Pathfinder 1E What should the compenents of a good dwarf name be?

[Puxido]

Good dwarf names I have come up with in the past go along the lines of Thaginar, and Grokeg, and Roockguard. Clan names I have are Meadfist, ironskin, steelbreath, though, what should be the criteria of a good Dwarven name?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Does it sound good as an orc's or elf's dying breath? Then it's a good dwarf name.

 

[Puxido]

Does it sound good as an orc's or elf's dying breath? Then it's a good dwarf name.

I don't think Dwarfs usually fight Elves. Though I don't think that should be the only criteria anyway. A Dwarfs clan name should reflect on their occupation if you ask me.

 

[GMMichael]

Clan Lannister?

I think dwarf names should be offensive to humans and elves, yet seem prestigious to dwarves.

Now, these have been only roughly translated into human-speak:
Blood-finger
Goat-taker
Maidenaxe
Sweatskin, closely related to clan Furback.

 

[Puxido]

Personally, I think Dwarven names should have something to do with their trade, or their family history.

Gemcarver.
Ironskin.
Flamebreath.
Meadfist.
Warbringer.
Bloodsmither.
Silverbeard.
Battleroar.
Dragonkin.
Dragonmauler.
Dragonslayer.
Witchender.
Hopmongler.

These are Great Clan names.

 

[Celebrim]

Good dwarf names I have come up with in the past go along the lines of Thaginar, and Grokeg, and Roockguard. Clan names I have are Meadfist, ironskin, steelbreath, though, what should be the criteria of a good Dwarven name?

Tolkien set the standard here, with the dwarf name being a short 1-2 syllable name followed by a clan name of the form adjective + noun. Tolkien himself was copying most dwarf personal names from medieval literature.

Most of Tolkien's clan names had to do with hair, and so you had: Longbeards, Firebeards, Broadbeams, Ironfists, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks and Stonefoots.

I generally follow that pattern myself, as in my experience does most everyone. I go so far as to you several of the Tolkien names, and recombine others - Longlocks, Broadbeams, and Ironfists all show up for example among my NPCs. I've also used Stonehold, Blackstump, and Wellforge. I try to use my better names for important dwarfs and signify dwarves of lower social standing by the less flattering family names they have - Ogdin Mudstump was a petty thief for example.

For first names, Orin, Bolin, Dorin, and Sterni have been used recently. The sparks don't fall to far from the anvil.

One thing I refuse to do however is name any of my dwarf families or clans after alcoholic beverages. I find the whole stereotype of dwarves as drunken brutes played as the object of comedy to be demeaning and unserious, and anything that furthers the stereotype I try to avoid. There are actually far more instances of elves getting drunk in Tolkien's stories than dwarves, and yet elves haven't absorbed a bunch of racist Irish and Scotch stereotypes and aren't chiefly associated with alcohol consumption.

 

[Puxido]

One thing I refuse to do however is name any of my dwarf families or clans after alcoholic beverages. I find the whole stereotype of dwarves as drunken brutes played as the object of comedy to be demeaning and unserious, and anything that furthers the stereotype I try to avoid. There are actually far more instances of elves getting drunk in Tolkien's stories than dwarves, and yet elves haven't absorbed a bunch of racist Irish and Scotch stereotypes and aren't chiefly associated with alcohol consumption.

I can understand that, I'll try to remember that from now on. The reason I use Meadfist as a good example though is because I made a character once named Thaginar Meadfist. The backstory for him was that his clan name came from the fact that they were brewers who focused mostly on brewing mead, but refused to serve a witch so there was a battle between these Dwarves and the witch, which resulted in the destruction of the Meadfist meadery. Thaginars personal goal was to rebuild the meadery in a place he found fitting. I can understand not putting alcoholic beverages into the clan name as a rule, but I personally find it fine if that particular clan of Dwarves has brewing alcohol as a family trade. Dwarves I'm using in my next campaign include the Meadfirst Dwarves, Thaginar, Grokeg, and so forth.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I don't think Dwarfs usually fight Elves.

Do you know what you call a dwarf who doesn't fight elves?

A gnome.

 

[Morrus]

This calls for a DWARF NAME GENERATOR!

Gimin Silverfoot
Kilin Greysmith
Bruefur Rockforge
Brueli Slatebeam
Gimri Deepheart
Gimin Bronzebeard
Noin Greyhammer
Borin Ironbrow
Thoin Firehammer
Bobur Longfoot
Dwali Deepmace
Doin Greyhold
Bomli Greyshield
Gimfur Rockbane
Noin Whiteshield
Gimnor Warfist
Bruefur Blacklock
Bifur Greyheart
Thrali Deepquarry
Bali Redheart

 

[Morrus]

One thing I refuse to do however is name any of my dwarf families or clans after alcoholic beverages. I find the whole stereotype of dwarves as drunken brutes played as the object of comedy to be demeaning

Who do they demean?

a bunch of racist Irish and Scotch stereotypes and aren't chiefly associated with alcohol consumption.

Scottish. Not Scotch. Scotch is a type of Whisky. Ironically, given your previous statement.