The Thread of Fantasy Character Names! */

1. The Thread of Fantasy Character Names!

   #41

   Excellant point though I thought that during the Middle Ages, nobels had a first and last name due to their nobel birth(ex; A Knight, King, Coursier, Vassal, Lord) and the common people only went by one name. Of course this would complicate matters if there was a marriage between common person and a nobel.

2. The Thread of Fantasy Character Names!

   #42

   That arrangement took hold utizing the place name as the last name. The last name was based upon the holding of the family. Given the presence of heraldry and knowledge of noble lines made the parental name inconsequential for those of noble birth... as everyone knew who everyone was. Titles were listed as honorifics, like Mr. Mrs.
   
   During the 1500s, it was then expanded to bloodlines, given the presence of those of royal/ higher noble blood without property. Thus they needed to have a name of title, without actually having the title.
   
   During the same time, peasants lost other names. It was name and profession of location, or name father's name of location. Since peasants did not generally travel, they lost the location name in all but the most official documents. In cities, free serfs lost their parent's and location's name, and stuck to the profession name... this way they were "untracable" as escape serfs.
   
   Between the expansion of cities, the breakdown of serf's being tied to the land, and changes in the way book keeping and more modern monarchies forced the new naming convention.

3. The Thread of Fantasy Character Names!

   #43

   
   You know one thing I really hate? It is all these so called fantasy worlds that have not generated a rationalist revolution, that are psuedo medival, that have modern style First and Last Names.
   

   
   
   I hope that my previous posts on this thread did not cause offense. Of the Midian cultures that utilise multiple names:
   Formourians (in decreasing order of frequency) use occupational, locational, and generational names, due to the commonality of first names in that culture, with nobles having (and generally needing) no last names;
   Elves only with respect to those who belong to a Great House--which is not properly a real last name at all;
   Killian utilise a three-tiered naming structure: clan, personal, and clutch--every sibling born to a single laying will have the same "last" name;
   Heldanns exclusively use a generational naming scheme, due to the importance that culture places on respect to one's family reputation, this is either a parent or grand parent's name;
   Goths often select their own last names simply from choice--this culture does not require one to retain any name or self-image for life--both first and last names (if any) may come and go at will;
   Ghouls are the only culture that has last names in the modern sense, they perhaps began doing so when they noticed epitaphs on grave markers suggesting so, the true origin of Ghoul family names has been lost to antiquity.
   
   Other cultures in Midian do not generally have more than one name. The uniqueness of Elven and Goblin/Hobgoblin names preclude an immediate need for a family identifier, and other cultures (namely those on the eastern continent of Osterre) are still largely tribal, where everyone encountered is either familiar or a probable enemy. Of course, since only Formour and the Heldannic Confederation are the only two that can be at all considered analogs of historic Europe, milage for others will vary.

4. The Thread of Fantasy Character Names!

   #44

   I hope that my previous posts on this thread did not cause offense.

   
   I think it takes more than that to give offense ;)
   It is a matter of personal preference, thats all.
   
   
   Here in Scandinavia, where I am from, we have long used double names. Though in medieval times the name structure was thus:
   + son
   
   So if your name is HÃ¥kon and your father was Torgeir then it would be:
   HÃ¥kon Torgeirson
   
   Another variation is (female) + dottir
   example: You: (Vigdis) + Father: (Sigurd) = Vigdis Sigurddottir
   
   I seem to recollect that they abandoned this name system sometimes around the first national people censuses, as it was near impossible to trace lineages and such.
   
   Also I seem to recollect that the old romans had double names or even triple names, they might even have four names, but those were certainly based on merit (Like Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, The Elder)
   More on roman names
   
   Sure they all differ from our current way of giving names. But there is a certain likeness. Most of fantasy is a shameless mix between modern and past anyways. Just look at marriage: Which roleplayer would marry a 10 year old? Such marriages was commonplace in classical and medieval times. The gap of time also marks a remarkable gap of mentality.
   
   I have no doubt that our descendants will view some of our customs as gruesome and barbaric too.
   

5. The Thread of Fantasy Character Names!

   #45

   Kinslayer... It is all good.
   
   Hence the slash. People who go "oh my world is so unique", using late 20th century naming conventions, just peeved me off that day. (In addition to people who have a six sylable elven name, with the simple English name Strong Tree). People need to understand their history and the development of things over time more that just appending things on. Which you have, and have a reason, so it is all good.
   
   For those of you who don't... GRRRRRRRRR!!!!

6. The Thread of Fantasy Character Names!

   #46

   Persian names
   Khshayarsha
   Koroush
   Khorvash
   Kambujiya
   Bardiya
   Dariush
   Darayavaush
   Artakshathra
   Ardeshir
   Sogdianush
   Borosh
   Darankhaya
   
   (The above are the true Old Persian forms of names of Persian kings, such as Xerxes {Khshayarsha}, Cyrus {Koroush or Khorvash}, or Darius {Dariush or Darayavaush})

7. The Thread of Fantasy Character Names!

   #47

   Some of these I got from generators, so forgive if you've seen them before. Others I made up.
   
   Male:
   
   Rhili
   Dway
   Fym
   Biliwyr
   Galendath
   Wicohach
   Traemas
   Laep
   Taeddry
   Blic
   Syr
   Georwyn
   Bleodoc
   Joll
   Wylamadar
   Dallover
   Talederel
   Blon
   Nicho
   Donan
   Tonale
   Paither
   Wester
   Salen
   Trelling (could be a place)
   Kastian
   Lyonaltenin
   Keris
   Togg
   
   Female:
   
   Rhoiwen
   Uinaewiel
   Thilaniel
   Kaiwyn
   Fasa
   Nyo
   Hessi
   Myrrh
   Lurka
   Nanabrindariel (Dari/Brin)
   Beralaurel
   Shaewyn
   Wina
   Celi
   Vlannia
   Jinne
   Cheaux
   Mrynai

8. The Thread of Fantasy Character Names!

   #48

   Here are some names from campaigns that I have participated in. They are various races and gender. (Some of them have been taken from other games, but we liked them so much that we used them. Sorry if you have already seen them.)
   
   Jehan
   Stryker
   Jarlath
   Tarlach
   Gwazi
   Eogan
   Karg
   Bregnor
   Fenuvius
   Darota
   Leknaat
   Kuruk
   Elborith
   Brighton
   Cadderly
   Gareth
   Thorak
   Kruskin
   Bendikar
   Skylax
   Karu Leatherneck
   Threlak
   Ain Dalo
   Han Finrik
   Ell Harno
   Xian-Xing
   Garda Frost
   Veranak
   Darimen
   Naren
   Kenseth
   Flagg
   Krull
   Darinac
   Aromach
   O'Elzander
   Zook
   Ulfgar
   Artemais
   Johara
   Mathias
   Xorax
   Xander
   Jerick
   Jade
   Rafe
   Fenwark
   Zuboko
   Suhtek
   Flik
   Rubi
   Grenseal
   Kwanda
   Tal
   Jacabo
   Riddick
   Kongol
   Luca
   
   and...
   
   Maximo (my personal favorite 8) )

9. The Thread of Fantasy Character Names!

   #49

   Kirkis
   Zod
   Kyara Ravenguard
   Taithleach
   Orlando
   Hadhod
   Thorguld Twinbeard
   Damador
   Teo
   Raven Shadowdancer
   Snow
   Storm Thunderflame
   Moonbeam Silverhaven
   Arturo

10. The Thread of Fantasy Character Names!

    #50

    Can you order your names by species/ culture and by gender? That way they will be more useful to other people reading the thread. And you can do it by editing, so you don't have to repost.
    
    Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought. Just a thought.

11. The Thread of Fantasy Character Names!

    #51

    http://tekeli.li/onomastikon/
    
    I could just take the listings and post them here, but I thought it might be easier to just give the link.
    
    Kate Monk's Onomastikon
    (Dictionary of Names)
    
    This is a collection of names from around the world which was initially intended to help provide character names for live role-players. It includes short historical backgrounds, male and female first names or personal names, and surnames or family names, from many countries and periods. The author is not an expert in onomastics or history so would like to apologise if any mistakes have been made. All names included are from genuine sources to the best of her knowledge, but this is not an academic study and should not be relied upon by re-enactment societies which require specific dates and instances of occurrence for the names they use.
    
    New webmaster's note: This onomastikon was compiled by Kate Monk and hosted by Sal Robertson at gaminggeeks.org. Since as of early July 2005 that site is not available, I have retrieved the content from web.archive.org, amended the HTML slightly, and offer it here. I have otherwise left Sal's and Ms. Monk's work unaltered. It is not the intent of this site to interfere with the copyright or authorship of Ms. Monk's onomastikon in any way, or to claim that anyone other than Ms. Monk compiled the information presented herein. -- Roger

12. Re: The Thread of Fantasy Character Names! */

    #52

    SINCE WE ARE MOVING THESE AGAIN.... I want to do this one.  You can all do the rest.

13. Re: The Thread of Fantasy Character Names! */

    #53

    http://ebon.pyorre.net/
    
    In role-playing games, authentic atmosphere is a sum of many things. Regional customs, garments, architecture and names are all among things that add to a fulfilling gaming experience. Unfortunately, more often than not, every person the player characters encounter in a fantasy game has its name lifted from a popular novel, or, even worse, a phone book or a calendar.
    
    Everchanging Book of Names (a.k.a. EBoN) is a shareware random name generator for 32-bit Microsoft Windows systems. Originally written to be a game master aid, it has since proven its usefulness in various situations other than role-playing, such as writing stories or naming fabrics and miniature horses. Its highly sophisticated algorithm ensures that most of the names generated by it are readily usable. Moreover, the wide selection of name sets (called chapters) ensure that the names are truly unique and come in different flavors.
    
    The software is written by and copyright © Sami Pyörre.
    

14. Re: The Thread of Fantasy Character Names! */

    #54

    I got that generator in my head. Never had to look up anything anywhere.
    
    You guys need a better imagination. :p

15. Re: The Thread of Fantasy Character Names! */

    #55

    Usually when I need character names, I go to an actual site for baby names.  Some of the names they have are pretty exotic sounding, and you have the advantage of getting the name meaning, too.

16. Re: The Thread of Fantasy Character Names! */

    #56

    When I need names I make fun of my friends and record the odd sounds of confusion and angst that appears from their mouth.

17. Re: The Thread of Fantasy Character Names! */

    #57

    LOL
    

18. Re: The Thread of Fantasy Character Names! */

    #58

    This list is dedicated to MoonHunter. Unfortunately, due to it's massive size, I have to post a link to it.
    
    http://www.geocities.com/kuseru/workingarea/JapaneseNames.pdf

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