Name Generators FAQ

User input?

"Why can't I use my own ideas or names?"

I want to make it as simple as possible. Lot's of other name generators requires user input. Eg. input of names. I think they are a hassle to use. Much faster just to generate a new name, if you don't like the first one.

Bad names?

"The name generator make too many bad names. The names are stupid and make no sense at all!"

That's right! My name generator does make bad names. But in order to make unexpected names, surprising names, creative and interesting names I have to take chances. Chances with words that obviously give bad name because of a risk of bad name combinations.

So if you come over some bad names just create another name. After all the name generator is blazing fast. ;)

True random name generator?

"Do the name generator use true randomness in the name generation"

No! To make a true random name generator, you need radioactivity, atmospheric noise etc. The name generator is based on the semi random functions in JavaScript. But as we're not gambling for millions, it really is enough to make random names.

Choose categories

"Why can't I choose different categories and decide myself, if the name generator make names from, colors, fruits, weapons?"

Again. I want to make it as simple as possible. Much faster just to generate a new name or 10 and find the right combination of names, than making a lot of choices. The name generator makes new names in a split second because I use JavaScript for name creation.

Long names?

"Your names are far too long. People want short names!"

If you think the name is too long, just shorten it your self. I do make many short names, but I also make long names. The goal is to create huge variation in the names I generate.

More name generators

"When do you make a Indian/Italian/Runescape name generator?"

As soon as I get the time. In the mean time use one of the other name generators and get inspiration from them. ;)

Cool ideas for names

Why use a name generator in the first place? People can make much better names than a stupid machine.

You're right again. But I bet the machine can come up with some wicked and sick ideas you didn't even consider. Just take the ideas and make the perfect name yourself.

Cool project

"Cool project! Can I do anything to help"

Thanks. :) I'll be very grateful, if you link to my site. Or tell your friend about the name generators.

Name Generators project

The guy behind the project

My name is Niels Gamborg. I'm a danish web developer, interface designer and web programmer. I live with my wife and 2 sons in a suburb to the city of Aarhus.

I work as a web developer and webmaster at the Danish State and University Library in Denmark.

The philosophy behind the project

I love user friendly web design and I think all web applications should be:

• easy to use
• easy to understand
• simple and functional

Design and usability

My key philosophy in application design is that all the users should be able to use the application right away with no instructions.

For a simple application like a name generator the user should be able to generate a name within the first second after page load.

To achieve that it is crucial that the generator button and the generated name are the first things you notice on the page.

I have done that with a huge button to start the generator and huge typography on the generated names.

The programming

All name generators are programmed in JavaScript. It makes them bleeding fast because the JavaScript is run locally in your browser. It makes it pretty easy to steal my code, but random name generation on a server is simply too slow to modern web 2.0 applications.

Random name generators are easy to make. The first versions were simple though. Now I use a little more complex random calculations to create the random names I want. E.g. 40% female names, 60% male names, 10% names with a title, 10% of names with an extra prefix. You can make a lot of variation in the names with complex algorithms.

The Name Generators Blog

At my Name Generators Blog you can find a lot of tips, scripts tutorials and "how to" articles. Most of the content is aimed at helping users making name generators and randomizers. It makes the Name Generators Blog a great resource, if you wanna make you own generators, web apps, name widgets etc.

At the blog you can find articles like: How to make a name generator or you can download a fully functional Name Generator script.

Other topics at the blog is:

• reviews of name generators and other generators
• webmaster tips and tricks
• running and developing name generators

All the name generator resources are free of charge and open source in the most friendly definition. It means they are free (as in "free speech" and also as in "free beer") in any way. Use it after you own likings and in you own projects.