[guipit]

This thread is about how we choose names to give to nameable player characters like in Final Fantasy,Skyrim,Fallout,Dark Souls etc. (maybe Cyberpunk2077)

If it's a fantasy game. I always refer to Andrzej Sapkowski's characters here http://witcher.wikia...s_in_the_novels and try to mix and match them with other names.

For example I found the name "Giuscard Vermuellen" and named my Dark Souls character "Van Giuscard"

I also try to find meaning within the names like my Skyrim character "Askellad" which means "ash lad". Ysgramor and Tiber Septim also had ash related nicknames from what I remember,which is why I picked that name.


How do you guys name your characters?

[Jack in the green]

I usually quote a literary character that I particularly liked, or come up with one that sounds similar...

For example, for my canon playthroughs of Baldurs Gate I and II, back in the day, I used a Mage called "Ged", after the protagonist of the "Earthsea" novels, by Ursula K. Le Guin.

[Pham]

Usually use the first appropriate name that comes to mind. Often its a character from a different video game, or one of my old MMO character names. The book I am reading at the moment also has some impact on my choice. Or I just choose a normal, everyday name I like.

[Pangaea]

I try to come up with a name that sounds like it could have been in one of those RPGs, yet connected to my own via the first character for example. But the last time I simply used Pangaea, because that is "mine" somehow, and it just felt better.

[Damariel]

Damariel and Eandrill for fantasy RPGs.
For games like Fallout I chose Lukas Cage (don't mistake it with Luke Cage ;P)

When I don't want to take one of this I just simply make up one that sounds right in that game.

[Rezo Inverse]

Rezo Inverse for fantasy RPG's. Inspired by the characters of the anime called Slayers (one of my favorites) - Lina Inverse and Rezo, the Red Priest.

[kyogen]

I try to think of something that sounds like it belongs in the given universe. If I base one of my characters on another character, I might do a variant on that original character's name, but that's about as creative as it gets. As long as they aren't named after me, it's good enough.

[▫ Dona ▫]

One thing is for sure, I never name my characters the same, but the actual name origins vary. Sometimes it's just a name I like, sometimes a 'concept' comes first and I name them accordingly, and sometimes it's inspired by existing characters from games, books and movies, or even referencing music. Usually it's a mix of everything. Some examples:

Skyrim character: Ariana. Blatantly went for a female version of Aryan because I love his name. Design-wise I tried to give her Geralt's profile (nose; pic), so it's another nod to TW2.

VtM:B character: Scarlett. I know, never heard such a name related to a vampire before! It's pretty cliched, but I thought it appropriate because I made her a Toreador, the type of vampire that's very vain and usually into arts/entertainment. I was thinking of Vivien Leigh as Scarlet O'Hara.

[Thor666Arise]

Well as long as it sounds okay and fits in the games universe I use my own name for my first or main character, at least in single player rpgs. For any other character and in MMOs I try to find a name in Celtic or Germanic mythology.

[Purpleknight]

I normally use the names of the stories I wrote long ago. From most used to less:

-Man: Barkeon, Asor, Gaunt, Kendall (best Guild Wars chara ever) and Jethro.
-Woman: Helina and Clarissa.

But ultimately I pick one of those names (or another) and go one step further, like for example "Barkeon Fier Gundnamas" for Mount & Blade XD . Or the best idea that I had ever in my life: something + Purple + something else.

[gab961111]

Anything in my mind in the moment. Sometimes its really weird and i regret my decision.

[dragonbird]

Thor666Arise said:

Well as long as it sounds okay and fits in the games universe I use my own name for my first or main character, at least in single player rpgs. For any other character and in MMOs I try to find a name in Celtic or Germanic mythology. ›››

I usually use a variant on my own name for the first playthrough (Two versions, one male, one female).

That fell apart spectacularly in one game where it just so happened that there was a companion with the same name at the start. Confused the hell out me for a few minutes.

Any animal companion is always called Sheba, regardless of species or gender. (Named after my youngest cat).

[ebevan91]

I'm pretty uncreative and boring so normally I just name my characters either the default name, or my first name. If I'm playing as a female, I name my character the feminine version of my first name by simply adding an "a" to the end of the name.

It's weird sometimes though, because the names will not fit the type of game I'm playing at all.

[Kindo]

Lucrethiel, Teolwyn, Yselda, and Zeani are my favourite names to use, with the surname Fennelroot when it suits the game. They're all names that were created for character concepts I've come up with over the years, while playing The Lord of the Rings Online. If a game comes with a default name, I always stick to that, however.

[slimgrin]

I tend to stick with norse or slavic names. Slavic names just sound cool. As for norse, I've got a long history of Danes and Fins in my family. Freyja, Torsten, Gunnar. Stuff like that.

[Juuuhan]

Either a real name that I see fitting or whatever combination of two separe words that I find fitting (ex. Skullbreaker). Also song titles/texts can provide inspiration/help if you can't figure out a fitting name (ex. Judas Priest - Nightcrawler).

If we're talking about mmo where names generally get taken by another character, I look for fictional characters in games/books/mythology etc or go back to combining multiple words but this time in latin, as very few people goes through the trouble of getting a name written in latin.

If we are looking at making up names I generally feel you need to be a bit careful cause more often than not you realize later on that your made up name is extremely retarded.

[Squall D. Leonhart]

About Final Fantasy and in general games with characters that already have a name, I just don't change them. For games in which I have to make a character, in past I chose names from other games or books that I've liked (an example could be my nickname here ), now I prefer words that I like, as Silverhand, that I chose for some online games. Also, if there is the possibility to change weapons' names (as in Vagrant Story), I usually pick mythological or historical ones

[jjavier]

I start to play RPGs been a child.
Back then, I can't help name my characters with profanities.

Later, when I grow up a little, I start to keep the original names. I do that until now.

[Guy N'wah]

I'm happiest with a character name when it sounds like it belongs in the context of the game and has some kind of (possibly double) meaning.

Thus Guy N'wah, private eye, was deported to Morrowind, where he was surprised that everybody seemed to know his name.


[Guy Noir bobblehead copyright American Public Media]

[227]

Back when KOTOR first came out, my brother was obsessed with naming his character with the last name "Solo." It drove me crazy, so I made a mocking name: Organ Solo. Musical, dramatic, and a middle finger to his weird obsession. The joke was on me, though, because I actually enjoyed people calling me that in-game to such an extent that it carried over to most other games.

In games where character have pre-set names I'll usually stick to the defaults, though I'll admit to going overboard at times: