120+ King Names for Characters, Pets and Fantasy Rulers
Kings carry their names for centuries. A single name like Alfred, Henry or Louis is enough to bring a crown to mind.
This list mixes real royal names, regal titles and original names for fantasy kings, with a note on the feel of each.
Table of Contents
Classic Royal King Names
Real names long used by kings of Europe.
- Alfred – the English king called the Great
- Henry – used by eight English kings
- Edward – a long line of English kings
- Richard – three kings of England
- George – six British kings
- William – the Conqueror's name
- Charles – English, French and Spanish kings
- Louis – eighteen French kings
- Philip – kings of France and Spain
- Frederick – Prussian and Danish kings
- Harold – the last Anglo-Saxon king
- Canute – a Danish king of England
- Arthur – the legendary British king
- Stephen – a medieval English king
- John – the king of Magna Carta
- Alexander – kings of Scotland and the great Macedonian
- Robert – the Scottish Bruce
- Duncan – an early king of Scots
- Malcolm – a Scottish king name
- Oscar – a Swedish and Norwegian king
Strong King Names
Names that sound like command.
- Magnus – Latin for great
- Maximilian – the greatest
- Leopold – bold people, Germanic roots
- Augustus – venerable, imperial
- Constantine – steadfast
- Valerian – strong, from Latin
- Sigmund – victory protector
- Ragnar – a Norse warrior king name
- Leonidas – lion-like, Spartan king
- Darius – Persian emperors
- Cyrus – founder of the Persian Empire
- Octavian – the first Roman emperor's early name
- Theodoric – ruler of the people
- Aurelian – golden, a Roman emperor
- Rex – Latin for king
- Regis – Latin, of the king
- Rodrick – famous ruler
- Baldric – a bold ruler
- Godfrey – peace of God
- Roland – famed knight of Charlemagne's court
Fantasy King Names
Original names for a throne in your story.
- Aldrenor – ruler of a river kingdom
- Thandrel – a king in a silver crown
- Kaelmor – a stern northern lord
- Voryn – a king in iron
- Eldamir – an elven sovereign
- Brannoch – a highland king
- Tarquel – a silent king
- Zephrin – king of a sky city
- Orlund – an old hill king
- Halvard – a Norse-style ruler
- Drakmoor – a dark king of a moorland
- Sorren – a young king in a hard war
- Valdemir – a tall king on a cold throne
- Corvane – raven crowned
- Eryndor – a king of an old forest
- Maldric – a king who rules by fear
- Thalor – a wise, gentle ruler
- Gareth – a Welsh name, ideal for a good king
- Ulfric – wolf ruler
- Ashkor – king of ash lands
Wise and Good King Names
For rulers readers want to trust.
- Solomon – the king of wisdom in tradition
- Josiah – the Lord supports, a king of Judah
- Hezekiah – strong in God, a king of Judah
- David – the shepherd king
- Aldous – old, a stately sound
- Benedict – blessed
- Emeric – a ruler of work
- Godwin – good friend
- Leofric – dear ruler
- Ethelred – noble counsel
- Wystan – battle stone, an English saint
- Cuthbert – famous, brilliant
- Dunstan – dark stone, a statesman bishop
- Oswald – divine power, a Northumbrian king
- Edmund – rich protector, an East Anglian king
- Ambrose – immortal
- Anselm – divine helmet
- Ivor – archer, Norse root
- Sebastian – venerable
- Lucius – light, a legendary British king
Pet and Cute King Names
For a cat, a dog or a hamster with royal airs.
- King Kong – a big gorilla for a small dog
- Kingsley – a gentle king-like pup
- Rexy – king of the sofa
- Leo – the lion king
- Simba – Swahili for lion
- Prince – crown in training
- Crown – a simple royal word
- Regal – an elegant cat
- Majesty – a proud cat
- Sir Barksalot – a knighted pup
- Duke – noble with treats
- Earl – a calm gentleman
- Monarch – a king of the lawn
- Henry the Eighth – a hungry hamster
- King Arthur – a loyal golden retriever
- Napoleon – small and commanding
- Zeus – king of the Greek gods
- Odin – a one-eyed king of the Norse gods
- Cesar – a Latin classic
- Tut – a young pharaoh
Funny King Names
For jokes and silly kingdoms.
- King Me – a draughts joke
- Hail to the Chef – a kitchen king
- King of the Couch – a rest champion
- King Crimson Socks – royal footwear
- Your Majesty Fluffington – a plush ruler
- King Kebab – food royalty
- Kingdom Come Home – a short commute
- The Burger Monarch – fast-food crown
- Sir King – a doubled title
- Longest Reigning Nap – asleep on the throne
- The Last Unicorn King – a magical joke
- King of Nothing – a humble title
- Royal Flush – a poker and loo joke
- King Size Bed – a bedroom king
- King of Pop Tarts – breakfast royalty
- Beer King – the pub throne
- Court Jester Jr. – the king's child
- The Duke of Snacks – a rank below
- King Gizzard – a very odd court
- Kingpin Bowler – the lane king
How to Choose a King Name
The right king name suits both the story and the reader.
1. Check the role
A good king gets a name with warm or fair syllables. A tyrant gets harsher ones.
2. Use real roots
Names like Magnus and Leopold have real history, and readers feel it.
3. Keep it speakable
Fantasy readers will say it aloud. Avoid long strings of consonants.
4. Consider numerals
Henry the Eighth and Louis XIV show how a number adds weight.
5. Check the setting
A medieval name suits a medieval world. A future setting wants something new.
FAQs
What is a good name for a fantasy king?
Names like Aldrenor, Thandrel and Gareth give a classic fantasy feel. Pair the name with a title, such as King Gareth the Fair.
What does the name Rex mean?
Rex is the Latin word for king.
Should kings have a number?
Real kings use numerals to separate rulers with the same name. A fantasy king with one can sound established.
Conclusion: King Names
Choose a name with history behind it, say it aloud, and add a title or a number for weight. For meanings, see our list of names that mean king.