Every story takes place somewhere. Whether it's a wealthy kingdom, a quiet village, or a deserted island, the names of fictional places shape how readers experience your world. A well-chosen name adds mood and interest. A lazy one pulls readers out of the story.

Let’s build the places your characters will never forget — and your readers won’t want to leave.

Naming Techniques:

Linguistic Roots

Borrow or adapt words from existing languages (or invented ones). Example:

Avalia (sounds Latin or Romantic, suggests beauty)

Zakhura (evokes Middle Eastern or North African roots)

Meaning-Based

Translate a key concept into another language, then alter it:

Ashkara (inspired by "truth" in Sanskrit)

Noctavia (from "noctis" = night, Latin)

Sound Design

Harsh vs soft? Short vs long? Use hard consonants for strong empires (Kragna), soft vowels for sweet and gentle places (Elowen).

Hybridization

Combine two roots:

Fjorvold = Nordic “fjord” + Germanic “wald” (forest)

Seraphal = “Seraphim” + “hall”

Although these names all sound like they belong in a fantasy story, you are also able to use the same techniques for other genres. Remember to set the tone and feeling of it so you won’t make readers confused.

Think:

Panem – suggests hunger and control (Latin: panem et circenses)

Hogsmeade – whimsical, English-sounding

Gotham City – gritty, gothic

Ask: What defines this place?

A resource? (Coalrest, Silvershore)

A person? (Elira’s Crossing, Saint Vire)

A geography? (Stonevale, Wyrm Hollow)

A reputation or event? (Bloodhaven, Havenmoor, Lostridge)

Common Structures:

[Descriptor] + [Landform]: Redcliff, Duskfen, Frostford

[Verb/Noun] + [Object/Name]: Watchtower, Ravenmarch, Breakwater

Old World feel: Add endings like:

-shire, -heim, -grad, -ton, -stead, -hold, -mere, -wick

Use Real-World Naming Patterns

Study how real cities and towns are named. Many are based on:

Geography (e.g., Riverside, Hillcrest, Bayview)

People (e.g., Jamestown, Henderson, St. Clara)

Nature (e.g., Cedar Grove, Maplewood, Pinehill)

Colonial roots or translations (e.g., Santa Fe, Port-au-Prince, Nova Scotia)

Try combining:

A tree/animal + a landform → Fox Hollow, Willow Ridge

A last name + suffix → Langford, Carrollton, Ellisburg

A saint or religious term → San Mirella, St. Orin, New Providence

Remember, sometimes the best fictional place names are the ones that sound completely ordinary. Not every town needs to be called something poetic or strange — in fact, the more realistic your world is, the more believable and grounded your names should feel. Think of places like Clearwater, Millfield, or North Park — names that feel like they could be plucked from any map.

Take your time. Think about what the name sounds like, what it says, and how it fits into the world you're building.