A Creator's Guide to Crafting the Unknown

To name something is to claim it, shape it, and give it meaning. The right name can whisper of ancient magic, echo with lost history, or anchor a place in the heart of a reader forever.

In this chapter, we step into the delicate art of naming: your world, its continents, islands, cities, villages, and ruins. Whether you build languages from scratch or borrow from real-world roots, the names you choose define the tone, culture, and soul of your world.

Part One: The Name of the World

The name of your world sets the tone for everything. It's usually the first thing a reader hears—the banner your universe flies under.

Ask Yourself:

Is the name ancient or modern?

Was it given by gods, formed by scholars, or named by survivors?

Does it mean something in an in-world language?

Name Ideas and Inspirations:

Use root words from real or constructed languages
("Aerion" from aer = air, or "Vireth" from vir = green/life)

Borrow from themes:

A world of storms: Thundara

A dead world: Mournhollow

A magical core: Myrrath

Try single-word names: elegant and evocative
(Elaris, Noctis, Drenel, Kaerth)

Or compound names: rich with mystery
(The Hollow Realms, The Shattered Sphere, Veilspace)

You might also include multiple names:

The name scholars use

The name common folk whisper

A forbidden name, older than memory

Part Two: Naming Continents and Regions

Continents shape the macro-identity of the world. Their names often reflect:

Geography (Snowreach, Ashenfold, Verdellia)

History or mythology (Vasskar = Land of the Vanquished Kings)

Dominant culture or people (The Teyari Expanse, Elaran Empire)

Ancient languages no longer spoken

Ask yourself:

Are the continents named after rulers, events, or native words?

Do different cultures have different names for the same place?

Tip: A single striking word can imply great depth.
("Caelthorn" feels different than "Westland.")

Part Three: Naming Islands and Unique Landforms

Islands, mountains, rivers, and deserts often carry names tied to legend, danger, or beauty.

Examples:

The Spiteful Isles – dangerous or cursed

Isle of Waking Dreams – magical or surreal

Cradle Rock – shaped like a cradle, or origin of something sacred

The Bleeding Coast – red sands, or history of war

Glassspine Ridge – jagged, beautiful, deadly

Consider using:

Descriptive names for landmarks

Metaphorical names for mythic sites

Indigenous names to reflect different cultures and languages

Give places a reason for their name, even if that reason is forgotten.

Part Four: Naming Cities, Villages, and Settlements

Settlements are the lifeblood of civilization. Their names reflect who built them, why, and what they've endured.

City Name Categories:

Function-Based:

Forgehall – known for blacksmiths

Tradehaven – a merchant port

Sanctum Reach – a sacred refuge

Historical or Mythical:

Aelvyrin – named after an ancient queen

Sorrowmere – built on the ruins of a fallen city

Descriptive:

Gold Hollow – a mining town

Thornspire – built near jagged spires

Borrowed from In-World Language:

Thirakan, Nuala'dris, Kovrenne

You can also use suffixes and prefixes to unify a region:

-grad, -spire, -mere, -hold, -dell, -moor, -heim, -vek, -tor, -tharn

Ex: In one empire, cities may all end in -vek:
Velvek, Morvek, Ostavvek

Or divide by culture:

Elvish names might flow (Lethariel, Myrrhathen)

Dwarven names may be harder and grounded (Durharn, Korrun, Bramdeep)

Human names might vary wildly based on region and conquest

Part Five: Making Names Feel RealUse Naming Layers:

What's the formal name? (The Bastion of Arknis)

What's the nickname? (Old Bones)

What do outsiders call it? What about its enemies?

Show Change Over Time:

Cities renamed after conquest

Ruins with forgotten names, now called The Wound

A sacred island, once Kaitharan, now The Blighted Shore

Use Sound and Rhythm:

Harsh consonants (Kr, Th, Dr) can imply strength or danger

Soft syllables (Ae, El, Mi) may feel magical or noble

Short punchy names feel grounded (Brim, Tesk, Varn)

Long melodic names suggest elegance or ancient history (Elarithien, Thaloranae)

Bonus: Keep a Name Journal

Create a dedicated list of:

World name variants

Region and biome names

City/village/ruin names

Sacred or forbidden names

Language-specific word roots

This will become a treasure chest for later writing, letting you stay consistent and inspired.