Nefirian Naming Conventions: view article

Typical names usually fall into one of the following categories:

Note: For the last two categories, it is not uncommon to change the name slightly such as swapping out letters or using a shortened form so that the exact word is not being used. Some common variations are listed below some names as an example.

1. Traditional Names
These are names which do not have a direct relationship to current words in Nefirian. They are words that now only exist as names and are commonly passed down through generations such as being named after a grandparent or a recently deceased figure in their nomadic group.
Examples include:
Yöhi - yöhi [jəhi]
Itära - itära [ite̞ɾa]
Sofia - sofia [sɔfia]

2. Named after an environmental feature or event
Being a primarily nomadic culture, often children are named after the area they are born in such as a pine forest, by a river, or while certain kinds of flowers or fruits in season in the area. Additionally, they might be named after the weather at the time. These names are not always direct, for example, a baby born during a snow storm might be named 'Snow' or more abstractly named 'white' or 'crystal'.
Examples include:
Rina - rina [ɾina] (from xurina meaning 'ocean')
Röjï - röjï [ɾəʒai] from röjïbe meaning 'rosemary'
Rönik - rönik [ɾənik] (meaning 'storm')
- variations: ranik (Ranik) [ɾanik], ranek (Ranek) [ɾanɛk]

3. Personality traits or positive
Much like English names such as 'Prudence' or 'Hope', some children are named for qualities their parents would like their child to have or recognise the circumstances of their birth.
Examples include:
Oni - oni [ɔni] (from oroni meaning 'gentle')
Sia - sia [sia] (meaning 'happy')
- variations: sie (Sie) [siɛ], asia (Asia) [asia]
Atse - atse [atsɛ] (meaning 'special')
- variations: ate (Ate) [atɛ], ase (Ase) [asɛ]
✎ Edit Article ✖ Delete Article

Comments