Where did the name 'Dungeons and Dragons' come from?

[Xenu]

The subject says it all. I understand that D&D evolved from Chainmail. But who exactly came up with the name "Dungeons and Dragons"? What was the inspiration? Why wasn't the name "Chainmail" kept?

Just curious.

--xenu

 

[Decamber]

Good question... Probably 'twas just yet another cool name that popped up in Gygax's head.

 

[mearls]

I seem to recall an article in Dragon (maybe the annual from a couple years back?) in which EGG talks about the game's genesis. IIRC, he came up with a list of names and of those his daughter like Dungeons & Dragons the best. So that's what they went with.

 

[Xarlen]

Man... the daugher of Gary Gygax. Them's gotta be some gooood bedtime stories.

 

[CWD]

Re: Re: Where did the name 'Dungeons and Dragons' come from?

I seem to recall an article in Dragon (maybe the annual from a couple years back?) in which EGG talks about the game's genesis. IIRC, he came up with a list of names and of those his daughter like Dungeons & Dragons the best. So that's what they went with.

IIRC, I believe he had a list of words (were they all D words?), asked her to pick two, and she chose "dungeons" and "dragons", which is pretty much what you said.

 

[Randolpho]

Man... the daugher of Gary Gygax. Them's gotta be some gooood bedtime stories.

Mostly hack and slash and very little role playing.....

 

[Grazzt]

Re: Re: Where did the name 'Dungeons and Dragons' come from?

I seem to recall an article in Dragon (maybe the annual from a couple years back?) in which EGG talks about the game's genesis. IIRC, he came up with a list of names and of those his daughter like Dungeons & Dragons the best. So that's what they went with.

Yeppers- that is what I heard.

 

[SurgicalSteel]

name...

"Gygax had a particular interest in medieval battles, and founded his own group within the IFW called the Castle & Crusade Society."


This is where phonic cadence originates.

From there its just a process of progression.

 

[Trevalon Moonleirion]

I know this... I really do. Well, I"m going to have to check actually. I read it in the history of D&D thing that's in the TSR Silver Anniversary box. let's see...

Yeah... youngest daughter liked the sound of the two together, like several others have said.

Page 2 and 3 of the story of TSR in that box if you need proof.

 

[LcKedovan]

Seeing certain questions like this every few months makes me think we need an ENWorld FAQ

-Will