Coming up with good gnome names is essential if you acquire a gnome statue or figurine. So, we put our best to the task and the results are listed below.
Although the existence of gnomes can be traced back to the Greeks and Romans, the birth of the garden gnome lies in Germany. The seven dwarfs in the Brothers Grimm story Snow White are considered gnomes. The Brothers Grimm popularized gnomes. In the mid-1800s garden gnomes began to be manufactured in Germany. Usually made of clay or carved wood, the gnomes drew their designs from book illustrations.
Good Gnome Names
There are a number of good, solid gnome names that are all appropriate for your garden guardian. Here are some:
Christopher
Jonathan
Timothy
Charlie
Sissy
Warren
Sam
Michael
Colin
Eartha
Griffin
Willard
Molly
Paul
Trevor
Jane
Bixby
Stuart
Ann
Wilson
Larry
Arthur
Tyrone
Zanzibar
Willard
Barney
Toby
Yvette
Peter
John
Fred
Carlos
George
Richard
Diane
Funny Gnome Names
You can’t deny that gnomes are kind of funny looking. So, why not give them funny names? Their look and name will make us laugh. Here are some funny ones:
Gnomezilla
Bilbo
Shanana
Itty Bitty
Davodd
Gnomer Pyle
Alyvin
Chipmunk
White Beard
Billie Elfish
Gnorman Bates
Willie Smellyfeet
HoHo Oddbottom
Silicon Scrubface
Cathy Catnip
Shutter Timebender
Gnomy McGnome Face
Donovan Ratskellar
Bentley Stonecleaner
Artic Monkey
Nicky Boondoggle
Suzi Sourface
Ivan Pointyhat
Shawn the Storyteller
Rodney Chickenpox
Naming Ideas
Sy Xylophone
Inch Squiggleworm
Spanx
Geoffrey Wigglebottom
Wallaby Winkle
Balloon
Constable Clooney
Gnome Run
Hugs Halfwit
Giggles
Blinky
Comet Stellar
Billy Bombay
Ziggy McFarland
Rhondo
Sonny Sodclomper
Delbert McQuaken
Snaps Handlebars
Winklebutt
Helen Humpback
Buddy Sockhop
Felix Fignitious
Nugget Fillibuster
Bangles
Gnorbit
Donald Dimwit
Marty McFly
Nimble Candlestick
Iggy Stooges
Ronnie Rumbuckle
Willie Wizzleworm
Bomba Squad
Hands Free
Laughs Mahoney
Bridgette Nicklepenny
Top Ten Classic Gnome Names
Gnomes have a certain look and style, and because of this, there are names that have become classics over the years. Here are the top ten:
Ludwig
Christof
Benjamin
Hans
Amadeus
Rupert
Helga
Jergen
Willhelm
Thadeus
History of Garden Gnomes Video
Garden Dwarfs
In Germany, garden gnomes are called gartenzwerge or “garden dwarfs.” In 1847, Sir Charles Isham brought 21 garden gnomes from Germany to England. His daughters disliked the gnomes and removed 20 from their homestead. The one they missed was named “Lampy” It is 174 years old and insured for $2,000,000 pounds.
How Do They Make Garden Gnomes?
In the beginning in Germany, mass produced garden gnomes were made with clay. Hand sculpted and fired in a kiln, the gnomes were then painted. Some manufactures would create plater molds and pour resin into the molds. The two-piece molds were separated, and a gnome emerged. The gnomes were then hand painted.
Today, garden gnomes can be blow molded or injection molded out of plastic and painted on an assembly line. You can still purchase gnomes made of clay. These gnomes need protection from the cold because they can freeze and crack. Resin molded garden gnomes are solid and durable. They are weather-proof and can be just as attractive as their clay cousins.
Gnome: True or False?
In the Second Century A.D., the Roman Emperor Hadrian hired real people as “ornamental hermits.” These hermits lived and hid in his garden. They were hired to protect the flowers and plants. True or False?
Answer: True – Although the practice did not last long, it led to statues replacing the hermits and the rest is history.
Cool Gnome Names
You seen pictures of gnomes wearing sunglasses. Especially the “Roaming Gnome,” spokesgnome for Travelocity. Even his tag line “Wander Wisely,” is cool. Why not pick a cool name for your garden gnome. Here are some cool ones:
The One and Only Gnome
Panther
Tri-face
Brother Soil
Firecracker
Gnome Sweet Gnome
Method Man
Barron Von Risky
Houston
Igloo
Sherlock Gnomes
Laser Queststone
Chester Smoothington
Bad to the Bone
Zing Zang
Istanbul
Grizzly
Indiana
Fever Maker
Boston
Gecko
Camelot
Cheyenne Silverheels
Toad
Vortex
Gnomeo
Copperbolt
Geronimo
Tina Trickknee
Gnome Trivia
In Germany, the popularity of garden gnomes has increased over the years. Now, there are approximately 25 million garden gnomes in German yards. True or False?
Answer: True – German gnomes are often portrayed playing instruments like accordions, violins, and lutes.
The Secret Garden at the White House
While it doesn’t contain a garden gnome, the secret children’s garden at the White House is still pretty cool. Hidden somewhere on the South Lawn of the White House, is a secret children’s garden. It was created by President Lydon B. Johnson and first lady Lady Bird Johnson. Discreetly tucked behind a hedge, the garden is filled with beautiful flowers and plants.
The Johnson’s started a beloved and ongoing tradition of having their grandchildren place their handprints in the garden. The presidents and first ladies that followed have also placed their grandchildren’s hand imprints. The imprints are in slabs between flagstones on paths throughout the garden. To date, 19 presidential grandchildren have their hand imprints in the garden. Also, there is plenty of room for future generations of grandchildren to leave their marks.
Evil Names for Gnomes
Some garden gnomes are depicted with an evil looking intent on their face. Here are some evil names for those gnomes:
Quakes
Mangey Murphy
The Slasher
Buffy
Sneer
Axe Holder
Miley McEvil
The Devil
Volcano
Kraken’s Smile
Debbie Downer
Warlock
Devil Eyes
Megastorm
The Hacker
Storm Trooper
Meanspirit McGee
Dragon’s Breath
Evil Twin
Gnomercy
Ninja Nightstalker
Steamdigger
Drop Kick
Nicky Sharpstick
Sheer Evil
Do you know your gnomes?
When Archeologists were excavating at the site of the great pyramids in Egypt, they found a garden gnome. The gnome was in the burial chamber of King Akenhaten, near the largest pyramid. True or False?
Answer: False – There has never been any evidence of garden gnomes with Egyptian Kings or Queens.
Female Gnome Names
It appears that most gnomes are male, but there are female gnomes circulating out there. Many have long flowing hair. Some have hats and some do not. Here are some names for female gnomes:
Rapunzel
Nazanin
Breanna
Amaretta Porridge
Rezyre
Susan Klingon
Belinda
Inharanna
Minny
Jansel
Tawny Tinselgarden
Libby
Rena Xena
Foxxy Zahara
Cute Names
Daphinia
Zandia Prisus
The Wench
Mya
Lydia
Katrina Waves
Lilly Lilliputian
Ariala
Tiffany Toadstool
Faedira
Tammy
Daphne Dogooder
Tilly
Elanor Rigby
Freedah
Dimples
Trudi Hedgecomber
Bonita
Erjin
Gigget
Klini
Tinkerella
Charlene
Elfin Princess
Bronwyn Manchester
Juanita
Lilac Heartblossom
Tina Windmachina
Male Gnome Names
Male gnomes should not just be named Sleepy or Grumpy, here are some alternatives:
Clint Straightshooter
Norbert
Blimpy
Torj the Conqueror
Quinn
Cranky
Peanut
McHale
Bo Jangles
Shorty
Flargin McKrankle
Yani
Rumpus
Erik Underwear
Winky Dinky
Peter Pan
Jibb Sailboat
Muddy Waters
Karl
Rhondo
Stubby Stubblefield
Mercury
Ian McSphincter
Lumpy
Ronan
Dancer
Alfi Digscratcher
Santa Claus (Yes, in many countries Santa Claus is considered a gnome)
Gnome: True or False?
Greek Mythology mentions a character named Priapus. He is the son of Aphrodite and Dionysus or Hermes. Statues of Priapus were placed in gardens to ensure fertility and ward of intruders. True or False?
Answer: True – His story is believed to be the origin of garden gnomes.
Strange Gnome Names
The whole tradition of placing odd-looking little character in your garden to protect the plants seems a little strange. That could mean that a strange name is appropriate. Here are some strange ones:
Katy Kestnestle
Vladimir Crossly
Gorwyn
Westibal
Marjorie Mudpants
Eroposs
Follixy
Ronrug Rooney
Glaxon Transom
Zagreb
Smurfenbacken
Derek Toddspeckle
Jever
Fineas Fogwhistle
Nespar Nilwagon
Suzi Expo
Quagmire
Neal Tobaggan
Rush Lingenberry
Gylnthik
Yules Verne
Dicki Toggleswitch
Clement Wellspring
Dominique Bunrustle
Petunia Pigwhistle
Where did the Kidnapping of Garden Gnomes Come from?
Known colloquially as “gnoming” the garden gnome does not have to be kidnapped. The concept is to take your garden gnome with you on vacation and in your travels. The practice began in 1970 with a photographer named Henry Sutherland. He took his two garden gnomes, Harry and Charlie, on travels with him worldwide and shared photographs. In 1986, the Sydney Morning Herald ran a story about a kidnapped gnome. A note was left, “Gone off to see the world.”
A gnome kidnapping made national headlines and TV news in 2005 when a group of college students kidnapped a gnome. They named the gnome Gnome Severson and took him on a long road trip. Eventually Gnome Severson found his way back to his owner. His original owner sold Gnome Severson on ebay. Some of the original owner’s friends had purchased the Gnome and continued to bring him on their travels.
Final Gnome Fun Fact
Generally garden gnomes can range from one to two feet tall down to three inches (for indoor gardens and terrariums). But, in the small town of Dawson, Minnesota, near the banks of the Lac qui Parle River, things are different. About 60 miles west of Minneapolis sits a village of full-size garden gnomes. That’s right full size, three or four feet tall. The gnomes can be found in a variety of poses and a range of occupations.
By Tim Moodie
Tim is a little frightened of garden gnomes. He has a recurring dream about an evil garden gnome chasing him through a jungle-like garden. The dream always ends the same way with Tim tripping and face planting. As he lays in the dirt, he looks up and sees the evil garden gnome looking down at him and laughing.
Encore
You are on our 237 Cute Gnome Names page.
You might like: