Kenning Name Generator
Poetic two-part names in the old skaldic manner
Generate kennings, the two-part poetic names of Old Norse and Old English verse: epithets for people such as Ring-Giver, Feeder of Ravens and Word-Smith, and figures for things with what they stand for, like Whale-Road (sea), Sky-Candle (sun) and Bone-House (body).
About kenning names
A kenning names a thing by what it does or what it is like, in two parts: a base word and a second word that points it at its meaning. The sea is the whale-road or the swan-road, the body a bone-house, the sun a sky-candle, blood battle-sweat, a generous lord a ring-giver and a speaker's store of words a word-hoard. All of those come from Old English verse. The Old Norse skalds pushed the form further and leaned on myth, calling gold Sif's hair or Otter's ransom.
The list has two halves. About two fifths of the entries are kennings for a kind of person (lord, warrior, poet, sailor, smith, wanderer) and stand alone, so they can be worn as an epithet after a name. The rest are kennings for things and carry their meaning in parentheses, as in Gannet's Bath (sea). A handful are old. Most of the list is new coinage built in the old manner from the classic base words such as road, tree, giver, feeder, steed and bane, so do not quote an entry as a line from a poem.
The forms are English throughout. Hyphenated pairs follow the old habit of compounding, and the X of Y pattern is the same figure written out as a phrase.
How to choose kenning names
- Wear a person kenning after the name, set off by a comma: Hrolf, Wolf-Feeder. Leave out "the". A kenning is a description to be solved, and it reads best without an article in front.
- Match the base word to the role. Giver, Friend and Shield words suit rulers, Feeder and Reddener words and the tree figures (Ash of Spears, Maple of Shields) suit fighters, and Smith and Weaver words suit poets and makers.
- To name a sword, a ship or a hall, take a thing kenning and drop the bracket: a ship called Wave-Steed, a sword called Battle-Light, a hall called Ring-House.
- Build your own from the same two parts. Pick a base word that the thing is not (road, candle, house, steed) and a second word that points to what it is (whale, sky, bone, wave), then check that a reader can solve it.
- Use them sparingly in prose. The old poets stacked kennings line after line, but one in a paragraph is enough to give a modern page the flavor.
Frequently asked questions
What is a kenning?
A kenning is a short poetic figure that stands in for a plain noun, most often two words joined together. Instead of sea the poet says whale-road, instead of body bone-house. It is typical of Old English and Old Norse poetry, where a listener was expected to solve it on the fly.
Are these real Old Norse or Old English kennings?
Some are. Whale-Road, Bone-House, Word-Hoard and Ring-Giver translate figures from Old English verse, and Sif's Hair for gold comes from Norse tradition. Most of the list is new, written in the same pattern, and the entries are not marked either way. If you need a kenning you can cite, look it up in an edition of the poem itself.
Which kennings work as a name or epithet for a character?
The entries without parentheses. Ring-Giver and Gold-Friend suit a lord, Helm-Bearer and Battle-Wolf a fighter, Word-Smith a poet, Wave-Rider a sailor, Iron-Tamer a smith and Earth-Stepper a wanderer. Put one after the given name, or let other characters use it in place of the name.
How is a kenning different from a title like "the Bold"?
A title states a quality outright. A kenning is a small riddle: Feeder of Ravens never says warrior, it shows what a warrior leaves behind on the field and lets the listener work it out. That indirectness is the whole point of the form.
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All 500 kenning names
A: 10 names
- Aegir's Daughter (wave)
- Aegir's Fire (gold)
- Air-Flier (dragon)
- Ale-Waker
- Anvil-Singer
- Arm-Fire (gold)
- Arrow-Bed (shield)
- Arrow-Sender
- Arrow-Sleet (battle)
- Ash of Spears
B: 48 names
- Bane of Wood (fire)
- Banner-Tree
- Barley-Blood (ale)
- Barley-Father
- Barn-Shadow (cat)
- Battle-Adder (arrow)
- Battle-Boar
- Battle-Board (shield)
- Battle-Crane (raven)
- Battle-Friend (sword)
- Battle-Gull (raven)
- Battle-Light (sword)
- Battle-Mask (helmet)
- Battle-Sweat (blood)
- Battle-Wolf
- Beam-Hewer
- Bear's Night (winter)
- Bear-Shirt
- Bee-Gold (honey)
- Bee-Season (summer)
- Bee-Wolf (bear)
- Bench-Filler
- Bench-Joy (ale)
- Bench-Singer
B, continued
- Bench-Sitter
- Birch of Bracelets
- Bird-Hall (forest)
- Bird-Road (sky)
- Blade-Father
- Blood-Swan (raven)
- Boar-Crest (helmet)
- Bone-Coffer (body)
- Bone-House (body)
- Bone-Vessel (body)
- Border-Holder
- Bow-Bender
- Bracelet-Flinger
- Branch-Bane (fire)
- Breaker of Rings
- Breaker of Trees (wind)
- Breast-Hoard (heart)
- Breast-Net (mail coat)
- Breath's Dwelling (body)
- Bridle-Wearer (horse)
- Brine-Farer
- Brine-Ridge (wave)
- Brow-Moon (eye)
- Brow-Star (eye)
C: 15 names
- Carrion-King (eagle)
- Cloud-Fire (lightning)
- Cloud-Hall (sky)
- Cloud-Herder (wind)
- Cloud-Meal (snow)
- Cloud-Scatterer (sun)
- Cloud-Splitter (mountain)
- Cloud-Tears (rain)
- Coal-Biter
- Corpse-Cuckoo (raven)
- Corpse-Fence (gate of Hel)
- Corpse-Swallower (eagle)
- Counsel-Giver
- Courage-Stone (heart)
- Cup of Waves (sea)
D: 14 names
- Dawn-Flier (dragon)
- Dawn-Scather (dragon)
- Dawn-Trumpet (rooster)
- Day's Grave (night)
- Day-Star (sun)
- Deep-Plougher (whale)
- Dew-Bringer (dawn)
- Door-Ward
- Dragon's Bed (gold)
- Dream-Reader
- Driver of Spears
- Dwarves' Burden (sky)
- Dwarves' Drink (poetry)
- Dwarves' Ship (poetry)
E: 14 names
- Eagle-Gladdener
- Eagle-Home (mountain)
- Earth-Bone (stone)
- Earth-Hall (grave)
- Earth-House (grave)
- Earth-Stepper
- Earth-Turner
- Edge-Hate (battle)
- Edge-Maker
- Edge-Reddener
- Elf-Beam (sun)
- Ember-Feeder
- Ever-Glow (sun)
- Ever-Green (earth)
F: 41 names
- Fair-Wheel (sun)
- Fame-Shaper
- Far-Biter (spear)
- Far-Farer
- Far-Shore Seeker
- Feeder of Halls
- Feeder of Ravens
- Fen-Smoke (fog)
- Feud-Bearer
- Feud-Settler
- Field's Mane (forest)
- Fight-Kindler
- Fire-Tamer
- Fjord-Elk (ship)
- Fjord-Farer
- Fjord-Helm (ice)
- Fjord-Silver (herring)
- Flesh-Garment (body)
- Flight-Thorn (arrow)
- Flock-Ward
F, continued
- Flood of Hnitbjorg (poetry)
- Floor of the Wind-Hall (earth)
- Flying Ash (spear)
- Foam-Neck (ship)
- Foam-Treader
- Foe of Herring
- Foe-Feller
- Folk-Father
- Folk-Helm
- Folk-Shield
- Ford-Holder
- Forest-Goer
- Forge-Friend
- Fornjot's Son (wind)
- Forth-Faring (death)
- Freyja's Tears (gold)
- Friend of Thanes
- Frodi's Meal (gold)
- Frost-Bane (sun)
- Furrow-Feeder
- Furrow-Friend
G: 27 names
- Gallows-Bird (raven)
- Gallows-Burden (Odin)
- Gallows-Hound (wolf)
- Gannet's Bath (sea)
- Gate-Holder
- Giant's Seat (mountain)
- Giant-Feller
- Giant-Scarer (thunder)
- Gift-Hall (hall)
- Giver of Arm-Rings
- Glee-Beam (harp)
- Glee-Man
- Glove-Guest (hawk)
- Goat-Lord (Thor)
- Gold-Adorned
- Gold-Brooder (dragon)
- Gold-Friend
- Gold-Scatterer
- Gold-Shaper
- Grass-Tide (summer)
- Gravel-Eel (snake)
- Grey Feaster (wolf)
- Grief-Singer
- Guest-Friend
- Guest-Harbor (hall)
- Gull's Field (sea)
- Gull-Follower
H: 53 names
- Hail of Bowstrings (arrow)
- Hall-Joy (feasting)
- Hall-Raiser
- Hall-Sapling
- Hall-Singer
- Hall-Sweetener (harp)
- Hall-Thane
- Hammer-Friend
- Hand-Companion
- Hanged-God (Odin)
- Hanged-God's Cargo (poetry)
- Harp-Nest (hall)
- Harp-Waker
- Hater of Gold
- Hawk's Fell (arm)
- Hawk-Feeder
- Hawk-Hand
- Hawk-Land (arm)
- Hawk-Perch (arm)
- Head-Forest (hair)
- Head-Guard (helmet)
- Head-Jewel (eye)
- Hearth-Companion
- Hearth-Kindler
- Hearth-Ship (hall)
- Hearth-Sun (fire)
H, continued
- Hearth-Wolf (dog)
- Heath-Fish (snake)
- Heath-Stepper (stag)
- Heaven's Jewel (sun)
- Heaven's Sparks (stars)
- Hel-Road (death)
- Helm-Bearer
- Helm-Hewer
- Helm-Ogress (axe)
- Helm-Seat (head)
- Helm-Shaper
- Herb-Knower
- Hild's Game (battle)
- Hive-Raider (bear)
- Hoard-Guardian (dragon)
- Hoard-Opener
- Hoard-Sharer
- Hoard-Thief
- Honey-Thief (bear)
- Hoof-Thunder (horse)
- Hook-Friend
- Horn-Curve (bow)
- Horn-Flood (ale)
- Horn-House (hall)
- Horse of the Hanged (gallows)
- Host-Breaker
- Host-Gatherer
I: 5 names
- Ice-Farer
- Icicle of Blood (sword)
- Iron-Hail (battle)
- Iron-Tamer
- Island-Girdle (sea)
J: 1 name
- Joy-Wood (harp)
K: 9 names
- Keel-Bird (ship)
- Keel-Layer
- Keel-Path (sea)
- Keel-Rider
- Keel-Shaker (wave)
- Kin-Shelter
- Kin-Sprout
- Kraki's Seed (gold)
- Kvasir's Blood (poetry)
L: 22 names
- Land-Vein (river)
- Land-Ward
- Lark-Waker (dawn)
- Last Hall (grave)
- Laughter-Smith
- Lay-Maker
- Leaf-Thief (wind)
- Leavings of Files (sword)
- Leavings of Hammers (sword)
- Lie-Smith
- Life-House (body)
- Life-Parting (death)
- Line-Breaker
- Linen-Birch
- Loaf-Eater
- Loaf-Kneader
- Loaf-Ward
- Lone-Goer
- Long Home (grave)
- Long-Rememberer
- Loom-Friend
- Lore-Bearer
M: 17 names
- Mail-Wearer
- Mail-Weaver
- Malt-Sea (ale)
- Malt-Tamer
- Mane-Bearer (horse)
- Maple of Shields
- March-Stepper
- Mast-Squirrel
- Mead-Giver
- Mead-Pourer
- Memory-Keeper
- Mind-Stronghold (breast)
- Mood-Acorn (heart)
- Moon-Chaser (wolf)
- Mound-Keeper (dragon)
- Mountain-Tear (river)
- Mouse-Bane (cat)
N: 7 names
- Name-Keeper
- Net-Wealth (herring)
- Night's Bane (dawn)
- Night's Jewels (stars)
- Night-Helm (night)
- Night-Lamp (moon)
- Night-Walker
O: 11 names
- Oar-Friend
- Oar-Steed (ship)
- Oath-Holder
- Odin's Bride (earth)
- Odin's Catch (poetry)
- Odin's Find (poetry)
- Odin's Gift (poetry)
- Onion of War (sword)
- Ore-Waker
- Otter's Ransom (gold)
- Otter-Path (river)
P: 7 names
- Pain-Thief (healing herb)
- Peace-Fastener
- Peace-Weaver
- Pelt-Reaper
- Plank-Joiner
- Praise-Shaper
- Prow-Stander
R: 24 names
- Ran's Daughter (wave)
- Raven's Wine (blood)
- Raven-Friend
- Raven-God (Odin)
- Raven-Harvest (battle)
- Reddener of Blades
- Reed-Spear (heron)
- Reef-Knower
- Riddle-Weaver
- Rider of Sea-Steeds
- Ring-Adorned
- Ring-Giver
- Ring-House (hall)
- Ring-Maker
- Ring-Rest (arm)
- Ring-Shirt (mail coat)
- Rivet-Wright
- Road-Swallower (horse)
- Roof-Drummer (rain)
- Roof-Herald (rooster)
- Roof-Raiser
- Root-Home (earth)
- Rune-Carver
- Rune-Reader
S: 93 names
- Saga-Bearer
- Sail-Filler (wind)
- Sail-Road (sea)
- Sail-Tamer
- Salmon-Road (river)
- Salt-Farer
- Scalp-Grass (hair)
- Sea-Breath (fog)
- Sea-Goer (ship)
- Sea-Gold (amber)
- Sea-Wood (ship)
- Seal-Bath (sea)
- Serpent of Battle (spear)
- Serpent's Bane
- Serpent's Bed (gold)
- Serpent's Comfort (summer)
- Serpent's Foe (Thor)
- Shadow-Goer
- Shadow-Helm (night)
- Sharer of Odin's Mead
- Shelter of Warriors
- Shepherd of the Folk
- Shield-Bearer
- Shield-Hag (axe)
- Shield-Play (battle)
- Shield-Splinterer
- Ship of Ullr (shield)
- Ship-Ward
- Shoal-Shepherd
- Shore-Biter (wave)
- Shoulder-Companion
S, continued
- Shoulder-Crag (head)
- Sif's Hair (gold)
- Sif's Husband (Thor)
- Sight-Stone (eye)
- Skull-Thatch (hair)
- Sky-Breath (wind)
- Sky-Candle (sun)
- Sky-Drum (thunder)
- Sky-Embers (stars)
- Sky-Pillar (mountain)
- Sky-Spear (lightning)
- Sky-Weeping (rain)
- Sky-Wool (snow)
- Slain-Father (Odin)
- Slaughter-Dew (blood)
- Slaughter-Dog (wolf)
- Slaughter-Shaft (spear)
- Slaughter-Wolf
- Sleep-Giver
- Sleep-Joy (night)
- Sleep-Thorn (enchanted sleep)
- Slope-Seaweed (forest)
- Smith-Web (mail coat)
- Smoke-Father (fire)
- Snake's Bane (winter)
- Song-Shaper
- Song-Smith
- Song-Wood (harp)
- Sorrow of Stags
- Soul-House (body)
- Spark-Sower
S, continued
- Spear-Bearer
- Spear-Din (battle)
- Spear-Shaker
- Speech of Giants (gold)
- Spout-Bearer (whale)
- Squirrel-Road (forest)
- Star-Roof (sky)
- Star-Steerer
- Stave-Cutter
- Steel-Singer
- Steerer of Wave-Steeds
- Stone-Bed (grave)
- Stone-Smoother (river)
- Storm of Swords (battle)
- Storm-Season (winter)
- Strand-Leaver
- Stream-Roof (ice)
- Strife-Stirrer
- String-Tree (bow)
- Sun of Houses (fire)
- Sun of the Ship (shield)
- Sun's Brother (moon)
- Surf-Treader
- Suttung's Mead (poetry)
- Swan-Road (sea)
- Swan-Road Wanderer
- Sword of Heimdall (head)
- Sword-Bestower
- Sword-Heir
- Sword-Play (battle)
- Sword-Sleep (death)
T: 23 names
- Tale-Keeper
- Tale-Oar (tongue)
- Tamer of Spokes
- Tear-Well (eye)
- Tester of Shields
- Thirst-Slaker of Wolves
- Thor's Mother (earth)
- Thought-Hall (head)
- Thread-Tamer
- Tide-Puller (moon)
- Tide-Reader
- Tidings-Bearer
- Timber-Bane (axe)
- Tong-Hand
- Tongue-Loosener (ale)
- Tongue-Smith
- Trail-Hound
- Treasure-Giver
- Tree of Battle
- Trier of Blades
- Troll-Wife of Shields (axe)
- Troll-Wife's Steed (wolf)
- Turf-Roof (grave)
U: 1 name
- Unlocker of Words
V: 3 names
- Verse-Smith
- Verse-Wright
- Voice-Plane (tongue)
W: 49 names
- War-Linden (shield)
- War-Mask (helmet)
- War-Net (mail coat)
- War-Shirt (mail coat)
- War-Thorn (spear)
- War-Waker
- Wave-Boar (whale)
- Wave-Farer
- Wave-Floater (ship)
- Wave-Rider
- Wave-Steed (ship)
- Wave-Waker (wind)
- Wealth-Strewer
- Weather of Weapons (battle)
- Weland's Work (mail coat)
- Whale's Way (sea)
- Whale-Bane
- Whale-Road (sea)
- Wide-Flier (dragon)
- Willow of Ale-Horns
- Wind-Foal (horse)
- Wind-Reader
- Wind-Weaver (sky)
- Winter's Bridge (ice)
W, continued
- Winter's Foe (fire)
- Winter-Counter
- Winter-Linen (snow)
- Winter-Sleeper (bear)
- Wolf's Drink (blood)
- Wolf's Lantern (moon)
- Wolf-Coat
- Wolf-Feeder
- Wolf-Head
- Wolf-Season (winter)
- Wonder-Smith
- Word-Bearer
- Word-Hoard (speech)
- Word-Oar (tongue)
- Word-Smith
- Word-Weaver
- World-Candle (sun)
- Wound-Bee (arrow)
- Wound-Giver
- Wound-Hawk (eagle)
- Wound-Mender
- Wound-Sea (blood)
- Wound-Tide (blood)
- Wrist-Rider (hawk)
- Wyrm-Bane