Post by Tiger on Jan 13, 2009 17:57:04 GMT -5
Please take note that the information contained in this guide does not apply to already existing cats.
Although our site has a fancy layout, a literate standard of roleplay, and utterly awesome members, we are not one of those roleplay sites that has absolutely bizarre names for their cats. We shun the poetic names that sound nice but in all reality have no place here. In this guide, we will take a look at some good and some bad naming strategies, as well as dissect the names of my cats which are of varied traditionalism.
--PART I :: WHAT TO DO
A cat's name is very important. Ideally, it should describe the cat's appearance and occasionally, the personality. Prefixes are chosen at birth and paired with the suffix -kit and all describe that cat's appearance. Although certain suffixes, when paired with the right prefix, also offer a personality description, it is perfectly acceptable to describe your cat's appearance and nothing else.
There are some other odd names that you can get away with, but I recommend not trying to do so. We'll (royal we!) cover more of that later in the guide.
--PART II :: WHAT NOT TO DO
Obviously, you'll want to have names that have something to do with your cat. If you have a white cat with odd eyes, don't call it Nightheart. It's not going to work. There are a few more less-than-traditional yet common things that you'll want to avoid...
In addition, there are some prefixes and suffixes that you simply want to avoid in all circumstances.
Lastly, there are a few non-traditional name parts that are risky which you might be able to get away with here.
Of these prefixes, the most common are: Moon- and Sun-.
The most common suffixes are: -fire, -shadow, and -song.
(I know I said that Moon- and Sun- are bad, but just stay away from them. If the cat cannot be better described by a similar prefix, then it will probably work. These are typically best for a cat with a rich, shiny pelt that is respectively silver or gold.)
--PART III :: NAMING CATS OUTSIDE CLANS
Go crazy. There are absolutely no limits to naming your rogues, loners, and kittypets. Seriously.
Although our site has a fancy layout, a literate standard of roleplay, and utterly awesome members, we are not one of those roleplay sites that has absolutely bizarre names for their cats. We shun the poetic names that sound nice but in all reality have no place here. In this guide, we will take a look at some good and some bad naming strategies, as well as dissect the names of my cats which are of varied traditionalism.
--PART I :: WHAT TO DO
A cat's name is very important. Ideally, it should describe the cat's appearance and occasionally, the personality. Prefixes are chosen at birth and paired with the suffix -kit and all describe that cat's appearance. Although certain suffixes, when paired with the right prefix, also offer a personality description, it is perfectly acceptable to describe your cat's appearance and nothing else.
Good descriptions of appearance:
- Tigerstripe; a Bengal she-cat who looks like a tiger. Descriptive? Yes. Within the laws of traditionalism? You betcha!
- Rockfang; a tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with yellow eyes and sharp teeth. Although the pairing of prefix and suffix is a bit odd, it gives her name a double meaning. She was named Rock-kit at birth for her patches of color, and given the suffix -fang upon reaching warriorhood. Not only does it imply that she has very sharp teeth, but it also describes the rocklike patches of color in her fur.
- Bluepool; a white she-cat with dark blue eyes. Although cats' eyes are not open at birth, perhaps Bluepool was either named after she had opened her eyes or she was born as Snowkit (or something similar) but given the apprentice name Bluepaw. Either way, the name is a good one because it describes her most striking characteristic: her eyes. She was not the only white-furred cat in FrostClan at the time of her birth, and a name describing her pelt wouldn't stand out.
Good descriptions of personality and appearance:
- Thunderstorm; Although Thunderpaw isn't a warrior yet, his warrior name sums him up perfectly--as a violent cat with light brown fur. His pelt color is somewhat similar to lightning, although his mother probably named him in reference to the darker color the sand becomes when wet, especially after a storm.
- Iceheart; A black she-cat with bright blue eyes. Her prefix Ice- describes not only her eyes, but her cold-on-the-surface personality. Iceheart was the warrior name of Icestar, who is roleplayed by Lexie.
- Thornheart; A jet black tom with jagged white stripes. He's menacing and a bit too ambitious. The Thorn- prefix represents his dark pelt and his personality as well, for obvious reasons. He is roleplayed by Ally.
There are some other odd names that you can get away with, but I recommend not trying to do so. We'll (royal we!) cover more of that later in the guide.
--PART II :: WHAT NOT TO DO
Obviously, you'll want to have names that have something to do with your cat. If you have a white cat with odd eyes, don't call it Nightheart. It's not going to work. There are a few more less-than-traditional yet common things that you'll want to avoid...
- Anything that has to do with what is sacred to cats or humans. That means Moon-, Sun-, Star-, Soul- (and also -soul), -spirit, Angel-, and the like are out. Cats don't know about angels and demons and other things that are known purely to humans. They wouldn't name a cat after the moon, sun, or stars because it's sacred to them. Also, what will happen to poor Starlight if they're the deputy and the leader dies?
- Any one name part more than two syllables and any name more than four syllables. Long names are awkward, face it. I'm sure you'll get just as sick of typing out Chrysanthemumflower as I will.
- Any name that is disrespectful to the cat. Death-, Dead-, Burning-, and any other names with strong negative connotations are never a good bet. Warriors are dedicated, honorable cats who fight for their clan and its well-being. No queen would ever give their son or daughter a disrespectful name, whether intentionally or not.
In addition, there are some prefixes and suffixes that you simply want to avoid in all circumstances.
- Wild-; All the feral cats are wild. None are more wild than the others.
- Kit-, Paw-, and Star-; Obviously, nobody wants a kit called Kitkit, nor an apprentice called Pawpaw or a leader called Starstar.
- Any twoleg object. No Planeflight. No Oreopelt. No Inkspill.
- There are more which I'm not thinking about.
Lastly, there are a few non-traditional name parts that are risky which you might be able to get away with here.
Of these prefixes, the most common are: Moon- and Sun-.
The most common suffixes are: -fire, -shadow, and -song.
(I know I said that Moon- and Sun- are bad, but just stay away from them. If the cat cannot be better described by a similar prefix, then it will probably work. These are typically best for a cat with a rich, shiny pelt that is respectively silver or gold.)
--PART III :: NAMING CATS OUTSIDE CLANS
Go crazy. There are absolutely no limits to naming your rogues, loners, and kittypets. Seriously.
fin