A drow name cuts, then vouches. Quenthel Baenre: Quen (from Quenthel, published) + thel, then the First House of Menzoberranzan. Here are names for drow, both halves documented, both receipts on the table.
Sharp given name plus documented house. Names bold, glosses italic, tradition column flat. Canon pairings say canon; fresh pairings of documented parts say so. Nothing between the rows:
Drow names with their builds, meanings and traditions
Name
Built from
Meaning
Tradition
Drizzt Baenre
driz + zt, House Baenre
from Drizzt (published FR), close as in Drizzt; First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Rizzen Do'Urden
riz + zen, House Do'Urden
from Rizzen (published FR), close as in Rizzen; House Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (documented)
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Zakir Barrison Del'Armgo
zak + ir, House Barrison Del'Armgo
from Zaknafein (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Dinax Xorlarrin
din + ax, House Xorlarrin
from Dinin (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Danzen Faen Tlabbar
dan + zen, House Faen Tlabbar
from Dantrag (published FR), close as in Rizzen; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Jarir Melarn
jar + ir, House Melarn
from Jarlaxle (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Shakel Oblodra
shak + el, House Oblodra
from Shakti (published FR), close as in Liriel; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Quenthel Hun'ett
quen + thel, House Hun'ett
from Quenthel (published FR), close as in Quenthel; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Briza Mizzrym
bri + za, House Mizzrym
from Briza (published FR), close as in Briza; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Vyerza Fey-Branche
vyer + za, House Fey-Branche
from Vierna (published FR), close as in Briza; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Briel Baenre
bri + el, House Baenre
from Briza (published FR), close as in Liriel; First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Dinin Do'Urden
din + in, House Do'Urden
from Dinin (published FR), close as in Dinin; House Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (documented)
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Dantrag Barrison Del'Armgo
dan + trag, House Barrison Del'Armgo
from Dantrag (published FR), close as in Dantrag; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Jarax Xorlarrin
jar + ax, House Xorlarrin
from Jarlaxle (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Gromir Faen Tlabbar
grom + ir, House Faen Tlabbar
from Gromph (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Bergin Melarn
berg + in, House Melarn
from Berg'inyon (published FR), close as in Dinin; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Drizen Oblodra
driz + en, House Oblodra
from Drizzt (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Sosna Hun'ett
sos + na, House Hun'ett
from Sos'umptu (published FR), close as in Vierna; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Lirel Mizzrym
lir + el, House Mizzrym
from Liriel (published FR), close as in Liriel; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Triel Fey-Branche
tri + el, House Fey-Branche
from Triel (published FR), close as in Liriel; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Lirice Baenre
lir + ice, House Baenre
from Liriel (published FR), close as in Malice; First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Trina Do'Urden
tri + na, House Do'Urden
from Triel (published FR), close as in Vierna; House Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Grommph Barrison Del'Armgo
grom + mph, House Barrison Del'Armgo
from Gromph (published FR), close as in Gromph; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Berginyon Xorlarrin
berg + inyon, House Xorlarrin
from Berg'inyon (published FR), close as in Berg'inyon; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Drizir Faen Tlabbar
driz + ir, House Faen Tlabbar
from Drizzt (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Rizzt Melarn
riz + zt, House Melarn
from Rizzen (published FR), close as in Drizzt; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Zakys Oblodra
zak + ys, House Oblodra
from Zaknafein (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Gromax Hun'ett
grom + ax, House Hun'ett
from Gromph (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Vyerna Mizzrym
vyer + na, House Mizzrym
from Vierna (published FR), close as in Vierna; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Malice Fey-Branche
mal + ice, House Fey-Branche
from Malice (published FR), close as in Malice; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Quenna Baenre
quen + na, House Baenre
from Quenthel (published FR), close as in Vierna; First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Malza Do'Urden
mal + za, House Do'Urden
from Malice (published FR), close as in Briza; House Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Drizzt Barrison Del'Armgo
driz + zt, House Barrison Del'Armgo
from Drizzt (published FR), close as in Drizzt; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Rizzen Xorlarrin
riz + zen, House Xorlarrin
from Rizzen (published FR), close as in Rizzen; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Zakir Faen Tlabbar
zak + ir, House Faen Tlabbar
from Zaknafein (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Dinax Melarn
din + ax, House Melarn
from Dinin (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Danzen Oblodra
dan + zen, House Oblodra
from Dantrag (published FR), close as in Rizzen; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Jarir Hun'ett
jar + ir, House Hun'ett
from Jarlaxle (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Shakel Mizzrym
shak + el, House Mizzrym
from Shakti (published FR), close as in Liriel; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Quenthel Fey-Branche
quen + thel, House Fey-Branche
from Quenthel (published FR), close as in Quenthel; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Briza Baenre
bri + za, House Baenre
from Briza (published FR), close as in Briza; First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Vyerza Do'Urden
vyer + za, House Do'Urden
from Vierna (published FR), close as in Briza; House Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Briel Barrison Del'Armgo
bri + el, House Barrison Del'Armgo
from Briza (published FR), close as in Liriel; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Dinin Xorlarrin
din + in, House Xorlarrin
from Dinin (published FR), close as in Dinin; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Dantrag Faen Tlabbar
dan + trag, House Faen Tlabbar
from Dantrag (published FR), close as in Dantrag; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Jarax Melarn
jar + ax, House Melarn
from Jarlaxle (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Gromir Oblodra
grom + ir, House Oblodra
from Gromph (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Bergin Hun'ett
berg + in, House Hun'ett
from Berg'inyon (published FR), close as in Dinin; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Drizen Mizzrym
driz + en, House Mizzrym
from Drizzt (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Sosna Fey-Branche
sos + na, House Fey-Branche
from Sos'umptu (published FR), close as in Vierna; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Lirel Baenre
lir + el, House Baenre
from Liriel (published FR), close as in Liriel; First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Triel Do'Urden
tri + el, House Do'Urden
from Triel (published FR), close as in Liriel; House Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (documented)
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Lirice Barrison Del'Armgo
lir + ice, House Barrison Del'Armgo
from Liriel (published FR), close as in Malice; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Trina Xorlarrin
tri + na, House Xorlarrin
from Triel (published FR), close as in Vierna; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Grommph Faen Tlabbar
grom + mph, House Faen Tlabbar
from Gromph (published FR), close as in Gromph; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Berginyon Melarn
berg + inyon, House Melarn
from Berg'inyon (published FR), close as in Berg'inyon; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Drizir Oblodra
driz + ir, House Oblodra
from Drizzt (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Rizzt Hun'ett
riz + zt, House Hun'ett
from Rizzen (published FR), close as in Drizzt; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Zakys Mizzrym
zak + ys, House Mizzrym
from Zaknafein (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Gromax Fey-Branche
grom + ax, House Fey-Branche
from Gromph (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Vyerna Baenre
vyer + na, House Baenre
from Vierna (published FR), close as in Vierna; First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Malice Do'Urden
mal + ice, House Do'Urden
from Malice (published FR), close as in Malice; House Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (documented)
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Quenna Barrison Del'Armgo
quen + na, House Barrison Del'Armgo
from Quenthel (published FR), close as in Vierna; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Malza Xorlarrin
mal + za, House Xorlarrin
from Malice (published FR), close as in Briza; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Drizzt Faen Tlabbar
driz + zt, House Faen Tlabbar
from Drizzt (published FR), close as in Drizzt; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Rizzen Melarn
riz + zen, House Melarn
from Rizzen (published FR), close as in Rizzen; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Zakir Oblodra
zak + ir, House Oblodra
from Zaknafein (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Dinax Hun'ett
din + ax, House Hun'ett
from Dinin (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Danzen Mizzrym
dan + zen, House Mizzrym
from Dantrag (published FR), close as in Rizzen; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Jarir Fey-Branche
jar + ir, House Fey-Branche
from Jarlaxle (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Shakel Baenre
shak + el, House Baenre
from Shakti (published FR), close as in Liriel; First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Quenthel Do'Urden
quen + thel, House Do'Urden
from Quenthel (published FR), close as in Quenthel; House Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (documented)
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Briza Barrison Del'Armgo
bri + za, House Barrison Del'Armgo
from Briza (published FR), close as in Briza; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Vyerza Xorlarrin
vyer + za, House Xorlarrin
from Vierna (published FR), close as in Briza; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Briel Faen Tlabbar
bri + el, House Faen Tlabbar
from Briza (published FR), close as in Liriel; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Dinin Melarn
din + in, House Melarn
from Dinin (published FR), close as in Dinin; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Dantrag Oblodra
dan + trag, House Oblodra
from Dantrag (published FR), close as in Dantrag; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Jarax Hun'ett
jar + ax, House Hun'ett
from Jarlaxle (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Gromir Mizzrym
grom + ir, House Mizzrym
from Gromph (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Bergin Fey-Branche
berg + in, House Fey-Branche
from Berg'inyon (published FR), close as in Dinin; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Drizen Baenre
driz + en, House Baenre
from Drizzt (published FR), sharp close (invented); First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Sosna Do'Urden
sos + na, House Do'Urden
from Sos'umptu (published FR), close as in Vierna; House Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Lirel Barrison Del'Armgo
lir + el, House Barrison Del'Armgo
from Liriel (published FR), close as in Liriel; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Triel Xorlarrin
tri + el, House Xorlarrin
from Triel (published FR), close as in Liriel; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
What are female drow names?
Female drow names close on -na, -thel, -el, -ice and -za, and the women hold the houses:
Female drow names with their builds and sources
Name
Built from
Meaning
Vyerna
vyer + na
sharp elvish build on published parts
Quenthel
quen + thel
published FR given name
Lirel
lir + el
sharp elvish build on published parts
Malice
mal + ice
published FR given name
Briza
bri + za
published FR given name
Triel
tri + el
published FR given name
Quenna
quen + na
sharp elvish build on published parts
Vyerza
vyer + za
sharp elvish build on published parts
Lirice
lir + ice
sharp elvish build on published parts
Malza
mal + za
sharp elvish build on published parts
Briel
bri + el
sharp elvish build on published parts
Trina
tri + na
sharp elvish build on published parts
Shakel
shak + el
sharp elvish build on published parts
Sosna
sos + na
sharp elvish build on published parts
Vyerice
vyer + ice
sharp elvish build on published parts
Brina
bri + na
sharp elvish build on published parts
Lirza
lir + za
sharp elvish build on published parts
Quenza
quen + za
sharp elvish build on published parts
What are male drow names?
Male drow names close on -zt, -in, -mph, -trag and -zen, clipped short:
Male drow names with their builds and sources
Name
Built from
Meaning
Drizzt
driz + zt
published FR given name
Dinin
din + in
published FR given name
Grommph
grom + mph
sharp elvish build on published parts
Rizzen
riz + zen
published FR given name
Dantrag
dan + trag
published FR given name
Berginyon
berg + inyon
published FR given name
Drizir
driz + ir
sharp elvish build on published parts
Dinax
din + ax
sharp elvish build on published parts
Gromir
grom + ir
sharp elvish build on published parts
Rizzt
riz + zt
sharp elvish build on published parts
Danzen
dan + zen
sharp elvish build on published parts
Bergin
berg + in
sharp elvish build on published parts
Zakys
zak + ys
sharp elvish build on published parts
Jarir
jar + ir
sharp elvish build on published parts
Zakax
zak + ax
sharp elvish build on published parts
Jarax
jar + ax
sharp elvish build on published parts
Drizen
driz + en
sharp elvish build on published parts
Gromax
grom + ax
sharp elvish build on published parts
What do drow names mean?
The given name names a blade; the house names its owner. Twelve meaning spotlights, receipts attached:
Drow name meanings spotlight
Name
Built from
Meaning
Tradition
Drizzt Do'Urden
driz + zt, House Do'Urden
from Drizzt (published FR), close as in Drizzt; House Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (documented)
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Quenthel Baenre
quen + thel, House Baenre
from Quenthel (published FR), close as in Quenthel; First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Grommph Baenre
grom + mph, House Baenre
from Gromph (published FR), close as in Gromph; First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Vyerna Do'Urden
vyer + na, House Do'Urden
from Vierna (published FR), close as in Vierna; House Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Lirel Baenre
lir + el, House Baenre
from Liriel (published FR), close as in Liriel; First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Documented FR house + published-root build
Rizzen Mizzrym
riz + zen, House Mizzrym
from Rizzen (published FR), close as in Rizzen; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Triel Faen Tlabbar
tri + el, House Faen Tlabbar
from Triel (published FR), close as in Liriel; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Briza Melarn
bri + za, House Melarn
from Briza (published FR), close as in Briza; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR pairing (canon parts)
Drizir Xorlarrin
driz + ir, House Xorlarrin
from Drizzt (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
Vyerza Hun'ett
vyer + za, House Hun'ett
from Vierna (published FR), close as in Briza; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Quenna Oblodra
quen + na, House Oblodra
from Quenthel (published FR), close as in Vierna; documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented house (rare) + published-root build (labeled)
Jarax Barrison Del'Armgo
jar + ax, House Barrison Del'Armgo
from Jarlaxle (published FR), sharp close (invented); documented Menzoberranzan house
Documented FR house + published-root build
How do drow names work?
Published opener, optional link, sharp close, house at the end. Driz + zt = Drizzt; add Do'Urden for the full name. That is the whole grammar. The compound-name lesson the race grid shares lives on the how elvish names work page.
What are drow last names?
House names, all documented, used whole. The full index, notes attached:
Drow house names with their documented status
House
Status
Lineage note
Baenre
documented
First House of Menzoberranzan (documented)
Do'Urden
documented
House Daermon N'a'shezbaernon (documented)
Barrison Del'Armgo
documented
documented Menzoberranzan house
Xorlarrin
documented
documented Menzoberranzan house
Faen Tlabbar
documented
documented Menzoberranzan house
Melarn
documented
documented Menzoberranzan house
Oblodra
documented, uncommon in print
documented Menzoberranzan house
Hun'ett
documented, uncommon in print
documented Menzoberranzan house
Mizzrym
documented, uncommon in print
documented Menzoberranzan house
Fey-Branche
documented, uncommon in print
documented Menzoberranzan house
House lineages
The house runs through the mothers, and published lore shows the paperwork. A house is not just a family: it is a political unit with rank, soldiers, wizards and a seat, all held by the Matron Mother. Her daughters inherit in order of standing. Her sons wear the name and defend it, and the line never passes through them, which is the documented rule the whole society turns on. The receipt is House Do'Urden: it stood while Malice stood, and when her line fell, the house fell with it, rank and name both. Build a character against that logic and the name does half the writing for you. Ask which daughter of which matron, and the table above tells you where the knives are.
How a drow house line passes, per documented lore
Relation
Carries the name
Can rule the house
Matron Mother
yes
yes, by definition
Daughters
yes
yes, in order of standing
Sons
yes
no, documented rule
Houseless drow
no house name
may serve a house as a blade
Drow name questions, answered
What is a rare drow name?
A rare house or a deep-drawer close. Four documented houses show up less in print: Oblodra, Hun'ett, Mizzrym, Fey-Branche, all in the table above. On the personal side, the -ys and -ir closes barely see print. Rare here still means documented parts, receipts attached.
Can drow names be short?
Yes, and the men's names run shortest. Drizzt and Dinin are one clipped syllable pair each, per the published pattern. Add the house for the full name and the length doubles: Drizzt Do'Urden.
What are the drow houses?
Noble lines of Menzoberranzan, documented in published Forgotten Realms sources. Ten sit in the table above: Baenre the ruling First House, Barrison Del'Armgo the Second, Xorlarrin the mage house, Faen Tlabbar, Melarn, the rarer Oblodra, Hun'ett, Mizzrym and Fey-Branche, and House Do'Urden, the fallen house of Drizzt. Each row carries its note; none of it is invented.
Where the meanings come from.Houses and given-name parts trace to published Forgotten Realms fiction and sourcebooks, cited by row. Fresh pairings of documented parts are labeled as pairings, never as canon. Where every name's receipt comes from →