Naming Characters After Yourself?

[Kat_Dawg33]

Sometimes...

Sometimes I channel back to my childhood, before I knew RPGs existed (and maybe they didn't), and the character that I was "role" playing had my name, or one very similar. So, I become an Elf Ranger, with a name much like my real name, only molded to sound more Elven. And this characer has my personality, only they are so much more... I never felt like this was being lazy, only me trying to put myself into the world that was created for my (and others) enjoyment/escape once a week for 4 hours.

Sometimes I attempt to be something different, and I do my best to make the name appropriate, and if it sounded anything at all like my name, it would be totally accidental.

And I don't often worry too much about my fellow player's character names, as long as they are not attemptng joke or un-thoughtful names, such as: Jujubee, Gnome Bard, or Kevin, Kenku Cleric, or Steve, Drow Sorcerer.

 

[kitsune9]

No, don't think it's wrong to do so. Just one approach toward creating a name for a character.

The only wrong way to create a name for a character is when the player is using it to detract from the purpose of the game. For example, the DM states he wants to run a gothic horror campaign set in a grim world of death and insanity against the forces of chaos to his players. One of the players creates a gnome bard who goes by the name Puffy Longstockings Bellypuffer. Ewwww....

 

[shadzar]

Characters names dont really matter so long as they are not a distraction to the game.

Proprietary names, however, should be avoided: Darth Vader, Tanis Half-elven, Legolas, Robin Hood, Arthur Pendragon....and the list goes on. (unless you are playing those characters set in their proper universe)

 

[Dungeoneer]

There is of course always room for an enchanter named Tim.

 

[prosfilaes]

Proprietary names, however, should be avoided: Darth Vader, Tanis Half-elven, Legolas, Robin Hood, Arthur Pendragon....and the list goes on. (unless you are playing those characters set in their proper universe)

I would leave that under the title of "does it disrupt the game". Some names just clash too much with the world, like Darth Vader would. But if someone wants to play an elf named Legolas, then I wouldn't object--though it doesn't show much creativity. If you want to play an Alyx Weider, then most of your fellow players aren't going to know you borrowed the name. If it helps you get into character, go for it.

 

[MarkB]

Let's say your name is Johnathin Thomas Raynard. Whenever you play D&D or some RPG, you always name your character after some variation of your name. Every single one of them.

So long as he avoids "John Thomas", he should be fine.

 

[shadzar]

I would leave that under the title of "does it disrupt the game". Some names just clash too much with the world, like Darth Vader would. But if someone wants to play an elf named Legolas, then I wouldn't object--though it doesn't show much creativity. If you want to play an Alyx Weider, then most of your fellow players aren't going to know you borrowed the name. If it helps you get into character, go for it.

I included Legolas as it too would still fall under the "disrupt the game" clause.

Two players both having male elves, and one picks Lagolas and the other complains because they want the name but didn't think it would be allowed...I have sen it happen. So best to leave well known names as off-limits for DM and PCs.

 

[kitsune9]

There is of course always room for an enchanter named Tim.

Gotta make an exception for the all-powerful enchanter named....Tim.

 

[Henry]

Why should someone care? As long as the name chosen is consistent enough with the game world not to break the players' and DM's fun, then let' em play their variant of "Eternal Champion" all they want. If some player gets their jollies by seeing every character as an aspect of themselves, then steer for the sun and Godspeed, I say.

 

[Dice4Hire]

Well, I know if it were not for online translation dictionaries, my names would be worse than they already are. I am fond of swahili for many of my character names.

I am not too fond of Koban the Enforcer style names, much. I prefer to go for names that sound like people's names.