Fictional City Names: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Storytelling

Creating fictional city names is an essential part of world-building, whether you’re writing a novel, designing a game, or crafting a tabletop RPG campaign. The right name can evoke mystery, grandeur, or danger, instantly immersing your audience in your world.

But how do you come up with compelling fictional city names? What makes a name sound powerful, ancient, or futuristic? In this guide, we’ll explore:

• Fantasy city names inspired by mythology and history

• Sci-fi metropolis names with futuristic tones

• Methods for generating unique fictional city names

• Famous examples from books, movies, and games

By the end, you’ll have a treasure trove of ideas and techniques to craft the perfect names for your fictional worlds.

List of Fantasy City Names

Here’s a curated list of fantasy city names categorized by theme:

These names can be used as-is or modified to fit your world’s lore.

Powerful Fictional City Names Generator (Tips & Tricks)

Instead of relying on random generators, try these creative techniques:

1. Mix Real Languages

Combine syllables from Latin, Greek, or Old English:

• “Arcanthos” (Arcane + Anthos [Greek for flower])

• “Drakenspire” (Dragon + Spire)

2. Use Prefixes & Suffixes

• -grad, -burg, -heim (Slavic/Germanic for cities)

• -thar, -ion, -is (Fantasy-sounding endings)

3. Alter Existing Names

Twist real city names:

• “London” → “Londor”

• “Venice” → “Venthis”

Unique Fantasy City Names & Their Inspirations

Some names stand out because of their linguistic roots:

• “Ravnica” (Magic: The Gathering) – Slavic-inspired

• “Ankh-Morpork” (Discworld) – Humorous twist on ancient cities

• “Minas Tirith” (Lord of the Rings) – Elvish for “Tower of Guard”

Famous Fictional City Names from Literature & Media

Fictional City Names for Stories (Genre-Based Ideas)

Fantasy:

• “Stormhold” (High-fantasy fortress)

• “Whisperwood” (Mystical forest city)

Sci-Fi:

• “Neo-Tokyo” (Cyberpunk megacity)

• “Astra Prime” (Space colony)

Post-Apocalyptic:

• “Rusthaven” (Ruined industrial city)

• “Ashenvale” (Burnt wasteland)

Good Names for Fictional Cities (Creative Techniques)

1. Describe Geography – “Frostpeak,” “Goldenshore”

2. Use Historical Rulers – “King’s Landing,” “Aldric’s Rest”

3. Mythological References – “Olympara,” “Valhalla’s Gate”

Fictional Town Names List (Small Settlements)

Good Names for Fictional Towns (Atmosphere & Themes)

• Peaceful: Sunnyvale, Meadowspire

• Mysterious: Mistfall, Wraithwood

Conclusion

Crafting fictional city names requires creativity, linguistic flair, and thematic consistency. Whether you need a grand capital or a hidden village, this guide provides tools to generate immersive names. Use language roots, real-world inspirations, and genre-appropriate tones to make your cities unforgettable.

FAQs

1. How do I make a fictional city name sound ancient?

Use archaic prefixes like “Old-” or suffixes like “-athis.” Example: “Oldenathis.”

2. What’s a good sci-fi city name?

Combine tech-related words: “Neonova,” “Cyberion.”

3. Can I use real city names in fiction?

Yes, but tweak them to avoid direct association (e.g., “New York” → “Neo-York”).

Additional Resources

• Fantasy Name Generators: Behind the Name

• World-Building Guides: World Anvil