Species Name Generator
Alien races and invented lifeforms with believable names
Generate species names for alien races, engineered lifeforms and far-future creatures, using the patterns real sci-fi relies on: demonym endings like -an, -ii and -oid, exonym versus endonym pairs, descriptive human nicknames and Latin binomials for hard science settings.
About species names
Species names in science fiction almost always come from one of a few sources, and knowing which one you are using makes the name feel deliberate. Many are demonyms built from a homeworld or language: Vulcan from Vulcan, Kryptonian from Krypton, Asari, Turian and Quarian in Mass Effect. Adding -an, -ian, -i, -ii or -ari to a root is the classic move, and the root itself carries tone. Soft, vowel-heavy roots (Aurelan, Selunae, Lumenari) suggest elegant or ancient peoples, while clusters of hard consonants (Krogg, Vrakk, Thrund) suggest warriors or predators. Apostrophes and doubled letters (T'kaal, Zzrith) hint at sounds humans cannot easily make.
The second source is the outsider's nickname. Humans in fiction rarely use the name a species calls itself; they say Bugs, Greys, Skinnies, Crawlers or the Watchers. Pairing an endonym with a human exonym (the Kesharii, whom marines call Floaters) quickly makes a setting feel lived-in. Hard science fiction leans on a third source, Latin binomials, so a spacefaring human offshoot might be Homo stellaris and an unknown organism Xenomorpha. Collective intelligences and hive species usually get definite-article names such as the Swarm or the Chorus.
The list covers all these patterns across body plans, from insectoid and aquatic to crystalline and synthetic, plus star demonyms (Altairian), field names (Lantern Eels) and hive designations (Coral Concordance).
How to choose species names
- Pick a name whose sound matches the species' anatomy: sibilants and clicks for insectoids (Chittik, Zzrith), long vowels for aquatic or aerial species (Pelagi, Volanti), harsh clusters for heavy warriors (Gorrund).
- Give important species two names, what they call themselves and what humans call them, and let the choice of word reveal a character's attitude.
- Keep demonym endings consistent within a language family; if one species from a region is Ilvari, its neighbors should probably not be Ilvarians and Ilvarites.
- Reserve definite-article names (the Watchers, the Swarm) for hive minds, precursors and mysterious powers whose true name is unknown or unpronounceable.
- Check the plural before you commit: Velorian becomes Velorians easily, while Kesharii or Ythrae work better as both singular and plural.
Frequently asked questions
How do you name an alien species?
Most writers derive it from the homeworld or the species' own language and add a demonym ending (-an, -ian, -i, -ii, -ari), then match the sound to the creature's nature. Adding a blunt human nickname alongside the formal name makes the species feel real.
Should the species name and homeworld name match?
Often, but not always. Kryptonians come from Krypton, but Klingons come from Qo'noS and Vulcans call their world Vulcan only in Federation Standard. A mismatch can imply the name was assigned by outsiders or that the species predates its current home.
What are the -oid and -morph endings for?
They are descriptive labels rather than true names: humanoid means human-shaped, reptoid means reptile-like, xenomorph means alien-shaped. They suit clinical or military settings where the species has been classified but not yet understood.
Can I use these species names in my published book or game?
Yes. Most of the names here are generic words, scientific terms or inventions drafted for this list, but a list this long also holds some names that published fiction already uses. A few common words like Greys or Reptoids are widely used in UFO lore, demonyms built on real stars such as Altairian turn up in many older stories, and Xenomorph is strongly tied to the Alien films, so treat that one as an example rather than a name to reuse. An invented name can still match one in a book or game by chance, so search for any name you plan to build a setting on.
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All 1,000 species names
A: 65 names
- Abyssari
- Accipitri
- Achernaran
- Actinomorph
- Ae'lonn
- Ael'thari
- Aelfen
- Aeluun
- Aequori
- Aerozoa
- Aetheri
- Albireon
- Alcyonian
- Algolian
- Alorii
- Alphardian
- Altairian
- Amber Hosts
- Ambrathi
- Ambrosite
- Ambulon
- Ammonari
- Amoebae
- Amoeboid
- Amorphs
- Amphibi
- Andromedan
- Anemoni
- Anguili
- Annelidae
- Anseri
- Antarean
A, continued
- Antheon
- Apis cogitans
- Aquilari
- Arachnari
- Arachnoid
- Aranea textrix
- Araneae
- Arbor ambulans
- Arboriform
- Arcturan
- Ardenite
- Argentari
- Ash'karr
- Ashai
- Ashari
- Ashfolk
- Assembly of Wings
- Asteridae
- Astrocetus placidus
- Astrozoa
- Aumbrae
- Aumira
- Aurari
- Aurelan
- Auriganid
- Auroral
- Automata
- Automatons
- Auvenne
- Avianoid
- Aviari
- Avis ferrea
- Axolotli
B: 33 names
- Balaenari
- Baldrusk
- Bambusae
- Bark-eaters
- Barkskin
- Barnacles
- Barnardian
- Basaltae
- Basilisci
- Batrachi
- Bel Thuun
- Bellathi
- Belloran
- Benthai
- Bhorruk
- Bioforms
- Bloomari
- Bluebacks
- Borealan
- Bovari
- Brakka
- Brelloran
- Brennite
- Bright Ones
- Brightgill
- Brinekin
- Brood Unity
- Brukhar
- Bruldak
- Buboni
- Bugs
- Burning Ones
- Bzzrik
C: 74 names
- Calenor
- Calyxian
- Camelidae
- Canopan
- Carapax
- Carinan
- Cassenai
- Cassiopeian
- Castori
- Cathari
- Cave Choristers
- Cephalon
- Cephalopoid
- Cepheid
- Ceratopsi
- Cerulean
- Cervari
- Cetari
- Ceti
- Cetus aetherius
- Ch'ollok
- Chakkatik
- Chamaeli
- Chelonari
- Chemovore
- Chiropteran
- Chirrix
- Chitinari
- Chittik
- Chlorovore
- Chorali
- Chorus of Shells
- Chromari
- Chronari
- Cicadari
- Cinderborn
- Cindrai
C, continued
- Clackatak
- Clackers
- Clawborn
- Cloneborn
- Cloud Grazers
- Cloudherders
- Cloudkin
- Cluster Mind
- Cnidari
- Cobalti
- Codeborn
- Cogborn
- Coldbloods
- Coleopteri
- Coniferae
- Constructs
- Copper Beetles
- Coral Concordance
- Coralith
- Cortexi
- Corvane
- Corvani
- Corvid
- Corvus loquens
- Crawlers
- Crinoidi
- Croakers
- Crocodyli
- Crustacei
- Cryonid
- Cryophage
- Crystalline
- Ctenophori
- Cupri
- Cybrid
- Cydonian
- Cygnian
D: 34 names
- D'harrok
- Dalmeth
- Datakin
- Decapod
- Deepkin
- Deeprooted
- Delphini
- Delvari
- Dendromorph
- Denebian
- Dhorn
- Dhurgol
- Dolmeri
- Dominari
- Doradan
- Draaz
- Draco glacialis
- Draconi
- Dravani
- Dre'moth
- Dreamers
- Drezzik
- Drift Gardens
- Drifters
- Dromgar
- Drone Multitude
- Drukk
- Druvosk
- Dryadi
- Dune Striders
- Dunmoran
- Duskari
- Duskfolk
- Dustdrinkers
E: 24 names
- Echinae
- Echo Bats
- Echo Commune
- Echoborn
- Eclipsari
- Ee'shara
- Eiondra
- Elarii
- Elephanti
- Elorra
- Eluvie
- Ember Moths
- Emberkin
- Empathi
- Enthari
- Entropi
- Ephrani
- Equari
- Eridanian
- Evenor
- Exobiota
- Extremophile
- Eyestalks
- Ez'kai
F: 27 names
- Fa'ruun
- Facsimili
- Faelan
- Falconi
- Far Ones
- Featherborn
- Felinoid
- Felisari
- Felusa
- Fenwari
- Fernkin
- Ferrani
- Ferrovore
- Fioravi
- Fleshshapers
- Floaters
- Floravore
- Fluxborn
- Formica sapiens
- Formicae
- Formless
- Frost Weavers
- Fulgurae
- Fungari
- Fungoid
- Fungus memor
- Furkin
G: 34 names
- Gaellani
- Galathi
- Gas Whales
- Gastropodi
- Gearkin
- Gekkari
- Geneborn
- Geodari
- Gh'ulen
- Ghar Omesh
- Ghazrak
- Ghe'rrun
- Ghesari
- Ghostmind
- Ghrall
- Ghulmek
- Gilthani
- Glass Ones
- Glass Spiders
- Glassbacks
- Glassfolk
- Glasswings
- Gliesean
- Gnarrosh
- Gorrund
- Gorvenk
- Grakhan
- Graniteborn
- Gravitae
- Grey Ones
- Greys
- Grolvak
- Grothaan
- Gruidae
H: 43 names
- Hadozoa
- Halcyae
- Halophi
- Halvenite
- Hargrim
- Harrowi
- Havriel
- Heliou
- Heliovore
- Hepaticae
- Hesmir
- Hesperi
- Hexapod
- Hissarrh
- Hive Mind
- Hollani
- Hollow Ones
- Hollow Reeds
- Hollowborn
- Homo aquaticus
- Homo astralis
- Homo caelestis
- Homo errans
- Homo exul
- Homo ferreus
- Homo gelidus
- Homo longaevus
- Homo lunaris
- Homo nocturnus
- Homo novus
- Homo orbitalis
- Homo profundus
- Homo stellaris
- Homo synthetica
- Hrakkon
- Hrusk
- Hssurr
- Hu'lann
- Husks
- Hy'ressa
- Hydrae
- Hydromorph
- Hyllae
I: 24 names
- Icewrights
- Ichthyari
- Icicles
- Iguanari
- Il'umae
- Ilmareth
- Ilsethi
- Ilvari
- Insectoid
- Iomara
- Ionari
- Ir'sen
- Iridae
- Irrowen
- Isk Varolen
- Iskaran
- Isopodi
- Isshavar
- Isvarii
- Ith'kaar
- Ithilan
- Ithraen
- Ix'umar
- Iyessa
J: 9 names
- Ja'lessk
- Jaravan
- Jellies
- Jendrani
- Jessamite
- Jorgrund
- Jorvani
- Jun-Okesh
- Junaveth
K: 38 names
- K'lorr
- Ka'thek
- Kaelith
- Kal-Dromar
- Kalderan
- Karzhad
- Kazzuk
- Ke Varesh
- Ke'vrath
- Kelmari
- Kelp Shepherds
- Kelpidae
- Kepleran
- Kesharii
- Kestrai
- Kharrog
- Khezzur
- Ki'sethra
- Kiktik
- Kir'vahn
- Kithari
- Kk'trixx
- Klikkak
- Korvalese
- Kovethi
- Kraal
- Kragmor
- Krakenoid
- Kreeyak
- Kreth
- Krogg
- Kroxigor
- Krrit
- Kru'mahl
- Krunn
- Kuldrath
- Kuulesh
- Kzzt
L: 33 names
- Lacertae
- Lagomorphi
- Lampreys
- Lantern Eels
- Lanternfolk
- Lanterns
- Lapis vivus
- Lattice Mind
- Lemuri
- Leonari
- Lepidopteri
- Lichenari
- Linked Brood
- Lirion
- Lissarai
- Lithari
- Lithovore
- Lo'vekh
- Locustari
- Loothra
- Lorathi
- Lothrae
- Lumenari
- Luminae
- Lun Sorai
- Lunderan
- Lupari
- Lupus stellarum
- Lutrari
- Luuloom
- Lux vivens
- Lyrani
- Lyrid
M: 52 names
- Ma'zhur
- Machina sapiens
- Maevari
- Magmari
- Magnetari
- Maiuun
- Maluvo
- Mantidae
- Mantoid
- Many-as-One
- Many-Eyed Ones
- Manyhands
- Mar-Nuuth
- Marethi
- Maridian
- Marinari
- Marmori
- Marsupi
- Mazgrul
- Mechanoid
- Medusa caelestis
- Medusae
- Mens una
- Merakian
- Merrovan
- Metallophage
- Methane Breathers
- Mimics
- Mirefolk
- Mirfakian
- Mirrani
- Mist Herders
- Mizaran
- Mnemari
- Mokthar
- Molluskar
- Molting Ones
- Monocerian
- Monotremi
- Moon Tortoises
- Moonspinners
- Morrak
- Morvani
- Morwys
- Mossarian
- Mossborn
- Mudskippers
- Murrgh
- Musteli
- Mycelari
- Mycetae
- Myriapodi
N: 29 names
- Nai-Seren
- Nakkar
- Nanite Collective
- Naolis
- Nautili
- Nautiloi
- Ne'thali
- Nebula animata
- Nebulari
- Nephari
- Nereidae
- Nesharai
- Nestwardens
- Neurari
- Neutrali
- Newtkin
- Nhaar
- Ni Maruun
- Ni'ashi
- Ni'vossk
- Nightkin
- Nightlights
- Nimbozoa
- Noctuari
- Noetici
- Nolvani
- Noomae
- Nullkin
- Nurethi
O: 34 names
- Oa'thune
- Ob'reth
- Obsidiari
- Octopodi
- Octopus faber
- Odonatae
- Ok'varr
- Ol'yeth
- Om'zaar
- Ombreia
- Ondesh
- Ondrali
- Oolwen
- Oomwoon
- Ooriel
- Ootheki
- Ophidi
- Ophrai
- Ora Venn
- Orchidae
- Ordak
- Orimai
- Orrokh
- Orsani
- Oru-Thane
- Oruvel
- Oskellan
- Osmarai
- Ossari
- Ossuari
- Ossuraki
- Ostrellan
- Ouressa
- Ovirii
P: 48 names
- Pa'zheth
- Pachyderms
- Paddlefeet
- Pale Ones
- Pangolini
- Pantherae
- Pashari
- Passeri
- Pavonian
- Pelagi
- Peliar
- Pelicani
- Pellucian
- Perethi
- Perseid
- Petalari
- Petrani
- Petrarch
- Ph'raal
- Phaeloa
- Pharys
- Phasmidae
- Phocidae
- Photonari
- Photovore
- Piezophile
- Pillbugs
- Piscari
- Piscis volans
- Planariae
- Plasmoid
- Plesiosauri
- Polarian
- Polymorphs
- Polypi
- Poriferae
- Prevani
- Prismari
- Procyoni
- Psammophage
- Pseudopod
- Psionari
- Psittaci
- Pterosauri
- Pyromorph
- Pyrothi
- Pyrrani
- Pythoni
Q: 9 names
- Qa'roth
- Qol-Ameth
- Quantari
- Quartzari
- Quelis
- Quennari
- Quiet Ones
- Quillonian
- Quorra
R: 33 names
- Radiants
- Radicari
- Radiovore
- Raptori
- Raukkar
- Ravethi
- Rayborn
- Re'vakka
- Reedfolk
- Reef Consensus
- Reef Singers
- Regulan
- Reptoids
- Rethani
- Rha-Vuul
- Rhoveni
- Rhuneth
- Riftspawn
- Rimarese
- Rimefolk
- Rimewalkers
- Ring Shepherds
- Ro Thessek
- Rodenti
- Root Parliament
- Rootkin
- Rovathi
- Rrikthak
- Rrowmar
- Ru'ath
- Rustkin
- Ruuvenna
- Ruzgar
S: 113 names
- Sa'iru
- Saaveth
- Sablenor
- Salamandri
- Salt Walkers
- Saltfolk
- Sand Sifters
- Sandhogs
- Sandstriders
- Sapiens abyssalis
- Sapiens aetherius
- Sapiens glacialis
- Sapiens silvestris
- Sapiens subterraneus
- Sapiens volans
- Sapwood
- Sarnovi
- Sauran
- Sauropodi
- Scaleborn
- Scarabae
- Schedaran
- Scolopendri
- Scorpionidae
- Seedborn
- Selachi
- Selkari
- Selunae
- Sennath
- Seolai
- Sequoiae
- Serpens lucidus
- Serpentari
- Servitors
- Sethari
- Sh'vaan
- Shadowborn
- Shai Tolu
- Shapeless
- Shellfolk
- Shells
- Shessk
- Shi'vuun
- Shimmers
- Shoal Mind
- Signal Choir
- Silent Ones
- Silicoid
- Silk Engineers
- Silvani
- Silverscales
- Simiae
- Simulacra
- Singing Ones
- Siphonae
- Sirelle
S, continued
- Sirenae
- Sk'ellon
- Skaddrik
- Skarn
- Skerrit
- Skinnies
- Skitterik
- Skoldur
- Skorrath
- Skraath
- Skrikkel
- Skulvek
- Skyborn
- Slagborn
- Sleepers
- Slow Ones
- So'renn
- Solari
- Solmeran
- Solvani
- Somnari
- Sonovore
- Sovreth
- Sparklers
- Spectrae
- Spican
- Spindles
- Splicers
- Spore Chorus
- Sporeborn
- Squalari
- Squamati
- Squids
- Ssathiss
- Ssrixx
- Ssylvash
- Sszeth
- Starwrights
- Stasari
- Stonekin
- Stonesingers
- Storm Kites
- Stormriders
- Strigae
- Struthioni
- Su Velath
- Suidae
- Sun Sails
- Sunscales
- Swarm Intelligence
- Swiftfins
- Syaloe
- Sylith
- Sylphae
- Symbiont
- Synaptae
- Synth
T: 109 names
- T'kaal
- Ta'vek
- Tachyonid
- Tall Ones
- Talpidae
- Tardigradi
- Tau Cetian
- Taurii
- Tavorian
- Tavrani
- Tchk'rit
- Telepathi
- Tenebrae
- Tentaculi
- Termitae
- Tessari
- Tessellan
- Testudi
- Teuthidae
- Th'onnik
- Thakk
- Thalassae
- The Accord of Nine
- The Ancients
- The Archivists
- The Bloom
- The Builders
- The Chorus
- The Concord
- The Congregation
- The Deep Court
- The Deep Singers
- The Drowned
- The Far Kin
- The Firstborn
- The Gardeners
- The Glass Choir
- The Inheritors
- The Keepers of Salt
- The Kindled
- The Last Garden
- The Listeners
- The Long Sleepers
- The Murmur
- The Pale Orchard
- The Patient
- The Precursors
- The Scattered
- The Second Dawn
- The Shapers
- The Silence
- The Slow Fire
- The Sowers
- The Stewards
T, continued
- The Swarm
- The Tenders
- The Thousand Hands
- The Tide
- The Unfinished
- The Unnumbered
- The Unspoken
- The Watchers
- The Weavers
- Thelvani
- Therapsidi
- Theriomorph
- Thermophage
- Theropodi
- Thessalan
- Thiiru
- Thiophage
- Thornbacks
- Thornkin
- Thought Reef
- Thraxian
- Threnodi
- Thrummik
- Thrund
- Thumpers
- Thunder Rays
- Thyssir
- Tidari
- Tide Mind
- Tide Scribes
- Tidefolk
- Tidewardens
- Tikkatak
- Tirrani
- Tivoleth
- Tk'tk
- To'quarra
- Tolmani
- Tor Eshkai
- Toraq
- Torvakh
- Trench Giants
- Trevonian
- Trillit
- Trilobitae
- Ts'erro
- Tsa-Ilen
- Tsitsik
- Tucanan
- Tumbleweeds
- Tuskers
- Tuun-Aleth
- Twilight Herons
- Tza'kor
- Tzurr
U: 22 names
- Ul'shai
- Ul-Daroth
- Ulmari
- Ulooven
- Ulvethi
- Umbrani
- Umbrii
- Umbrosian
- Undinae
- Unseen Ones
- Ur'thal
- Ureshi
- Urgoth
- Ursari
- Ursoid
- Ursus astrorum
- Ushak
- Uu'riss
- Uulmara
- Uvarani
- Uvelis
- Uzgrat
V: 49 names
- Vacuum Dwellers
- Vai Oloth
- Valturan
- Vandrai
- Vantari
- Vaporan
- Varanid
- Varethan
- Vashti
- Vatborn
- Vel'ashi
- Vellimor
- Velorian
- Vent Tenders
- Verdani
- Vermiform
- Vermis arenae
- Vesh-Oru
- Veshtan
- Vespa imperatrix
- Vespari
- Vespertili
- Vespid
- Vessani
- Vessels
- Veyoura
- Vhorak
- Vinewalkers
- Viperae
- Vireni
- Vo'shenn
- Voidborn
- Voidsingers
- Vokkrund
- Volanti
- Voltari
- Vorgh
- Vosaeri
- Vox profundi
- Vrakk
- Vrenntok
- Vrikkit
- Vrusk
- Vulcani
- Vulpari
- Vurdrek
- Vuunesh
- Vy'kalen
- Vzzanth
W: 16 names
- Warpkin
- We'thrann
- Welthari
- Wen-Koreth
- Wenmora
- Weyrith
- Whisperers
- Whoorl
- Windreaders
- Wingborn
- Wireborn
- Woven Ones
- Wuoorra
- Wyllari
- Wyrmkin
- Wyverni
X: 17 names
- Xa'ath
- Xanthri
- Xarrukh
- Xe'ndril
- Xenocetacea
- Xenoflora
- Xenoformes
- Xenomorpha
- Xenophage
- Xenosapiens
- Xenotherium magnum
- Xerani
- Xii'lan
- Xiilune
- Xikkix
- Xollani
- Xylari
Y: 12 names
- Yaelune
- Yarrowan
- Yendari
- Yi'sath
- Yllestra
- Ys'andre
- Ysh-Venna
- Ysmera
- Ysolvi
- Ythrae
- Ythrani
- Yvethi