How to choose a WoW guild name

There are several routes you can take when choosing a World of Warcraft guild name. In terms of branding, the name is more important than people think, because it's the first thing people connect to you.

Why the name matters most

Visuals help, a website helps, and all of that is nice to have. But we're playing a video game, and we're in game when we find out about a guild. Most of the time, when I'm in a dungeon or a raid, I see a guild name. I don't see their logo, their Discord or their website. I rarely even see their tabard, because I'm not looking that closely. What I see is a name.

So picking the right name isn't something to take lightly.

How I choose

I've run several guilds, some on my own and some with a co-GM, which is what I'm doing now. We've always had a bunch of names to pick from, and we often ran polls. We asked friends and family and simply saw what others thought: how a name feels, how it vibes and how it sounds.

Step 1: Pick a tone

First and foremost, decide whether you want to be serious, funny, or something in between.

Step 2: Pick a style

Then decide how much your name should explain:

• Self-explanatory: the name says what you do, like Arena Junkies.
• Abstract with meaning: the name doesn't say it directly, but there's a story behind it, like Remedy.
• Fully abstract: a name that makes no sense at first, and may have a deeper meaning, or none at all.

Once you've chosen, you can go further.

Name ideas by guild type

The names below are examples to spark ideas. Check that a name is available in game before you fall in love with it.

PvP guilds

PvP guilds tend to go one of two ways: meme names, or names on the metal side. I'm not sure how or why meme names connect to PvP. Then again, if you kill an opponent and they see it was someone from a guild called Skibidi, it makes them feel even worse about themselves. So it does make sense.

PvE and raiding guilds

PvE guilds often have single-word names that are easy to remember and have a meaning behind them, without being fully tied to the guild. Think Progress, Method and Echo. They aren't fully self-explanatory, so you have to look a little further.

Take Method. I couldn't find an official explanation. The guild's own history page only points to the Greek origin of the word, which roughly means a way of pursuing something. That fits: a method for clearing raids, a method for becoming great, a method by which you perform. It also shows how a name can grow. Sco founded Method in 2005, and it later became a whole company, so the name now carries real weight.

Take Echo. That's my own read, not an official explanation: an echo is something that repeats and carries on, which is a good image for a guild that wants to last.

Progress is a bit more self-explanatory, because progress is what everyone in raiding is after. But it isn't as literal as Raid Enjoyers. It's a name you can brand around while still being somewhat self-explanatory, and it could work for PvP too.

Casual and cozy guilds

Casual guilds usually have cozy, friendly or random names.

Funny guilds

Role-playing and faction guilds

Role-playing guilds can lean on in-game factions and lore, or on Horde and Alliance in general. A gnome-only guild could be called Gnomish Society, for example.

Avoid actual character names from Warcraft. Blizzard's policy doesn't allow them.

Abstract names with meaning

This is the style I like best for branding. Remedy is my current guild, and the name is a cure: you come home from your 9 to 5, do the chores, and around 8 PM you log in to a friendly guild with like-minded people. It says something, without saying it directly.

What Blizzard allows

The name can be almost anything, as long as it doesn't break Blizzard's rules. According to Blizzard's naming policy page (opens in a new tab), guild names must be 2 to 24 characters, accented characters are supported, numbers and symbols aren't, and mixed capitals and spaces are fine. Names also need to be appropriate and inoffensive. On role-playing realms, expect stricter rules.

That means a number-based meme name has to be spelled out, because digits aren't allowed.

Be careful, this name will stay with you

While a guild name can be anything, I'd say once again that you should put more thought into it, because the name is just the first step. This is true of everything in life, really. When you start a business, a team or anything else, the name will represent you in a way, and you'll probably have to stick with it for years.

If you want to brand your guild, pick a name that helps

If you plan to brand your guild, with a logo, a full visual system, colors, typography and a website, a good name makes all of that easier. If your name is memey, funny or very abstract, it's hard to brand around. Keep that in mind.

A quick checklist before you commit:

Run a poll

Take your shortlist of three to five names and ask people. Friends and family are fine, but don't ask only your closest friends. Ask them what kind of guild the name sounds like, not just which one they like best. If the answers don't match the guild you want to build, that name isn't right.

Name generators and AI

There are plenty of name generators online, including one built from a study of about 22,000 real WoW guild names and several WoW-specific generators. AI can also help, as long as you prompt it well. Give it the context, ask for reasons, and don't pick blindly.

I'm starting a World of Warcraft guild. Give me 30 name ideas.

About the guild:
- Faction and ruleset: [Horde, PvE]
- Type: [casual raiding, semi-hardcore]
- Tone: [friendly, a little funny]
- Style: [abstract names with meaning]

Rules:
- 2 to 24 characters, no numbers or symbols.
- No names of Warcraft characters, no real-world references,
  nothing offensive.
- Group the names by style, and give me a one-line meaning
  for each.
- Avoid names that sound like [names you don't like].

Then narrow it down: "Give me 15 more like number 7, but shorter," or "Which of these would be hardest to brand, and why?" Finally, check that your favorites are available in game.

FAQ

How long can a WoW guild name be?

Under Blizzard's policy, 2 to 24 characters, with no numbers or symbols. Check the current rules for your game version.

Should my guild name be funny or serious?

Whatever fits your guild. Funny names attract a relaxed crowd. Serious names suit progression. Just keep in mind that very memey names are harder to brand.

Can I use numbers in a guild name?

Not under the policy as published. You can spell the number out.

What if my name is already taken?

Pick a variation, or a different name. Check availability before you build a logo around it.

Should I change my guild name later?

You can, but you'll lose recognition. See How to rebrand a guildComing soon before you do.