There are several different methods you can use to brainstorm or choose your town name:
Method 1 — Using an existing name:
Maybe there is a name or location out there that has special significance for you, so naming your Animal Crossing town after it will make your town that much more special. Location names can be pulled from real life places, mythological places, books, movies, art, music, or other video games. Examples:
- Pokemon: Kanto, Pallet, Viridian, Pewter, Cerulean, Lavender, Celadon, Fuchsia, Saffron, Cinnabar, Mt. Moon, Seafoam, Johto, New Bark, Violet, Azalea, Goldrod, Ecruteak, Olivine, Cianwood, Mahogany, Hoenn, Lilroot, Oldale, Rustboro, Dewford, Mauville, Lilycove, Mossdeep, Rusturf, Mt. Pyre, Unova, Nuvema, Aspertia, Floccesy, Virbank, Accumula, Striaton, Nacrene, Castelia, Nimbasa, Anville, Lentimas, Icirrus, Humilau, Lacunosa, Undella, Oathwood, Kalos, Vanivill, Lumiose, Shalour, Laverre, Anistar, Snowbell, Cyllage, Alola, Paniola, Seafolk, Orre, Fiore, Almia, Oblivia
- Lord of the Rings: Shire, Hobbiton, Bag End, Bagshot, Waymeet, Bywater, Buckbury, Buckland, Bree, Woodhall, Woodend, Greenway, Rohan, Edoras, Upbourn, Gondor, Argonath, Ithilien, Númenor, Dúnedain, Palantír, Pelennor, Gladden, Harlond, Mirkwood, Greywood, Fangorn, Entwash, Elmoth, Fenmarch, Rivendel, Lórien, Lórinand, Mallorn, Nenya, Nimrodel, Amroth, Anduin, Moria, Arkstone, Mithril, Myromere, Dimrill, Dimstair, Dimrost, Redhorn, Celebdil, Coldfell, Helmdeep, Amon Hen, Avathar, Belegost, Elfpath, Ithildin, Nimrais, Dunland, Sorontil, Aldburg, Andrath, Edhelond, Endwaith, Etenmoor, Everholt, Evendim, Gondolin, Aldarian, Doriath, Sunlands, Celduin, Glanduin, Isen, Sirannon, Sea-Bell, Almaren, Círdan, Adurant, Bruinen, Celduin, Limlight, Greylin, Ethring, Forlond, Fornost, Mithlond, Eldalond, Eldamar, Edellond, Gildor, Noldor, Feanor, Arnor, Erebor, Esgaroth, Valinor, Ilmarin, Varda, Vinyamar, Yavanna, Avallónë, Lúthien, Tinúviel, Evenstar, Ilúvatar, Elwing, Eressëa, Eriador, Galadhon, Egladil, Elessar, Eregion, Anórien, Celebdil, Atanatar, Anarion, Elendil, Eärendil, Elfstone, Anúminas, Narsil, Núrnen, Dimholt, Lithui, Mordor, Morannon, Mt. Doom, Dagorlad, Angmar, Angband, Baraddûr, Morgul
- Mythology: Agartha, Alfheim, Arcadia, Asgard, Atlantis, Avalon, Baltia, Brittia, Camelot, Elysia, Gorias, Finias, Murias, Falias, Eden, Heaven, Irkalla, Lemuria, Lyonesse, Niflheim, Nysa, Olympus, Tartarus, Thule, Titan, Valhalla, Vanaheim, Ys, Zerzura
Method 2 — Stringing various syllables together:
Another way to come up with a town name is to put different syllables or sounds together to create a brand new name. This is what writers have to do when they create new words for their worldbuilding. It doesn’t necessarily have to make sense or have a certain meaning, and maybe if you brainstorm hard enough, you’ll think of a unique town name that doesn’t yield any google search results. A town name created with this method can also hint at a certain meaning (via the syllables/roots used), but still remain somewhat abstract. If you’re interested in this method, I recommend browsing tons and tons of words online, and pulling pieces from those words and writing them down (ie. val, pen, in, or, ing, lia, al… you’ll need a lot!). Then start trying to connect various pieces until you come up with something that sounds good. This page also has some tips, like randomizing letters from the alphabet, or merging/squishing two words together.
Method 3 — Using a single word:
Since the 8 character limit is so restricting, sometimes just a single word isn’t a bad choice for a town name. I recommend looking for a single word that you find both appealing to hear and fitting for your town. Examples:
(Note that I included shorter words too because it can come in handy for character names, or you can always add another word after a short word.)
- Flowers: Amaranth, Amarylis, Anemone, Alyssum, Asphodel, Begonia, Bergenia, Browalia, Calluna, Canna, Daffodil, Dahlia, Daisy, Dianthus, Diascia, Gardenia, Geranium, Harebell, Helconia, Hepatica, Hibiscus, Hyacinth, Iris, Jasmine, Lantana, Leadwort, Lily, Lobelia, Magnolia, Marigold, Orchid, Pansy, Pentas, Peony, Periwink(le), Petunia, Primrose, Rose, Rue, Snowdrop, Soapwort, Valerian, Violet, Yarrow, Zinnia
- Herbs & Spices: Aralia, Anise, Basil, Beebalm, Bayberry, Bayleaf, Calamint, Caraway, Cayenne, Chai, Chive, Cicely, Cinnamon, Costmary, Dill, Dillweed, Dittany, Foxglove, Ginger, Hazel, Juniper, Laurel, Lavender, Lungwort, Mint, Mugwort, Myrtle, Nettle, Nutmeg, Paprika, Pepper, Rosemary, Saffron, Sage, Sorrel, Sweetbay, Tansy, Thistle, Thyme, Woodruff, Wormwood
- Trees: Ash, Alder, Aspen, Basswood, Beech, Birch, Buckeye, Cacao, Camellia, Cedar, Chestnut, Corktree, Cypress, Dogwood, Dracaena, Elder, Elm, Eucalypt, Euodia, Fir, Gordonia, Hazel, Hawthorn, Hemlock, Hickory, Shagbark, Hornbeam, Lacquer, Limewood, Maple, Mahogany, Mangrove, Mulberry, Oak, Olive, Red Oak, Palmwood, Pine, Poplar, Red Pine, Redwood, Rowan, Spruce, Sycamore, Sweetgum, Tupelo, Walnut, Willow, Wingnut, Yew
- Space: Nebula, Boreal, Borealis, Cosmos, Celeste, Celestia, Sol, Soleil, Solis, Solstice, Corona, Helios, Luna, Lune, Apolune, Crescent, Halfmoon, Moonwane, Gibbous, Eclipse, Selene, Nova, Novae, Estel, Estella, Estrella, Stella, Luminous, Lumina, Orbit, Theia, Aeon, Polaris, Vega, Ursa, Altair, Apodis, Aquarii, Aquarius, Aquila, Aquilae, Ara, Arae, Aries, Arietis, Auriga, Aurigae, Boötes, Caeli, Caelum, Cancri, Carina, Carinae, Capella, Cephei, Cepheus, Circini, Circinus, Columba, Coranae, Crater, Crateris, Crucis, Cygni, Cygnus, Delphini, Dorado, Doradus, Draco, Draconis, Equulei, Equuleus, Eridani, Eridanus, Gemini, Herculis, Hydra, Lacerta, Leo, Libra, Lyra, Octanis, Orion, Orionis, Pegasi, Pegasus, Perseus, Pictoris, Pisces, Pyxidis, Pyxis, Sagitta, Sagittae, Scorpii, Scorpius, Serpens, Spica, Tauri, Taurus, Tucanae, Vela, Velorum, Venatici, Virgo, Volantis
Method 4 — Putting two words together:
I’m sure you’ve seen many town names like this before, like all the names with a four letter word and “town” at the end. Below I’ll list some basic beginning words and ending words (though there are countless others) that you can mix and match together to produce a town name.
Things to remember when using this method:
- To use the list below, I recommend browsing one column at a time rather than one row at a time. Picking a word you like from one of the columns, then going through the other column (or both columns, honestly) to see if there’s a good match, is a good way to come up with a nice town name. You can also come up with your own beginning/endings, of course.
- It’s important to keep the 8-character limit in mind when coming up with a town name this way. To use my AC:CF town Seahaven as an example, “haven” is 5 letters, so I could only use 3 letters for the beginning word. There are numerous 3-letter words you can place there: Sunhaven, Oakhaven, Skyhaven, Oldhaven, Newhaven, and so on, but I liked Seahaven best.
- If you have enough room to do so, you can put a space in between the two words, ie. ‘Red Bank’. If there’s not enough room for a space, you can put the two words side by side with no space in between, ie. Seahaven or SeaHaven. (You can choose whether or not to capitalize the second word.)
- The beginning words and ending words are somewhat flexible. Some words can be used for either the beginning or ending. I listed words that are especially flexible in both columns.
| Beginnings Ox / Ax Os By Al Ay Wy St / St. Mt / Mt. Ol / Ol’/ Old / Ole Lil / Lil’ Win / Wyn Bag / Bog End Dun Sun Sky Sea Elm Ice / Icy New Red Far Way Fae Elf Bow Elk Ent Fox Doe Hog Dog Cat Owl Paw Dew Ivy Fen / Fin Fir May Tea Ash Oak Yew Nut Yam Mor Fal Ski Hay Fig Log Ale Saw Odd Ray Fog Hex Gem Joy Rye Dry Hot Bee Oar Ore Oat Sow Ply Gin Tin Win Wim Mid Cob Cod Cog Pot Toy Sol Alp Air Airy Lune / Luna Pine Bell Fall Star Moon Tree Wych Dove Swan Hare Gold Blue Grey / Gray Cyan Azul / Azur Teal Clay Edge Flip Birk Bone Dark Dawn Dusk Noon Deep Fate Soul Ruby Fawn Fern Toad Myth Deer Colt Stag Bear Boar Goat Fire Cold Malt Mill Fair Fine Rich Idyl Fine Song Hymn Mist Snow Flag Over East / West Ever Iris Rose Lily Moss Mush Wisp Flor Bare Bald Bean Pear Palm Sand Surf Pale Dust Silk Lush Lazy Calm Rest Mild Wild Park Lost Pond Plum Lark Bird Fowl Ship Boat Wind / Wend Rain Hail Poor Waft Lull Leaf Vine Damp Deep Iron Bark Wood Corn Kern Kelp Rock Rune Birk Morn Hook Cork York Wine Lace Knot Moth Crow Grim Quil Duck Seal Lamb Clod Glow Sage Mage King Twin Shim Char Kite Rook Boot Dead Soot Smog Drip Loam Seed Glad High Slow Tall Long Wide Howl Gust Cake Mint Milk Lamp Lion Lynx Foal Lyre Mirk / Murk Muse Near Open True Twee Bent Rice Rust Roam Water North / South Under Storm Green White Black Lilac Lotus Thorn Maple Daisy Night Light Glass Clear Cloud Dream Sugar Sweet Frost Swift Briar Holly Weed Wilt Free Crow Yule Tilt Wing Clove Brick Hedge Cliff Shell Stone / Stony Berry Amble Fairy / Faery Fable Dryad Petal Honey Ochre Knoll Elder Alder Hazel Resin Roset Tulip Sunny Grass Hilly Lofty Leafy Apple Melon Stump Acorn Lemon Olive Thyme Basil Lichen Sable Ghost Troll Scull Nymph Siren Witch Winch / Wynch Relic Rhyme Otter Brine / Briny Spear Lance Torch Angel Mercy Merry Peace Quiet Smoke Mochi Mocha Spice Straw Birch Cedar Finch Mouse Amber Umber Ember Ashen Oaken Aspen Olden Amity Bliss Faith Bloom Whim Whisk Dilly Dally Gilly Story Fresh Sleek Dizzy Blush Conch Coral Peach Brown Ivory Ebony Coble Gable Plank Plant Poppy Porch Stray |
Endings forest meadow harbor garden bridge cester / caster stream street hollow coombe bourne bourn coomb combe holme derby river berth marsh march berry glade shade haven brook stead trail track cross ditch court castle tower fence perch roost lodge hotel beach shine coast ferry arbor bloom cliff slope climb plain field henge hedge grove bough shore brush grave shard shrub swamp stock stoke press stow send thon canal forge gorge forth basin bound world realm dwell vista vast flood blown bluff mouth mound sound fleet creek swell burst hurst wurst / wyrst drift reach altar cover coven abyss abbey worth shire spire crypt crest knoll ranch range ridge house guard polis bourg burgh ville villa downs falls leigh train thorp comb town vill vila city burg bern burn bury boro holm scot home hope wall hall fell fall down lawn view look road lane drive wear loop vane gate pass abys land park wood bark band leaf pine root roof keep peak hill glen dale dell vale veil rift rise trod well hike tour hold mond york sham head bria gulf isle moat loch lock loth lake mere pour pond drop point drape wash bank cape cove crag knot nash rule gard grow acre cave mine ruin tomb rite pool tide flow bask turn vern / vyrn path ford fort camp tent port fold wold folk nook nock wich nest mill moor more gain dike mont bend bent bach shaw shot sted star ling ring frit / fret nell hole holt rock shed mark edge deep barn beam glow bell call wind wick with / wyth pick loft lair post hive hide / hyde hyth shee weed ward bray / brey tale tart over past hunt lade yate wort / wart / wyrt maid void pyre gast haze maze gaze mile fast side ride / ride wide / wyde sail reef tune wisp wade walk trot yard shop St. Rd. Ln. ton tin / ten sea bay vil del inn row way top wyn wig / wyg ley / lee lia ray set bel cup don den dun fen / fyn / fin not mor nor day / dae end est ham min ken / kin net hub pub sap saw son sey gum yew hue web pen pit paw ash fir ark bed bow urn eye eve let lit / lyt lin / lyn ing ith / yth thy fly try ney fax von gem rod tor cot mow dal low lon sow sor ril / ryl / rel by ry is on en |
I’ll try to keep the list above updated as I think of more, but that is enough to get started brainstorming. I hope it might be helpful to someone; it can produce some nice town names: Fairview, Oakglade, Firshade, Sunshore, Goldleaf, Lilywood, etc.
For specifically coming up with a town name for AC:NL, maybe thinking about the features in the game could stir your imagination on a name that would be fitting: the new “official tree,” the increased coastline, the cliff-side beach, the nearby city, the island, the 3D, and the new outdoor customization options. For example, if you want to use the Japanese outdoor decorations, maybe you’ll want a Japanese-inspired name.
A Forest Life 
Ok I chose SkyCity (I erased my data about 10 times)
Ok i changed my mind i named my town infinote ♩
Looking for a peaceful, Japanese~y town name. I prefer one word names! My town will be a pink/zen theme if that helps. 💗
ピンク the Japanese word for Pink!
I saw New LEAF, it’s a TOwN… mushed ’em together… made Leafton!
Idk I’m having troubles deciding and every time I make a town I feel it’s not perfect and restart. Any ideas on how to stop myself from doing so? Thanks so much.
What I usually do is make a list of qualities I want in a town, then I reset over and over until I get all or most of those features. Resetting for certain features, and getting them, makes the town feel more special and catered towards me and my tastes, so that I’m less likely to restart in the future (plus, I wouldn’t want to do the work of resetting for another town). Then I recommend just sticking with the town and putting a lot of work into it — the work will really add to that feeling of not wanting to reset. 🙂 This is just what works for me, though!
I got MayFall 🙂
I using your name
I’m looking for a word after Pine and not apple
Pinetree? 🙂
Pinecove
Pinegrove
Pinetown
Yea do Utopia
It took me forever but I came up with Oakdew
Evermist, Sweetfog, Calmfall, Swanpass,
anyone got a good name for an earthy perfect apple town?
i used oakley but my town fruit is cherry 😂
I’m thinking I could call mine MistVale
my first town name was SwiftOak i made it up.
haven’t played in a year so i restarted.
i want my town to be full of apple trees. also want stumps lined on the outside of my entire pathways.
any ideas for town like that?
AppleStump? if thats too long you could try AppleLeaf
I will try AtlasBay or Sea or Way or Hernacyd
My town name was Storm…
My character name is storm lol. Haven’t picked a village name yet.
My old name was silk and my town was cherry.. XD
New at this game trying to think of a town name can anybody help me my favorite color is purple and my favorite fruit is strawberry or something with the rose.
Roseberry
Plumgrove
Plumberry
RoseVill?
My town name is fortnight.
I got the name seacave! is that good?
I’m thinking of either Tea or Oak as the starting word but I just can’t choose a second😂
Oakley?
Trying to figure out something to go with Rose!
rosewood!
RoseBrook
My City is called Mayshine ❤️
I’d like to include “violet”, “lilac”, or something purple in my town name. I also like animals. Does anyone have ideas?
Bonus points for including the letter Z!
Magnolia, Amethyst, Mulberry, Indigo, Lavender, Iris, Mauve, Wisteria, and Plum are purple-themed names. It would be hard to include a love of animals and purple in the same town name, with the character limit, though! 🙂 Lilac is short enough that you might be able to tack an ending after it, like Lilacway, Lilacbay, Lilacsea. So is plum, like Plumwood.