Name Generator Central

Tavern Name Generator

Fantasy taverns and inns worthy of a campaign

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

Tap a name to copy it500 names in this generator

Generate tavern and inn names in the classic English pub tradition that fantasy fiction and tabletop RPGs are built on: heraldic beasts, adjective-plus-animal signs, and lived-in local names. Ready for D&D campaigns, novels, video games, and real-world pubs that want the same feel.

About tavern names

Fantasy tavern names descend directly from real English and European pub signs. Medieval innkeepers hung painted boards so an illiterate public could find them, and those pictures became names: the Red Lion, the White Hart, the Green Dragon, the Boar's Head, the Rose & Crown. Tolkien's Prancing Pony and Green Dragon, Rowling's Leaky Cauldron, and D&D's Yawning Portal all sit squarely in that tradition, which is why they feel instantly plausible.

There are a handful of reliable structures. Adjective plus animal is the workhorse (Drunken Dragon, Sleeping Giant, Salty Dog). Two nouns joined by an ampersand is the classic pub form (Cat & Fiddle, Coach & Horses, Cup & Dagger), often pairing things that make sense together or comically don't. Trade names (the Cooper's Arms, the Miller's Rest) tell you who drinks there. Objects and states of disrepair (the Cracked Flagon, the Broken Wheel, the Rusty Nail) suggest an old, cheap, well-loved place, while heraldic beasts and gilded objects (the Golden Griffin, the Gilded Goblet) suggest a finer establishment.

For worldbuilding, pick the name to fit the tavern's role. A crossroads inn for travelers wants a hospitable name like the Wayside Inn or the Traveller's Rest; a dockside dive wants the Drowned Rat; a place where the party meets a mysterious hooded stranger wants something with a hint of menace like the Hanged Man or the Silent Knight. Say the name in a sentence like 'Meet me at the ___' to check it flows.

Tips for choosing a name

  • Match the name to the clientele: trade names (the Tanner's Arms) for working districts, heraldic beasts (the Golden Griffin) for merchant quarters, damaged objects (the Cracked Flagon) for dives.
  • Ampersand pairs are the most authentic pub form. Combine an object with an animal (Cat & Fiddle) or two tools of a trade (Anvil & Bellows).
  • Give the tavern one detail beyond the name, like a chipped signboard or a barkeep's name, and the name will stick with your players.
  • Use 'Inn' when rooms are available and 'Tavern' or no suffix when it's drink only; players will use that information.
  • Reserve dark names (the Hanged Man, the Drowned Sailor) for places where something is meant to happen. Too many ominous taverns dull the effect.

Frequently asked questions

Where do fantasy tavern names come from?

Mostly from real English pub signs, which were painted pictures for a public that couldn't read: the Red Lion, White Hart, Rose & Crown, and Boar's Head. Tolkien and later D&D borrowed the format, and it became the default for fantasy taverns.

What's the difference between a tavern and an inn?

Traditionally a tavern sells drink and food, while an inn also offers beds and stabling for travelers. In fantasy usage the terms blur, but naming a place 'the ___ Inn' signals to players or readers that they can sleep there.

Can I use these tavern names in my D&D campaign or novel?

Yes, freely. A few (the Prancing Pony, the Leaky Cauldron, the Yawning Portal) are famous names from published works, so use them as homage or swap in a fresh one if you're publishing commercially.

How do I make a tavern name sound old and authentic?

Use the ampersand form (Cask & Candle), a trade word (Cooper's Arms, Ferryman's Rest), or a worn object (Bent Nail, Chipped Mug). Avoid modern-sounding words and keep it to two or three words after 'The'.

All 500 tavern names

Browse the full list
  • The Prancing Pony
  • The Green Dragon
  • The Red Lion
  • The White Hart
  • The Black Swan
  • The Blue Boar
  • The Golden Griffin
  • The Silver Stag
  • The Drunken Dragon
  • The Laughing Bard
  • The Broken Barrel
  • The Wandering Minstrel
  • The Crooked Staff
  • The Tipsy Unicorn
  • The Weary Traveler
  • The Howling Wolf
  • The Lucky Horseshoe
  • The Merry Mermaid
  • The Rusty Anchor
  • The Jolly Roger
  • The Crow's Nest
  • The Sleeping Giant
  • The Sleeping Dragon
  • The Yawning Portal
  • The Leaky Cauldron
  • The Salty Dog
  • The Old Salt
  • The Drowned Rat
  • The Drowned Sailor
  • The Hanged Man
  • The Headless Knight
  • The Blind Beggar
  • The Blind Piper
  • The One-Eyed Crow
  • The Three-Legged Mare
  • The Lame Donkey
  • The Limping Goat
  • The Dancing Bear
  • The Bear & Staff
  • The Boar's Head
  • The Stag's Head
  • The Nag's Head
  • The Ram's Horn
  • The Bull & Bush
  • The Cock & Bull
  • The Fox & Hound
  • The Fox & Grapes
  • The Hare & Hounds
  • The Dog & Duck
  • The Eagle & Child
  • The Swan & Cygnet
  • The Goose & Gander
  • The Rose & Crown
  • The Crown & Anchor
  • The Crown & Cushion
  • The Sceptre & Orb
  • The Kings Arms
  • The Queens Head
  • The Duke's Head
  • The Baron's Rest
  • The Bishop's Finger
  • The Abbot's Table
  • The Friar's Cellar
  • The Wicked Wench
  • The Buxom Barmaid
  • The Merry Widow
  • The Widow's Comfort
  • The Maiden's Kiss
  • The Shepherd's Crook
  • The Plough & Harrow
  • The Wheatsheaf
  • The Barleycorn
  • The Hop & Vine
  • The Malt Shovel
  • The Cooper's Arms
  • The Carpenter's Arms
  • The Mason's Arms
  • The Bricklayer's Arms
  • The Blacksmith's Arms
  • The Wheelwright's Arms
  • The Fletcher's Arms
  • The Bowyer's Arms
  • The Tanner's Arms
  • The Miller's Rest
  • The Ferryman's Rest
  • The Drover's Rest
  • The Pilgrim's Rest
  • The Traveller's Rest
  • The Coach & Horses
  • The Wagon & Horses
  • The Horse & Groom
  • The Horse & Jockey
  • The Saddle & Spur
  • The Bridle & Bit
  • The Anvil & Bellows
  • The Hammer & Tongs
  • The Axe & Compass
  • The Sword & Buckler
  • The Shield & Spear
  • The Bow & Quiver
  • The Dagger & Dice
  • The Cup & Dagger
  • The Cask & Candle
  • The Cask & Cutlass
  • The Flagon & Fiddle
  • The Fiddler's Elbow
  • The Fiddler's Green
  • The Piper's Rest
  • The Drum & Monkey
  • The Bell & Bottle
  • The Ring o' Bells
  • The Six Bells
  • The Eight Bells
  • The Three Tuns
  • The Three Crowns
  • The Three Horseshoes
  • The Seven Stars
  • The Star & Garter
  • The Sun & Moon
  • The Half Moon
  • The Rising Sun
  • The Setting Sun
  • The Morning Star
  • The Evening Star
  • The North Star
  • The Lodestar
  • The Wayfarer's Star
  • The Lantern & Lark
  • The Candle & Cat
  • The Cat & Fiddle
  • The Cat & Custard Pot
  • The Kettle & Kite
  • The Copper Kettle
  • The Copper Pot
  • The Iron Pot
  • The Black Kettle
  • The Black Cauldron
  • The Boiling Pot
  • The Fat Goose
  • The Fat Friar
  • The Fat Ox
  • The Roast Ox
  • The Spit & Kettle
  • The Cheshire Cheese
  • The Bread & Cheese
  • The Loaf & Ladle
  • The Salt Cellar
  • The Cellar Door
  • The Undercroft
  • The Vaults
  • The Old Vaults
  • The Old Mill
  • The Old Forge
  • The Old Ferry
  • The Old Bell
  • The Old Oak
  • The Royal Oak
  • The Hollow Oak
  • The Twisted Willow
  • The Weeping Willow
  • The Elder Tree
  • The Yew Tree
  • The Holly Bush
  • The Ivy Bush
  • The Bramble Bush
  • The Thistle & Thorn
  • The Rose & Thistle
  • The Rose & Thorn
  • The Briar Rose
  • The Bramblewood Inn
  • The Greenwood Inn
  • The Hollow Hill Inn
  • The Riverbend Inn
  • The Crossroads Inn
  • The Wayside Inn
  • The Milestone Inn
  • The Last Inn
  • The Last Chance
  • The Last Drop
  • The First & Last
  • The World's End
  • The Land's End
  • The Edge of the World
  • The Gates of Dawn
  • The Green Man
  • The Wild Man
  • The Wodewose
  • The Woodsman's Axe
  • The Hunter's Moon
  • The Harvest Moon
  • The Wolf Moon
  • The Wolf's Head
  • The Wolf & Lamb
  • The Lion & Lamb
  • The Lion & Unicorn
  • The Griffin & Grape
  • The Wyvern's Rest
  • The Basilisk
  • The Cockatrice
  • The Wyrm's Tail
  • The Silent Knight
  • The Cracked Flagon
  • The Broken Wheel
  • The Rusty Nail
  • The Gilded Goblet
  • The Golden Fleece
  • The Golden Lion
  • The Golden Hind
  • The Golden Cockerel
  • The Golden Anchor
  • The Golden Plough
  • The Silver Swan
  • The Silver Fox
  • The Silver Bell
  • The Silver Tankard
  • The Silver Salmon
  • The Silver Chalice
  • The Copper Dragon
  • The Copper Crow
  • The Brass Lantern
  • The Brass Monkey
  • The Iron Crown
  • The Iron Kettle
  • The Iron Duke
  • The Iron Gate
  • The Tin Whistle
  • The Pewter Mug
  • The Pewter Pot
  • The Leaden Cup
  • The Red Dragon
  • The Red Bull
  • The Red Cow
  • The Red Hart
  • The Red Fox
  • The Red Rooster
  • The Red Herring
  • The White Horse
  • The White Lion
  • The White Swan
  • The White Bear
  • The White Rose
  • The White Owl
  • The White Rabbit
  • The Black Horse
  • The Black Bull
  • The Black Dog
  • The Black Boar
  • The Black Bear
  • The Black Raven
  • The Black Friar
  • The Black Prince
  • The Black Lion
  • The Blue Lion
  • The Blue Bell
  • The Blue Anchor
  • The Blue Ball
  • The Blue Pig
  • The Blue Posts
  • The Blue Peter
  • The Grey Mare
  • The Grey Wolf
  • The Grey Horse
  • The Grey Friar
  • The Green Griffin
  • The Green Knight
  • The Green Owl
  • The Green Goose
  • The Green Gate
  • The Brown Bear
  • The Brown Cow
  • The Brown Jug
  • The Brown Owl
  • The Yellow Dog
  • The Speckled Hen
  • The Spotted Cow
  • The Spotted Dog
  • The Dun Cow
  • The Dun Horse
  • The Pied Bull
  • The Pied Piper
  • The Roebuck
  • The Hart's Rest
  • The Stag & Hounds
  • The Stag & Pheasant
  • The Hind's Head
  • The Buck's Head
  • The Bull's Head
  • The Goat's Head
  • The Ram's Head
  • The Sow's Ear
  • The Boar & Bramble
  • The Wild Boar
  • The Bear's Paw
  • The Bear's Den
  • The Bear & Ragged Staff
  • The Badger's Sett
  • The Badger & Barrel
  • The Otter & Eel
  • The Otter's Holt
  • The Weasel & Wine
  • The Stoat & Stocking
  • The Ferret & Firkin
  • The Fox & Fiddle
  • The Fox & Goose
  • The Fox & Anchor
  • The Fox & Pheasant
  • The Fox Under the Hill
  • The Sly Fox
  • The Cunning Fox
  • The Old Fox
  • The Hound & Horn
  • The Hound's Tooth
  • The Greyhound
  • The Talbot
  • The Spotted Hound
  • The Sleeping Hound
  • The Lurcher
  • The Wolfhound
  • The Mastiff
  • The Bloodhound
  • The Dog & Bone
  • The Dog & Partridge
  • The Dog & Gun
  • The Dog & Bell
  • The Barking Dog
  • The Dog in the Doublet
  • The Cat & Cage
  • The Cat & Bagpipes
  • The Cat & Mutton
  • The Cat's Whiskers
  • The Cat i' the Well
  • The Tabby Cat
  • The Mouse & Mallet
  • The Mole & Chicken
  • The Rat & Parrot
  • The Rat & Ratchet
  • The Hare & Tabor
  • The Hare's Foot
  • The Hare & Hedgehog
  • The Running Hare
  • The March Hare
  • The Rabbit's Foot
  • The Rabbit & Rye
  • The Coney Warren
  • The Squirrel & Acorn
  • The Hedgehog & Hollow
  • The Bat & Ball
  • The Bat & Barrel
  • The Owl & Pussycat
  • The Owl & Lantern
  • The Wise Owl
  • The Barn Owl
  • The Screech Owl
  • The Raven & Ring
  • The Raven's Rest
  • The Rook & Gaskin
  • The Rookery
  • The Crow & Gate
  • The Crow & Cushion
  • The Jackdaw
  • The Magpie & Stump
  • The Magpie's Nest
  • The Three Magpies
  • The Jay & Juniper
  • The Cuckoo's Nest
  • The Cuckoo Oak
  • The Cuckoo Bush
  • The Woodcock
  • The Pheasant
  • The Partridge & Pear
  • The Grouse & Claret
  • The Falcon & Firkin
  • The Falcon's Perch
  • The Hawk & Buckle
  • The Hawk & Hood
  • The Sparrowhawk
  • The Kestrel
  • The Kite & Kettle
  • The Osprey
  • The Heron & Hop
  • The Grey Heron
  • The Crane & Cauldron
  • The Kingfisher
  • The Nightingale
  • The Lark & Linnet
  • The Rising Lark
  • The Skylark
  • The Thrush & Thistle
  • The Robin's Nest
  • The Wren's Nest
  • The Jenny Wren
  • The Swallow & Anchor
  • The Swift & Steady
  • The Dove & Olive
  • The Turtle Dove
  • The Woodpigeon
  • The Turkey Cock
  • The Cock & Pye
  • The Cock & Bottle
  • The Cock & Magpie
  • The Cock o' the North
  • The Fighting Cocks
  • The Crowing Cock
  • The Bantam
  • The Old Hen
  • The Hen & Chickens
  • The Blind Hen
  • The Goose & Gridiron
  • The Goose & Gizzard
  • The Grey Goose Feather
  • The Silly Goose
  • The Golden Egg
  • The Duck & Drake
  • The Drake's Drum
  • The Mallard
  • The Swan & Sugarloaf
  • The Swan With Two Necks
  • The Swan & Salmon
  • The Trout & Tickle
  • The Leaping Trout
  • The Speckled Trout
  • The Salmon & Ball
  • The Salmon Leap
  • The Pike & Eel
  • The Pike & Heron
  • The Perch & Pole
  • The Carp & Coracle
  • The Herring & Hook
  • The Fish & Ring
  • The Fish & Duck
  • The Three Fishes
  • The Dolphin
  • The Dolphin & Anchor
  • The Ship & Anchor
  • The Ship & Shovel
  • The Ship & Whale
  • The Whalebone
  • The Whale & Wherry
  • The Mermaid & Anchor
  • The Mermaid's Purse
  • The Siren
  • The Sailor's Return
  • The Sailor's Rest
  • The Fisherman's Arms
  • The Fisherman's Rest
  • The Boatman's Rest
  • The Bargeman's Rest
  • The Waterman's Arms
  • The Lighterman
  • The Anchor & Hope
  • The Old Anchor
  • The Rope & Anchor
  • The Sheet Anchor
  • The Ship's Wheel
  • The Ship Aground
  • The Shipwright's Arms
  • The Harbour Light
  • The Lighthouse
  • The Beacon
  • The Watch House
  • The Custom House
  • The Ferry House
  • The Boathouse
  • The Lock & Key
  • The Lock & Weir
  • The Weir & Willow
  • The Mill Wheel
  • The Millpond
  • The Millstone
  • The Grindstone
  • The Whetstone
  • The Cornmill
  • The Windmill
  • The Watermill
  • The Old Granary
  • The Malthouse
  • The Maltings
  • The Malt & Hops
  • The Hop Pole
  • The Hop Bine
  • The Hop Sack
  • The Barley Mow
  • The Barley Sheaf
  • The Sheaf of Arrows
  • The Cross Keys
  • The Hole in the Wall
  • The Poacher's Pocket
  • The Tinker's Cart
  • The Cobbler's Last
  • The Chandler's Wick
  • The Ostler's Bell
  • The Bleeding Heart
  • The Waggoner's Halt
  • The Bag o' Nails
  • The Goat in Boots
  • The Highwayman's Rest
  • The Bishop's Mitre
  • The Smugglers' Haunt
  • The Nine Ways
  • The Sundial

D&D Tavern Name Generator

Inns, taverns, and dockside dives for every town on your map

Fantasy Inn Name Generator

Roadside Inns, Wayhouses, and Warm Hearths

Pub Name Generator

Classic British pub names with real character

D&D Shop Name Generator

Smithies, Apothecaries, Magic Shops and Market Stalls

Magic Shop Name Generator

Names for wand shops, apothecaries and arcane emporiums

Blacksmith Name Generator

Names for Smiths, Forges and Smithies

More in Business, Brands & Shops

View all →

Digital Marketing Agency Name Generator

Brandable names for marketing agencies and freelancers

Vape Shop Name Generator

Catchy names for vape shops and e-liquid stores

Country Club Name Generator

Established-sounding names for golf and country clubs

Taxi Name Generator

Catchy Names for Taxi and Cab Companies

Asylum Name Generator

Gothic Asylums, Sanitariums & State Hospitals

Spray Tan Business Name Generator

Sunless tanning business names that sound like a glow-up