Using your name for your characters name?

no0rdinarymike · October 2016

Just wondering if im the only one. I'm usually terrible at finding names for MMO's so I use a varation of my real name and add a random MMO'ish surname like Blackrose. Do you use your name or how did you come up with your character's name?

Wild_Monk · October 2016

Too much stupid names , I see , in ESO. Absolutely not in a fantasy RPG style. Good, I immediately see the freaks

Maotti · October 2016

Im using that.

kip_silverwolf · October 2016

I used the names of my D&D characters.

Well, except for "A Drunk Nord' and 'Pretty Petunia' my Orc, but I think those two are self-explanatory.

Kendaric · October 2016

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Just wondering if im the only one. I'm usually terrible at finding names for MMO's so I use a varation of my real name and add a random MMO'ish surname like Blackrose. Do you use your name or how did you come up with your character's name?

It's not difficult to find lore-appopriate names with just a little effort. All of my characters have names fitting their race/culture.

JamieAubrey · October 2016

I only use my real name if a few games, haven't used it in an ES game before

Abeille · October 2016

I am a roleplayer, so I never use my real name for my characters. I am myself, my characters are themselves, not me. For account name, I use my nicknames (Gabby, Abeille, Bee, or a combination of them). For character names, I go for stuff that is lore-friendly for their races.

Danikat · October 2016

I don't use my real name for 2 reasons:
1) My real name is Katy. It was probably taken before I ever even heard of the game.
2) One important aspect of all my characters is that they are not me. If they were they'd never do half the things they do in games (for a start I'm not sure I could kill someone, even if they were trying to kill me). Therefore it'd seem weird to name them after me. And yes there are a lot of people called Katy in real life so it's not like sharing a name automatically makes them the same person but that's the connotation it would have for me.

As for how I come up with names, it varies. My main character in western RPGs is almost always called Danielle Aurorel which is a combination of a first name I liked the sound of and a word I made up - it's a combination of the Latin aurora, meaning dawn and Quenya elen, meaning star. So dawn star. I also use Danika Aurorel, which I picked up somewhere over the years. This one amuses me because Danika (normally spelt Danica) means 'morning star' so it's highly redundant but I didn't know that when I first used it.

Other than that I use names or words I like (there is a part of my mind which constantly keeps a look out for interesting words I could use somewhere) or I think of something which describes the character and use that. Sometimes the English words, sometimes a name which (supposedly) means that, sometimes the same word in another language to make it look more interesting. Welsh, Latin and Quenya are my go-to languages but I'll use others if I think it's appropriate or I come across a good word.

And then very occasionally I'll just think up a word or a sound I like that doesn't mean anything at all as far as I know. For example my bosmer nightblade is called Sayel. I don't know where it came from or how I thought of it. It's just a sound that looked suitably elven.

no0rdinarymike · October 2016

Kendaric wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Just wondering if im the only one. I'm usually terrible at finding names for MMO's so I use a varation of my real name and add a random MMO'ish surname like Blackrose. Do you use your name or how did you come up with your character's name?

It's not difficult to find lore-appopriate names with just a little effort. All of my characters have names fitting their race/culture.

It's not hard to find a lore friendly name, for me it's hard to find one I like.

Kendaric · October 2016

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Kendaric wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Just wondering if im the only one. I'm usually terrible at finding names for MMO's so I use a varation of my real name and add a random MMO'ish surname like Blackrose. Do you use your name or how did you come up with your character's name?

It's not difficult to find lore-appopriate names with just a little effort. All of my characters have names fitting their race/culture.

It's not hard to find a lore friendly name, for me it's hard to find one I like.

What race? There are some pretty good name generators out there, even some specifically for TES cultures. The generated names offer a good starting point to find a name you like.

PS4_ZeColmeia · October 2016

My character and forum name is my Capoeira nickname.

Skayaq · October 2016

I don't use my real name in games because it would sound horrible and out-of-place in almost every fantasy world.

no0rdinarymike · October 2016

Kendaric wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Kendaric wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Just wondering if im the only one. I'm usually terrible at finding names for MMO's so I use a varation of my real name and add a random MMO'ish surname like Blackrose. Do you use your name or how did you come up with your character's name?

It's not difficult to find lore-appopriate names with just a little effort. All of my characters have names fitting their race/culture.

It's not hard to find a lore friendly name, for me it's hard to find one I like.

What race? There are some pretty good name generators out there, even some specifically for TES cultures. The generated names offer a good starting point to find a name you like.

Redguard. I've been deleting and recreating my characters multiple times just because I didn't like the name. I've tried generators but most of the time I end up with un-pronouncable names or easy nice sounding names that are already taken. I hate finding names...

magnusthorek · October 2016

I like to be as criative as possible in the moment of creation..

My former main is a Breton with a name imported from my Skyrim playthroughs (nine, but 7 with her).

My Nightblade's name, according to my researches back in the day, means "The Shade" in arabic. I'm not sure as not even Google helped medecently for that... >.<

My Templar is another egocentric member of House Telvanni

And my newest Deagonknight, not in the signature yet, I named after Mass Efect's interviewer, Khalisah al-Jilani

Kendaric · October 2016

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Kendaric wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Kendaric wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Just wondering if im the only one. I'm usually terrible at finding names for MMO's so I use a varation of my real name and add a random MMO'ish surname like Blackrose. Do you use your name or how did you come up with your character's name?

It's not difficult to find lore-appopriate names with just a little effort. All of my characters have names fitting their race/culture.

It's not hard to find a lore friendly name, for me it's hard to find one I like.

What race? There are some pretty good name generators out there, even some specifically for TES cultures. The generated names offer a good starting point to find a name you like.

Redguard. I've been deleting and recreating my characters multiple times just because I didn't like the name. I've tried generators but most of the time I end up with un-pronouncable names or easy nice sounding names that are already taken. I hate finding names...

Ok, Redguard have mostly names with an arabian/middle-eastern feel and usually no last names except to denote their place of origin (e.g. at-Bergama meaning "of/from Bergama). Names that come to mind: Kharim (Khareem), Khaled, Khalid, Djaber, Hakim (Hakeem) or something similiar.
Dictionaries can also be good source for names, if the name generators aren't useful.

wenchmore420b14_ESO · October 2016

I have always used variations of fantasy book characters names for my characters going back to my D&D days.
For ESO, I give them a "Tamriel Lore" last name usually. Raymond Fiest, Michael Moorecock, Dragonlance, Terry Brookes, all good sources for fantasy names.
Huzzah!!!!
~Lord Wenchmore! Earl of Morningwood~
P.S. My account name is my Renaissance Name as I am a active "Rennie".

no0rdinarymike · October 2016

Kendaric wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Kendaric wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Kendaric wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Just wondering if im the only one. I'm usually terrible at finding names for MMO's so I use a varation of my real name and add a random MMO'ish surname like Blackrose. Do you use your name or how did you come up with your character's name?

It's not difficult to find lore-appopriate names with just a little effort. All of my characters have names fitting their race/culture.

It's not hard to find a lore friendly name, for me it's hard to find one I like.

What race? There are some pretty good name generators out there, even some specifically for TES cultures. The generated names offer a good starting point to find a name you like.

Redguard. I've been deleting and recreating my characters multiple times just because I didn't like the name. I've tried generators but most of the time I end up with un-pronouncable names or easy nice sounding names that are already taken. I hate finding names...

Ok, Redguard have mostly names with an arabian/middle-eastern feel and usually no last names except to denote their place of origin (e.g. at-Bergama meaning "of/from Bergama). Names that come to mind: Kharim (Khareem), Khaled, Khalid, Djaber, Hakim (Hakeem) or something similiar.
Dictionaries can also be good source for names, if the name generators aren't useful.

Thanks, I definitely appreciate your help. Guess I'm gonna have to do some thinking tonight!

runagate · October 2016

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Just wondering if im the only one. I'm usually terrible at finding names for MMO's so I use a varation of my real name and add a random MMO'ish surname like Blackrose. Do you use your name or how did you come up with your character's name?

I can't think of anything that will make people roll their eyes at you more than using your actual name for a character. Even if you're not good at thinking up names you certainly know some other names that aren't yours. How about Mildred? That's a frikkin' dope name.

starkerealm · October 2016

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Kendaric wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Kendaric wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Just wondering if im the only one. I'm usually terrible at finding names for MMO's so I use a varation of my real name and add a random MMO'ish surname like Blackrose. Do you use your name or how did you come up with your character's name?

It's not difficult to find lore-appopriate names with just a little effort. All of my characters have names fitting their race/culture.

It's not hard to find a lore friendly name, for me it's hard to find one I like.

What race? There are some pretty good name generators out there, even some specifically for TES cultures. The generated names offer a good starting point to find a name you like.

Redguard. I've been deleting and recreating my characters multiple times just because I didn't like the name. I've tried generators but most of the time I end up with un-pronouncable names or easy nice sounding names that are already taken. I hate finding names...

Here: http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Redguard_Names

If you scroll down to the Unisex entries, you'll even see the original structure used to create them in the first two games. Build one that looks good to you.

Abeille · October 2016

runagate wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Just wondering if im the only one. I'm usually terrible at finding names for MMO's so I use a varation of my real name and add a random MMO'ish surname like Blackrose. Do you use your name or how did you come up with your character's name?

I can't think of anything that will make people roll their eyes at you more than using your actual name for a character. Even if you're not good at thinking up names you certainly know some other names that aren't yours. How about Mildred? That's a frikkin' dope name.

I am almost 100% sure that name was banned in ESO because it is a slang for something. I remember a thread back on Bethesda's official forums about it, back when these forums were for beta testers only and the plebs went to Bethesda's instead.

runagate · October 2016

Abeille wrote: »

runagate wrote: »

no0rdinarymike wrote: »

Just wondering if im the only one. I'm usually terrible at finding names for MMO's so I use a varation of my real name and add a random MMO'ish surname like Blackrose. Do you use your name or how did you come up with your character's name?

I can't think of anything that will make people roll their eyes at you more than using your actual name for a character. Even if you're not good at thinking up names you certainly know some other names that aren't yours. How about Mildred? That's a frikkin' dope name.

I am almost 100% sure that name was banned in ESO because it is a slang for something. I remember a thread back on Bethesda's official forums about it, back when these forums were for beta testers only and the plebs went to Bethesda's instead.

Seriously!? /excitedly runs off to Google "Mildred"

QUEZ420 · October 2016

I use trolly names only cuz it gets all the nerds upset Kappa.

dustin61 · October 2016

I always try to use lore friendly names and role play the character's part. That being said, I do have an imperial templar with my real name. It seemed appropriate and plan to play him as if I was personally playing myself.
The elder scroll wiki pages help a lot when I pick a name.

starkerealm · October 2016

dustin61 wrote: »

I always try to use lore friendly names and role play the character's part. That being said, I do have an imperial templar with my real name. It seemed appropriate and plan to play him as if I was personally playing myself.
The elder scroll wiki pages help a lot when I pick a name.

The closest I get to myself is an Imperial DK named Starke. My actual surname is German, so it really wouldn't fit anywhere in ESO.

Mojmir · October 2016

For a nord or orc just take a huge bite of really hot oatmeal and try to say an English name.

Abeille · October 2016

dustin61 wrote: »

I always try to use lore friendly names and role play the character's part. That being said, I do have an imperial templar with my real name. It seemed appropriate and plan to play him as if I was personally playing myself.
The elder scroll wiki pages help a lot when I pick a name.

I though of giving one of my characters my real name, Gabriela. Depending on how it is written, it could be a fitting Breton or Imperial name, and even Dunmer (Skyrim had a DB Dunmer called Gabriella). But in the end, I didn't want their decisions to be affected by what I would do in any way, so I decided against it.

ListerJMC · October 2016

I like looking at the UESP page of names and mixing and matching until I find a lore-friendly combination I like.

I will bend the rules a little though if I'm really attached to a name (e.g. female Altmer names have never had an F before 'aa' before, only T, D, Y, R, L, or N; but I really liked the name Faarawae for my Dragonknight because I wanted a name that sounded like something in English so I let that slide

. In the games before ESO only D and T came before 'aa', so my excuse is that I'm adding to the list of new letters they started!).

OP, for Redguards I like to look at names and words from the Arabic language. If the name you want is taken adding a surname like al-[town name here] might get the name through.

smacx250 · October 2016

No, I just make them up until I find something I can go with. But I never go with anything like "owns you" or "your mamma" or "kills everything with wrecking blow", etc (you get the picture) - yuck!

Vorcil · October 2016

Saw a keep captured by the guild 'coks out for harambe' in Cyrodiil....

I actually just logged straight out;

I don't think that's naming and shaming since a specific player wasn't referenced, but they should probably be forced to change the name.

Tabbycat · October 2016

I do have a Khajiit named Tabbycat.

I wouldn't use my real name in an MMO. The point of a virtual character is to be someone I'm not.

And, of course, to do things I wouldn't do in real life. Like steal things and stabbity stab people or set them on fire.

Pink_Violinz · October 2016

What I do is look up names from that race in the previous games. The UESP has a complete list of every npc throughout the games.

In my Argonian's case, a little snooping helped me create his name "Heals-with-Salt".

You can combine names, copy names, or even just get a general idea from this method.