Lighthearted character names?

[Gez]

I haven't been personally exposed to that problem. None of the players around me ever used a silly name. The problem is rather uninspired players struggling to find a name. The worst I had to endure was Redate -- from a RedHat Linux advertisement, because the player was utterly unable to find a name, saw the back cover of a Linux Mag, which featured said advertisement, and scribed Redate on his char sheet.

 

[Nightcloak]

Silly names really do bother me.

But I don't disallow them either. If someone wants to name their character that way, I let them.

But I'm also not above finding ways to use the silly name in game either, a sword swings both ways and a joke goes both ways too. After all, us DMs are there to have fun also

 

[Starglim]

Mediaeval people did have funny names, intentionally or not, related to their occupation or personal characteristics, as seen in Domesday Book (William the Conqueror's census of England) or the Russian imperial records of name changes. Meek the Least seems like a fine name. I don't think this breaks suspension of disbelief as badly as others contend.

 

[Ambrus]

The second group I played with years ago had such memorable character names as Semalf Yraglac the Powerful (Calgary Flames spelled backward), Corn Flakes the ranger (inexplicably pronounced "fleekes"), Olly Schit the cleric, Blaze the magic mule +5 (just a donkey) and Skull "Is it made of wood?" the pyromaniac (played by a guy whose nickname was "Potato", or "Crush").

All in all I much prefer for a character's name to not be silly or distracting after having dealt with this silly bunch of people (who I don't game with anymore).

 

[Darkness]

Only if they are particularly subtle and clever. Bonus points if they are appropriate names for the race in question.

 

[Kageneko]

After my Xth character died, I decided to name my new one 'Ahdzar Ay'ldye' (ask me if you need help with pronounciation). Surprisingly, this character lived for a long long long time.

 

[MonsterMash]

Yes in Paranoia and Toon - sometimes in Metamorphosis Alpha or D&D, but not in the regular D&D campaign.

 

[CRGreathouse]

In general, they bother me. I'll talk to the appropriate player and see if I can work out something if it gets too bad.

Only if they are particularly subtle and clever. Bonus points if they are appropriate names for the race in question.

Yes, subtle name jokes are fine.

 

[Thanee]

It definitely depends on the phase of the moon!

No, seriously, in a fun game (I doubt we had even one serious name in our TftFV p) games ) that's cool. In a "regular" game, I'd rather not have blatantly stupid names, but subtle is always fine, of course, and I don't really mind if a name or two are slightly more than subtle either, as long as they are not too bad.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Gez]

Only if they are particularly subtle and clever. Bonus points if they are appropriate names for the race in question.

Like "Loréal the Elven Bard", or "Stout McGuinness the Dwarven Paladin" ?

OK, it's not particularly subtle.