Hospitals, golf courses, restaurants, bars, inns, public buildings, theaters, ports, marinas, towns, counties, ships, and estates all need memorable names. Streets and highways need names that are functional to the people who live there, but could also need some meaning. Spells and weapons also need something. Which is more interesting, Fireball or Anarion’s Infernal Blast?

One way to come up with all these names is to look at the history of the setting. The most common given name for streets, parks, and other major landmarks is Washington, followed by Lincoln and ML King. However, in Des Moines, there are several areas named Blank, for a local businessman and philanthropist by that name. A mall and street is named Merle Hay after the first Iowan killed during World War I. So, when creating your country, come up with important historical figures who may lend their name to parts all over. When coming up with your local areas, create more figures who may only be important at the county, town, or even neighborhood level.

There are several websites that can help with names for specific things. Look at fantasynamegenerators.com, mithrilandmages.com, and seventhsanctum.com. In particular, these are great at coming up with names for taverns, inns, restaurants, and characters you can use for historical figures.

Another way to come up with names is to use descriptive ones. The White House is aptly named. Tolkien had a major road called the Greenway. Sunset Boulevard, Great Smoky Mountains, and Wall Street were named based on their most obvious features. Games may be named for their rules, for example Seven Card Stud in Poker or Ten Point Pitch. Pinochle comes in single, double, and quadruple deck versions.

Don’t forget that some things are just better to have generic names. There’s a reason why every highway, even ones with more traditional names, is numbered. 2nd street is the most common street name in the US for a reason. 1st National Bank, Banker’s Trust, and Bank of America are all perfectly serviceable names. You don’t want to overload your setting with names people can’t remember. Generic names for locations makes a lot of sense most of the time in our world, so it will likely make sense in yours as well.

Like most worldbuilding, you can fall down a rabbit hole on this. Remember to focus on the most important areas, people, and items for your story. You can always come up with more as you need it. Just try to stay consistent.

Thanks so much for reading this. I’ll see you next Sunday!