Last Name Generator
If you’re trying to work with a ton of fake data, sometimes writing the code that generates all the fake stuff, yet still makes some bit of sense is an annoying and time consuming process. I think so too. Here, have a pronounceable (I think in most cases) LastNameGenerator class to help you on your quest.
public class LastNameGenerator
{
public string GetLastName()
{
StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
StringGetter[] Getters = Generator[rnd.Next(Generator.Count - 1)];
bool first = true;
foreach (StringGetter g in Getters)
{
string s = g();
if (first)
{
s = string.Format("{0}{1}", Char.ToUpper(s[0]), s.Substring(1));
first = false;
}
sb.Append(s);
}
return sb.ToString();
}
// certainly I've missed a few
static List<string> NonEndingConsonantChunks = new List<string>(new string []
{
"b", "br", "bl", "c", "ch", "cr", "cl", "d",
"dr", "f", "fl", "fr", "g", "gr", "gl", "gh", "h", "j", "k",
"kr", "kl", "l", "m", "n", "p", "pl", "pr", "q", "r", "s",
"st", "str", "sh", "sl", "sp", "sk", "sc", "sm", "sn",
"t", "tr", "v", "w", "x", "y", "z"
});
static List<string> EndingConsonantChunks = new List<string>( new string []
{
"b",
"c", "c", "c", "c", "c", "c", "c", "c", "c",
"ld",
"d",
"f",
"g",
"gh",
"h",
"k",
"l",
"lm",
"ln",
"m",
"n", "n","n", "n", "n", "n", "n", "n", "n", "n", "n", "n",
"nd",
"p",
"r",
"rd",
"rn",
"s", "s", "s", "s", "s", "s", "s", "s", "s", "s", "s", "s", "s", "s",
"t", "t", "t", "t", "t",
"v",
"w",
"x",
"y", "y", "y", "y", "y",
"z"
});
static List<string> Vowelies = new List<string>(new string[] {
"a",
"e",
"i",
"o",
"u",
"ou",
"ea",
"ie",
"ei"
});
// seed the random
Random rnd = null;
public string NEC()
{
return NonEndingConsonantChunks[rnd.Next(NonEndingConsonantChunks.Count - 1)];
}
public string V()
{
return Vowelies[rnd.Next(Vowelies.Count - 1)];
}
public string EC()
{
return EndingConsonantChunks[rnd.Next(EndingConsonantChunks.Count - 1)];
}
public delegate string StringGetter();
public List<StringGetter[]> Generator = null;
StringGetter[] Seq(params StringGetter [] arr )
{
return arr;
}
public LastNameGenerator()
{
Generator = new List<StringGetter[]>();
rnd = new Random(Convert.ToInt32(DateTime.Now.Ticks % Int32.MaxValue));
Generator.AddRange(new StringGetter [][] {
Seq(NEC, V, NEC, V, EC),
Seq(NEC, V, NEC, V, NEC, V, EC),
Seq(NEC, V),
Seq(NEC, V, EC)}
);
}
}
On a sample run I get such classic names as:
Skukrapond, Nubas,
Cloudeas, Ge, Wiekleagheaw,
Houtabley, (I think this is a word)
Peaten, Nobon, Smislokien,
Clestrospus, Hoveac, Ghidriepien,
Wu (ethnically neutral),
Preacreashut (thats a good one),
Vieglakrot, Flaqorug, Ki, Joyogab, Spukrout
Leslalm, Pou , Droughaskarn ,Klocow,
Ka, Kre, Treakoun , and Koward
You can adjust the arrays, and the frequency of characters to suit your needs. Have fun.
Syntax is simple to use:
// new it up
LastNameGenerator gen = new LastNameGenerator();
for (int x = 0; x < 100; x++)
{
// call it forever
Console.WriteLine(gen.GetLastName());
}
Edit Note: Cleaned up the vast number of newlines to make it obvious why I’ve repeated things.
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