Imagine lurking in the shadows of a forgotten dungeon, where the drip of distant water echoes through stone corridors.
Suddenly, a high-pitched cackle pierces the silence. Small, nimble figures scurry across the periphery of your vision—green-skinned troublemakers with pointed ears and gleaming yellow eyes filled with malicious glee.
These are goblins: the petty thieves, trap-setters, and chaotic minions that populate countless fantasy worlds.
In the vast tapestry of fantasy worldbuilding, few creatures embody chaotic mischief quite like goblins.
Whether they’re serving as comic relief, cannon fodder for adventurers, or surprisingly complex characters with their own motivations, a goblin’s name often serves as the first insight into their personality.
The perfect goblin name can transform a generic minion into a memorable character that players and readers will recall long after the encounter ends.
What Makes a Good Goblin Name?
Goblin names typically have distinctive qualities that make them memorable and fitting for these mischievous fantasy creatures:
Good goblin names often use harsh consonants (k, g, z, x) and short vowels, creating names that sound abrupt and slightly aggressive – like Grizz, Skrak, or Nixbit.
They frequently incorporate elements suggesting:
- Unpleasant qualities (Rotgut, Snotfinger)
- Natural elements, especially dirty or underground things (Mudlurk, Stonegrub)
- Broken or simplified language patterns (Tak-Tak, Grimgrim)
- Descriptive nicknames based on physical traits or accomplishments (Longears, Quickthief)
Two-part names work well, combining a personal name with a descriptor or clan name (Zix Rustbucket, Gork Bonecruncher).
The best goblin names are easy to pronounce but slightly uncomfortable in the mouth – much like the creatures themselves who are typically portrayed as bothersome but unavoidable.
Names that sound like they could be spat out in anger or muttered in frustration tend to work particularly well for goblins.
Popular Goblin Names With Meanings
These widely-used goblin names have stood the test of time in fantasy settings, each conveying a distinct personality:
Grink – One who collects shiny objects obsessively. This goblin’s nest is a hazardous pile of stolen silverware, broken mirrors, and lost coins gathered from across the realm.
Nibbler – Known for eating anything, especially when no one is looking. Nibbler has survived consuming items that would kill most creatures, giving them a legendary iron stomach.
Zook – Quick-fingered thief with exceptional climbing ability. Zook can scale surfaces that seem completely smooth, using the tiniest cracks and crevices for handholds.
Bonk – Solves most problems with a heavy stick. When diplomacy fails (which is always, according to Bonk), a solid whack usually gets results.
Skrix – Makes high-pitched noises when excited. Other goblins use Skrix as an alarm system, as their squeals of delight when spotting treasure can be heard across vast distances.
Grumble – Constantly complaining but surprisingly loyal. Despite endless grievances about everything from the weather to the quality of stolen goods, Grumble will defend their clan to the death.
Fidget – Never sits still, even when sleeping. Fidget’s constant movement makes them difficult to hit in combat but impossible to include in stealth missions.
Nix – Specializes in breaking things “accidentally.” Nix has an uncanny talent for destroying precisely the item that would be most valuable or useful in any given situation.
Pock – Face covered in distinctive warts considered beautiful among goblins. Pock’s complexion has earned them many admirers in goblin society, though humans find it revolting.
Snaggle – Has one prominent tooth that always catches on clothing. This distinctive feature makes Snaggle instantly recognizable and serves as an excellent tool for tearing fabric and leather.
Gimble – Expert at making contraptions that rarely work as intended. Gimble’s inventions always function, just not necessarily as planned, often with explosive or otherwise chaotic results.
Scrapper – Collects bits of metal and trinkets from battlefields. Scrapper can fashion crude but effective weapons and tools from the discarded remnants of others’ conflicts.
Wrench – Sabotages machinery with gleeful enthusiasm. Wrench has an intuitive understanding of how mechanisms work and how to make them catastrophically fail.
Snik – Can slip through the smallest openings. Snik’s unnaturally flexible body allows them to squeeze through gaps barely wider than their skull.
Gurk – Makes unusual stomach noises that predict weather. Gurk’s digestive prophecies are surprisingly accurate, making them a valuable asset during the rainy season.
Mung – Specializes in creating foul-smelling concoctions. Mung’s brews serve as everything from potent weapons to surprisingly effective medicines, though the side effects are often worse than the ailment.
Thwip – Exceptionally talented with improvised projectile weapons. This goblin can turn any small object into a dangerous missile, flinging buttons, coins, or pebbles with deadly accuracy.
Blort – Communicates primarily through belches of varying pitch and duration. Other goblins understand Blort’s gaseous language perfectly, while outsiders remain baffled by the nuanced vocabulary.
Kreech – Has unnaturally long arms useful for snatching items from high shelves. Kreech serves as the tribe’s dedicated retriever of objects placed “safely” out of reach.
Gribble – Collects and hoards useless trinkets, convinced they’ll be valuable someday. Gribble’s den contains thousands of categorized items including buttons, broken quills, and mismatched gloves.
Sputter – Constantly dripping with some unidentifiable liquid. Whether it’s sweat, drool, or something more mysterious, Sputter leaves a trail wherever they go, making them easy to track.
Wazzik – Remembers every insult ever received and plots elaborate, often impractical revenge. Most of Wazzik’s schemes are too complex to execute, but their grudge-holding is legendary.
Glimmer – Attracted to magical items like moths to flame. Glimmer can sense enchanted objects from remarkable distances but frequently suffers bizarre magical accidents as a result.
Poggle – Has developed dozens of ways to cheat at goblin games. Poggle’s ingenious methods are so admired that other goblins consider it an honor to be swindled by such a master.
Squib – Produces oddly colored smoke when nervous. This involuntary reaction makes Squib terrible at ambushes but excellent for signaling and diversions.
Crankle – Fixes broken things in ways that make them work but look worse. Crankle’s repairs always function surprisingly well despite appearing to be held together with spit and hope.
Nipper – Bite strength disproportionate to their small size. Nipper has been known to chomp through chains, locks, and once, allegedly, a knight’s greave when cornered.
Flibbet – Changes personality with each phase of the moon. From aggressive to melancholy to manically cheerful, Flibbet cycles through distinct personas that other goblins track via lunar calendar.
Drizzle – Somehow always wet regardless of the weather. Drizzle leaves damp footprints even in desert conditions, making them an invaluable water-finder in arid regions.
Tangle – Hair grows at an alarming rate, requiring constant trimming. Tangle’s rapidly regenerating locks are woven into the tribe’s strongest ropes and used for snares and traps.
Random Goblin Names With Bizarre Traits
For truly distinctive goblin characters, consider these unusual names paired with their equally strange characteristics:
Blort – Born during a swamp gas explosion, Blort perpetually smells like methane and occasionally burps small flames when nervous.
Krizzle – Hair crackles with static electricity, allowing Krizzle to shock enemies and light small fires with just a touch of their bristly scalp.
Sputtock – Speaks with excessive saliva, creating a defensive mechanism that makes conversations both unpleasant and hazardous on slippery surfaces.
Glimwick – Eyes glow different colors based on mood, making Glimwick a terrible poker player but an excellent warning system for clan emotions.
Thrum – Chest vibrates when lying, creating a distinctive humming sound that other goblins have learned to recognize before trusting Thrum’s wild tales.
Gandersnatch – Steals only left shoes, resulting in an impressive collection that serves no practical purpose but brings Gandersnatch inexplicable joy.
Quibble – Argues about everything, especially unimportant details, sometimes continuing debates for days until opponents surrender from exhaustion.
Zibwit – Brain works backwards, starting with conclusions then inventing facts to support them, making Zibwit’s logic simultaneously nonsensical and difficult to refute.
Flibberty – Never finishes sentences but everyone understands, communicating through a system of half-words, gestures, and expressive eyebrow movements.
Yargle – Throat contains small ecosystem of miniature frogs that occasionally jump out when Yargle speaks too loudly, serving as both pets and portable snacks.
Plinkpock – Walks with musical footsteps, creating rhythmic patterns that other goblins can recognize from great distances, making stealth operations complicated.
Mumblejunk – Collects broken items and speaks to them, seemingly receiving answers that occasionally contain startlingly accurate information about future events.
Sizzlewick – Sweats a flammable oil that spontaneously ignites in sunlight, making Sizzlewick valuable for starting campfires but banned from entering wooden structures.
Grumwort – Grows edible mushrooms from ears that change flavor based on what Grumwort last heard, with insults producing spicy varieties and compliments yielding sweet ones.
Nubblethump – Toes can function as fingers, allowing Nubblethump to craft intricate items using all four limbs simultaneously while hanging upside down.
Pokkit – Has expandable cheek pouches that can store items three times larger than Pokkit’s head, often forgetting what’s inside until the items begin to smell.
Wibblesnort – Sneezes uncontrollably around valuable metals, with the intensity indicating purity—making Wibblesnort an exceptional but conspicuous treasure detector.
Grimjangle – Skeleton makes musical sounds when moving, producing different notes depending on Grimjangle’s health and hydration level.
Squinkle – Eyes can rotate independently in complete circles, allowing Squinkle to look forward and backward simultaneously but causing chronic dizziness.
Muckberry – Secretes different colored slime based on diet, which the tribe uses as paint, dye, and occasionally medicine despite its questionable efficacy.
Twitchbolt – Hiccups teleport small objects within arm’s reach to random locations, making Twitchbolt both a nuisance during meals and useful for distributing supplies.
Gorbadash – Shadow moves independently of body, sometimes scouting ahead or staying behind to mislead pursuers, but occasionally refusing to reunite for days.
Fizzbang – Belches create small, temporary bubbles that float upward containing miniature replicas of Fizzbang’s recent dreams, visible to anyone who pops them.
Nibblenack – Teeth continually fall out and regrow daily, with the discarded teeth serving as excellent sewing needles, lockpicks, and currency in certain markets.
Lurchwick – Body parts occasionally detach and function independently for short periods, particularly useful when Lurchwick’s hand needs to retrieve something from a narrow space.
Bumblescab – Scars tell stories through moving images visible only by firelight, revealing a surprisingly heroic past that Bumblescab vehemently denies.
Quickdribble – Produces multicolored tears that function as powerful adhesives when mixed, creating the strongest goblin glue known but making emotional moments extraordinarily messy.
Short Goblin Names
Bix – Perfect for nimble scouts due to its sharp, quick sound that can be easily whispered during reconnaissance missions.
Nok – Ideal for stubborn warrior goblins, with a blunt sound like stone hitting stone that conveys thick-headed determination.
Pip – Suits an enthusiastic young goblin apprentice with its bouncy, energetic sound suggesting someone always getting into trouble.
Grig – Made for irritable tinker goblins, sounding like grinding gears and perfectly capturing a mechanically-minded personality.
Fot – Designed for stealthy assassins, mimicking the nearly silent footfalls of a goblin who specializes in quiet elimination.
Zim – Captures the essence of a hyperactive messenger goblin with a name that buzzes with constant, frenetic energy.
Tuk – Excellent for dependable tunnel-diggers, echoing the sound of pickaxes striking stone with reliable, rhythmic strength.
Vex – Born for troublemaking pranksters, literally meaning “to annoy” and embodying the goblin talent for irritating everyone.
Blib – Perfect for nervous potion-makers, with a sound resembling bubbling concoctions that might explode at any moment.
Krak – Designed for demolitions experts, carrying an explosive sound that matches their love of destruction and chaos.
Jix – Ideal for superstitious shamans, suggesting jinxes and curses with its mystical, slightly threatening sound.
Spat – Suits argumentative clan leaders, capturing the sound of tribal disputes and commanding respect through fear.
Grum – Perfect for perpetually disgruntled elders, sounding like continuous grumbling and embodying ancient goblin dissatisfaction.
Fibb – Made for chronic liars and swindlers, suggesting “fibbing” and born for goblins who never tell the truth when a lie will do.
Quip – Designed for sharp-witted jesters, implying quick comebacks and deadly verbal jabs that cut as deep as daggers.
Wix – Excellent for pyromaniac fire-starters, evoking burning wicks and the goblin fascination with setting things ablaze.
Dob – Born for loyal seconds-in-command, with a solid, dependable sound for the goblin who always has the chief’s back.
Flim – Perfect for con artists, suggesting “flimflam” and capturing the essence of a goblin who specializes in elaborate deceptions.
Pok – Ideal for nosy investigators, sounding like someone poking around where they shouldn’t and finding secrets better left hidden.
Snib – Suits master lock-pickers, mimicking the subtle click of tumbling mechanisms yielding to skilled, thieving fingers.
Brak – Made for brutish enforcers, with a harsh sound suggesting something breaking—usually bones or resistance.
Crik – Designed for wilderness hunters, evoking crickets and cracking twigs that signal a goblin moving through the forest.
Driz – Excellent for damp cave hermits, suggesting drizzling water and perfect for a goblin who thrives in wet, forgotten places.
Flik – Born for hyperactive bug collectors, with a quick flicking sound matching their jerky movements and obsessive gathering.
Glum – Perfect for pessimistic fortune-tellers, literally meaning morose and ideal for goblins who only ever predict doom.
Hix – Ideal for hiccuping brewmasters, phonetically mimicking the sound effects of their potent, questionable beverages.
Jot – Suits rare literate scribes, suggesting jotting notes and capturing the unusual goblin who preserves tribal knowledge.
Klib – Made for weapon collectors, with a sharp sound like blades clashing that suits a goblin obsessed with pointy things.
Lob – Designed for catapult operators, suggesting lobbing projectiles and perfect for siege specialists with good aim.
Miz – Excellent for mischief coordinators, hinting at “mischief” and born for goblins who plan the most chaotic raids.
Nub – Born for inexperienced apprentices, suggesting “newbie” and perfect for the newest, most mistake-prone clan members.
Pex – Perfect for muscle-bound brutes, with a compact, powerful sound implying strength condensed into a small, green package.
Qip – Ideal for fast-talking merchants, having a quick, clipped sound suggesting a goblin who speaks rapidly to confuse customers.
Roz – Suits rust-collecting junk traders, sounding like “rust” and capturing the essence of a goblin who deals in corroded treasures.
Skiz – Made for nervous scouts, with a skittering sound suggesting someone always looking for the quickest escape route.
Trib – Designed for tribute gatherers, suggesting “tribute” and born for goblins who collect payments from weaker clans.
Vox – Excellent for loud-mouthed heralds, meaning “voice” and perfect for goblins who make battlefield announcements.
Wub – Born for underground bass musicians, with a deep vibrating sound ideal for a goblin who creates rhythmic tribal beats.
Xig – Perfect for experimental alchemists, with an exotic, unusual sound matching their work with strange, dangerous substances.
Yap – Ideal for non-stop talkers, phonetically mimicking endless chattering and perfect for the most annoying goblin in the clan.
Zeb – Suits striped face-paint warriors, suggesting “zebra” and capturing the essence of a goblin with distinctive tribal markings.
Bim – Made for explosion-loving bombardiers, sounding like “boom” and born for goblins who love creating loud, fiery chaos.
Cox – Designed for timekeepers, with a ticking clock sound perfect for the unusually punctual goblin who values schedules.
Dex – Excellent for nimble acrobats, suggesting “dexterity” and ideal for performance-oriented goblins with surprising grace.
Erg – Born for tireless workers, named after a unit of energy and perfect for the rare goblin with impressive stamina.
Fop – Perfect for fashion-conscious dandies, capturing the essence of the goblin who inexplicably cares about appearance.
Grix – Ideal for teeth-grinding brutes, with a sound mimicking gnashing teeth and perpetual anger issues.
Hob – Suits hearth-dwelling house goblins, using a traditional name for household spirits who secretly live alongside humans.
Ix – Made for mysterious shadow lurkers, with a secretive sound perfect for the goblin nobody knows much about.
Jek – Designed for jittery lookouts, suggesting jerky movements and born for goblins who are constantly alert to danger.
Kex – Excellent for dried plant collectors, sounding like hollow stalks and ideal for wilderness herbalists who gather ingredients.
Lux – Born for treasure-loving magpies, suggesting “luxury” and perfect for goblins obsessed with collecting shiny objects.
Mox – Perfect for gem collectors, with a valuable-sounding name that suits a goblin who hoards small, precious stones.
Nix – Ideal for saboteurs, meaning to cancel or reject and capturing the essence of a goblin who specializes in ruining plans.
Ox – Suits unusually strong pack carriers, evoking bovine strength and perfect for the sturdiest goblin in the clan.
Piz – Made for food thieves, sounding like “pizza” and born for goblins who raid human settlements for exotic meals.
Qiz – Designed for riddlers, suggesting “quiz” and ideal for unusually inquisitive goblins who speak in puzzling questions.
Rux – Excellent for chaotic spell-mixers, evoking magical ruckus and perfect for goblins who cause unpredictable arcane effects.
Syx – Born for six-fingered hexcasters, sounding like “six” and capturing the essence of a goblin with an unusual physical trait.
Tox – Perfect for poison brewers, suggesting “toxic” and ideal for goblins who work with dangerous, deadly substances.
Ux – Ideal for underground explorers, with an echoing cave sound perfect for goblins who discover new tunnel systems.
Vix – Suits clever trap-makers, having a quick, sharp sound that matches their cunning, deadly engineering skills.
Wex – Made for candle-makers, suggesting “wax” and born for the goblin responsible for providing light in dark lairs.
Xax – Designed for twin goblins, with a symmetrical sound perfect for a goblin with a duplicate or identical sibling.
Zix – Excellent for lightning-fast thieves, buzzing like electricity and ideal for the quickest, most nimble goblin in the clan.
Mischievous Goblin Names
Trickwit – Masters elaborate pranks requiring weeks of planning
Swindleslink – Can con anyone out of anything
Bamboozle – Creates believable illusions through practical means
Filchgrab – Has extra pockets in impossible places
Sneaktoe – Moves silently even on creaky floors
Pilferpoke – Can remove items from pockets with a single finger
Cheatsnicker – Laughs uncontrollably when getting away with something
Meddlekin – Cannot resist pushing mysterious buttons
Prankscuttle – Sets up chain reactions of minor catastrophes
Snaresprung – Creates traps from ordinary objects
Wileywink – Winks uncontrollably when lying successfully
Deviousclaw – Fingernails perfect for picking locks
Roguesmirk – Smile that makes people check their valuables
Slyfoot – Never leaves footprints, even in mud
Schmoozewheedle – Can talk their way into anywhere
Hoodwink – Creates distractions by manipulating light and shadow
Nabbernip – Steals small bits without anyone noticing
Fibblegib – Tells convincing lies that somehow become true
Conniving – Mind works in complex plans within plans
Teasetangle – Creates elaborate knots in others’ hair while they sleep
Snickthief – Makes no sound when stealing, only when escaping
Befuddlescram – Confuses pursuers by running in impossible patterns
Trickshadow – Shadow performs mischief independently
Lurksneaky – Can remain perfectly still for days
Quickfingers – Hands move faster than eyes can follow
Switcheroo – Replaces items with near-identical copies
Gigglecaper – Laugh gives away hiding spot but never gets caught
Sliptwist – Can escape any knot or binding
Dodgequick – Never been hit by anything thrown
Troublemaker – Name literally means “one who creates problems”
Meddlesome – Cannot resist improving mechanical devices catastrophically
Shenanigan – Each day plans one perfect prank
Deceptionix – Creates false trails and misleading clues
Foolwizard – Pranks that seem magical but are just clever
Mischiefmonger – Sells ideas for pranks to other goblins
Twistfib – Tells truth in such a way it sounds false
Bamventure – Creates problems just to solve them dramatically
Weaselwit – Talks way out of any accusation
Scamperprank – Runs faster when being chased for mischief
Riddlemaker – Leaves cryptic clues about upcoming pranks
Lootlighter – Steals only items that won’t be missed immediately
Follyfoot – Trips spectacularly to distract from accomplices
Knavewit – Outwits guards with nonsensical questions
Capervault – Specialized in dramatic escapes
Chucklethief – Steals laughter through surprising antics
Confoundix – Creates puzzles that solve themselves wrongly
Dastardly – Plans that are both evil and ridiculous
Impishgrin – Smile that makes flowers wilt
Jesterprince – Takes nothing seriously, especially danger
Mayhemaker – Chaos follows in their wake
Pestersome – Annoys specific targets until they make mistakes
Rapscallion – Honored title among mischief-makers
Scoundrelous – Behavior so bad it’s almost admirable
Tomfoolery – Specializes in harmless but infuriating pranks
Vexation – Presence alone causes irritation
Waggishwile – Jokes that reveal uncomfortable truths
Yarnteller – Lies so elaborate they become legends
Zigzaggery – Never approaches anything directly
Prankenstein – Creates life from discarded prank materials
Devilkin – Not actually evil, just impossibly annoying
Hobgobble – Laughs that sound like turkeys
Impfinger – Touch causes mild itching for hours
Nettlewise – Knows exactly what bothers each person most
Quibblekin – Argues until opponent agrees just to end conversation
Roilmaker – Stirs up trouble between friends
Funny Goblin Names
Wobbleknees – Legs shake when nervous.
Bumbleblunder – Clumsy and trips often.
Tootstink – Feet smell strange.
Snorkelwort – Strong sense of smell.
Gigglejitters – Laughs when scared.
Drooldrip – Always drooling.
Frogfingers – Sticky hands.
Wibblewobble – Moves awkwardly.
Sneezesprinkle – Sneezes glitter.
Tumblequick – Rolls instead of walks.
Blubberlip – Talks in sleep.
Noodlearms – Very flexible.
Burpbubble – Burps bubbles.
Trippletoe – Has extra toes.
Floofbottom – Extra furry.
Squeakspeak – Voice squeaks randomly.
Hiccupoop – Stomach issues under stress.
Googlyeyes – Eyes move independently.
Flappyears – Expressive ears.
Jumpybottom – Easily startled.
Boingboing – Bounces when moving.
Clumsygrab – Drops everything.
Danglenose – Wobbly nose.
Flubberchins – Has extra chins.
Gargleburp – Talks in gurgles.
Itchyscratchy – Always scratching.
Jiggletummy – Belly jiggles constantly.
Kneeslapper – Laughs at danger.
Looselips – Mouth hangs open.
Mushymouth – Mumbles a lot.
Noodlenoggin – Wobbly neck.
Oogleyboogley – Makes weird faces.
Ploppydrop – Leaves wet spots.
Quiverliver – Shakes when running.
Rumbletum – Loud stomach growls.
Sillywilly – Never serious.
Trembletoes – Feet shake before trouble.
Umblejumble – Talks in mixed-up words.
Wigglewaist – Hips sway when walking.
Zippyzappy – Moves too fast.
Bumblebottom – Padded backside.
Chortlesnort – Snorts when laughing.
Dingleberry – Stuff sticks in hair.
Flaptrap – Talks too much.
Goofyteeth – Crooked teeth.
Honknose – Nose honks when excited.
Jigglypuff – Puffed cheeks when mad.
Kerflopple – Dramatically falls over.
Limpnoodle – Moves like jelly.
Mumblejaw – Talks to themselves.
Niptwit – Pinches when nervous.
Oggleboggle – Eyes bulge when surprised.
Pottybrain – Obsessed with containers.
Quirkyjerky – Moves in sudden jerks.
Razzledazzle – Sparkly clothes.
Snorklewhiff – Smells everything.
Toodleloo – Waves too much.
Ungainly – Awkward movement.
Vaporpants – Misty trousers.
Whistlebottom – Squeaks when sitting.
Yackety – Talks nonstop.
Zanypants – Wild, unpredictable fashion.
Blunderbluss – Always causes accidents.
Chucklesnuffle – Laughs through nose.
Daffydilly – Goofy and playful.
Conclusion
Finding the right goblin name is fun and important! A good name tells everyone what your goblin is like before they even meet them.
Short names like “Krak,” “Bix,” or “Zim” work great for quick, sneaky goblins. These harsh-sounding names fit creatures who cause trouble wherever they go.
Think about what your goblin does best. Is he a thief? Try “Quickfingers.” Does she make potions? Maybe “Fizz” is perfect. Love explosions? “Bim” sounds just right!
You can also pick funny names that make people laugh, like “Snortlewort” or “Wobbletoe.” These show that your goblin has personality.
Remember, the best goblin names are easy to say but sound a bit rough – just like goblins themselves! Mix and match ideas from our list or make up your own.
Now go create some goblin mischief with a name everyone will remember!
