirate name qualities:
- ✦Sounds like it could be a real name (not too random)
- ✦Has a hint of darkness or mystery
- ✦Works with your character's race and class
Names by Race
Human Pirates
Humans can use the full range of pirate naming conventions. Classic names like Grimshaw, Ironside, and Merrick work well.
Elf Pirates
Elven pirates often have names with flowing sounds: Vaeldris, Aevaris, Naevaris. Our Fantasy category in the pirate name generator works well for elves.
Dwarf Pirates
Dwarven pirates tend toward harder sounds: Thornax, Bhelrath, Gorthax. The D&D category covers these well.
Tiefling Pirates
Tieflings often have infernal names mixed with pirate titles: Malachar the Dread, Corvaxis Shadowmere, Hexbane of the Abyss.
20 Ready-to-Use D&D Pirate Names
- 1.Vaeldris Shadowmere
- 2.Thornax Grimweald
- 3.Grimoire Skarathmore
- 4.Skarath Zephyrwind
- 5.Zephyros Malachite
- 6.Malachar Duskwood
- 7.Duskryn Aevaris
- 8.Aevaris Bhelrath
- 9.Bhelrath Corvaxis
- 10.Corvaxis Draevonmoor
- 11.Draevon Eldritchmore
- 12.Eldritch Faerunwood
- 13.Faerun Gorthaxvale
- 14.Gorthax Hexbanemore
- 15.Hexbane Ixiswood
- 16.Ixis Jarathvale
- 17.Jarath Kelvaxmore
- 18.Kelvax Lorethwood
- 19.Loreth Morvathvale
- 20.Morvath the Undying
Building a Pirate Crew
A good pirate crew needs variety. Consider:
- ✦The Captain: A strong, memorable name (Vaeldris the Dread)
- ✦The First Mate: Slightly less imposing but still serious (Thornax Grimweald)
- ✦The Comic Relief: A funny name to lighten the mood (Wobbly McStinky)
- ✦The Mysterious One: A name with dark undertones (Hexbane of the Abyss)
Use our pirate name generator with the D&D and Fantasy filters to build your entire crew. Then name their ship with the ship name generator.