Stealing names

[Trimac20]

Many famous fantasy/sci-fi writers often wholesale nick the names of places, people.etc from ancient history (mythological creatures are the exception)...for instance, Gandalf in LOTR from Norse mythology, in Star Wars the moon of 'Endor' is a biblical place.etc. I'm at the stage where I'm trying to think up names for my world which don't seem silly or contrived. For instance, Hallsbrowningkeep, or just a random stringing together of names. What is your personal view on the subject? Is it okay (not from a legal point of view, but from an artistic point of view) if I name one of my continents Parthia (After the old Persian kingdom)? Will it detract from the credibility of my work? Of course, I would only do this very occasionally (the vast majority of names are original, though typically 'fantasy' sounding) I think of of the top of my head.

Also on the subject, how many of you have attempted to create a language? Not as detailed as Elvish or anything, but just the basic vocabulary.etc.

 

[polymath]

I don't see anything wrong with Parthia as such...it's far removed from today...for the opposite reason, France would be wrong. Just do it very sparingly, IMO. Or try Pathia. Partia. Partha. Pythia. But I think Parthia would still be fine.

I've never tried to create a language

 

[Trimac20]

The thing is with my languages, however, they aren't built up on any set of rules.etc like a proper language. They're basically a list of names which sound similar! Basically a system of naming.

 

[Marky Lazer]

It depends how serious you're about the language. Just inventing a name in a language isn't too hard. For example: Ehr-a-lagath, the trollish name for the Black Mountains... You can always say later that is literally means Mountain that is black, where Mountain is Ehr and black is lagath and -a- the verb. I don't think you're going to invent a language like Sindarin, it would be cool. Or obsessed. Pick one.

 

[Aes]

Just my opinion, but if you're going to borrow names, take it from something obscure, and even then, try to twist it around a bit and make it your own somehow. Unless there's a well-done, symbolic reason for such a name, doing so generally tends to make me think less of the creative mind(s) behind the work who went name-borrowing.

 

[kyektulu]

Borrowing names from aincent languages and mythology IMO is perfectly fine, lets face it the vast majority of people will not know names from Norse mythology and I am sure those who do will not go up in arms about it.

I have not gone as far to try to create a language for any of the various races in my novels but I d create an odd word that I will use.

 

[Marky Lazer]

The borrowing names isn't too bad if the meaning is appropriate, I guess. You gave the Gandalf example, that name means wand elf, which fits perfectly with the story. It would have been weird if an Orc captain was named Gandalf, for example.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Just my opinion, but if you're going to borrow names, take it from something obscure, and even then, try to twist it around a bit and make it your own somehow.

Agreed - you need to be careful when using exact names that you don't throw your audience off-balance. Using symbolic names but disregarding the association is much more likely to suggest a lack of education and research on the part of the writer.

 

[Trimac20]

Of course, I'm try and make the name fit the context. Like I'll planning to name two of my generals Belisarius (Byzantine general)...but changing it would sound a bit odd. For instance, Belarius, Bilsarius...I spose those aren't too bad. Anyway, I've got a pretty detailed world: I mean at the moment there are about 500 or so place-names of cities, villages, natural monuments, sites.etc...In reality, there are probably ten times that many in my continent. I know it would probably be easier to start off with a less detailed map, but it always feels incomplete if I do that.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Sorry, but Belisarius is far too obvious - some of your audience may also have heard of Robert Graves, John Julius Norwich, and even Procopius.

It's not a hard name to corrupt - I would definitely recommend playing with corruptions first - just because a name may seem obscure to you, doesn't mean to say it may be obscure to significant parts of your audience.

 

[Marky Lazer]

Don't fool your readers; if you know you have to assume your readers now as well.

 

[cornelius]

my friends chose the names for their characters, I ended up wit Elegia, Balian, Fionghal and Aerandir

 

[chrispenycate]

Sorry, but Belisarius is far too obvious - some of your audience may also have heard of Robert Graves, John Julius Norwich, and even Procopius.

It's not a hard name to corrupt - I would definitely recommend playing with corruptions first - just because a name may seem obscure to you, doesn't mean to say it may be obscure to significant parts of your audience.

Particularly since the last volume in the David Drake/Eric Flint Belisarius series has just come out (in hard cover, I await impatiently the paperback) so lots of people are up to date with Justinian, Narses, Antonia and, of course Belisarius.

 

[polymath]

my friends chose the names for their characters, I ended up wit Elegia, Balian, Fionghal and Aerandir

The problem with Balian is that is the name of the hero in Ridley Scott's Kingdom Of Heaven. I wouldn't use that name, considering.

 

[PERCON]

I tend to stick to common names, with just one or two uncommon (Sometimes made up) ones mixed in in any one story. Personally, I think that made up names sound more believable if used alongside more common ones.

 

[scalem X]

According to the names, I have to disagree on their impact.
I can't believe that readers in general won't care if you use races like elves and orcs and at the same time leap out of their chairs when they hear your Character is named Luwin (GRR Martin). In the real world often people have the same name, why would particular fantasy worlds or the whole fantasy environment in general be different?

According to the titles, I must agree with Brian: some things are too obvious and some words have meanings that will never fade not even in corrupted form "dildoll" will never be a good name, but Bilbo is acceptable. I think the best way is to make some names and have another person choose the best one.

 

[Marky Lazer]

In the real world often people have the same name, why would particular fantasy worlds or the whole fantasy environment in general be different?

How often do you find a book set in the now that has two heroes with the same name? Agreed, a lot of people have the same name, but in a story where two people have the same name it's going to be confusing. In my opinion it only works when you try to confuse, or be funny like the two executives in Jennifer Governement: John Nike and John Nike.

 

[Culhwch]

How often do you find a book set in the now that has two heroes with the same name? Agreed, a lot of people have the same name, but in a story where two people have the same name it's going to be confusing. In my opinion it only works when you try to confuse, or be funny like the two executives in Jennifer Governement: John Nike and John Nike.

George Martin pulls this off in A Song of Ice and Fire constantly. Granted, none of the PoV characters share names, but many important characters do. Jon Snow and Jon Arryn, Ned Stark and Ned Dayne, and plenty of others. I think it adds a certain reality and depth to the world....

 

[Marky Lazer]

I wasn't saying it is impossible, but it could create confusement, and that is something I've been taught you don't want.

"What?" Hank asked.
"I didn't say anything," Hank replied.

See what I mean? Is the first Hank the fat guy, or the skinny one?

 

[Culhwch]

Like anything, if it is handled well, and written well, it will be clear.

Hank Smith glared at his companion. 'What did you say?'
Hank Jones shrugged. 'You heard me.'
'Say I didn't,' Smith said. 'Humour me.'
Jones shrugged again. 'I said you're as ugly as sin, but not nearly half as much fun.'

Mind I'm not claiming this is written well. It is only intended as a demonstration.