Name That Dino! – Automatic Themed Random Dino Names
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Automatically name tames and babies with 10,200+ creature-themed and universal names. Choose name packs, show mutation counts, respin names and customise everything through the NTD Settings Poster. Works with base-game and modded creatures.
Description
Name That Dino!
More than 10,200 names, 124 creature-themed name pools and optional universal packs that work with every creature.
Name That Dino! automatically names your newly tamed, claimed and raised creatures using a huge collection of funny, memorable and carefully curated names.
Version 2 is a major expansion of the original mod. Every feature from Version 1 remains, including creature-themed naming, gender-based name selection, tribe-wide name tracking and the non-repeating draw-bag system.
What’s New in Version 2?
- More than 10,200 names in total
- Seven new universal name packs
- The placeable NTD Settings Poster
- Separate controls for tame and baby naming
- Optional mutation counts in baby names
- Name respins through the creature radial menu
- Individual controls for every name pack
- Optional notifications
- Settings saved separately for each player
- Support for base-game and modded creatures through universal name packs
- Settings-menu navigation for mouse and keyboard and Xbox controllers
Name Packs
Alongside the original Creature-Themed Names, Version 2 introduces seven optional universal name packs.
Creature-Themed Names
Carefully curated names created specifically for each supported creature.
These names are inspired by the creature’s appearance, abilities, behaviour and personality. Creature-Themed Names currently support 124 creature species.
Human Names
A large selection of familiar male and female human names.
ARK YouTubers
Names inspired by 149 ARK content creators, including creators from across the wider ARK community.
Mythological Names
Names of gods, heroes and creatures from myths and legends.
Video Game Characters
Recognisable names inspired by characters from video games.
Pirate Outlaw Names
Names inspired by notorious pirates, outlaws and legendary rogues.
Historical Figures Names
Names based on notable figures from throughout history.
Food & Drink Names
Playful names inspired by meals, snacks, sweets and drinks.
Each pack can be switched on or off using the NTD Settings Poster, allowing you to use any combination you prefer.
The seven universal name packs work with all base-game creatures and creatures added by other mods. They do not require a dedicated species-themed name pool.
NTD Settings Poster
Craft and place the NTD Settings Poster, then interact with it to open the settings menu.
You can control:
- Automatic tame naming
- Automatic baby naming
- Individual name packs
- Baby mutation counts
- Creature name respins
- Notifications
Your selections are saved for your player, allowing everyone to customise how Name That Dino works for them.
Automatic Tame and Baby Naming
Name That Dino supports:
- Standard tames
- Claimed creatures
- Bred babies
- Applicable wild baby tames
Tame naming and baby naming can be controlled separately. This allows you to disable automatic baby names without disabling names for newly tamed creatures.
Babies can use your enabled name packs or the optional mutation-based naming system.
Baby Mutation Counts
The optional baby mutation system displays the number of mutations in selected stats directly within the baby’s name.
You can choose to include:
- Health
- Stamina
- Weight
- Food
- Melee
When mutation naming is enabled, the selected mutation counts take priority over the normal name packs for babies only.
This makes it easier to identify useful breeding babies without repeatedly opening their inventory or checking their ancestry.
Respin Creature Names
Don’t like the generated name?
Use the creature’s radial menu to respin its name and select another name from your enabled packs.
Respins can also be used on existing tamed creatures. This allows creatures from before the Version 2 update to receive an NTD-generated name without automatically renaming everything you already own.
Creatures can still be renamed manually whenever you wish.
Non-Repeating Names
Name That Dino uses a draw-bag system instead of freely choosing from the complete name pool every time.
Each suitable name is used once before any names are repeated. When the pool has been exhausted, it begins again and Roman numeral suffixes are added where necessary:
- Fang
- Fang II
- Fang III
This keeps names varied while allowing the system to continue working after every suitable name has been used.
Used names are tracked across the tribe to help reduce duplicates.
How It Works
- Choose your preferred features and name packs using the NTD Settings Poster.
- A creature is tamed, claimed or raised.
- The mod identifies the creature and its gender where relevant.
- A suitable pool is selected from your enabled name packs.
- The draw-bag system chooses an unused name.
- The name is applied automatically.
Once assigned, the creature can still be renamed normally. The mod will not prevent or overwrite your manually selected name.
Supported Creatures
Creature-Themed Names currently include dedicated name pools for 124 creature species, with more planned for future updates.
Only creatures with a completed curated pool can receive a species-specific Creature-Themed Name. This ensures every supported creature receives names that genuinely suit it.
The seven universal name packs can be used with every base-game or modded creature, even when that creature does not have a dedicated themed name pool.
Updating from Version 1
All Version 1 features remain available in Version 2.
Updating will not automatically rename your existing creatures or overwrite names you have chosen manually.
If you would like to give an existing creature an NTD-generated name, use the new respin option in its radial menu.
Compatibility
Name That Dino is designed to work in:
- Single-player
- Non-dedicated sessions
- Dedicated servers
The mod uses no core remaps and should be compatible with most other mods.
Universal name packs work automatically with creatures added by other mods. Dedicated Creature-Themed Names can also be created for modded creatures once the required creature information and a suitable name pool are available.
ARK YouTubers Name Pack
The ARK YouTubers Name Pack celebrates 149 content creators from across the ARK community.
If you are one of the creators included and would prefer not to have your name in the pack, that is completely fine. Please open a support ticket in our Discord and we will happily remove it.
Suggestions, Support and Updates
Have a funny name idea, want to suggest a creature, need help with the mod or want to recommend another ARK creator?
Name That Dino! – Automatic Themed Random Dino Names Team
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