[Pseudo-poll]/[Study] Female Fantasy Names

[Kerrick]

I keep a running list of names, both male and female, for characters in both games and stories I write, so I noticed years ago that the majority of my female names ended in A. It wasn't really something I could get away from, so I've accepted it as a fact of life. This thread is a great resource for names; I hope you guys don't mind if I borrow a few.

Here are my contributions...

Jessalie McCarren
Lydia Darkstarr
Karita Mersine
Lyah Masaaren
Mirabeth
Leilani
Kariann
Khefra (Egyptian priestess of Bast)
Sabrina o' the Blade

 

[heirodule]

Strawberry Shortcake
Solonor

 

[Uzumaki]

-ko is the feminine derivative for Japanese names. It means 'child' or 'small.' Like Aiko, Yumeko, Mariko, etc. 'Ichi' and 'suke' is usually a masculine ending, like Kenichi, Shuuichi, or Daisuke.

 

[Norfleet]

It's not surprising that many female names end in -a, seeing as this is a common trend in several languages where feminine nouns behave likewise.

 

[Bloodsparrow]

5) more than half of the names contain an "e".

This one, interestingly, doesn't. Probably the most major deviation from popular real female names.

Idle statistical thoughts...

Condidering the "e" is that most used letter in the English language... Would this be ... At least a little, unsurprising?

 

[welby]

Celeste

 

[Gez]

Rapine (halfling)

1st question: Is she a rogue?
2nd question: If yes, do you speak French?

(Rapine is old slang for theft.)

First names of female character I've played in fantasy games? Long list.

Hermeline (Ars Magica, faery-blooded cohort), Inaoko (D&D+OA, human aristocrat/sorcerer), Avecine Balanim Carnamade Castelline Fernottine Nivaïl Lorelette Sélanil Valnip (a gnomette wizard, with lotsa names, in D&D), Neige (meaning snow, Changeling infant sidhe -- it's fantasy enough, despite the outside world), Naline (D&D, play-by-post, gnome druid/rogue), Katel (or Cathel) (Ars Magica, apprentice), Narcotorpa (Ars Magica, mage), Elorane (Ars Magica, future apprentice)... I'm forgotting some.

Names of female fantasy characters I have seen played? Even more. I'm bound to forget the three quarters.
Siawen (D&D, elf wizard), Laurine (D&D, half-elf bard), Jaliane (D&D, elf bard/fighter), Prisca (D&D, human monk), Icelina (Ars Magica, faery-blooded mage), Nauroria (Ars Magica, apprentice), Xaxiliax (Guildes, Ulmec witch), Xung-Li (D&D+OA, human bard), Thénamys (Ars Magica, cohort), Aeris (Ars Magica, cohort), Ezalie (Ars Magica, apprentice), Azalaïs (Ars Magica, cohort), Linotte (Ars Magica, grog), Yavanna (Dragon Warriors, cleric), Adeline (Vampire: Dark Ages, reluctant gangrel -- would have been a much better fit as a ventrue)...
I've forgotten lots, notably nigh all "secondary" PCs of a whole Ars Mag campaign (we start lots of campaigns -- but sadly end very little -- so we have each lots and lots of characters).

 

[Gez]

Asilud Sunnilda Gelud-Diedelindadottur

I've a cousine named Zunilda (but everyone call her Sunnie). Weird.

 

[tetsujin28]

-ko is the feminine derivative for Japanese names. It means 'child' or 'small.' Like Aiko, Yumeko, Mariko, etc. 'Ichi' and 'suke' is usually a masculine ending, like Kenichi, Shuuichi, or Daisuke.

This was not always true. It's a fairly recent invention.

 

[Wormwood]

Names of the two female characters I've played:

Ursa
Raven