Question About Lalafell Sibling Names

I love the lalafell naming conventions stickied here. However, I noted they were for an only child.

If I wanted to create a sibling for one of my lalafell characters, how would their name relate to mine? (Kacho Nacho)

What about two sisters? (Dydyna Dyna)

As all lalafell names are individual and have no real "surnames", the names can seem completely unrelated if you so wish. However, it would seem that there is a tendency to make them sound similar, at least based on the one case I remember so far: the Thaumaturge guildmaster brothers: Cocobuki, Cocobygo, Cocobani, Cocobezi, and Cocoboha (and Cocobusi).

Now in the case of your plainsfolk lalafell, I'd say you can keep the apparent family relation going by changing one syllable from both parts of the name, while keeping the other. Kocho Nocho, Hocho Wacho, Kacha Nacha, Karido Narido. Or you might also end up with Macho Nacho, if you want to change just one (which is equally usable, as far as I know)...

For two dunesfolk sisters, same applies. Change either the A syllable or the B syllable in both parts (of the AAB AB name format). Kokona Kona, Wawana Wana, Dydyla Dyla, Dydyri Dyri.

Or if you feel like it, just change the whole thing, or only one part. In the absence of surnames, there isn't really anything limiting you, as long as you stick to the conventions of the same clan (i.e. not accidentally giving a plainsfolk lala a dunesfolk sibling, unless of course you want to do that specifically).

In addition to this, names or syllables may also be passed down from parent to child, example being the Dunesfolk father-daughter pair that you find in Thanalan. The father is Hihibaru in Highbridge, while the daughter is Hihira in Little Ala Mhigo. It could just be that, with the absence of common family names, Lalafell choose to adopt same-syllable names as their family members. We don't see this with Nanamo and her father, but they're a special case anyway.

It's also not unheard of for a Lalafell to simply adopt a name outside of their naming conventions, as Kururu Kuru did by becoming Krile Baldesion.

Interesting! I honestly didn't know lalafells did not have surnames. Lots of good information here. Thank you both!

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...ng-Conventions is my source for that (really interesting read).
The lalafell section has the line "Surnames are only surnames in placement, as they are not taken from the mother or father and are unique to the individual."

I actually thought you'd referenced that thread with

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Originally Posted by Kacho_Nacho

I love the lalafell naming conventions stickied here.

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I guess you meant some other thread? Or just missed that line?
Either way, nice to find someone else with an interest in the naming conventions. That's probably the thread I've revisited the most on these forums. :)

I can't remember their names but the miner siblings, the two brothers and the sister. If we can find their names it might help with the naming convention you wanna do.

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Originally Posted by Aosha

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...ng-Conventions is my source for that (really interesting read).
The lalafell section has the line "Surnames are only surnames in placement, as they are not taken from the mother or father and are unique to the individual."

I actually thought you'd referenced that thread with


I guess you meant some other thread? Or just missed that line?
Either way, nice to find someone else with an interest in the naming conventions. That's probably the thread I've revisited the most on these forums. :)

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Just missed that line. *sigh*

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Originally Posted by Eloah

I can't remember their names but the miner siblings, the two brothers and the sister. If we can find their names it might help with the naming convention you wanna do.

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The Sons in Amajina and Sons? Those siblings appear in the Qarn HM quest.

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Originally Posted by Eloah

I can't remember their names but the miner siblings, the two brothers and the sister. If we can find their names it might help with the naming convention you wanna do.

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Popokkuli, Seserukka and their sister Nenekko. To my knowledge we've never learnt their secondary names, though.

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Originally Posted by FJerome

Popokkuli, Seserukka and their sister Nenekko. To my knowledge we've never learnt their secondary names, though.

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Ah, and there is one of those cases of entirely different names I was trying to think of! Good find.

They all share that unneeded double-k, however, which may be their naming quirk to show relation.

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Originally Posted by FJerome

Popokkuli, Seserukka and their sister Nenekko. To my knowledge we've never learnt their secondary names, though.

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Though we do know the secondary name is different for each one if we follow naming convention, Nenekko would be "Nenekko Nekko", Seserukka would be "Seserukka ____rukka" and so.

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Originally Posted by Mysterysword

The Sons in Amajina and Sons? Those siblings appear in the Qarn HM quest.

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Ha! I just finished that quest. The ending made me chuckle. Clever, Nenekko. Very clever.

As far as the sibling names, all they share is the double k. (Which has been already pointed out)

So, I'm guessing as long as the first names & last names follow the naming scheme anything is game, unless said character decides to not follow the naming conventions. All of this is fascinating stuff especially when you consider how important family is to a lalafell. It strongly suggests that they place a lot of emphasis on individuality too.

From what I've gathered from NPCs scattered about, Lalafell really don't have anything akin to a surname as a means of relations, but it does seem like family members like to use the same syllables to relate back to each other.

Compare this to say, Hellsguard Roegadyn, who have a culture that straight up enforces individuality and minimizes familial ties, with names being completely personalized, but you still see siblings like High Tide and Low Tide.


So, it could be as simple as a Lalafellian couple thinking it's adorable to name their daughters Hihira and Hehera, while their neighbors name theirs Zuzune and Fafali. Maybe they just don't look at names as a key means to tie yourself to your heritage?

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Originally Posted by Ametrine

Maybe they just don't look at names as a key means to tie yourself to your heritage?

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It's a somewhat subtle detail, but I always found it interesting how Eorzeans tend to refer to each other, even in more distant social settings, by their given names, rather than their surnames. Perhaps that's because Lalafell and male Seekers of the Sun don't even have formal family names, and when such a large subset of the population doesn't have them, it becomes more common to refer to even your rulers by their first names.

It's probably also worth noting that in real-life, surnames are a relatively recent phenomenon in Japan. Until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, commoners didn't have surnames, and even today, members of the Imperial family of Japan carry no surname.

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Originally Posted by Mysterysword

It's probably also worth noting that in real-life, surnames are a relatively recent phenomenon in Japan. Until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, commoners didn't have surnames, and even today, members of the Imperial family of Japan carry no surname.

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They're actually a relatively recent phenomenon in the rest of the world as well. Most European commoners did not have any sort of surname until the massive reforms caused by the Napoleonic regimes and the associated fallout. I tend to assume that most commoners don't have surnames in medieval style setting in general.

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Originally Posted by Mysterysword

It's a somewhat subtle detail, but I always found it interesting how Eorzeans tend to refer to each other, even in more distant social settings, by their given names, rather than their surnames. Perhaps that's because Lalafell and male Seekers of the Sun don't even have formal family names, and when such a large subset of the population doesn't have them, it becomes more common to refer to even your rulers by their first names.

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You also see this quirk with certain NPCs using titles over their actual surnames. Particularly amoung Elezan (Aymeric the Blue, Haurchefant Greystone, Alaimbert of the Spiked Butt), but not exclusively (Franz the Fair).

I recall Pipin was shown with such a name in one instance, but I'm frustrated now since I can't a picture of it!

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Originally Posted by Ametrine

You also see this quirk with certain NPCs using titles over their actual surnames. Particularly amoung Elezan (Aymeric the Blue, Haurchefant Greystone, Alaimbert of the Spiked Butt), but not exclusively (Franz the Fair).

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Haurchefant Greystone is his actual name. His title is Haurchefant of the Silver Fuller. A lot of non-Elezen have style titles too but we saw a huge number of Ishgardian ones in Heavensward which probably makes them seem dominant.

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Originally Posted by Mysterysword

It's a somewhat subtle detail, but I always found it interesting how Eorzeans tend to refer to each other, even in more distant social settings, by their given names, rather than their surnames. Perhaps that's because Lalafell and male Seekers of the Sun don't even have formal family names, and when such a large subset of the population doesn't have them, it becomes more common to refer to even your rulers by their first names.

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But one thing to remember is that Eorzea is not Japan, and I'm not meaning that literally either. Eorzea is based on Africa, if I remember correctly. Granted, addressing people by their surname is dependent more on culture, but most countries don't use it as an everyday occurrence. for instance, lets say you are a high school student, in America you'd call the teacher by the name you are told Mr/Mrs so-and-so, same as you would in Japan, but if you need to talk to a student you know the name of but barely know you'd still address them by their first name, but in Japan you say their last name.

The main reason for this is how each country views respect. In America if someone calls you your first name it feels respectful, but only a close personal friend/someone you are really close with can use just your last name. It's the direct opposite in Japan, saying their last name feels respectful, but anyone beside someone they are close to or special using their first name feels insulting. In addition, in Japan using someones first name, while it can be insulting depending on the person, is also a way to show status. A teacher or boss might call you by your first name, not out of respect, but to show they are above you. And in America if your boss calls you by your last name, well... lol

It's semi complicated, but for the most part I think in video games as a whole, even if a character has a last name, their first name is still used, if it is given; and if the first name is know but the last name is the preferred method of address, its usually an insult or to show respect. The best examples I can give are from Bravely Default, there is Sage Yulyana, whose first name is never stated; though Sage can be a name and title, lol. There is Lester DeRosso who is addressed as Lord DeRosso out of respect, and Fiore DeRosa, who is called "(expletive) DeRosa" as a way of disrespect.

Also don't forget that most Plainsfolk Lalafells are addressed by both first and last names. It's never just Alka it's Alka Zolka.

On another side note I feel any future RDMs are gonna draw a lot of inspiration from DeRosa, since he's become influential for the theme itself as of late.

How is Eorzea meant to be based on Africa? Sure, the shape of Aldenard is roughly the same as Africa, but the climates sure aren't. The cultures and societies are drawn from all over the world, not just in Africa - Ishgard, for example, is a mixture of French and English culture, transported to a winter wonderland with dragons.

Also, the US is a big country, and while I've never been there, I wouldn't assume that cultural norms of name usage are the same all across it.

Anyway, while we're on the topic of names, it seems that much like how close friends of a Seeker of the Sun would drop the tribal suffix from their name when addressing them, male Elezen also have one or two syllables dropped from their names by close friends (e.g: Niellefresne [which my phone tried to spellcheck to Nier espresso, tf?] to Nielle, Jannequinard to Janne, and Alphy).

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Originally Posted by Mysterysword

How is Eorzea meant to be based on Africa? *snippers*

Also, the US is a big country, and while I've never been there, I wouldn't assume that cultural norms of name usage are the same all across it.

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I don't see Africa thing either. Maybe Europe, not Africa.

As far as the US, you are correct. We have all sort of regional cultures with a lot of bleed between them. Plus, we have a whole bunch of ethnic cultural influences too. We're the mulligan stew of the world.;)

Really, there are some consistencies with names in the US for official documents, but there are so many nuances in names used, honorifics, whether your name is a foreign carry over.

Even our "First, Middle, Last name" descriptors is unique. Most Americans won't use the terms surname or family name, we just say last name since it always comes last. Some people don't even have middle names, and some others go by their middle name in place of their first/given name in conversation.

It gets even more complicated with nicknames and deadnames. Phew...

Honestly, in the US, if you don't know which name to use, opt for Mr. or Ms. "Family/last name." Let them offer a different name if they prefer another, and then call them that.


But, that's not how Eorzea does it. (Interestingly, I just now realized that Garlemald citizens convert their names to a same format all pureblood Garleans use.)

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Originally Posted by Kacho_Nacho

I don't see Africa thing either. Maybe Europe, not Africa.

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Culturally, Europe. Geographically, Africa.
It's like Africa got shifted a good bit to the north to where Europe was, and European culture staid still...
I guess this would mean that Garlemald is geographically Europe? As far as our maps match.

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Originally Posted by Mysterysword

How is Eorzea meant to be based on Africa? Sure, the shape of Aldenard is roughly the same as Africa, but the climates sure aren't. The cultures and societies are drawn from all over the world, not just in Africa - Ishgard, for example, is a mixture of French and English culture, transported to a winter wonderland with dragons.

Also, the US is a big country, and while I've never been there, I wouldn't assume that cultural norms of name usage are the same all across it.

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Originally Posted by Kacho_Nacho

I don't see Africa thing either. Maybe Europe, not Africa.

As far as the US, you are correct. We have all sort of regional cultures with a lot of bleed between them. Plus, we have a whole bunch of ethnic cultural influences too. We're the mulligan stew of the world.;)

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Ah but you might not be thinking this way when you are mentally comparing the two, but Eorzea is not a country its a region/realm comprised of the island (nation) of Vylbrand, the continent of Aldenard, and the surrounding islands. That's why I said it was based on Africa. Africa is both a continent and a region in our world. And as someone pointed out the cultures found within come from all over, mostly Europe.

Also, what I said about names wasn't really an assumption, if anything it's a presumption. But I wasn't talking about the individual cultures found within the US, I was referring to American society as a whole. That's just our view, first names are respectful, last names disrespectful. But like most things there are exceptions and personal emotions and familiarity also play a part.

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Originally Posted by Aosha

Culturally, Europe. Geographically, Africa.
It's like Africa got shifted a good bit to the north to where Europe was, and European culture staid still...
I guess this would mean that Garlemald is geographically Europe? As far as our maps match.

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We wont know unless the devs say, but I think they are using the merged continent versions of our world map. Eurasia, America (as a whole) and Africa. But Garlemald being similar to Europe seems right, but I think it woudl be attached to America, which just sounds odd, lol.

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Originally Posted by FJerome

Popokkuli, Seserukka and their sister Nenekko. To my knowledge we've never learnt their secondary names, though.

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Hello from the future! According to Encyclopædia Eorzea II, their names are Popokkuli Sesekkuli and Seserukka Poporukka. And Lolorito Nanarito has a niece named Liliju Liju.

(In Japanese romanization, a doubled consonant letter means putting a glottal stop - shutting the vocal cords and not letting any air through - before the consonant sound. So you can think of the miner siblings' names as "Popo'kuli" and "Seseru'ka" - giving the names almost a staccato quality.)