How'd I Sim Without These?!

Everyone has their favorite links for downloads, hacks, forums, etc. I thought it would be nice to see a different kind of link-list.

This page, instead, is a list of links I use to flesh out my game - links I use to find names of Sims, neighborhoods, surnames, cities, universities, apartments, etc.

Place Names

These are the links I use when I'm trying to come up with place names (street, neighborhood, university, city names, for example).

• NEW! Apartment Names
  A wonderful, A-Z compendium of apartment listings - literally hundreds of names to help you name your new apartment complexes, condominums, etc.
  
  
• Village, Section or Neighborhood Names of Massachusetts Communities
  An unusual place to find names, but it has a huge list of perfect place names listed in alphabetic order
  
  
• Neighborhood Names
  Another interesting place with a nice listing of names
  
  
• Minneapolis Neighborhood Profiles
  Listing of 'hoods in Minneapolis alphabetically
  
  
• Foreign University Name List
  Listing of European universities and their names
  
  
• Spoofs on College Names
  Good list of tongue-in-cheek college names
  
  
• U.S. Universities
  Universities in the U.S. listed by state
  
  
• Old Atlanta Street Names
  Nice names for your 'hood streets
  
  
• Street Name Generator
  Great for coming up with appropriate street names; helpful with type (road, bend, street, circle, etc.)
  
  
• Weird City/Town Names
  For those wanting a little humor in their 'hoods
  
  
• Unusual City Names
  Listed by state, another place to find funny city/town names

Surnames

Coming up with first names is simple when compared to coming up with a fitting or decent-sounding surname. Here is where I find some of my best.

• Behind the Name
  Great site with origins of surnames; listed alphabetically or by nationality
  
  
• GenForum: Surnames
  Great, huge list of surnames on Genealogy site; listed alphabetically
  
  
• Table of Common Surname Variations & Surname Misspellings
  Awesome list, because it gives a name and many variations on spelling it
  
  
• Frequently Occuring Surnames from the 1990 Census
  Obviously quite comprehensive
  
  
• Index of Surnames (Gedcom Site)
  Just a huge, alphabetical listing of surnames
  
  
• GENUKI Surname Lists
  Large listing of UK & Ireland surnames listed by location
  
  
• Old Irish-Gaelic Surnames
  For those wanting to do a historical family
  
  
• Italian Surnames
  Use the alphabet links to browse through
  
  
• Chinese Family Names
  For your Chinese Sims
  
  
• Surnames of Rabbinical Families
  For your Jewish Sims
  
  
• Common Surnames in Japan
  For your Japanese Sims
  
  
• Japanese Surnames
  Listed alphabetically, for your Japanese Sims
  
  
• Hispanic Surnames Database
  Listed alphabetically, for your Spanish Sim

Ethnic Names

I love having a mixed neighborhood, indeed an entire "state" filled with residents of a number of nationalities, races, and cultures. To aid me in giving them appropriate names, I have found the following sites helpful.

The list is not complete, but I have included links to the nationalies and cultures I have used in my own game; more to come. Of course, these names can also be used for regular Sims who would like a special name with a desired meaning.

• Hindu Baby Names from Sanskrit Words
  For your Indian Sims
  
  
• Chinese Baby Names
  An excellent resource for learning the proper way to name your Chinese Sims
  
  
• Japanese Baby Names
  For your Japanese sims
  
  
• All About Japanese Names
  Another great resource for naming customs and names
  
  
• Korean Baby Names
  For your Korean sims
  
  
• Jewish Names
  For your Jewish Sims
  
  
• Spanish Names
  For your Spanish Sims
  
  
• Arabic Baby Names
  For your Arabic Sims
  
  
• African Baby Names
  For your African Sims

Names

Even though this is a site for possible dog names, it is one of the most comprehensive name sites that I have ever seen, covering every possible idea, culture, location, icons, things, mythology, etc.

NAMES by Chinaroad

Other name sites I like:

• Baby Names
  Huge site with thousands of names in helpful categories
  
  
• Baby Name Network
  Able to search alphabetically or by origin
  
  
• Baby Name Genie
  Plug in the surname and sex, and the "perfect" name is generated for you
  
  
• Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names
  Look at lists by year, by most popular as far back as the 1880s
  
  
• Behind the Name
  Same as surname one above, but for first names - very comprehensive
  
  
• Frequently Occuring Names from the 1990 Census (Male)
  This is the male name list
  
  
• Frequently Occuring Names from the 1990 Census (Female)
  This is the female name list
  
  
• Middle Names
  Great for middle or even first names