Names

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This article refers to Name as it relates to Nationstates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on the subject.

Names play an important role in Nationstates roleplay. Many roleplayers consider named characters special, actual characters as opposed to merely past of the anonymous mass of their national population. Some roleplayers name almost every character who appears in their roleplays. Others name only their national leader.

Realism in in character names is a criterion used by many to judge roleplaying. In character naming conventions vary widely from nation to nation, although most are borrowed from one or more real world cultures.

Use of names

In Nationstates roleplay, personal names are normally used to mark certain characters as persons of particular interest. The story is normally given from the point of view of one or more named characters and named characters are normally the only characters whose thoughts and feelings are explicitly described. It is also considered rude to post killing a named character without the player's permission.

Names can be used in other ways as well. Sometimes a list of names might be used to show the diversity of a group. One or more relatively unimportant characters might be named simply to add detail and flavor to a roleplay. A name might be mentioned in passing in dialogue and have no real importance to the story.

Kinds of names

  • A personal name is the name of an individual person. Personal names usually include at least an individual and a family name. Personal names are nearly universal. Some animals, such as pets, are also given named equivalent to personal names.
  • A common name is the name for a plant or animal used locally.
  • An identifier is a special kind of name used in technical jargon.