People's names are surprisingly consistent across history. Set out here are some of the more common ones, with their etymologies and variations from around the world.
One noticeable difference in naming conventions for the Gykkura people of, well, Gykken, is that they draw from the lineages of the mother and father. A child, therefore, gets a combination of either their mother's name or one of her ancestors', and either their father's name or one of his ancestors'. At least, that's the traditional way. What with intermarrying between cultures, there is also a different way in vogue, one traditionally used for illegitimate children or complete orphans—dedication to a particular deity, or one of their names. Those are the ones listed below.
"Grain-man" (Eralca)
Aifaxio, Ailu, Aipaliu, Epalu, Exô, Exu, Façu, Paçu, Paolu
"Lake" (Phaeroian)
Aesar, Aisa, Aisara, Aisaros, Ezar
"Mingler" (Phaeroian)
Akhnar, Ankar, Anka, Ankos
"Goatherd" (Phaeroian)
Acrythos, Akrytha, Arryth, Cryth, Krito
"Calm-maker" (Eralca)
Aça, Alaga, Asha, Axa, Laga, Oja
"Sea, ocean" (Cerementi)
Almos, Elma, Elmar, Elmos
"Competition-game" (Pangau)
Amakâ, Amako'
"Tree-person" (Kuzhek)
Anila, Anneu
"Eternal peace-source" (Pangau)
Acantah, Aganda, Akw'ato', Aqâtô, Aqanda
"Lion" (Rhaeth)
Arna, Arno, Ern
"Pilgrimage" (Qariyyu)
Avyed, Ayadu, Oedd, Oyad, Oyed
"Spirit of the journey" (Qariyyu)
Babal
"Sea-Panther" (Phaeroian)
Baer, Barra, Barros, Bera, Beros
"Fearless" (Nyarawanyiga)
Balbaran
"Koala" (Arrahng)
Badjur, Batjor, Batjowr, Bayor
"Plea for aid" (Kshamakaraktha)
Bimunda, Mundhi, Vimunthi
"Plum wine" (Arrahng)
Bengor, Biggun
"Strong" (Voerian)
Boro, Borys
"Flying squirrel" (Rhaeth)
Ben, Benn, Bynni
"Bright blood" (Muill)
Calcos, Calcym, Calym
"Day-person" (Voerian)
Carnevi, Carneibh, Carnyf
"Water" (Rhaeth)
Cath, Ceith
"Tree-climber" (Sachu)
"Flower-crown" (Kshamakaraktha)
Chinditai, Chintai, Xenda, Tindu
"Midnight sun" (Cerementi)
Czur, Kyra, Kyros
"Golden poppy" (Rhaeth)
Cal, Col, Collyn
"Path-sky" (Motzalac)
Kubila, Kukibila
"Strong" (Voerian)
Cor, Cora, Cōra, Coro, Coryn
"Twice-dancer" (Motzalac)
Qawikatta
"May she dance" (Motzalac)
Qawikati, Wikatti
"Regeneration" (Pangau)
Tâtê, Tanta, Tantaj
"He/she who is birthed" (Truzithan)
Ciria, Czyrsza, Dacīria, Dagir, Doczyrsza, Kyria
"Robin" (Phaeroian)
Dan, Danar, Dani
"One who cares" (Qariyyu)
Daram, Darma
"Snake" (Booladjirra)
Daalhi
"Egg" (Arrahng)
Datjow, Dayaw
"Grown" (Kshamakaraktha)
Dita, Lita, Sita, Zida, Zita
"Hope to bond" (Kshamakaraktha)
Drição, Linsi, Terincha, Tinhão
"Sweet iron" (Voerian)
Diatrikenos, Dyrigen, Triceno
"Camel" (Booladjirra)
Djuna
"Like the sea" (Kshamakaraktha)
Daríu, Darya, Daryavati, Dibasi, Trivati
"Rising water" (Kuzhek)
Avila, Avilu, Evíu
"Woman from Emila" (Phaeroian)
Emil, Emiliar, Emilios, Iamilados
"Thunderbolt" (Booladjirra)
Anyi
"Reef, hotspot" (Tehapuan)
Eha
"Shouter" (Qariyyu)
Huaquítl
"Day-wind" (Voerian)
Falcarne, Ffalgar
"Hunter" (Arrahng)
Gawar
"Who comes to us" (Tharrabic)
Galavi, Galevi, Ghalabi
"Raven, crow" (Booladjirra)
Ganjoo, Gordaa
"True of heart" (Eralca)
Faça, Gafaxa, Giapô, Proçô, Rosa
"Fights like a beast" (Kshamakaraktha)
Gobra, Gubra, Kuvra, Qura
"Paddles like a demon" (Kshamakaraktha)
Gumye, Kunyai, Kunye, Qunyai, Qunye
"Joyous Sky" (Muill)
Hagren, Harren
"Sea" (Phaeroian)
Honn, Onda, Ondar, Onn, Unda
"Entrance-man" (Phaeroian)
Erac, Erasso, Irach, Irak, Orso, Orzakos
"guide-woman" (Phaeroian)
Esfara, Hesper, Ispary
"Raven-woman" (Phaeroian)
Ewa, Io, Iwa
"He/she is strong" (Truzithan)
Ębial, Felizze, Ffel, Iphel, Nimbhelis, Phelis, Velis
"We who will see" (Truzithan)
Iphos, Phosontos
"Light-woman" (Phaeroian)
Ema, Gajma, Igaimar, Igaimos, Igajma, Yema
"Lovely, resplendent" (Cerementi)
Ilka, Ilkos, Ilyk
"You will not be usurped" (Truzithan)
Indira, Indirāman, Nędź, Nędźriamą, Raman, Rhaman, Rhamanar
"Water-man" (Tharrabic)
Ilotl, Iros, Irudd, Yurdu
"Harp, lyre" (Qariyyu)
Ela, Iala, Ila, Īla, Illa, Iyala, Yala
"Teaches about edible plants" (Kshamakaraktha)
Giaji, Jajjai, Chacche
"Land" (Qariyyu)
Drzama, Ema, Iama, Zama
"I who will not mourn" (Truzithan)
Emosa, Iamasar, Iamausa, Iamos, Jamas, Jamasu, Yamas, Yamasu
"Good-preserver" (Eralca)
Aosô, Gramu, Jegá, João, Joaoso
"Winged person" (Kshamakaraktha)
Camai, Chamai, Chame, Jamai, Jhame
"Spirit-triumph" (Kshamakaraktha)
Chitau, Gitão, Jhito
"Elephant-hearted" (Qariyyu)
Dughaim, Dughaym, Jugami
"Magic, mountain" (Mwelu)
Capa, Kaa, Kap
"Raven" (Kshamakaraktha)
Cara, Cari
"Good man" (Phaeroian)
Carran, Cataro, Cathar, Cathran, Katar
"Reed" (Kuzhek)
Quépira
"Memory-goddess" (Phaeroian)
Chiotra, Cywd, Ketra, Kytros
"He/she will shine" (Kshamakaraktha)
Carna, Karna
"Harvest" (Capitol Sau)
Ngōo, Ngwà
"Music" (Phaeroian)
Cedor, Chiato, Czatyr, Kiatoa
"Flower" (Tehapuan)
Iho, Kēso, Ngaisau
"Ruling-many" (Kuzhek)
Ikura, Kivika, Kivira, Quiveca
"Made large" (Kshamakaraktha)
Coda, Cora, Kottha
"Sea-awaiter" (Sachu)
Kungu, Nangu
"Slow-growing tree" (Kshamakaraktha)
Kioli, Kuthi, Quiuri, Yuru
"Wise-person" (Eralca)
Ladu, Lali, Loda, Lora, Séda
"Thou who amazingly know" (Truzithan)
Lampheios, Laninsai, Laniseia, Laniseios, Limbi, Łonęśi, Lonyas'
"Carved stone" (Cerementi)
Lesia, Lesios, Leszy, Lezi, Lyzi
"Bearer of pain for others" (Eralca)
Conu, Laquêico, Llacu, Llão, Quecô, Queicô, Yakon, Yakun
"Ram's beginnings" (Qariyyu)
Lawayam, Loyam, Lōyem
"The wind calls" (Nadzar)
Limekai, Limecay, Myokhâi
"Monkey" (Phaeroian)
Aymar, Maemar, Mimar
"Firebird" (Motzalac)
Makumuki
"river" (Mwelu)
Mo'to'u
"Wild, invincible" (Voerian)
Marco, March, Marro
"Wild, invincible" (Rhaeth)
Mag, Maggan, Mar, Margia, Meg, Meggan
"Hand of Idargha" (Qariyyu)
Maš-Idahra, Mashidara, Maxtalla
"Philosopher-monarch" (Kshamakaraktha)
Mica, Micão, Mikka, Mitra
"We will hunt" (Xixrut)
Muqtub, Muquyya
"Inner hand" (Xixrut)
Muša, Musha, Mushe
"Fire-man" (Eralca)
Alluqui, Albú, Luqui, Nalla, Nalbu, Nalvaxio, Nawalo, Vaçô
"Bird-lover" (Kshamakaraktha)
Nabu, Nappu, Naru
"Brightness" (Qariyyu)
Arag, Nara, Narag
"Thunder" (Tehapuan)
Ngāga, Ngāui, Ngōi, Uāhi, Uāki, ʔāki
"Gold" (Mwelu)
Inginu, Keino, Kyenyé, Nino
"Dugong" (Booladjirra)
"You will have spoken" (Truzithan)
Canar, Kan, Kana, Kanos, Neczą, Necho, Nican, Nico, Nikanos, Nikanar, Niko
"Laugh-like-birds" (Kshamakaraktha)
Nica, Nikai, Nike
"Of the god Nwinu" (Xixrut)
Nintu, Nunit
"Lake" (Mwelu)
Intzoleh, So'je, Soure, Nazul
"Oath-swearer" (Eralca)
Ippó, Itio, Ottu, Pitú, Thiô, Tiô, Tiú
"Cleft Wind" (Muill)
Pacal, Pacalo, Pacyll, Pael
"May the storm provide" (Motzalac)
Balkana, Paleno, Pallenotl
"Laughter" (Phaeroian)
Metron, Pedyr, Petros, Petyr
"Main character" (Phaeroian)
Ffaem, Faima, Faimo
"Guest" (Theigarian)
Faro, Faron, Ffaron, Phara, Pharos
"Miraculous" (Phaeroian)
Fałan, Fana, Ffawnn, Fona
"Golden" (Phaeroian)
Ffred, Freddo, Phrezas
"Taking-person" (Eralca)
Fau, Fauco, Pora, Proca
"Believer" (Kshamakaraktha)
Gaçu, Gascão, Pregão, Prikacca
"Fox-woman" (Eralca)
Foizo, Pedra, Pedru, Pedúr
"Thunder-rain; thunder-grass; bridge-grass" (Sachu)
"Could-speak" (Qariyyu)
Cozzo, Kauson, Qawash
"Song" (Cerementi)
Kilis, Kiłsa, Kolos, Lesa, Pilis, Wilysz
"Speak to them" (Qariyyu)
Cozto, Kûštu, Qūshtu
"Thou who art a fire" (Truzithan)
Ravelona, Ravelunna, Rhawlyn, Roweleńy
"Large bird" (Cerementi)
Raia, Rhaia, Rhaiar, Rhaios
"Red winter" (Muill)
Rhesdu, Rhesyw, Risto
"Island" (Tehapuan)
Eki, Lehi, Luga, Reki, Yei, Yeki, Yeui
"Red" (Rhaeth)
Rhae, Rhea, Rhei, Rheos
"Peace of mind" (Pangau)
Jaatza, Jātza
"Flower" (Kuzhek)
Ruta, Ruttal
"Peacefu" (Qariyyu)
Sador, Sadu, Sadwa, S'arve, Tzaoda, Tzadu, Tzahua
"River" (Cerementi)
Sara, Saros, Szaru
"We will hunt" (Truzithan)
Semyrz, Simeria, Simerios, Simero, Simyth, Siryth
"I am miraculously free" (Truzithan)
Ibralir, Imir, Sempra, Sęprzarz, Simpirā, Sippirâlir, Syapryal'
"Thunder" (Phaeroian)
Sadra, Sodyr, Sorto, Sotrysz
"Brighten-the-sky" (Kshamakaraktha)
Soko, Sukiru, Sukuru, Surcu, Surru
"Joyous" (Mwelu)
Soloh, Suj, Sur
"Place-enjoyment" (Kshamakaraktha)
Sepru, Siru, Suppu, Wipo
"Enjoy the market" (Motzalac)
Tallitibatu
"Bright cloud" (Kuzhek)
Tanom, Tanomai
"Holds up the flame" (Kshamakaraktha)
Tantrai
"Faith-man" (Arrahng)
Tarrabam, Tharrom, Tharrwam, Tjarba
"City-man" (Phaeroian)
Awladd, Doladar, Taladar, Thaulada, Thawladd
"River-Person" (Phaeroian)
Terros, Therra
"Strong, strength" (Capitol Sau)
Bāo, Màuh
"Winter" (Kuzhek)
Thullhara, Tugiár, Tujár, Tujjarani
"Fiery-person" (Phaeroian)
Cirano, Thyrana, Thyranar, Thyrran, Serana
"Fire-Child" (Theigarian)
Rhelos, Torela, Torelar, Torelos, Trella, Trello
"Mulga snake" (Arrahng)
Tjerdi, Tjerri, Tjirri
"Joy-woman" (Arrahng)
Corokeng, Tjorogeng, Tjorokeng, Tjuruyéng
"May bronze rule" (Motzalac)
Chamika, Zamika
"Kindred spirit" (Qariyyu)
Oxaca, Ushaqa
"Hopper" (Booladjirra)
Adjoo
"Heart-speaker" (Qariyyu)
Uqusha, Ukshi, Uxia
"Comes-from Athrab" (Tharrabic)
Olatla, Uratraba
"They who will sing to you" (Truzithan)
Erdźińa, Erdźrińa, Erińa, Urthyd, Usidri
"He bids thee shine" (Xixrut)
Uridar, Yadar
"You are known" (Xixrut)
Tiyyad, Utiyyaji
"Gold" (Cerementi)
Bala, Balos, Walo
"Soon to shine" (Kuzhek)
Vacuri, Vakur, Vakuri, Vaquí, Varri
"Dream" (Cerementi)
Eia, Eios, Wei, Wesz
"I build well" (Kshamakaraktha)
Brabão, Ebrão, Embra, Vembra, Vemmappan, Veppa
"Wandering wind" (Voerian)
Berth, Ember, Emberto, Venderto
"Wind-person" (Cerementi)
Dira, Endiros, Fenn, Gwynn, Vendiro
"Blooming body" (Kshamakaraktha)
Bitão, Vedra, Vetra, Viatra
"Sweet girl" (Qariyyu)
Vasair, Vaseri, Wačari, Wasayr
"Sea, ocean" (Lewidzian)
Czicza, Cziwa, Vossa, Wocz
"Praying serpent" (Kuzhek)
Evati, Ewati, Ochira, Yavajira
"Tree" (Cerementi)
Iko, Ioka, Iokar, Iokos, Jok, Joko
"Endless traveller" (Motzalac)
Yonila, Yunil
"He is the sixth attempt" (Xixrut)
Charut
"Kookaburra" (Booladjirra)
Jundju, Jurnu, Yurnu
"True courage" (Theigarian)
Zagas, Zakar, Zakarion
"Garden-honourer" (Sakwa)
Khunzu
"Dark, black" (Theigarian)
Sirpo, Zyra, Zyrakos, Zyrax, Zyros
Names in Osāyo have the usual structure "adjective+noun", where the noun is typically an animal or the name of a now-defunct god, or (more rarely) a locale. Certain nouns are reserved for men or women; most adjectives are unisex. Sometimes two nouns are combined instead.
Sandhi (consonant shifting) in names can be tricky at times; typically, however, the rules are as follows:
r plus an unvoiced stop becomes a voiced stop (eg. kir+kai=Kigai).
r plus s becomes z (eg. kas+shimi=Kajimi).
Two unvoiced stops become an unvoiced geminate (eg. tak+hayan=Tappayan).
s disappears before an unvoiced stop (eg. sus+Kiri=Sukiri).
m or n plus an unvoiced stop become n before a voiced stop (eg. awan+chini=Awanjini). The exception to this is in neuter nouns, which lose the final n entirely in compounds (eg. yozon+kizu=Yozokizu).
An unvoiced stop plus r becomes a voiced geminate (eg. kurat+Rāka=Kuraddāka).
s plus r becomes z (eg. mos+rusun=Mozusun).
Any consonant followed by a vowel is retained (eg. kyuk+airu=Kyukairu).
A vowel followed by an unvoiced stop voices the stop (eg. Māchi+Kori=Māchigori). The exception to this is if the following consonant is voiced (eg. kuni+kizu=Kunikizu).
Vowel-vowel combinations are normally quite straightforward:
i and i become ī (eg. kuni+icha=Kunīcha).
u and a become o (eg. airu+agan=Airogan).
u and o become ū (eg. yizu+oron=Yizūron).
Osayan culture does not typically use surnames, instead preferring a form of patronymic before the main name.
Awan- "happy, joyous"
Chāk- "wise"
Kas- "good"
Kir- "black"
Kurat- "black"
Kyuk- "small, little"
Mos- "big, large"
Nayas- "curved"
Nichak- "friendly"
Sus- "tall"
Tak- "red"
Agan "helmet"
Gei "unity"
Icha "lake"
Kai, kayi- "crow"
Rāka "war-god"
Yozon "second sun, Kang"
Airu "mist"
Chini "moon"
Kiri "sharp-eyed goddess"
Kizu "flower"
Rusun "pearl"
Yizu "fruit"
Yotsu "light rain"
Hayan "head"
Kiki "child"
Kori "sun, Dji"
Kuni "day"
M(ah)āchi "stone-god"
Oron "valley"
Shimi "island"
Urun "snake"
Yagi "light"
In Phaeroian lands it is still typical to include a patronymic (e.g., Torelos Sotrados, Torelos son of Sotros). Sometimes a patrial name is appended as well (e.g., Torelos Hylodisis, Torelos of Hylodis); note that this is one of the few occasions where "animate" nouns are found in the ergative case. The patronymic is also used among the Mwelu (e.g., Amangga Ruku, Amangga who is the daughter of Ruku), the Hākan (e.g., Airogan Tappayakki "Airogan son of Tappayan"), and the various peoples of the Yashdar basin, sometimes as well as a patrial name and/or a lineage-name for particular ancestors (e.g., Musha' Musha'im saas-S'adwaq in-Ghirriz "Musha, son of Musha, of the line of S'adwa, from Girriz").
In Einir and Greater Gykken, surnames are the usual way to go. Among the Einirians, surnames are placed after the personal name; for Gykkura, the sequence is reversed. Typically such names are derived from a characteristic, a place, or a profession (e.g., Hālgal Beltamo, Beltamo from the family from Hālgal). Surnames are also much used in Nukambi, where they come after the personal name and mark the bloodline; these may be double-barreled, linked to the name of a prestigious ancestor in order to further differentiate one's family from those of others nearby. In Dhunic communities, the surname is typically the name of an ancestor, is placed in the genitive collective, and precedes the personal name (e.g., Jhitova Sukru "Sukru of the House of Jhitau"); direct heirs and patriarchs use the genitive singular instead, or compound the words (e.g. Jhitogubhra "Gubhra, Heir to the House of Jhitau"); in the west, the "from-person" suffix is preferred (e.g., Sviprunchir Bimundhi "Bimundhi from the House of Svipru").
(A small note on Kshamakaraktha names; typically names are derived from older sources, often an ancestor of some make or another, but there is still a thriving tradition of more specific names—typically chosen after some great deed, particularly one that allows the bearer to choose a House of their own.)
Among the Gomirna, there are no surnames at all, only a selection of personal names. One ancient tradition was for all three of the "parents"—the mother and both fathers—to give the child a name, which could then be shifted around as need be. In the modern day, it is more typical to have a mere two names (as the erastes is no longer considered to have equal rights to his eromenos' child), but there are plenty of individuals with three or even four names. Nicknames are frequent; one called Zita Quiveca, for example, might shorten her name to Ziquê among friends.
The Djoolaman use a combination of clan names—usually relatively simple words, like "flame" or "sea" or "kangaroo"—and colour names. The latter are derived from a matrilineal cycle by which the child is given a new colour (and new "brothers and sisters") as per their generation. There are eight such colours used. Thus a common name might be Urna Boorlanindja, "Urna (Slowpoke) of the Red Wind".
The term Namenbund "name-alliance" refers to the rough area wherein names from different areas have some reach. On Tjarral, there are a few fairly big ones:
The Kathanic Sphere incorporates names from Phaeroian into other language areas.
The Izfaist Sphere incorporates names from Tharrabic, Qariyyu, Tarviye, and to a lesser extent the extinct language Xixruh.
The Sayinthan Sphere incorporates names from Kshamakaraktha into Kuzhek, Imgyalem, and Eralca.
The Arrahng Sphere incorporates names from Classical Arrahng into languages like Low Arrahng, Kereyatj, Ginyaoka, Booladjirra, and the various languages of the Warruk.
The Tehapuan Sphere has done a great deal to spread the Tehapuan version of Malehinese names across the Phoenician Ocean.