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

[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.