eIn Nocan society, every individual bears a yonākya, literally "three names." When speaking generally of one’s name, Nocans refer to the Personal Name, the most commonly used by friends and acquaintances. The yonākya consists of three elements:
Personal Name (ozinākya / nākya)
Patronymic (kawnenākya / nākya kawneīke)
Clan Name (kōtnākya)
These names are purely euphonic, with no literal meaning. They trace back to the ancient Cassore or Echore languages.
Common Male Examples: Oki, Resak, Akos, Edek, Noren, Ozor
Common Female Examples: Erata, Neze, Sāri, Agi, Unathi, Otene
Formed from the father’s Personal Name plus a suffix:
Add -th if the name ends in a vowel (or w/y)
Add -ith if the name ends in a consonant
Examples:
Father: Oki → Patronymic: Okith
Father: Resak → Patronymic: Resakith
Father: Akos → Patronymic: Akosith
Father: Edek → Patronymic: Edekith
Father: Nokhe → Patronymic: Nokheth
Nocans belong to either High Clans (formerly Echore) or Low Clans (formerly Cassore). Clan membership is inherited matrilineally (from mother to child).
High Clans (Echore heritage):
Āpharkōt — "High Clan"
Thōrekōt — "Mountain Clan"
Izirkōt — "Moon Clan"
Meskōt — "Sea Clan"
Dorukōt — "Valley Clan"
Low Clans (Cassore heritage):
Tūritom — "Wolf Clan"
Kodetom — "Black Clan"
Noratom — "New Clan"
Rekhtom — "River Clan"
Aysatom — "Metal Clan"
Dosketom — "Spear Clan"
Ereritom — "Eagle Clan"
Nendetom — "Lake Clan"
Otatom — "Sand Clan"
Kawattom — "Shield Clan"
Besides the yonākya, individuals may receive an atanākya (nickname). These often reflect a physical trait, a profession, or an insult, and can sometimes be passed down.
Examples of Common Atanākya:
Uphawmuk — "dirty-face"
Awkewda — "big-hands"
Zut — "ugly"
Aska — "ash"
Kode — "black"
Rorka — "red"
Zuko — "shoe"
Yaruīke — "dog-like"