Well It's not exactly a big deal but I've always noticed how characters in RPGs always have so obscure names.
Cloud
Squall
Alis
Myau
Lutz
Biggs
Wedge
Gwaelin
Etc.
It's always kind of weird for names to be that un-realistic, but seriously, what's interesting about three characters named Jeff, Mary, and John?

They are trying to be original with their character naming structure, lol.
Also, certain odd names (like those) have specific meanings and could be useful in conveying an idea of who the character is, so that the game doesn't have to spend the extra time developing the character's personality - since with a name like "Cloud" you can draw all sorts of conclusions about the characteristics of Cloud based on his name (crude example).

I kinda do this.
Is it such a crime if it takes place on another planet?
Though, actually, I am aware of this and do kinda add a joke about it somewhere along the line.

I know, and that's true, but most characters with names like Ryu, kazuki, etc. are japanese, but if I heard the name Cloud, I wouldn't think of an emo, and somewhat annoying (Really. Clouds annoying.) character. And Squall, well that name suits him. XD
clouds my least favorite.

Well you'll have to remember these names are also in games made by Eastern Asian citizens. This would be the equivalent of me naming a character of mine Supesu or Hyogo.

Names take on a shape of their own. One very strong advantage of having obscure names is that they are not associated with another person yet. Think of what the names Bruce, Tyrone, Paul or Josh already conjures up in your head. It's better for game developers to work with a clean slate that has little personal association. (But in some cases it can be advantageous to work with established names.)

Names also conjure racial associations. You wouldn't name a clearly Western born & raised person Kazuki.

True. But I would like to name my son Kazuki. Just to screw with his mind.

I named my lead character McCam. His first name is Michael but he goes by his last name which opens up a familiar name along with a unique one. Its difficult to embue a regular name with a ton of meaning unless you're Gordon Freeman.

Ya know, there is ALWAYS the input hero name command if you want to give the option to change it. Even in FFVII you can still rename the characters. I usually kept the defaults, except for Barret. I call him Megatron.

Some of these names really aren't as odd or made up as you seem to think.


...Is an actual name. It's Welsh.


...Is also an actual name. It's German.


...Is a pun. He's a cat. Get it?


They're a shout out. You've seriously never seen Star Wars?


A rose by any other name... Lunar, for example, has characters that go by Alex, Kyle, and Jessica. And you know what? They're great characters. The name is not what makes the character interesting. The character is what makes the character interesting. Give your characters names that suit them and don't worry about whether they're fancy or exotic enough. Nobody's going to refuse to play your game simply because the main character's name is Dave.

I agree that a part of it has to do with memorability. It's easier to remember a character that has a unique name, than a character that shares a name with a hundred other game leads. Even when characters are well-written, their unique name can give them a more iconic status. In our mind, "Cloud" always conjures the image of FFVII. That wouldn't really be the case if his name had been "Joe".

I suspect some of it also has to do with the atmosphere the developer is trying to convey. Some of those plain names are still around enough to have a more modern feel to them - or at the very least make the character appear plain at first glance. If the developer is aiming for a particular era (say medieval), they'll probably take period names that aren't popular today. An exotic fantasy, on the other hand, will have some exotic names.

Plus, it's just fun to name a character something different. The only chances you get to name someone else is when you create characters and when you have a kid. And since most of us aren't so cruel to give their kid a horrible name that everyone would make fun of on the playground, we can reserve those cool-sounding-but-entirely-inappropriate-to-real-life names for our game characters.

Hm, I don't see the problem here. As others have said, 'Bob' won't be in a medieval setting, 'Michael' won't be in an eastern setting and 'Vamagil' won't be in a modern setting. The examples you posted were used in good context, as far as I can tell. Even names like 'Jeff, Mary and John' would probably be used in a proper way (e.g. for joke characters / a joke setting). Although I can point out quite a few games on this website that lack logic behind their characters' names...


As you probably know, the original Asian-written names do tend to get changed upon translation.

Personally, I like messing around with names. e.g. there's a country where Ladies have a name ending on -a, Lords have names ending on -n and peasants can have neither. A Lady character who is rather tough and loves to fight could give herself a nickname ending on -n. It gives your names logic, meaning and structure while still allowing plenty of freedom to come up with unique and pretty names. Also, if your game consists of multiple countries / cultures, you could immediately derive someone's birthplace from their name.

I quite like names like tom dick or harry because they help make the character seem more human and less like a plot device!

But, one reasoning is to create a brand image. If someone mentions cloud (in context of a name), you know immediately who and which game they are talking about. Just like character costume and hair is important in this way.

Aries, barret, yuna, tidus, they're all instantly recognisable from the crowd by simply a first name.

Not quite sure what the discussion is - the original post looks to be a minor rebuke to the concept of using 'common' names.

My own take on naming has been loose theming of groups.

For example:
Reu village, the major location in my own current project. You'll run into individuals with 'common' names like Jacob, Anna, and Susan. You're equally likely to run into individuals with unusual-sounding names (at least to the English-speaking ear), such as Eyal, Shiri, or Adiel.

Is this a violation of the "You shouldn't group weird names with common ones" rule? Probably. There is a link between the two sets, however. All six names listed above are drawn from the same base language. (At least according to the baby name website I'm using.) In this case, it's that common factor that helps to link them together (and possibly give a little extra characterization to the group), while still allowing for a reasonable number of individual names. (Otherwise, we get 'Steve, Big Steve, Little Steve, Mad Steve', etc)

If I've completely managed to miss the point of the argument, I apologize.

For biggs and wedge, I never realized that, not that much of a SW fan, lutz, I know that, but of course it's a name, just odd.
and damn you and your Romeo and Juliet references.

Wanzer-Panzer... you didn't include anything but a quote in your previous post.

O.O sorry, I just herp'd. and derp'd. Edit time.

he accidentally put his post in the quote.

Oorah! for Fallout 3 references! LMAO!


Anyway, when I think of Cloud, it fit that character perfectly. He always has his head in the clouds and his mind always tends to wonder somewhere else.

Barrett was a great name, because their is a gun named Barrett which is a very loud, black, dangerous weapon. He has a gun arm. It fits Barrett perfectly. He is loud, black, and very dangerous.


You don't always have to have the name suit them. You can give someone the name that is opposite of their personality. Her name could be Honey and she is a loud, obnoxious, evil bitch, that does everything to deter the party.

Or

Belch who happens to be a highly proper and posh person. Who is also gorgeous.

I can think of more names but I hate typing so there.... ... ...

FF7 does have some appropriate names.