The Generic Universal RolePlaying System is designed to handle any genre, any setting, any time period. Names in GURPS must be equally versatile, working whether you're playing a realistic modern spy, a cinematic space opera hero, or anything in between. From TL0 stone age warriors to TL12 galactic empires, these names span the breadth of human imagination.
| Tech Level | Era | Examples | Naming Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| TL0-2 | Stone Age to Iron Age | Prehistoric, Ancient | Simple, Nature-based |
| TL3-4 | Medieval to Age of Sail | Knights, Classical Fantasy, Pirates | Traditional, Regional |
| TL5-6 | Industrial Revolution to Mechanized Age | Victorian, Wild West, World Wars | Historical, Formal |
| TL7-8 | Nuclear Age to Digital Age | Cold War to Present | Contemporary, Global |
| TL9-10 | Microtech to Robotic Age (near future) | Cyberpunk, Space | Evolved, Tech-influenced |
| TL11-12 | Exotic Matter and beyond (far future) | Star Trek, Ultra-Tech | Advanced, Exotic |
GURPS Genre & Tech Level Selector - Click (or focus it and press Enter) to spin for your campaign parameters!
Genre Flexibility: Names work across multiple GURPS genres and tech levels.
Realistic vs. Cinematic: Names suitable for both gritty realism and over-the-top action.
Cultural Authenticity: Names that respect real-world cultures while maintaining gaming accessibility.
Character Point Integration: Names that can reflect advantages, disadvantages, and character backgrounds.
Historical Campaign (TL3-4): "Sir Marcus Blackwood" works as a medieval knight or Renaissance noble.
Modern Spy Thriller (TL8): "Agent Marcus Black" adapts the same character concept to contemporary espionage.
Space Opera (TL11): "Commander Marcus Voidwalker" transforms the name for galactic adventures.
Cyberpunk (TL9): "Marcus 'Blackhat' Grid" gives the character a street-hacker identity.
Like Modular Architecture: Names should be adaptable components that work in different campaign "buildings."
Like Swiss Army Knives: One name should serve multiple functions across different genres and settings.
Like Universal Translators: Names should communicate character concepts regardless of the specific game world.
TL0-2 (Stone to Iron Age): Simple, nature-based names reflecting tribal societies
TL3-4 (Medieval/Age of Sail): Traditional names with regional variants and nobility indicators
TL5-6 (Industrial/Mechanized): Formal Victorian and early-20th-century names reflecting social class and profession
TL7-8 (Nuclear/Digital Age): Contemporary global names with cultural diversity
TL9-10 (Microtech/Robotic, near future): Evolved modern names with technological influences
TL11-12 (Exotic Matter and beyond, far future): Exotic names reflecting post-human development
Realistic Campaigns: Names should sound authentic and grounded in real-world naming conventions
Cinematic Campaigns: Names can be more dramatic and memorable, like action movie characters
Four-Color Campaigns: Names should capture the larger-than-life nature of superheroic fiction
GURPS names can reflect character creation choices:
GURPS Dungeon Fantasy: Names suitable for classic fantasy adventuring with clear archetypal roles.
GURPS Action: Names that work for modern action heroes, spies, and elite operatives.
GURPS Horror: Names that can be ordinary citizens thrust into extraordinary terror.
GURPS Space: Names adaptable for space exploration, trade, and galactic politics.
GURPS Monster Hunters: Names for modern-day supernatural investigators and warriors.
Advantage Integration: Names can reflect advantages like Charisma, Reputation, or Social Status.
Disadvantage Reflection: Names might hint at disadvantages like Social Stigma or Secret Identity.
Skill Specialization: Professional names that suggest character skill investments.
Background Integration: Names that support character backstories and campaign themes.
GURPS's greatest strength is its universal adaptability. A well-chosen character name should embody this same flexibility, working equally well whether your character is a TL3 knight fighting dragons, a TL8 action hero saving the world, or a TL11 space captain exploring distant galaxies. The best GURPS names are like the system itself: simple enough to be accessible, flexible enough to be universal, and detailed enough to be compelling.