Alien Species Name Generator
Names for extraterrestrial races and civilizations
Generate alien species names for sci-fi novels, tabletop campaigns and space games. Names span every style: star-derived demonyms (Rigelian, Arcturan), guttural warrior races, sibilant hive minds, crystalline and gaseous beings, human-given nicknames, Solar System classics, survey designations, machine species and translated self-names.
About alien species names
Alien species names in science fiction fall into a handful of recognisable families. The oldest is the star-derived demonym: take a real star or constellation and add a suffix, giving Arcturan, Rigelian, Betelgeusian or Tau Cetian. It sounds authoritative because it is how astronomers talk. A second family is phonetic: writers choose sounds to match the creature, so warrior races get hard consonants and apostrophes (Kraath, Vor'kraal, Zhal'kesh), serpentine or reptilian species hiss (Ssithrak, Isseth), graceful telepaths flow with open vowels (Aeliri, Selenai, Ithariel), and insectoid hive species click (Chk'tikk, Zzt'k, Kikkitiri).
A third family is descriptive and usually comes from humans who met the species first: Greys, Reptoids, Tall Ones, Bugs, or Latinate labels like Silicari and Cephalonians. Collective intelligences prefer singular abstractions such as The Consensus, Unity or The Manifold, and long-vanished elder races get reverent titles like Precursors, The Watchers and The Architects. Real franchises mix these freely: Star Trek's Andorians and Vulcans are demonyms, Mass Effect's Krogan and Asari are phonetic, and Halo's Covenant races have both an in-language name and a human nickname.
Use the list below as a palette. Pick the sound that fits the biology, then decide whether the name is what the species calls itself or what humans call them; the gap between the two is often where the best worldbuilding lives.
How to choose alien species names
- Give major species two names: what they call themselves (Sangheili) and what humans call them (Elites); the difference tells readers about the relationship.
- Match sound to biology: clicks and hard stops for insectoids, sibilants for reptilians, open vowels for aquatic or telepathic races.
- Keep the singular, plural and adjective forms consistent (one Kraath, many Kraath, a Kraath cruiser) and decide early.
- Use star-derived names (Arcturan, Tau Cetian) when you want a species that humans discovered rather than one that discovered humans.
- Limit apostrophes to one per name; Vor'kraal is readable, V'or'kr'aal is not.
Frequently asked questions
How do sci-fi writers come up with alien species names?
Most either derive the name from the species' home star (Rigelian, Proximan), invent a word whose sounds match the creature's biology, or use the nickname humans give them (Greys, Reptoids). Many settings combine two of these for the same species.
Should an alien species name be singular or plural?
Either works, but be consistent. Many authors use one invariant form for both (the Krogan, several Krogan) because it feels more foreign than adding an English -s.
Are these alien race names copyrighted?
The names here are written as original words or generic descriptors rather than taken from a franchise. A short invented word can still match a name used somewhere else, including in a well-known setting, so search a name before you publish with it.
What is the difference between an alien species and an alien race?
In fiction the terms are used interchangeably, but strictly a species is a biologically distinct kind of being while a race or culture is a subgroup within one. Star Trek and Star Wars both say species; Mass Effect and older pulp sci-fi often say race.
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All 1,000 alien species names
A: 67 names
- Abyssal Chorus
- Abyssari
- Acamari
- Achernari
- Acruxian
- Adharan
- Aeliri
- Aeneri
- Aeon Sleepers
- Aerogels of Ceti
- Aetheri
- Aiolae
- Alaevi
- Albireans
- Alchibani
- Alcorian
- Alcyonean
- Aldebarani
- Alderamini
- Alfirki
- Algedi Herds
- Algenibi
- Algiebans
- Algolites
- Aliothan
- Aliue
- Alkaidi
- Almachi
- Alnairi
- Alnilamite
- Alnitakan
- Alphardi
- Alpheccan
A, continued
- Alpheratzi
- Alrischan
- Alshaini
- Altairian
- Aludran
- Amaelu
- Amarai
- Ammonia Breathers
- Amphaeans
- Andromedan
- Anelethi
- Anglerkin
- Ankaan
- Annelids of Wex
- Antarean
- Aothani
- Apidae of Vell
- Aquilax
- Arachnae
- Arcturan
- Arielites
- Ascellan
- Ash'ka
- Ashissar
- Ashkin
- Ashuri
- Asteropeans
- Aunethra
- Auralei
- Aureli
- Aurigans
- Auvenai
- Aviolei
- Aviorans
B: 26 names
- Barnardine
- Baruun
- Basalti
- Baten Kaitans
- Batwings
- Bazhkul
- Beakies
- Beehive Cluster Swarm
- Bellatrixi
- Beryllids
- Beta Hydrians
- Betelgeusian
- Bhorak
- Biosignature Nine
- Blattari
- Bootes Void Hermits
- Bootids
- Borzhul
- Brakhaz
- Brakkar
- Bramblebacks
- Brinari
- Brughaz
- Bryozoans
- Bugs
- Burzogh
C: 67 names
- Caelumite
- Callistans
- Cameloparids
- Caninoids
- Canopian
- Canopy Dwellers
- Capellan
- Carapaci
- Carina Nebula Kin
- Carinans
- Cassiopeid
- Castorian
- Cebalrai
- Centaurans
- Cephalonians
- Cephean
- Ceresians
- Cervidae
- Cetids
- Ch'tzzn
- Chakkith
- Chamaeleontid
- Charonites
- Cheeowa
- Chelonians
- Chertani
- Chikkiri
- Chikt'ul
- Children of the Bright Mother
- Children of the Long Night
- Chirath
- Chiroo
- Chirrik
C, continued
- Chitinari
- Chittari
- Chk'tikk
- Chz'takk
- Chzzik
- Cicadine Choir
- Cinderfolk
- Circini
- Circuit Chorus
- Cirrians
- Clade Sigma
- Clockwork Hosts
- Cloud-Dwellers of Venus
- Cloudminds
- Cnidari
- Coalsack Enclave
- Cobaltines
- Cocoon-Sleepers of Yun
- Coldblood Lineage
- Coleopts
- Columbids
- Coma Berenicids
- Contact Group Nine
- Cor Caroli Kin
- Coralites
- Corath
- Corona Borealans
- Corundi
- Corvid of Corvus Prime
- Crab Nebula Remnants
- Cryovores
- Crystallines
- Cupric Tide
- Cygnan
D: 26 names
- Dal-Varr
- Daughters of the Tide
- Deepkin
- Delphinids
- Delta Pavonine
- Denebite
- Denebolan
- Depthborn
- Dhrogul
- Dhurr
- Diphdan
- Dipterans
- Doradans
- Dorrgh
- Dozghar
- Draconid
- Draghul
- Drakkarn
- Dravokh
- Drone Kind
- Dschubban
- Dubhean
- Duneshapers
- Durgezh
- Duskborn
- Dustveiled
E: 28 names
- Ecliptic Wayfolk
- Eiavel
- Elaiune
- Electrans
- Ellumen
- Elnathi
- Elorai
- Eltanini
- Elunai
- Eluvien
- Emberites
- Embrin
- Emeliu
- Enceladans
- Enifian
- Enithi
- Enoreth
- Equuleans
- Eridani
- Erisians
- Essilth
- Eta Cassiopeians
- Ethelae
- Europans
- Evaliel
- Exotype Rho
- Eyestalks
- Ezsshi
F: 21 names
- Fabricants of Null Station
- Featherfaces
- Feldspari
- Felinae
- Ferrogens
- Ferrous Thinkers
- Ferrovores
- Fieldsingers
- Finborn
- First Contact Cohort
- Fissreth
- Floravores
- Fluxlings
- Fogborn
- Fomalhauti
- Forerunners
- Formicae
- Fornacian
- Fornax Dwarf Clans
- Frostborn
- Fweelin
G: 35 names
- Gacruxi
- Galactic Core Pilgrims
- Ganymedeans
- Gas Giant Shepherds
- Geodari
- Ghazrul
- Ghor
- Ghostlights
- Ghrelka
- Ghulvarn
- Gienah Kin
- Gillmen of Aos
- Glaciari
- Glassmen of Thule
- Gliesian
- Glimmerfolk
- Globular Kin
- Glowworms
- Gnarrul
- Gomeisan
- Gorm'thal
- Gorrundi
- Grafters
- Grakkan
- Granitari
- Grathuun
- Gravitic Shoals
- Greys
- Grezhul
- Groombridge Kin
- Grukk'thar
- Grundakh
- Grusi
- Gur'zhakh
- Gustari
H: 34 names
- Hadarite
- Hakrumm
- Halaeun
- Halites
- Halo Star Orphans
- Hamalese
- Harrgun
- Hathssi
- Heavy-World Stock
- Heirs of the Broken Moon
- Heliotropes
- Heliox Drift
- Helix Seers
- Hercules Cluster Elders
- Herculids
- Hessaith
- Hishathi
- Hissra
- Hivelings
- Hoarkin
- Hollow Ones
- Horologians
- Horsehead Veil Conclave
- Hrakkun
- Hrrasha
- Hrrun
- Hsaeth
- Hurgash
- Huu-Roon
- Hyadean
- Hydrae
- Hydrogen Sky Rafts
- Hyperionites
- Hyphal Network
I: 27 names
- Ianelle
- Iapetans
- Ikk'tsar
- Ilaani
- Ilaeni
- Ilariel
- Ilssith
- Ilthid
- Ilume
- Ilyeth
- Indus Reach Flotilla
- Intergalactics
- Iolani
- Ioleth
- Ionids
- Ireluna
- Iruvae
- Isaluen
- Isopodans
- Isseth
- Issrial
- Isszath
- Ithanei
- Ithariel
- Ixikk
- Ixiti
- Iyalei
J: 3 names
- Jellies
- Jhessa
- Jovians
K: 40 names
- K'thari
- Kaijin
- Kapteyni
- Karn'voth
- Kaus Australids
- Kaz'dorak
- Keepers of the Slow Fire
- Kekkrit
- Kelgruk
- Kelpkin
- Kepleri
- Kesshai
- Kharvok
- Kharzun
- Khor'vash
- Kikkitiri
- Kindred of the Ninth Wave
- Klikkir
- Kochabi
- Kornephoran
- Korrath
- Kovri
- Kraakoi
- Kraath
- Kraghuul
- Krannoth
- Kree
- Krethmor
- Kri'tzak
- Krosh
- Krr'zit
- Kruul
- Kt'chak
- Kt'issik
- Ktarr
- Kuiper Ice Colonies
- Kul'zar
- Kuu-Rae
- Kzirrik
- Kzzk
L: 26 names
- Lacaille Reach Castaways
- Lacertan
- Lalandean
- Lampeyes
- Laniakean
- Lanternfish Kin
- Lanterns
- Lattice Minds
- Leatherbacks
- Legion of Vorr
- Lepidae
- Leporids of Lepus
- Lesser Cloud Exiles
- Lichen Sages
- Lightworld Thistledown
- Lithoi
- Lithovore Type Four
- Local Group Itinerants
- Lodestone Herds
- Longnecks
- Luelai
- Luhmanites
- Lupari
- Luytenite
- Lyncean
- Lyran
M: 51 names
- Magellanics
- Magmari
- Magnetars' Children
- Maia Sisterhood
- Malvek
- Mantidae
- Mantids
- Mantispids
- Marbline
- Markabi
- Martians
- Mayfly People
- Mechanoforms
- Megrezi
- Meissan
- Menkalinani
- Menkarite
- Menkenti
- Mensan
- Meoluin
- Merakite
- Mercurians
- Meridiani Compact
- Merope Kin
- Methane Shore Rookery
- Miaplacidans
- Microscopians
- Mimics
- Mimosan
- Mintakan
- Mirach
- Mirandans
- Mirans
- Mirfaki
- Mistfolk
- Mizarene
- Mogh'dur
- Molluscoids
- Monocerotid
- Morrgath
- Morrhak
- Mossbacks
- Moths
- Mrreth
- Muphridi
- Murrak
- Musca Swarm
- Muscidans
- Mycelians
- Myconids
- Myriapods of Hesk
N: 26 names
- Naeolu
- Naiathe
- Nakari
- Nanite Shoals
- Nargroth
- Nashirans
- Nashissa
- Nautiloi
- Nebulites
- Nemati
- Neptunians
- Nesshai
- Nightfolk
- Nightside Tribes
- Nihalese
- Nimbari
- Nissath
- Nolieth
- Nordics
- Normids
- Novaform
- Nullkin
- Nunki
- Nusakani
- Nuwaen
- Nyarrl
O: 35 names
- Oberonites
- Obsidii
- Octantine
- Octari
- Odonati
- Odrin
- Oelethi
- Oemari
- Ogruun
- Ohalie
- Okkrul
- Olaris
- Olumei
- Ondai
- One-Who-Is-Many
- Oolu-Wa
- Oomra
- Oort Cloud Hermitage
- Ophiuchan
- Oravei
- Orbital Gardeners
- Oreliss
- Oriane
- Orion Nebula Hatchlings
- Orionids
- Ornithari
- Orthopts
- Oshissa
- Ossifer
- Ossuari
- Ouranei
- Ovaan
- Ovaeli
- Oveliane
- Ozgul
P: 37 names
- Panspermia Kin
- Pavonians
- Peacock Star Kin
- Peeriol
- Pegasids
- People of the Glass Desert
- People of the Red Grass
- People of the Standing Cloud
- Perseid
- Perseus Arm Traders
- Petrakin
- Phaeli
- Phasmids
- Phecdan
- Pherkadi
- Phoenicids
- Phosphori
- Photari
- Pictorans
- Pinwheel Nomads
- Plasmoids
- Pleiadian
- Pleionid
- Plutonians
- Polarian
- Pollen Drifters
- Polluxian
- Polypoids
- Porriman
- Precursors
- Prismari
- Probe Makers of Gliese 667
- Procyonese
- Proximan
- Puppids
- Purrath
- Pyrans
Q: 17 names
- Qara'ven
- Qaxim
- Qelzar
- Qhoraz
- Qhuzen
- Qixari
- Qizhara
- Qorvath
- Qovexi
- Quaal
- Quartzkin
- Quazhil
- Quithe
- Quorrell
- Quozzel
- Qurzane
- Qz'iral
R: 23 names
- Radiants
- Radio Silent Ones
- Rakhtor
- Raptorans
- Rasalgethi
- Rasalhague
- Rassith
- Rastabani
- Reefborn
- Regulan
- Reptoids
- Reticulan
- Rigelian
- Rikkatch
- Rimekin
- Ross Worlders
- Rotanevi
- Rotifers
- Rrik'tak
- Rukbati
- Rukhan
- Rustlings
- Ruzhgar
S: 110 names
- Sabikan
- Sabikite
- Sadachbian
- Sadalmelik
- Sadalsuudi
- Sadr
- Saenali
- Sagittan
- Saiphi
- Saltcrust Nomads
- Sandswimmers
- Sargasi
- Sashael
- Saturnians
- Saurians
- Scarabines
- Scheati
- Schedarite
- Scolopendrans
- Sculptor Group Envoys
- Sculptorans
- Scutan
- Sednans
- Seedcasters
- Seedship Minds
- Selenai
- Selenites
- Selk
- Serpentari
- Sethiss
- Sethraa
- Sextantine
- Sh'thessi
- Shadekin
- Shaissa
- Shaulan
- Shaziss
- Shellheads
- Sheratan
- Shessk
- Shoalminds
- Sigma Draconine
- Signal Ghosts
- Signal Source Kappa
- Silicari
- Silicate Intellects
- Silicon Clade Beta
- Silkspinners
- Singers of the Hollow Hills
- Sirenae
- Sirian
- Sirith
- Sithissar
- Sithsa
- Sithuul
S, continued
- Six-Limbs
- Sixty-One Cygni Twins
- Skaldrak
- Skarn
- Skarrak
- Skinwalkers of Talos
- Skitterling
- Skk'ith
- Skoll'vath
- Skraeling
- Skrathi
- Skriz
- Skurgath
- Skyborne
- Slagborn
- Slatefolk
- Sleetfolk
- Slowlife
- Solarians
- Soluane
- Sombrero Rim Peoples
- Sophont Class Three
- Spican
- Spindles
- Sporeborn
- Squids
- Ssaith
- Sselkith
- Ssethari
- Ssithrak
- Sslissi
- Ssurak
- Ssyvar
- Sszaraan
- Sszeth
- Sszhal
- Sszorin
- Stalkers of Cygnus
- Starfire Kin
- Starfish Sages
- Stonechewers
- Stonemoles
- Storm Band Flocks
- Stormkin
- Stratans
- Struveans
- Sturmok
- Sualocin Pod
- Substrate Independents
- Sulafati
- Sulfur Spring Brood
- Sulfuri
- Swarm of Ixil
- Sylaneth
- Symbari
T: 153 names
- T'k'raa
- Talithans
- Tall Ones
- Talonkin
- Tarantula Nebula Brood
- Tarazedi
- Tardigan
- Tau Cetian
- Tavasi
- Taygetans
- Tch'kree
- Tchirrun
- Teegardeners
- Tegmine
- Tejat Clans
- Telescopians
- Tempestari
- Tenebri
- Termitae
- Tethyans
- Thaelis
- Thakk
- Thalei
- Tharg'un
- The Accord of Ash
- The Alloyed
- The Ancients
- The Architects
- The Archived
- The Arecibo Repliers
- The Assembled
- The Boreal
- The Braided
- The Brine
- The Brood of Kzeth
- The Chorus
- The Cinderborn
- The Collective
- The Compiled
- The Concord of Minds
- The Consensus
- The Dawn Kindred
- The Departed
- The Diffuse
- The Dry-Skinned
- The Elder Kind
- The Emulated
- The Epsilon Signal Makers
- The Far-Seeing
- The Feathered
- The First Swimmers
T, continued
- The Firstborn of Stars
- The Folk Next Door
- The Gatewrights
- The Gestalt
- The Hive of Chorr
- The Iridium-Fed
- The Iterated
- The Kept Memory
- The Kindled
- The Last Witnesses
- The Light-Drinkers
- The Listening Ones
- The Long-Lived
- The Luminant
- The Manifold
- The Many-Handed
- The Molten
- The Moulted
- The Ninth Race
- The Old Gardeners
- The Overthought of Sael
- The Patient
- The People of the Warm Stone
- The Plurality
- The Post-Organic
- The Quantum Reverie
- The Quiet Stewards
- The Rarefied
- The Rebuilt
- The Ring Builders
- The Rooted
- The Ross 128 Correspondents
- The Self-Assembling
- The Shared Dream
- The Shell-Bearers
- The Shining
- The Silent
- The Sky-Fallen
- The Sun-Followers
- The Sunken
- The Tentacled
- The Thousand-Legged
- The Twice-Born
- The Unbodied
- The Under-Ice Nations
- The Undivided
- The Unhatched
- The Unison of Thael
- The Unremembered
- The Uploaded
- The Vanished Makers
T, continued
- The Vault Keepers
- The Watchers
- The Wend
- The Woven
- Thessuil
- They Who Carry the Seed
- Thissir
- Thornhides
- Those of the Deep Root
- Those Who Came Before
- Those Who Count the Stars
- Those Who Sing in the Dark
- Those Who Taste the Wind
- Those Who Wait
- Thraxi
- Throkkar
- Thrumm
- Thuban Ascendancy
- Tidekin
- Tidelocked
- Tidewalkers
- Tikkari
- Tinwrights
- Titanians
- Tizzk'a
- Tk'ezzit
- Tk'ithra
- Toliman Compact
- Torgash
- Torvaks
- Torzhak
- Tourmalyn
- Transit Shadow People
- Trappisti
- Trenchsingers
- Triangulan
- Trifid Wardens
- Trillari
- Tritonians
- Trr'ikik
- Trrilu
- True People of the Reef
- Tsk'aar
- Ttk'aa
- Tucanae
- Tuu-Lii
- Twilight Belt Convoys
- Twirriw
- Tzek
- Tzikith
- Tzz'rik
U: 19 names
- Ualai
- Ulerai
- Ulgrak
- Ulub-Ul
- Ululai
- Umbrals
- Umbrielans
- Unity
- Unukalhai Coil
- Ur'gaz
- Urgoth
- Uriael
- Ursoids
- Urzhok
- Ushaal
- Usseraan
- Ussithil
- Uvalei
- Uwanei
V: 44 names
- Vaal-Tirr
- Vaelune
- Vaiethi
- Van Maanen Remnant
- Vaporians
- Vargoth
- Vargr'tak
- Vashissi
- Vashkarr
- Vassheth
- Vegan Ascendancy
- Veil Nebula Weavers
- Vekhtarn
- Velans
- Velune
- Ventcrawlers
- Venusians
- Verdani
- Vermilax
- Vertebrii
- Vespidari
- Vespoids
- Vessith
- Vestans
- Vhulgar
- Vindemiatrix Clans
- Vinewalkers
- Virgo Cluster Hosts
- Vissari
- Vissraun
- Voidborn
- Voidwalkers
- Volans
- Vor'kraal
- Vozharn
- Vrakk
- Vrix
- Vrokhal
- Vroth
- Vrrisk
- Vul'drakh
- Vulpari
- Vulpeculan
- Vzz'thi
W: 13 names
- Walkers Under Two Suns
- We Who Endure
- We-of-One-Voice
- Wend-Uri
- Wezen
- Wheeolu
- Whirlpool Galaxy Emigrants
- Whisperers
- Whuuna
- Windriders of Kessa
- Wingborne
- Wolf 359ers
- Wuluub
X: 22 names
- Xanquor
- Xanthiri
- Xaquil
- Xar'thul
- Xaziim
- Xelari
- Xendrii
- Xenoform Theta
- Xenotype Delta
- Xephqa
- Xeqqari
- Xevari
- Xhulei
- Xilqu
- Xiqu
- Xirzal
- Xomareth
- Xoraan
- Xoth
- Xurqeth
- Xutheri
- Xylothi
Y: 13 names
- Yalarei
- Yed Prior Clans
- Yessari
- Yildunese
- Yrgath
- Ysaleth
- Ysolae
- Ysoveen
- Yssathi
- Ysshar
- Ythrai
- Yurrin
- Yvalune