From tiny specks of rock in the middle of the ocean to massive tropical paradises untouched by civilization, islands are a great addition to a fantasy world.
Thanks to their remote nature, islands tend to have very diverse names. Local islanders often give their names to the island they inhabit, or sometimes an island will get its name from its physical features.
For an extra twist, consider giving an island multiple names. As different groups discover the island at separate times and each assumes they were first, multiple names can stack up.
Good Island Names
Any ocean will have lots of islands, even if they are tiny, so whoever named them had to come up with a lot of names. Keep island names short and snappy, focusing on one distinct element of the island. Another trick is naming islands after explorers or the noblemen who paid for their voyages.
- Penethon Isle
- Lintham Island
- Ringshire Isle
- Isle of Gallanberg
- Aurora Isle
- Coalville Island
- Shipcol Isle
- Leeholm Lagoon
Kallerock Island
In the center of the peacock blue Camadian Sea sits this island, a vertical column of rock with holes in the sides. Feathered dragons live inside the stone, crawling through tunnels connecting to the outside.
- Isle of Tissol
- Fairbud Island
- Romdale Speck
- Donnadiac Isle
- Beverodge Cay
- Glovertos Isle
- Shellview Key
Isle of Barkrath
The tree ents that call this island home are not fond of visitors, and throw fallen logs at approaching ships. If travelers manage to land, they usually are trapped in the pine sap pits hidden around the island.
- Grandale Island
- Osorior Isle
- Wasahurst Island
- Kipling Isle
- Rowaki Island
- Carabalk Isle
- Calegan Island
- Isle of Irobel
Pirate Island Names
Ahoy! Wherever easy pickings are available for the stealing, pirates will crop up. These islands are where pirates make their home in chaotic, anarchist communes, or where they bury their stashes of gold.
- Monkey Speck
- Treasure Key
- Captain’s Grove Isle
- Alligator Key
- Adamantine Isle
- Oceanview Island
- Shark Fin Isle
- Keelmont Island
Nemo’s Isle
On the surface, this island looks tranquil, complete with lush jungle and waterfalls. However, behind the falls lies the laboratory of a genius pirate captain, occupied with constructing something called a “submarine”.
- Trophy Key
- Bayterre Isle
- Sandbar Island
- Citrine Isle
- Key of Gold
- Davy Jones’ Sanctuary
Saltdog Speck
When you need rum, you come to this party island, taken over by a massive restaurant. Ask for Dog-Ear Donnie and he can find you a seat somewhere in the crowds of drunken pirates.
- Mermaid Rock
- Keelhaul Cay
- Dry Salt Isle
Badass Island Names
These are the islands of legend, whose names are only spoken in whispers between treasure-hungry adventurers. A visit to one of these islands comes at almost certain risk of death, but also with the promise of great reward.
- Invisible Cove
- Black Cloud Island
- Island of the Sunken Fleet
- Rapier Isle
- Isle of the Kraken
- Gravelhead Island
- Mystery Retreat
- Bonenotch Isle
Grafstone Isle
A greying island that smells like rotting meat, the hills inland are covered in hundreds of gravestones. Underneath the stinking earth lay zombies of every race ready to attack visitors.
- Moaning Island
- Isle of Wrecks
- Tideless Islands
- Island of Peril
- Stokeris Island
Refuge of Red Sand
The red sand beaches are said to hide rubies beneath them, but nobody has returned from this island with anything except stories of the fanged mermaids who circle it.
- Devil Isle
- Rotten Kraken Isle
- Mirror Rock
- Razorock Island
Funny Island Names
Islands can be self-contained worlds where anything can happen, so they are perfect hosts for the sillier elements of a fantasy world. For islands where anything can happen, the name should be equally as silly.
- Porpoise Island
- Lagoon of Maroon
- Smiwell Island
- Orchid Isle
- Straitened Island
- Low Tide Lagoon
- Rimquet Island
- Roxcook Rock
Scuttled Island
The scent of delicious cooking crab has lured many ships to this island, populated only by large, sentient crabs. The tyrannical Crab King is known for burning enemies alive, crab or otherwise.
- Island of Boothgami
- Crescent Island
- Island of Neehead
- Seashell Island
- Freehazy Isle
- Ultramarine Key
Plaimack Island
Home of the famous Plaimack color-changing sands. Dragging your foot through the glowing white sand leaves a rainbow trail of colors behind, making this island a popular tourist destination.
- Willow Bank
- Stern Isles
- Carnsea Key
Did you enjoy this guide? If so, share it with your friends and say hello in the comments below. Islands are a fun and fresh addition to a fantasy world, and naming one is easier than it seems.
