Sci-fi names can be tricky, but one method I swear by is blending real-world languages with futuristic twists. Like, take a word like 'horizon' and mash it with something techy—'Horizotron' sounds like a space station right away. I also love flipping through old astronomy books for Latin or Greek roots; 'Nebulix' came from that. Don’t shy away from weird keyboard smashes either—'Xyrrhavn' started as random typing until it felt alien enough.
Another trick? Think about the culture in your story. If it’s a dystopian megacorp, maybe slick, branded names like 'NeoVexa.' For a gritty alien planet, guttural sounds work—'Krath’mog.' Sometimes I’ll even use placeholder names from my playlist (shoutout to the band 'Chvrches' for inspiring 'Chv’ralis'). The key is to let it simmer—what feels clunky today might click tomorrow.