Names and Naming

Names and naming

Male birth names: Algrin, Balrick, Calwick, Dorrin, Eldric, Fenwick, Garrin, Hobrin, Izzik, Jorric, Krandell, Lorfin, Merrik, Norbit, Ozrick, Pinnock, Quinrick, Rorric, Tobbick, Wrenwick.

Female birth names: Almina, Brinella, Caribel, Dorinda, Elsin, Fenella, Gloribel, Haldria, Iselda, Jorinda, Klaria, Lindia, Maren, Norilla, Orinda, Penelle, Quindra, Rillia, Syrinda, Tamsin.

Gender-neutral birth names: Aelric, Brindle, Crinkle, Drellin, Elric, Fiddle, Glin, Harkin, Inric, Jindle, Kinric, Lorrin, Merril, Nimric, Ospen, Pindle, Quist, Rindle, Thistle, Wispin.

Notes

Place names

Place names omit spaces and often describe how the place is, or what it once was: Kingsport, Portland, Shadyvale, Quietmeadow. Villages and towns are often a natural feature plus "burrow," as in Pineburrow.

Personal names

People, places, and things get English names only. Personal names omit spaces.
Most are adjective then noun (adjective always first). Occasionally a name is adverb then verb, and it must make sense, as in Highflight and Deepswim.
The full formal name runs: common name, family name, birthplace, county, clan, then "of the Hearthkin." Nine times in ten only the common and family names are used.

Birth names and nicknames

Birth names are a common practice in all four clans. A birth name honors an ancestor and comes from the lists in the names field of this page, and similar names can be created when needed.
Under 30, people usually go by their birth name. Over 30, they usually go by a common name, a nickname, and they can have many.
Nicknames are earned and each has a story, so a person may not have one yet. A nickname marks an incident or achievement from the person's life: an honor, or a humorous incident whose retelling usually begins, "Remember when..."
Nicknames reflect clan culture: a Landclan nickname like Cowtipper would never belong to another clan. About half of nicknames are whimsical, especially in rural areas.