Naming Species

HighKingScrungis · 11-16-2016, 09:54 AM

So I have a few issues with the world that I am trying to both write and then use in a campaign. The lore is really complicated, but I am trying to name one species in particular. They were once a sci-fi race that devolved back thousands of years due to what I can only sum up as magical radiation. Now they are split into a few categories. The main two are 'Highbreeds' and 'Lowbreeds'. As far as stats go, this can translate to elves and orcs respectively. The issue is, I have no idea what to actually call this race. They all come from an underground continent full of abominations and migrated up. For themeing, I would like it to match my other race, which I have called 'Omnithropes' because they physically change to reflect their environment. I can give more detail on the world and it's lore if that would help.

Phantasm · 11-16-2016, 09:59 AM

IME, it's best to keep the names simple; one or two syllables are best, three at most. This makes it easier not only for the race in question to say, but also the players and other folks in the game world.

Feel free to steal words from other languages, too. I've been known to use languages such as Swahili, Hindi, and Korean for naming things, if I wanted to give them a slightly more exotic flavor to the names.

Anders · 11-16-2016, 10:01 AM

What language do you want them named in? Giving them names in suitable distorted e.g. anglo-saxon can give them a feel of being ancient. According to this dictionary, "lowbreed" or (properly) lowborn in Anglo-Saxon is "Ceorlboren" (cp. "churl") and Highborn could be "Cyneboren". To make a tribe-name you add "-ung", so Ceorlboren would become Ceorlungs and Cyneboren could be "Cynung" (cp. "king").

GodBeastX · 11-16-2016, 10:04 AM

http://fantasynamegenerators.com/

Best site in the world when you can't think of names. Will generate names from languages to fictional ideas.

Purple Haze · 11-16-2016, 10:27 AM

Who is doing the naming? If it is the race itself, it is likely to be something like "The People", "Mankind", or "Human Beings" in their own language.

If others are naming them then either their geographic origin or their most distinguishing feature in the other's language. These can be disparaging.

Often, the dominant culture adopts the first new people encountered's name for the second one encountered.

Maybe: Underthings, Deep Ones, Diggers, ...

HighKingScrungis · 11-16-2016, 10:42 AM

I wasnt expecting so many responses right away! So, you guys brought up a few good questions, like who is doing the naming. I think it would need two separate names. The human government got real fascist and sciencey (not evil per se) right around when any gameplay starts, so they would give them something complicated and scientific sounding. Anders, you're definitely on the right track as for what they would call themselves.

So, for some context, the world is basically a giant bio-dome. The species in question was once a post singularity, TL 30ish race. They arent necessarily aware of their ancestry, but the feelings of supremacy remain.

I also have been thinking of renaming humans. They're more of a construct race resembling humans. Oh man, I might need to get in to the worlds lore just to home in on the naming conventions.

11-16-2016, 09:54 AM	#1
HighKingScrungis Join Date: Nov 2016	Naming Species So I have a few issues with the world that I am trying to both write and then use in a campaign. The lore is really complicated, but I am trying to name one species in particular. They were once a sci-fi race that devolved back thousands of years due to what I can only sum up as magical radiation. Now they are split into a few categories. The main two are 'Highbreeds' and 'Lowbreeds'. As far as stats go, this can translate to elves and orcs respectively. The issue is, I have no idea what to actually call this race. They all come from an underground continent full of abominations and migrated up. For themeing, I would like it to match my other race, which I have called 'Omnithropes' because they physically change to reflect their environment. I can give more detail on the world and it's lore if that would help.

11-16-2016, 09:59 AM	#2
Phantasm Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the road again...	Re: Naming Species IME, it's best to keep the names simple; one or two syllables are best, three at most. This makes it easier not only for the race in question to say, but also the players and other folks in the game world. Feel free to steal words from other languages, too. I've been known to use languages such as Swahili, Hindi, and Korean for naming things, if I wanted to give them a slightly more exotic flavor to the names. __________________ "Life ... is an Oreo cookie." - J'onn J'onzz, 1991 "But mom, I don't wanna go back in the dungeon!" The GURPS Marvel Universe Reboot Project A-G, H-R, and S-Z, and its not-a-wiki-really web adaptation. Ranoc, a Muskets-and-Magery Renaissance Fantasy Setting

11-16-2016, 10:01 AM	#3
Anders Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	Re: Naming Species What language do you want them named in? Giving them names in suitable distorted e.g. anglo-saxon can give them a feel of being ancient. According to this dictionary, "lowbreed" or (properly) lowborn in Anglo-Saxon is "Ceorlboren" (cp. "churl") and Highborn could be "Cyneboren". To make a tribe-name you add "-ung", so Ceorlboren would become Ceorlungs and Cyneboren could be "Cynung" (cp. "king"). __________________ “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...” Marcus Aurelius

11-16-2016, 10:04 AM	#4
GodBeastX Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Behind You	Re: Naming Species http://fantasynamegenerators.com/ Best site in the world when you can't think of names. Will generate names from languages to fictional ideas. __________________ RPG Jutsu.com - Ninjas Play GURPS

11-16-2016, 10:27 AM	#5
Purple Haze Join Date: Jul 2006	Re: Naming Species Who is doing the naming? If it is the race itself, it is likely to be something like "The People", "Mankind", or "Human Beings" in their own language. If others are naming them then either their geographic origin or their most distinguishing feature in the other's language. These can be disparaging. Often, the dominant culture adopts the first new people encountered's name for the second one encountered. Maybe: Underthings, Deep Ones, Diggers, ...

11-16-2016, 10:42 AM	#6
HighKingScrungis Join Date: Nov 2016	Re: Naming Species I wasnt expecting so many responses right away! So, you guys brought up a few good questions, like who is doing the naming. I think it would need two separate names. The human government got real fascist and sciencey (not evil per se) right around when any gameplay starts, so they would give them something complicated and scientific sounding. Anders, you're definitely on the right track as for what they would call themselves. So, for some context, the world is basically a giant bio-dome. The species in question was once a post singularity, TL 30ish race. They arent necessarily aware of their ancestry, but the feelings of supremacy remain. I also have been thinking of renaming humans. They're more of a construct race resembling humans. Oh man, I might need to get in to the worlds lore just to home in on the naming conventions.