53 replies to this topic

[Phauxx]

I go off a name already made, and just change the consonants around.

[Skarloth]

Back when I did write, I usually just pondered on a good name for a character until it came to me. If it didn't, I would look around for any words near me, and try to mix them up into interesting names.

I got Skarloth out of Shell, crab... and moth, I think. XD

-Skar

[Axilus Prime]

I either
1.Get some Bionicle words and re-arrange/combine them with others and call it a name,
2.Use a Latin translator on a word that describes the character, then modify the latin word I get,
3.Get a random idea out of nowhere and use it.

[ZHX]

I actually just think of a mechanical/fantasy sounding name. Then I roll with it.

[Architect]

Generally I know how I want a name to sound or what I want it to resemble beforehand. Sometimes I use root words from Greek or some other language (even Matoran). Most of the time, though, I just start with a basic definition of the "feel" of the name and add syllables. I do try not to use too many X's, Z's, etc., because let's face it--those are overused and IMO don't make for very good names on most occasions.

I have, on several occasions, kept a list of names that I sat down and came up with at one point. Then I just use one of them whenever I need a name for something. I've also re-used the names from those lists a lot.

[Great Mask Of Armor]

I used to come up with rather random names, but now I take characteristics of my MOCs (usually either physical or related to their element) and translate them into Maori.

[Randy Disher]

To me it seems all the good names are alays taken.

[Mr. Peanuts]

I have a variety of methods. Quoting myself to display a few:

Old BZPRPG:

Mangai-Hau - My username at the time. As you can guess, I was a bit more of a nueb than I thought I was. It roughly means 'Protector-Shield'-apt because of his role.
Exlaas - 'Ex' for 'outer'. The 'laas' was my attempt to make him sound less like Excalibur.
Gadeli - 'Ga' and 'De' are the matoran prefixes for 'Water' and 'Sonics', respectively. 'Li' was added because I liked the flowing and soft sound.
Viveloc - Strangely enough, this name came from Latin 'vita' for 'life' and 'velociraptor'. Don't ask me why I chose to build a portmanteau of those for such a char.
Nalsk - This name came from 'Na', the elemental symbol for sodium-more commonly known as one half of table salt's compound. 'Lsk' sounded harsh to me at the time and Siberian, so I added it.
Odin, Thor, Magni, Babha, and Macha - All these names are from mythology. Odin is the ruling god in Norse mythology, the one-eyed god of storms and war. The character in-RPG had weather control and only one eye as well. Odin has four servants who answer only to him: Two wolves and two ravens. Thor is one of his sons and Magni is one of Thor's sons, both who serve Odin. In-RPG, they were his wolves. The ravens were named Babha and Macha after the two split personalities of the Morrigan-a Celtic crow goddess who rules over war.
Phogu - Derived from 'phagus', Greek for 'eater'. Again, please do not ask me why I named him for that.
Mars - Named for the Greek god of war. And rightly so-Mars has slain ten makuta and is very, VERY good at fighting.

Early Days:

Vrainut - I remember the 'v' was placed there because it sounded quick to me. I'm not sure from what the rest of his name is derived.

War Zone:

Mangai - My old usernames included 'Mangai' for a time.
Riglax and Nova - Named for two of my online buds who didn't RP at the time.
CPU - Good ol' 'Computer Processing Unit' seemed excellent for a tech-head.
Elda - ...Still not sure how he got this.

New BZPRPG:

Viper - A viper is a particular kind of snake that strikes at high speed and is an excellent hunter due to its ability to sense heat. Guess what Viper is good at.
Vezoro - Portmanteau of 'Vezok' and 'koro'. Makes sense given his personality...I think.

TIoP:

Grotir - Strangely enough, this name came from 'Groetterdammerueng'-German for 'twilight of the gods'. She is essentially a herald of the apocalypse.
Stokunde - Derived from the Deutsch words for 'stoic' and 'gravity'. It's a perfect match for its personality and powers.
Bonnae Gud - Comes from Scots for 'Beautiful Good'. Doesn't make much sense in meaning, but reinforces his birth.
Isjir Jukar - Initials are a tribute to Indiana Jones. I don't remember where the rest of this name came from.

BZIII:

Aexias - Doesn't have any meaning and is wholly original. I chose it for its easy, rolling sound and gentleness.
Hau - Is matoran for 'shield'; ironically, he is nothing of the sort, and especially not in combat (his fighting style only parries and deflects while it's blitzing). But I thought the name would be pretty common due to its meaning.
Keinju Sarusuma - 'Keinju' is a mishmash of German and Japanese sounds. 'Sarusuma' is derived from Japanese 'Sarutobi', the last name of a legendary ninja. 'Suma' is also Japanese, but I only found out after creating Keinju that said letter combination is actually the name of a town in Japan. Apparently it's famous for its beaches...Who would've guessed ace second-in-command to an army would've been so mundane in name?
Knife and Edge - These names are self-explanatory.

[thebeggerpie]

I turn words upside down, see what they look like, pronouce it and if I like it, I move it to the next stage of naming.

I then alter the words order a little, add a few or take a few out, pronouce it and if I like it, it's goes to my list of names to use.

[The Iron Toa]

Some of my characters' names are just random combinations, others are based on real words. A few are direct translations (according to Google) from other languages. I've noticed that generally (but not always) characters that have a major role in my story have names with meaningless backgrounds, while others have names coming from real words. For example I don't think I had anything in mind when I named Morok, other than that it had the same ending as Siok. But when I named two minor (at the time) characters from the same village, which was in the jungle, I named them Dykatte and Lidon, which is a pun on dicotyledon.

That's probably because I need a little help coming up with names for minor characters on the spot. When this isn't the case, it's probably because the minor characters have become more important, or I needed a quick name for a major character, or I thought it sounded cool and/or obscure enough even though it actually means something. For example I named a Toa of Ice Zima, which means Winter in Slavic languages, and he's at least moderately important in the story. I neglected to name him for a while, came up with something quick, and thought it suited him well enough.

[Electric Turahk]

Mix sounds that I like, then try to thinking of a spelling that fits them. I don't put that much thought into it.

~|ET|~

[I-I Am N-n-Not D-Ddude]

Mix sounds that I like, then try to thinking of a spelling that fits them. I don't put that much thought into it.

~|ET|~

Pretty much exactly this. If I need it to sound more intimidating, I'll try to cram a X or Z in there. =P

[Roablin]

I just make up words with random letters, and make them sound cool. That's how I got my username. Sometimes I also just take Maori words like Lego did. For Bionicle characters especially, Maori sounds authentic and it rocks.

[Ultimate Sybre]

I use multiple methods, such as being creative or using a name generator.