Sources for 'normal' names

[Blackjack]

I've always wanted to see a supplement with lists of first and last names for characters, broken down by region or nation, like the one for Oriental names on p. 114 in the 4th Ed. Ninja Hero... In lieu of this, since I can imagine what an undertaking that might be, do any of you have sources, such as websites, for names? Any input would be appreciated.

[Ben Seeman]

I use the names of the people who send me SPAM. Hopefully no one in my games will recognize them.

I can see it now...

ME (as NPC): Hello, my name is Brett Goodall.
PLAYER: Didn't you send me a Viagra ad yesterday? STOP!

[Syberdwarf2]

Maybe this would help?

http://www.kleimo.com

[Bartman]

Here you go.

http://www.kabalarians.com/html/surf-by.htm

They have nearly a million names sorted by Sex and Language. It is an add for a detailed analysis as to what each name is supposed to mean. I don't trust their predictions in the slightest, but they are good for unique names and occasionally a story/character seed.

Here is the part of the report on the Rawandan Male name Gahiji.

The first name of Gahiji creates a shrewd, aggressive, business nature, intent on personal gain. You are capable of very logical and analytical thinking along practical business lines, and could excel in financial fields, law or politics. Your judgment is seldom swayed through your feelings. You have definite executive and leadership abilities, however you are inclined to be too blunt and forceful in dealing with people. There is a need to show more tact and understanding toward others in order to moderate a rather self-centred nature. The desires for independence and financial success have been strong motivating forces from very early in your life. Sacrificing much for material ambition will result in a lack of harmony and balance in your personal life, particularly a lack of appreciation for social courtesies and things of a more inspirational nature. Your health could suffer through ailments centering in the head. Also, the generative organs could be affected.

You could also try Eponym (http://www.eponym.org/hq.html) which lists thousands of links regarding names. But they don't have any lists onsite, just links.

[Bartman]

Originally posted by Syberdwarf2
Maybe this would help?

http://www.kleimo.com

Um, how? From their website:
"Kleimo.com provides full service software development
We have helped several high profile technology and internet companies acheive greater efficiency with web based tools. Our expertise lies in the area of complex database driven tools. These include content management systems, data mining solutions, web publishing systems, work flow tools, and more."

Nothing here seems to suggest that this would be of use to someone looking for a name generator.

[TheEmerged]

Several years ago, I purchased something called a Character Naming Sorucebook from The Writer's Digest. It's been quite helpful :D

[Trebuchet]

Russian Names:
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Track/7635/names.html
http://www.womenrussia.com/rusnames.htm

Scandinavian Names:
http://www.eponym.org/scandpage.html

I run a Russian character who lives in Norway, so I needed names for her friends, relatives, and DNPCs. :D

[Killer Shrike]

Pick up a phone book, flip it open, point and pick. Adjust as needed.

[JohnTaber]

Baby name books or baby name sites.

They are sorted by nationality and some are even sorted with descriptive words (Strong, Wise, etc). I actually looked through a bunch to find one that would work best for gaming. :) I even have a small one that I picked up at a supermarket checkout line that fits nicely in my pack. ;)

[Derek Hiemforth]

Originally posted by Bartman
Nothing here seems to suggest that this would be of use to someone looking for a name generator. Here's the full URL: http://www.kleimo.com/random/name.cfm

[Blackjack]

A BIG thanks to you guys for your help so far... I'm also looking for sources for last names - which in way is harder than coming up with first or given names...

Keep 'em coming!

[lemming]

http://www.hamrick.com/names
Shows distribution of Surnames in the states, kind of interesting

http://www.census.gov/genealogy/names
Files with the 1990 US census. Not only do you get all the names, but a percentage value for each.

[Crimson Arrow]

Here are some more.

www.behindthename.com

www.babyzone.com/babynames

www.babycenter.com/babyname

I haven't even got any children, it's just that they're useful for naming characters!

Originally posted by TheEmerged

Several years ago, I purchased something called a Character Naming Sourcebook from The Writer's Digest. It's been quite helpful

I've got the same book, I think. If it's the same one, the downside is that it doesn't give you surnames. Great for given names of lots of different cultures, though.

[Bartman]

Originally posted by Derek Hiemforth
Here's the full URL: http://www.kleimo.com/random/name.cfm

Thanks Derek. I looked but couldn't find anything useful at the link.

[TheEmerged]

Originally posted by Crimson Arrow
I've got the same book, I think. If it's the same one, the downside is that it doesn't give you surnames. Great for given names of lots of different cultures, though.

Mine may be a newer version, as it does include an admittedly short selection of surnames for most cultures.

[Dust Raven]

A few years back I picked up a booklet titles "The Everyone Everywhere List" which contains first and last names for about two dozen nationalities and cultures. It even has "old" names for people from earlier time periods. What makes this book particularly cool, is that it's arranged by chart, with d100 (d20 for small lists) charts for every name (sometimes several d100 charts for a particular nationality). So if you need a name real quick, you just roll some dice and presto! Heck! If you need the name of a mafia hit man who's half Italian, half Irish, roll some dice and PRESTO!

[Spectrum]

I've found this site helpful on a few occasions
http://www.gaminggeeks.org/Resources/KateMonk/

[Super Squirrel]

I use the card game quiddler. I pick random cards (between 8 - 14) and rearrange the letters until I see something good.

[BobGreenwade]

Originally posted by Spectrum
I've found this site helpful on a few occasions
http://www.gaminggeeks.org/Resources/KateMonk/ I was about to suggest this site myself. I've found it helpful on many more occasions than just a few, especially when looking for a good name for a foreign national or other person with a heavily "off-the-beaten-track" ethnic name.