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Why fake SINs matter
The SIN is the spine of life in the sixth world. Without one, a person cannot legally rent, ride, or work. Runners buy fakes to pass scanners, stash gear under different names, and survive the moment a corp checks the badge at the door. A good alias carries weight long after the run ends and the credstick clears.
Anatomy of a believable alias
- Given name that fits the issuing nation
- Surname with a plausible cultural root
- Issuing authority that matches the cover story
- Rating that sells the lifestyle the runner pretends to live
Using aliases in play
Hand each player a few rolls and let them pick the burner they will use this run. Track which aliases get burned, which get backstopped further, and which become full second lives. Over a campaign these names build a private map of jobs, lies, and near misses.
GM hooks
Generated SINs work for more than runner cover. Use them for the dead drop contact, the corp wage slave hiding a past, or the body found in an alley with three different IDs in its coat. Each name is a thread, and every thread can pull a crew straight into a new shadow.
What is a Fake SIN?
A Fake SIN is a forged identification credential that allows a shadowrunner to function in legal society-to pass checkpoints, open bank accounts, and deal with legitimate businesses. The quality of a Fake SIN determines how well it stands up to scrutiny from corporate or government security, and a believable name is the first step.
Creating a Believable Identity
When selecting an alias for your Fake SIN, consider:
- Is the name common enough to blend in but not too generic?
- Does the name's origin match the geographical area you use it in?
- Is the name a completely different metatype or gender to better hide your true self?
- Does it hint at a boring, legitimate job (the best cover)?
- How much Nuyen did your ID broker charge for this quality?
Fake SIN Alias FAQs
Here are answers to common questions about generating names for Shadowrun:
Are these names specific to one region?
The names are intentionally drawn from a wide, multicultural pool to reflect the globalized nature of the Sixth World, making them suitable for most major cities.
How does this differ from a runner handle?
A runner handle is a professional alias for the shadows; a SIN alias is a false legal identity used to interact with the legitimate, corporate world.
How do I make the alias more corporate?
Focus on names that sound highly respectable and professional, or pair a common first name with a corporate-sounding last name, such as Whitney Ito.
How many can I generate?
Unlimited-click “Generate” repeatedly and copy or save your top picks.
What are good Fake SIN Aliases (Shadowrun)?
There's thousands of random Fake SIN Aliases (Shadowrun) in this generator. Here are some samples to start:
- Vivian Hadi
- Xia Ivanovski
- Vance Bui
- Kiara Gomes
- Lukas Ivanovski
- Aya Carter
- Ben Xiang
- Leah Xiang
- Whitney Ito
- Zachary Flores
About the creator
All idea generators and writing tools on The Story Shack are carefully crafted by storyteller and developer Martin Hooijmans. During the day I work on tech solutions. In my free hours I love diving into stories, be it reading, writing, gaming, roleplaying, you name it, I probably enjoy it. The Story Shack is my way of giving back to the global storytelling community. It's a huge creative outlet where I love bringing my ideas to life. Thanks for coming by, and if you enjoyed this tool, make sure you check out a few more!
