Request a Name

Everything has a name. Everything! But that means there's already a whole lot of names out there, and I bet you want to make sure your creations have a name that fits. If you're working with your own native language, that's not so bad. But when you're working with a foreign language, as one often does when roleplaying any anime, you might start to run into trouble, and begin to rely on online translators. Well worry no more! A name should be important in fiction, and carry some level of meaning to tie your narrative threads all together. And, of course, it should sound good to read.

Let's take the name of Renji Abarai's zanpakuto, Zabimaru, written as 蛇尾丸. The translation we are given is "Snake Tail," but if one were to simply translate that phrase literally, they would get 蛇の尾, read as Hebi no O. It has the same meaning, but doesn't sound nearly as good, does it? So how do we get to Zabimaru? Well, for starters we toss out that の all together, leaving us with just 蛇尾. All it tells us is that the tail is the snake's, but we already know that thanks to context! Now, because the kanji are a single word, rather than two separate words, we can get flexible with the pronunciation. 蛇 alone is "hebi", and 尾 alone is "o," as those would be the words "snake" and "tail. But kanji can be pronounced differently based on context, and like we said, these are no longer two separate words! That gives us the ability to use alternate readings of those kanji, making something that flows naturally, in this case the pronunciation of "zabi."

But now you may ask, where does the "maru" come from in the name? The kanji 丸 is used at the end of lots of names, for all sorts of things. Boats, people, and yes, swords. So, adding 丸 to the end makes it clear that this isn't literally a snake tail, but rather something named after a snake tail, along with adding a bit of meat to the name. All that together brings us to 蛇尾丸, Zabimaru, the Sword Named Snake Tail. A simple name, but much better than what a literal translation of its meaning would give you!

This thread is a hub for anyone, including you, to request a name for anything! A character, an ability, a zanpakuto, whatever your heart desires! Of course, we aren't living translation machines ourselves. We can only provide you with the languages our contributers currently know, which as of right now include the following:

Japanese: The most standard translation and name request, that this thread is mostly for. Primarily done by Rawk.
German: Typically Quincy will use German, Gamma can provide this.
English: If you just can't think of anything at all, even in English, we're happy to provide you with something rad.

If you happen to need a name done, then just fill out the form below as much as you can in your current situation, and we'll have a name out for you as soon as possible.

• Character Name: What is the character's name, if you have one already?
  
• Language: What language is the name you're looking for, only those listed above can be put here.
  
• Translation Request: If you already have something you just want translated, ie. Little Sprout and just wanting it translated into Japanese.
  
• Character Description: If you can't think of a name that would click well with your character and match them thematically, give us a summary of who they are and we can work from there.
  
• Ability Description: If you instead just want a name created off an ability rather than something translated to let the translator have free reign then describe what it does.
  
• Application Link: Character link goes here, if you have one.

Code:

[list]
[*][b]Character Name:[/b] What is the character's name, if you have one already?
[*][b]Language:[/b] What language is the name you're looking for, only those listed above can be put here.
[*][b]Translation Request:[/b] If you already have something you just want translated, ie. Little Sprout and just wanting it translated into Japanese.
[*][b]Character Description:[/b] If you can't think of a name that would click well with your character and match them thematically, give us a summary of who they are and we can work from there.
[*][b]Ability Description:[/b] If you instead just want a name created off an ability rather than something translated to let the translator have free reign then describe what it does.
[*][b]Application Link:[/b] Character link goes here, if you have one.[/list]


» Name in Kanji: 李烏

» Pronunciation: Rio

» Meaning: This name was a little bit of a doozy, but hopefully this is to your liking. The relevance of the name comes in the traditional symbolism of both of those parts. "李" is the plum tree, which is a signifier of the ending of winter and the coming of spring, making it a symbol of the new year and, in a more general sense, of the possibilities of the future. "烏" is the crow, a bird which has a surprisingly detailed meaning in artistic depictions. Broadly speaking, however, they are seen as the best of messengers and protectors, which is a very common note, but often overlooked is that they can symbolize filial piety, the extreme honor given to one's family over oneself. With these two things in mind, the name 李烏 as a whole would imply that the child in question is meant to be a bringer of great things for their family, not out of any need for recognition, but for the sake of said family.

For extra flavor, it is also a two-syllable name, which while now rather out of style, was at one time the standard for the names of noblewomen.

» Shikai Name in Kanji: 呪源路

» Pronunciation: Jugenro

» Bankai Name in Kanji: 呪源路 八角州

» Pronunciation: Jugenro - Hakkakusu

» Meaning: This name is actually fairly difficult to translate neatly into English, but I think it comes across very well in Japanese. Speaking literally, the kanji together would be "spell source path," but the choice of kanji and their order play into the thematic, particularly when taken alongside the Bankai name (which we will get to). "呪源," the "jugen" here, is a play on the phrase "水源," pronounced "suigen" and referring to a fountainhead, the source of a river. The kanji 水, for water, has been replaced with 呪, the kanji for a spell (or curse). The imagery evoked in this particular wordplay, then, would be a source of magic or spellcraft that was akin to a river's source. 路, pronounced "ro," is an antiquated method of referring to a path or road. While one can take this word to mean a very literal road, it can also be taken as a belief, practice, or set of principles. Therefore, all together as 呪源路, "Jugenro," the meaning implied is more akin to "The Way of Magic's Source."

Now, onto the Bankai. Continuing with the thematic of a river, 八角州, "Hakkakusu," is a play on the phrase 三角州, which refers to a river delta. The literal translation of the term would roughly be "three angle sandbar," but in changing the first kanji to 八, it becomes "eight angle sandbar." Eight is something of an important number in subjects of wisdom, seen most prominently in the Noble Eightfold Path in Buddhism. By addending this number to the many branching paths of a river delta, there is the implication of a more enlightened design to said branches.

» Name in Kanji: 天砂

» Pronunciation: Tensa

» Meaning: Taken literally, it would translate as simply "Heaven Sand." I liked the sound of both Heaven and Sand, so I threw them together. For added bonus, this kanji can mean either "sand" or "gold dust," if you want a double meaning to reflect Chidori's nobility.


» Name in Kanji: 獅輔

» Pronunciation: Shisuke

» Meaning: "Helpful Lion," give or take. I figure since he's the good brother in this situation, that's a good meaning. As for the Lion part, there's no real good pronunciations for the kanji for "cat" in a name.


» Name in Kanji: 犬地

» Pronunciation: Kenji

» Meaning: "Dog of the Earth," there's no real way to translate it in a way that sounds pretty. He's stuck in a volcano, I imagine that would relate well to the earth, yes?