Alien City Name Generator

Use sound patterns that are rare in English: doubled consonants and clicks (Zzk'thir, Chk'Chk'Sai), long sibilants (Sszaruun), unusual clusters like Ts, Kh, Dzh and Qh, apostrophes or hyphens between syllables, and vowel combinations like uu, aa and ae. Equally important is internal consistency: if every city of one species follows the same rules, readers will recognise the race from the name alone.

Yes. The list is organised around a dozen phonologies: clicking insectoid names, sibilant reptilian names, soft ethereal names, harsh warlike names, apostrophe-split names and hyphenated names, plus descriptive translated names. Skim for the pattern that matches your species and you will find twenty or more cities in the same style.

A few canon examples are included for reference: Arrakeen and Carthag from Dune, ShiKahr and the Klingon First City from Star Trek, Cipritine, Armali, Serrice and Nos Astra from Mass Effect, Theed, Mos Eisley and Iziz from Star Wars, and High Charity from Halo. Use them as models for tone, and the hundreds of original names for your own worlds.

Planet names tend to be single, short and memorable because characters say them constantly (Arrakis, Palaven, Vulcan). City names can be longer and stranger, and they often carry a descriptor, Urdnot Hold, Ninth Spire of Vethra, Amber Hive of Thuun, that tells you what kind of settlement it is. A good homeworld has one planet name and several city names that all sound like they share a language.