Alien City Name Generator
Hive-cities, spires and homeworld capitals for alien civilizations
Generate alien city names for sci-fi worldbuilding, tabletop campaigns and space opera: clicking insectoid hives, sibilant reptilian strongholds, flowing ethereal spires, translated names like City of Drowned Light, plus canon capitals such as Arrakeen and Cipritine.
About alien city names
An alien city name has one job: to tell the reader, before any description, that this place was not built by humans. Science fiction does that in three ways. The first is phonology, a name built from sounds the species would make: clicking, doubled consonants for insectoids (Kt'chaal, Tik-Tikkarr), long sibilants for reptilians (Sslithraan, Ssorrukh), open vowels and liquids for ethereal or psychic races (Aelothe, Seluvaine), hard stops and growls for warlike ones (Grothak Maw, Urdnot Hold). The second is structure: an apostrophe or hyphen splitting a word (Qel'Morath, Dhar-Vokesh), a numbered tier or brood-seat, or a species-specific word for settlement, hive, nest, warren, clutch or spire, where we would say city.
The third is translation. Dune's Arrakeen and Carthag sound foreign but pronounceable; Mass Effect's Cipritine and Nos Astra follow consistent turian and asari rules; Star Trek's ShiKahr and the Klingon First City show a name can be rendered into English and still feel alien. Translated names like City of Drowned Light or Mouth of Ten Thousand Voices work because they reveal how the species thinks about a place.
This list mixes all three approaches across a dozen invented phonologies, with a handful of canon capitals for reference, so you can pick a style and keep it consistent across a whole homeworld.
How to choose alien city names
- Pick one phonology per species and stick to it. If the insectoid capital is Kt'chaal, its colonies should click too; mixing Kt'chaal with a city called Seluvaine reads as two different races.
- Decide what the species calls a city. A hive, nest, warren, clutch, spire or seat tells the reader about biology and society before you describe a single building.
- Use translated names sparingly and for the places that matter. One City of Drowned Light among a dozen untranslatable names makes it feel important.
- Say the name aloud and write down how humans in the story would mispronounce or shorten it. Arrakeen works because characters can actually say it in dialogue.
- Keep a homeworld's city names similar in length and rhythm, then make the alien colony on a human world deliberately clash with the human names around it.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a city name sound alien?
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.
Can I use these for a specific alien species?
Yes. The list draws on 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. Look for the pattern that matches your species and you will find twenty or more cities in the same style.
Are there famous alien cities from sci-fi in this generator?
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.
What is the difference between an alien city name and an alien planet name?
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.
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All 500 alien city names
A: 20 names
- Adrath Hive-Seat
- Aelothe
- Aelu Vessirae
- Aiur Citadel
- Aloun Spire
- Alourane
- Amber Hive of Thuun
- Amphorix
- Anchorage Tho'Vann
- Aolesse
- Aq-Dhara
- Aqquur
- Armali
- Arrakeen
- Ash Lattice of Qorr
- Ashkaril Sunspire
- Askarune
- Auriane Spire
- Azhvaan Reach
- Azzoth
B: 15 names
- Ba'Kuul
- Baskareth
- Beacon Tezrah
- Bel-Tzaruun
- Belsarra
- Beshtuun
- Bhel'Tarr
- Bhuloss Crag-Nest
- Black Reef of Oxxan
- Bone Market of Ghar
- Brakuun
- Brezhkal
- Brood-Seat Kaxxa
- Brood-Seat Tirrun
- Burning Steps of Kharzak
C: 22 names
- Carthag
- Ceruun Mist-Warren
- Ceryvaine
- Chirr'Kessa
- Chitt-Kaar
- Chk'Chk'Sai
- Chkarra
- Ci'Lun
- Cinder Courts of Auvesh
- Cipritine
- Cirrathel
- City of Nine Moons
- City of the Hollow Sun
- City Without Sleep
- Clutch-Hall Sseth
- Cold Harbor of Vett
- Coral Seat of Vesh
- Cradle of the Seventh Brood
- Cresmoroth
- Crossing Aumrath
- Crystal Throat of Xeviq
- Cthenoth
D: 18 names
- Dagathraal
- Deep Vault of Ssarun
- Dha'reen Nightside
- Dhar-Vokesh
- Dhaureth
- Dhorak Ironfall
- Dhuvenaar
- Dome Twelve
- Dothvarren
- Dravesh Stone-Clutch
- Drexxa Warren
- Dro'Zhun
- Dromvaar
- Droq
- Drowned Vaults of Sseth
- Druu Kahvesh
- Dust Throat of Rhakk
- Dzholvek
E: 14 names
- Eddrim
- Eiquoral
- Eluthane
- Ember Well of Dhuvar
- Ephiron
- Ephrisel
- Eshkarrai
- Eshvolen
- Eskalith
- Esquil Salt-Reach
- Esthaeri
- Evvrin
- Ezzen
- Ezzvoran
F: 8 names
- Fa'Ummareth
- Felquure
- Fenquar
- First City
- Floating Wards of Ilaenu
- Frendoth Deep-Anchorage
- Frost Clutch of Nyrrek
- Fuuraketh
G: 18 names
- Gatatog Rock
- Gate-City Hrannek
- Gaxxorim
- Geh-Lumar
- Ghalvor Warren
- Ghan Uriq
- Ghe'Noth
- Gheddorin
- Ghiraal
- Gizzkarr
- Glass Canals of Tovaruun
- Glass Warren of Kessik
- Gorkash Redstone
- Gossamere
- Grix
- Grothak Maw
- Grull Kathar
- Gurakh Ash-Hold
H: 18 names
- Haa-Zerruth
- Halveth
- Harrakh Well
- Hask Dreth
- Hatchery-Prime Zhul
- Haven Ul'Quor
- Hellaq Ice-Vault
- Heskavarr
- Hessik Mire
- High Charity
- High Warren
- Hisskarr
- Hollow Core
- Horrvane
- Hraakesh
- Hssarekk Brine-Nest
- Hurvennai
- Hux'Taal
I: 26 names
- Ibbresh
- Ikkoral
- Ilk
- Ilquith
- Ilyssra
- Iolethe
- Iridesk
- Iron Nest of Zzkal
- Ishkarran
- Iskaruun Sun-Cradle
- Issakhaal
- Ith'Vessa
- Ith-Seval
- Ithariel Reach
- Ithe Narrun
- Ithruun
- Ix Dome
- Ix'Shaal
- Ixa'la Shadowbelt
- Ixe Tollumar
- Ixirra Brightshell
- Ixtholor
- Ixxis
- Iyyoth
- Iziz
- Izzaren
J: 9 names
- Jalverun
- Javerrun
- Jeskorath
- Jexxul
- Jhovaar Night-Market
- Jinthessa
- Jorgal Scar
- Jorrumbai
- Juun Basin
K: 30 names
- Kaas City
- Kachirho
- Kar-Nethuun
- Kchi'Vrrath
- Kei-Thoraq
- Kekekoth
- Kelloran Tideglass
- Keren
- Keshvaarik
- Keskuria
- Kessevane
- Kh'iir Twilight Ring
- Kharraz Vol
- Khaz-Thuruk
- Khess Duraan
- Khor-Shakal
- Khovvrek
- Ki'Vrenneth
- Kingsnest
- Kirrath Dome
- Klaxxi Hive
- Klik-Tok-Kaa
- Kovrenna
- Kresh
- Kritikkai
- Krrik-Vaal
- Kt'chaal
- Kthara Nest
- Ku'Varan
- Kyrolith
L: 13 names
- Laa-Vrenneth
- Landfall Irriq
- Lhovrath
- Linnevaar
- Lirethae
- Lo'Thiir
- Lothquai
- Low Warren
- Lu'Varrun
- Lumen Vale of Selurae
- Lurethai
- Lurrakan
- Lysmirel
M: 20 names
- Maerivelle
- Me'Dhurak
- Me'Sorah
- Mezzoveth
- Mhaquir
- Mhorvaan
- Mirqath
- Mirvalesh
- Mist Cradle of Ilaen
- Mogruul
- Mooring Ves'Tahl
- Mor'Kethan
- Mor'ush Terminator Row
- Mor-Quash
- Mos Eisley
- Moss Hollow of Tiveth
- Mound of the First Queen
- Mouth of Ten Thousand Voices
- Munzahar
- Murevath Deeproot
N: 23 names
- Na'Quil
- Nakmor Crag
- Nakthuum
- Nassarak
- Ne'Zhakoth
- Nest of the Long Silence
- Nest-Above
- Nest-Below
- Nethvaar Ring
- Nezzoth
- Nhaskari
- Nhu-Kethra
- Nimuelle
- Ninth Spire of Vethra
- Nolvenne
- Nos Astra
- Nos Dra
- Nos Vorda
- Nuvorel Ashfall
- Nuvrakan
- Nuxxareth
- Ny'Rethe
- Nyrkestor
O: 24 names
- Oboreth
- Oddvar
- Oeliane
- Ogruund
- Okhvan Firecrest
- Ol'meth Duskline
- Olaquine
- Ollaan
- Olveth Basin
- Ommadra Dome
- Oqqara
- Oqualeth
- Oraluin
- Orkaeth
- Ormesh Tovaq
- Ormuzhd
- Orr-Vashtai
- Orrindel
- Orroquin
- Oss
- Oule Messarin
- Oum'Seral
- Outpost Dzhar
- Ovaxil
P: 12 names
- Pau City
- Pel-Askar
- Pelquith
- Perrivane
- Phaerix
- Pheth Arrun
- Phrexan
- Prethuul
- Prexxun
- Ptek
- Pyrreth Spire
- Pyrrhenne
Q: 13 names
- Q'oss Hightown
- Qaal
- Qal-Duvenne
- Qastaluum
- Qel'Morath
- Qhaliss
- Qirrosh
- Qorith Spire
- Quaelish
- Queenshold
- Quel Dovash
- Quendrathal
- Quorrath
R: 12 names
- Ra'Thekk
- Raik Shatterground
- Ravanor Crag
- Red Dome of Hessik
- Ree-Kothaan
- Rexxavar
- Rhaz
- Rhenquai
- Rhozzavar
- Rhuskevar
- Ro'Eskai
- Ruvendahl
S: 42 names
- Sa'Veth Hollow
- Saa-Moreth
- Saar Vekkeni
- Salt Spire of Urrai
- Sarquuth
- Sarrassa
- Sauvrekk
- Sector Nine Hive
- Seluvaine
- Serrice
- Seventh Tier of Quul
- Shaa
- Shard Vessaire
- Shard-Kethra
- Shard-Olun
- Shell of the Elder Tide
- ShiKahr
- Shuvrenne
- Siil'vera Well
- Silent Tiers of Omurrath
- Sithessa
- Sixth Lattice of Ommar
- Skarrevin
- Skin of the World
- Skrrash-Tel
- Sky Anchorage of Aeluun
- Sollumbar
- Sothuun
- Ssethra Vael
- Ssk'ar Dayside
- Sslithraan
- Ssorrukh
- Ssuvareth
- Ssyrakk Warren
- Sszaruun
- Star Mooring of Quilaen
- Storm Spiral of Tzurra
- Su'Ollar
- Sunken Courts of Vossarel
- Sylirae
- Syrrathen
- Szethrai
T: 52 names
- Tahvrenek
- Talat
- Tchak-Tchoom
- Teh-Ravan
- Tel'Ashra
- Terminus Oxxal
- Tevellon
- Tezzura Dome
- Thalione
- Thalloss
- Thavrune
- The Bright Pit
- The Great Egg
- The Hanging Reef
- The Last Warren
- The Lightless Market
- The Long Tunnel
- The Molting Grounds
- The Mother Shell
- The Pale Crucible
- The Singing Pillars
- The Spawning Shelf
- The Standing Swarm
- The Thousand Mouths
- The Under-Reach
- The Unfinished Spiral
- The Warm Dark
- The Weeping Lattice
- Theed
- Thessarine Hollowmoon
- Thessiss
- Third Cradle of Ashkar
- Thrennik Hive
- Threnodal
- Throat of the World-Mother
- Throkk Deep
- Throth Ulaan
- Thuulgrath
- Ti'ti'kesh
- Tide Hall of Morvessa
- Tik-Tikkarr
- Tipoca City
- Tiravelle
- Tollumar Skyroot
- Tovesh Arc
- Tquarriv
- Tsai
- Tsakhet Prime
- Tsk'Tsk'Thuun
- Tuu'rek Lowtown
- Twin Spires of Ilvoreth
- Tzurroth
U: 18 names
- Ubrezzai
- Ukkrath
- Ulk
- Ullekh Ring
- Ulleshar
- Ulquash
- Ulthrekka
- Ulvossa
- Umbreska
- Urdnot Hold
- Uscru
- Ush-Kethal
- Ushtavaar
- Ussoth
- Uvveth
- Uxxeth
- Uzzeq
- Uzzora Hive
V: 26 names
- Vaal Karrik
- Vaal's Rest
- Vaelurae
- Vaeruun
- Varkash Bastion
- Varkesh Hive
- Varquaal
- Vel'anar Skyhold
- Venquor Greystalk
- Ves'khai Spire
- Vessaraune
- Vessel-Grave
- Vesshka
- Vexx
- Vezzarion
- Vhozzun
- Vi'Thallun
- Viskoraal
- Volmaren
- Vor-Illune
- Vordhenai
- Vosk Thelai
- Vrekh'Tolum
- Vreskai
- Vuul'ta Nest
- Vy'Kaal
W: 8 names
- Wayport Sulveth
- Wexiluun
- Weyrloc Hold
- Whispering Terraces of Nyrra
- Wothrek
- Wrenthalis
- Wuthrel
- Wyrrith
X: 7 names
- Xalquath
- Xar'Thuul
- Xennevar
- Xirrathal
- Xixxik
- Xoqquith
- Xoth Meruun
Y: 11 names
- Yaddrem
- Yix
- Ylliane
- Ylmorath
- Yoquelle
- Yrrkaath
- Yselune
- Ythrasel
- Yuu-Selvar
- Yuul Sarkan
- Yuvvrenn