But DON'T name your kid Anakin.

[lostrocket.livejournal.com]

So last night, at the moment I put my book down to turn out my light and go to sleep - I instead went and started pulling Star Wars books off my shelves to look at the names.

Most of the names, even for human characters, are definitely on the "bad idea" end of the spectrum of made-up names. There are, however, a smattering of "real" names, and some very lovely "made-up" ones, I think.

I made a list using selected Dramatis Personae from the New Jedi Order and X-Wing series, and tossed in a couple of other favorites.



I bolded the names I particularly like (not to be confused with names I would actually use, which most of them aren't). I only pulled human names because the names for other species are even crazier, as they usually operate under the idea that other species have a propietary language, while most human cultures speak Basic, an English analogue. Some nice names that therefore didn't make this cut include Nawara (male), Sannah, Shawnkyr, and Asyr. Oh, also I used the DPs because I was interested in the variety of names among minor characters, people not significant enough to appear in the Guide or the online Databank.

Human Males Airen Anakin Apwar Baljos Ben Booster Bror Cal Choday Corran Cubber Delak Derek Diric Edor Eldo Evir Garik Gavin Gilad Horton Imsatad Jacen Jagged Kam Kell Kirtan Kyp Luke Matric Myn Reck Remis Roa Sharr Talon Tam Thrackan Ton Toval Tycho Valin Wedge Wes Wolam Zekk Zurel

Human Females Aidel Alanna Anni Atril Belindi Bhindi Brisha Danni Dorset Elan Erisi Falynn Gara Gariel Heilan Iella Inyri Jaina Jysella Leia Lujayne Lysa Mara Mirax Myri Nelani Rhysati Shada Syal Tahiri Tenel Ka Teneniel Djo Tilath Tionne Tyria Viqi Winter Ysanne Zindra

Mara is my number one name for a real baby. I also love the name Mirax but I don't think I would use it. Teneniel Djo has such a lovely sound and rhythm (but isn't a name I would use). Tahiri is related to Tahira, which is a "real" name. Gariel was my favorite name for a long time after the book with that character appeared. Around the same time (I was what, 12?) I really liked my own elaboration on Leia, Leianna. It kind of makes me shudder now.

I readily admit that my love for the name Wedge is a translation of my love for the character, and wouldn't ever use the name. Tycho is kind of the same that way, and Corran, but they have a bit more appeal as an actual name. I like the spelling of Airen. It doesn't really alter the pronounciation of the name but in my head it does give it a lighter, more airy (no pun intended!) sound.

I was amused to note the presence of a "Remis", and would also like to note for others that Anakin is not just Anakin Skywalker, aka the man who became Darth Vader. Anakin Solo was the youngest son of Han and Leia.

Comments

[darabelle.livejournal.com]

I like...

Ben
Cal
Corran
Gavin
Jacen
Luke
Wes

and...

Anni
Elan
Falynn
Jaina
Leia
Mirax
Shada

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

I like...

Airen
Corran
Gavin
Gilad
Kell

and...

Alanna
Anni
Gariel
Jysella (I like the name Gisela)
Leia
Mara
Nelani

[thunderofsins.livejournal.com]

I like Luke, Derek and Jaina

[invisiblepet.livejournal.com]

I always liked Anakin because it's all the letters of my name rearranged: Annika.

[lostrocket.livejournal.com]

I think it's an interesting dilemma: on the one hand, Darth Vader is often thought of as a really cool character, lots of people's favorites. But he's a bad guy. Do you want to name your child after a villain? He's a fictional character, does that make it okay? I want to think so but, being so attached to SW myself, still think it could be something of a burden to a child.

I don't mind Anakin as a whole name. I didn't like the nickname Annie...especially since they actually spelled it A-N-N-I-E. I think "Ani" would have been much better.

[darabelle.livejournal.com]

LOL

I have the same initials as Darth Vader!

=D

[invisiblepet.livejournal.com]

Oh I'd never name a kid that. I just am partial to it because of my own name.

[p-inkjeans.livejournal.com]

I like:

Anakin
Ben
Cal
Choday
Derek
Garik
Gavin
Gilad
Luke
Remis
Wes
Zekk

Aidel
Anni
Danni
Elan
Gariel
Jaina
Leia
Lysa
Mara

[kindofquixotic.livejournal.com]

I like...

Ben
Derek
Garik
Gavin
Luke
Wes

Alanna
Jaina
Lysa
Mara

Mara is gorgeous. Definitely okay to use on a real baby. It doesn't sound like a "sci-fi name" at all.

[lostrocket.livejournal.com]

I like the name a lot. It's a cousin of Mary, and means "bitter". Which is a bit harsh, but I think it's a great name anyways.

And oops, this would be the icon I meant to use on that Anakin comment!

[smasharash.livejournal.com]

I actually quite like Corran :/
Jaina - is that like jane-ah? Cus if it is then I like it.
Myri is pretty.
Winter, I love. But I think of it more as a boys name.

[darabelle.livejournal.com]

JANE-uh.


I like Corran too. =D

[artfuldodger.livejournal.com]

The only Star Wars book names I ever liked were Jaina and Mara. They're nice. :)

(I work in a doctor's office and there was a small child named Anakin there a few days ago. All I could think in my head was, in the words of Movie!Anakin, "NOOOOOOOOOOO!")

[lostrocket.livejournal.com]

I was looking around the internet to see if other people had named their daughters Mara Jade, and I found one family who had daughter Mara Jade and son Anakin. I kind of cried inside.

[artfuldodger.livejournal.com]

The good side to being named "Mara Jade" is that at least the general population that only knows the SW movies won't see anything wrong with it. But the people who do recognize it....poor girl.

[lostrocket.livejournal.com]

That is totally part of how I support using the name. If a girl's first name is Mara, nobody has to know. Most people won't ever know that her middle name is Jade, so I imagine there won't be many people who catch on.

Besides, if you are geeky enough to recognize it, chances are you will think it's kind of awesome.

[darabelle.livejournal.com]

nice icon =D

[knightanika.livejournal.com]

I intend to name my children Mace, Depa, Eeth and Obi-Wan ^_~ Forget the NJO characters. :D

[lostrocket.livejournal.com]

I think you should have twins, then Obi-Wan can have a brother Qui-Gon.

[knightanika.livejournal.com]

awesome idea :)

[ravenne-crion.livejournal.com]

When I first saw the name Mirax I thought it it sounded like some kind of perscription drug for depression. You've taken Prozax now try Mirax! Side effects include anal leckage.

I like:
Iella
Ben
Mara
Derek (But I like his nickname bettter ;) )
Corran (I really just like his character)
Kyp

and from the pequel books I like:

Siri
Garen

[darabelle.livejournal.com]

hahaha I thought of Miramax.

[ilovebruiser.livejournal.com]

I like the name Vada for a girl, and intersting spin on (darth) Vader.

Can you tell i'm a big fan of Vada Sultenfuss from my girl? love that movie.