Name Generator Central

Pub Name Generator

Classic British pub names with real character

Business, Brands & Shops500 curated namesUpdated Free · no sign-up

Tap a name to copy it500 names in this generator

Generate authentic pub names in the traditional British style: heraldic beasts, royal heads, trades, coaching inns and local landmarks. Useful for naming a real pub, a fantasy tavern, or the local in your novel.

About pub names

Traditional pub names follow conventions that go back to medieval England, when most customers couldn't read and a painted sign had to do the work. That is why so many pubs are named after a picture: a Red Lion, a White Hart, a Rose & Crown. Heraldic beasts came from the coats of arms of local landowners, royal heads showed loyalty to the monarch, and combinations like the Coach & Horses or the Plough advertised who the pub served (travellers, farm workers). Trade names such as The Cooper's Arms usually mark a pub that once hosted a guild.

The classic structure is "The" plus one or two nouns, often joined by an ampersand: The Dog & Duck, The Fox & Hounds, The Cross Keys. Numbers appear frequently (The Three Tuns, The Six Bells) and religious symbols survive from the days when monasteries brewed ale (The Mitre, The Cross Keys, The Lamb & Flag). Oddities like The Case is Altered come from local jokes and corrupted phrases.

The best pub names sound like they have been there for two hundred years even if you invented them this morning. Pair a strong visual image with something local, a trade, an animal, a landmark, and it will feel authentic in a real high street or a fantasy village.

Tips for choosing a name

  • Pick a name that can be painted on a sign: a lion, an anchor, a plough. If you can't picture the signboard, it probably isn't a great pub name.
  • Ground it locally by swapping in your town's river, hill, old trade or landmark, e.g. The Ferry Boat Inn or The Weavers Arms, which also helps with local search.
  • Use the ampersand pairing sparingly; one 'X & Y' name is charming, but check that no pub in your area already trades under it, since many classics are shared by hundreds of pubs.
  • For fantasy settings, keep the same grammar but swap the nouns for creatures and objects from your world (The Gilded Griffin, The Broken Halberd) rather than adding 'tavern' to everything.
  • Say the name out loud in a sentence like 'meet you at the ...' - if it flows and shortens naturally (the Lion, the Swan), it will work.

Frequently asked questions

Why do so many British pubs have the same name?

Names like The Red Lion, The Crown and The Royal Oak spread because they signalled loyalty to the monarch or a powerful local family, and because a recognisable sign was good business in an era when most people couldn't read. The Red Lion alone is used by roughly 500 pubs in the UK.

What do 'Arms' and 'Head' mean in a pub name?

'Arms' refers to a coat of arms, so The Wellington Arms once displayed the Duke of Wellington's heraldry, while trade names like The Mason's Arms show the guild's crest. 'Head' simply means the sign showed a portrait, as in The King's Head or The Nag's Head.

Can I use one of these names for my own pub or bar?

Traditional pub names are generic and not owned by anyone, so yes, but check your local business register and trademark database, and avoid copying the exact branding of a nearby pub or a large chain.

Do these work for fantasy taverns and D&D games?

Yes. The 'The [Adjective] [Animal]' and 'The X & Y' patterns are exactly what fantasy taverns imitate, so names like The Green Dragon, The Drunken Duck or The Smugglers Rest drop straight into a campaign setting.

All 500 pub names

Browse the full list
  • The Red Lion
  • The Golden Lion
  • The White Hart
  • The White Horse
  • The Black Bull
  • The Black Swan
  • The Black Horse
  • The Blue Boar
  • The Red Dragon
  • The Green Dragon
  • The Green Man
  • The Royal Oak
  • The Rose & Crown
  • The Crown & Anchor
  • The Crown & Cushion
  • The Crown & Sceptre
  • The King's Head
  • The King's Arms
  • The Queen's Head
  • The Queen's Arms
  • The Duke's Head
  • The Duke of Wellington
  • The Duke of York
  • The Prince of Wales
  • The Marquis of Granby
  • The Lord Nelson
  • The Nelson's Arms
  • The Wellington Arms
  • The Victoria Inn
  • The Albert Arms
  • The George & Dragon
  • The George Inn
  • The William IV
  • The Royal Standard
  • The Coach & Horses
  • The Horse & Groom
  • The Horse & Jockey
  • The Fox & Hounds
  • The Hare & Hounds
  • The Dog & Duck
  • The Dog & Gun
  • The Dog & Partridge
  • The Cock & Bottle
  • The Bull & Bush
  • The Bull's Head
  • The Boar's Head
  • The Nag's Head
  • The Stag & Hounds
  • The Stag's Head
  • The Swan & Cygnets
  • The Swan with Two Necks
  • The Eagle & Child
  • The Bear & Staff
  • The Bear & Ragged Staff
  • The Cat & Fiddle
  • The Pig & Whistle
  • The Slug & Lettuce
  • The Elephant & Castle
  • The Goat & Compasses
  • The Lamb & Flag
  • The Lamb Inn
  • The Bird in Hand
  • The Falcon
  • The Pheasant
  • The Partridge
  • The Peacock
  • The Wheatsheaf
  • The Barley Mow
  • The Plough
  • The Plough & Harrow
  • The Hop Pole
  • The Bunch of Grapes
  • The Three Tuns
  • The Two Brewers
  • The Brewer's Arms
  • The Maltsters Arms
  • The Cooper's Arms
  • The Miller's Arms
  • The Baker's Arms
  • The Butcher's Arms
  • The Carpenter's Arms
  • The Blacksmith's Arms
  • The Bricklayer's Arms
  • The Mason's Arms
  • The Wheelwright's Arms
  • The Farrier's Arms
  • The Ploughman's Rest
  • The Farmers Arms
  • The Shepherd's Crook
  • The Woolpack
  • The Fleece
  • The Golden Fleece
  • The Anchor
  • The Ship Inn
  • The Ship & Anchor
  • The Jolly Sailor
  • The Old Salt
  • The Salty Dog
  • The Rusty Anchor
  • The Crow's Nest
  • The Admiral Benbow
  • The Captain's Table
  • The Mermaid
  • The Lighthouse Inn
  • The Fisherman's Arms
  • The Ferry Boat Inn
  • The Harbour Inn
  • The Smugglers Rest
  • The Rising Sun
  • The Half Moon
  • The Full Moon
  • The Star & Garter
  • The North Star
  • The Seven Stars
  • The Cross Keys
  • The Bell
  • The Eight Bells
  • The Bishop's Finger
  • The Cardinal's Hat
  • The Mitre
  • The Friar Tuck
  • The Abbey Inn
  • The Church House Inn
  • The Angel
  • The Angel & Greyhound
  • The Railway Inn
  • The Station Hotel
  • The Bridge Inn
  • The Waterside Inn
  • The Lock Keeper
  • The Barge Inn
  • The Navigation Inn
  • The Old Mill
  • The Watermill
  • The Windmill
  • The Castle Inn
  • The Tower Arms
  • The Gate House
  • The Drawbridge
  • The Moat House
  • The Market Tavern
  • The Corn Exchange
  • The Guildhall Tavern
  • The Merchant's Arms
  • The Old Bank
  • The Counting House
  • The Old Court House
  • The Old Fire Station
  • The Old Post Office
  • The Old Schoolhouse
  • The Old Bell
  • The Olde Cheshire Cheese
  • The Hole in the Wall
  • The Cellar Door
  • The Snug
  • The Blind Beggar
  • The Jolly Farmer
  • The Jolly Miller
  • The Merry Monk
  • The Drunken Duck
  • The Brass Monkey
  • The Fighting Cocks
  • The Feathers
  • The Chequers
  • The Punch Bowl
  • The Cricketers
  • The Huntsman
  • The Woodman
  • The Foresters Arms
  • The Gamekeeper
  • The Old Oak
  • The Yew Tree
  • The Holly Bush
  • The Rose & Thistle
  • The Thistle & Crown
  • The Grapes
  • The Hop & Grape
  • The Ale House
  • The Free House
  • The Traveller's Rest
  • The Wayfarer
  • The Pilgrim's Rest
  • The Coachman
  • The Highwayman
  • The Turnpike Inn
  • The Milestone
  • The Halfway House
  • The Cross Roads Inn
  • The World's End
  • The First & Last
  • The Hope & Anchor
  • The Live & Let Live
  • The Case is Altered
  • The Who'd A Thought It
  • The Quiet Woman
  • The Silent Whistle
  • The Three Horseshoes
  • The Three Crowns
  • The Four Alls
  • The Ten Bells
  • The White Lion
  • The Blue Lion
  • The Black Lion
  • The Red Bull
  • The White Bull
  • The Brown Cow
  • The Red Cow
  • The Dun Cow
  • The White Swan
  • The Old Swan
  • The White Bear
  • The Black Bear
  • The Brown Bear
  • The Black Dog
  • The Greyhound
  • The Talbot
  • The Spotted Dog
  • The Red Hart
  • The White Hind
  • The Roebuck
  • The Fallow Deer
  • The Antelope
  • The Unicorn
  • The Griffin
  • The Wyvern
  • The Phoenix
  • The Golden Cross
  • The Golden Ball
  • The Golden Hind
  • The Golden Eagle
  • The Spread Eagle
  • The Black Eagle
  • The Cock Inn
  • The Game Cock
  • The Cock & Magpie
  • The Magpie
  • The Magpie & Stump
  • The Rook & Gaskell
  • The Raven
  • The Three Ravens
  • The Jackdaw
  • The Blackbird
  • The Nightingale
  • The Cuckoo
  • The Woodcock
  • The Snipe
  • The Heron
  • The Kingfisher
  • The Swallow
  • The Robin Hood
  • The Little John
  • The Maid Marian
  • The Friar & Firkin
  • The Sherwood Forester
  • The Bull Inn
  • The Bull & Butcher
  • The Bull & Dog
  • The Bull & Swan
  • The Ox & Plough
  • The Durham Ox
  • The Craven Heifer
  • The Sun Inn
  • The Sun & Anchor
  • The Sun & Doves
  • The Moon & Sixpence
  • The Moon Under Water
  • The Man in the Moon
  • The Morning Star
  • The Evening Star
  • The Star & Crescent
  • The Comet
  • The Globe
  • The World Turned Upside Down
  • The Rainbow
  • The Sunrise
  • The Rising Moon
  • The Crescent
  • The Compasses
  • The Square & Compass
  • The Rule & Square
  • The Axe & Compasses
  • The Axe & Saw
  • The Adze
  • The Anvil
  • The Hammer & Tongs
  • The Hammer & Anvil
  • The Forge
  • The Old Forge
  • The Furnace
  • The Chain Makers Arms
  • The Nailmakers Arms
  • The Cutlers Arms
  • The Weavers Arms
  • The Tanners Arms
  • The Saddlers Arms
  • The Cordwainers Arms
  • The Tailors Arms
  • The Drapers Arms
  • The Vintners Arms
  • The Joiners Arms
  • The Thatchers Arms
  • The Glaziers Arms
  • The Founders Arms
  • The Fishmongers Arms
  • The Skinners Arms
  • The Ropemakers Arms
  • The Sailmakers Arms
  • The Shipwrights Arms
  • The Boatmens Arms
  • The Lightermen
  • The Carters Arms
  • The Waggoners Arms
  • The Drovers Arms
  • The Graziers Arms
  • The Dairymaid
  • The Milkmaid
  • The Cowherd
  • The Goatherd
  • The Swineherd
  • The Beekeeper
  • The Bee Hive
  • The Honey Pot
  • The Hop Bine
  • The Hop Picker
  • The Malt Shovel
  • The Malt House
  • The Mash Tun
  • The Brewery Tap
  • The Old Brewery
  • The Tap & Spile
  • The Tap & Barrel
  • The Cask & Kettle
  • The Barrel
  • The Three Barrels
  • The Ten Tuns
  • The Firkin
  • The Jolly Brewer
  • The Jolly Butcher
  • The Jolly Waggoner
  • The Jolly Gardener
  • The Jolly Coopers
  • The Jolly Fisherman
  • The Jolly Roger
  • The Jolly Cricketers
  • The Jolly Ploughboy
  • The Jolly Anglers
  • The Anglers Rest
  • The Trout
  • The Salmon
  • The Salmon Leap
  • The Pike & Eel
  • The Roach
  • The Perch
  • The Carp
  • The Fish & Eels
  • The Dolphin
  • The Porpoise
  • The Whale
  • The Lobster Pot
  • The Crab & Lobster
  • The Oyster
  • The Oyster Catcher
  • The Cockle
  • The Shrimp
  • The Ship's Bell
  • The Ship & Castle
  • The Ship & Bell
  • The Ship & Shovel
  • The Ship & Whale
  • The Old Ship
  • The Ship Aground
  • The Shipwreck
  • The Wreckers
  • The Cutty Sark
  • The Mayflower
  • The Golden Galleon
  • The Frigate
  • The Man o' War
  • The Sloop
  • The Schooner
  • The Lugger
  • The Ketch
  • The Barque
  • The Trawler
  • The Fishing Smack
  • The Steam Packet
  • The Packet Boat
  • The Blue Anchor
  • The Golden Anchor
  • The Foul Anchor
  • The Sailor's Return
  • The Pilot
  • The Pilot Boat
  • The Coastguard
  • The Lifeboat
  • The Beacon
  • The Signal Box
  • The Locomotive
  • The Steam Engine
  • The Great Western
  • The Great Northern
  • The Railway Tavern
  • The Railway Arms
  • The Junction Inn
  • The Engineers Arms
  • The Navvies Arms
  • The Tunnel House
  • The Viaduct
  • The Old Canal
  • The Canal Tavern
  • The Towpath
  • The Lock Inn
  • The Lock & Quay
  • The Wharf
  • The Boat Inn
  • The Rowing Boat
  • The Ferry Inn
  • The Bridge House
  • The Riverside Inn
  • The Waterman
  • The Weir
  • The Mill Inn
  • The Old Corn Mill
  • The Woolcombers Arms
  • The Golden Ram
  • The Ram's Head
  • The Lamb & Lion
  • The Lamb & Fleece
  • The Shepherd & Dog
  • The Shepherd & Flock
  • The Shepherd's Rest
  • The Farmer's Boy
  • The Farmer's Rest
  • The Ploughboy
  • The Plough & Sail
  • The Plough & Fleece
  • The Harrow
  • The Sickle
  • The Scythe
  • The Reaper
  • The Harvest Home
  • The Harvest Moon
  • The Hayrick
  • The Spotted Cow
  • The Bay Horse
  • The Chestnut Horse
  • The Pied Bull
  • The Cross Foxes
  • The Three Cups
  • The Three Pigeons
  • The Five Bells
  • The Six Bells
  • The Two Chairmen
  • The Grenadier
  • The Waggon & Horses
  • The Load of Hay
  • The Rose & Portcullis
  • The Trafalgar
  • The Victory
  • The Royal George
  • The Waterloo
  • The Alma
  • The Volunteer
  • The Rifleman
  • The Old Contemptibles
  • The Bag o' Nails
  • The Cat & Custard Pot
  • The Dirty Duck
  • The Prospect of Whitby
  • The Nutshell
  • The Lion & Lamb
  • The Lion & Unicorn
  • The Fox & Grapes
  • The Fox & Anchor
  • The Hare & Billet
  • The Cat & Mutton
  • The Crooked Billet
  • The Crooked Chimney
  • The Leather Bottle
  • The Bowling Green
  • The Cross Guns
  • The Old Crown
  • The Bell & Crown
  • The Cherry Tree
  • The Chestnut Tree
  • The Walnut Tree
  • The Elm Tree
  • The Mulberry Bush
  • The Vine
  • The Ivy House
  • The Old Nun's Head
  • The Abbot's Fireside
  • The Monk's Retreat
  • The Priory Arms
  • The Falstaff
  • The Shakespeare
  • The Dickens Inn
  • The John Barleycorn
  • The Ostrich
  • The Pelican

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