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Mystic Muse
2011-02-10, 01:53 AM
I have a character I'm very likely to be using next Saturday, and even if I don't use them then, I'm sure to use them at some point. I was wondering if there were any names that keep the other players guessing. The character tends to like messing with people's heads, so I figured they'd adopt a name that doesn't indicate anything one way or the other. They pretty much look like This (http://www.magiccards.info/query?q=arcanis&v=card&s=cname), and their voice doesn't give any indication one way or the other either.

I guess I could always go with "Pat" but that doesn't really work too well for me.

Enterti
2011-02-10, 02:01 AM
Try typing gender ambiguous names into google, I made a character a few weeks ago and I found a rather large list of names eventually choosing Trinidad

Halae
2011-02-10, 02:08 AM
I once had a rogue named Justice. Half-elf, and thus adrogynous enough that the party thought she was a guy until a big reveal at level 5

that said, Justice is good for both genders and has the added bonus of letting you go "You're standing in the way of JUSTICE!"

Mystic Muse
2011-02-10, 02:09 AM
I once had a rogue named Justice. Half-elf, and thus adrogynous enough that the party thought she was a guy until a big reveal at level 5

that said, Justice is good for both genders and has the added bonus of letting you go "You're standing in the way of JUSTICE!"

Unfortunately, that name doesn't work with this character. Here are some good names I found though.

Misha
Zhenya
Nicola
Luca

Jarian
2011-02-10, 02:11 AM
Misha
Zhenya
Nicola
Luca

The first three sound decidedly female to me, while the last is, as far as I know, a male name. For what it's worth.

Mystic Muse
2011-02-10, 02:13 AM
The first three sound decidedly female to me, while the last is, as far as I know, a male name. For what it's worth.

Best I could find on a site I trust. Anybody know any good sites? I'd look myself, but one time with something unrelated, the third result on google gave me a virus.

Biffoniacus_Furiou
2011-02-10, 02:15 AM
I'd name the character If.

Mastikator
2011-02-10, 02:17 AM
I have a character I'm very likely to be using next Saturday, and even if I don't use them then, I'm sure to use them at some point. I was wondering if there were any names that keep the other players guessing. The character tends to like messing with people's heads, so I figured they'd adopt a name that doesn't indicate anything one way or the other. They pretty much look like This (http://www.magiccards.info/query?q=arcanis&v=card&s=cname), and their voice doesn't give any indication one way or the other either.

I guess I could always go with "Pat" but that doesn't really work too well for me.

Considering they look like some kind of uberevil Dark Lord emperors, I'd go with some kind of name that sounds half-demonics to take the emphasis off their gender and on the fact that they're dark lords.

Temotei
2011-02-10, 02:19 AM
Our own PersonMan is playing an androgynous human named Kolaris.

Really, you could probably just find a bunch of elven names to use. They're usually fairly fancy and fitting for this kind of thing.

faceroll
2011-02-10, 02:20 AM
Pat





HGY FTHYYYYYYYYYYYFT

Mystic Muse
2011-02-10, 02:20 AM
Considering they look like some kind of uberevil Dark Lord emperors, I'd go with some kind of name that sounds half-demonics to take the emphasis off their gender and on the fact that they're dark lords.

Well, they're not quite a dark lord.

That doesn't happen until at least level 21 when they become an Arch-Lich (4E)

Although, they might qualify as evil. They threaten to kill anybody who looks in their bag. They only went through with it once though, and the guy was trying to steal everything and leave the character for dead.

Yes, this is a background element. No, this did not happen in the campaign with any PCs or NPCs.

Mastikator
2011-02-10, 02:23 AM
They may not be dark lords but both of those look like Emperor Palpatine on steroids. Maybe Darth Ominous is an appropriate name :smallamused:

BobVosh
2011-02-10, 02:25 AM
:vaarsuvius: Hi, I'm Vaarsuvius

Mystic Muse
2011-02-10, 02:26 AM
They may not be dark lords but both of those look like Emperor Palpatine on steroids. Maybe Darth Ominous is an appropriate name :smallamused:

Well, I know the name "Zernobog" means "Black god" in some language, and Tieflings are usually named after concepts so I could go for "Anathema"


:vaarsuvius: Hi, I'm Vaarsuvius
At least one of the players have read OOTS.

Saint GoH
2011-02-10, 02:27 AM
Some modern names include Christian (see here (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000288/) and here (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1589312/) for reference) Devin (here (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2152999/) and... actually thats spelled Devon and she's a naughty actress.) Jordan (here (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0480465/) and here (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0480465/)) and Addison (this (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0693994/) one's a touch tougher (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1789970/)).

Sinfonian
2011-02-10, 02:35 AM
If you never have to write it down, Aaron/Erin would work. Conversely, if it were to only be written for some reason, Jean fits.

Lindsay also works, regardless of written or spoken.

Dust
2011-02-10, 02:38 AM
Ink. That is all.

CodeRed
2011-02-10, 02:46 AM
Jean. Gene. Really any derivation thereof easily fits for either a male or female name without being too terrible masculine or feminine.

Flickerdart
2011-02-10, 02:47 AM
Bob (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S9dccz1Ys4). :smallbiggrin:

BobVosh
2011-02-10, 03:02 AM
Bob (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S9dccz1Ys4). :smallbiggrin:

Sup Flicker? >.>

Flickerdart
2011-02-10, 03:07 AM
Sup Flicker? >.>
No, no. Bob is short for Kate.

Zaq
2011-02-10, 03:14 AM
Drawing from contemporary names (i.e., people I've personally met), there's Chris, Alex, Joe/Jo, Robbie, Andy, Aaron/Erin, Don/Dawn (I pronounce these two differently, but depending on where you're from, you might not), Danny/Dani, Gene/Jean, AJ, Jesse/Jessie, and so on. If you don't sweat spelling, there's a lot of possibilities.

Hida Reju
2011-02-10, 03:20 AM
Best way I found to do that is follow the idea of the person that suggested Justice.

Ideals, jobs, inanimate objects, and adjectives are usually very gender neutral.

JeminiZero
2011-02-10, 03:24 AM
I was gonna suggest Schrodinger, but that's more of a surname.

You could try fusing a male and female name together or something. Like Robetty, Da'Veron or Sofreddy.

Yora
2011-02-10, 04:32 AM
Some modern names include Christian (see here (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000288/) and here (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1589312/) for reference) Devin (here (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2152999/) and... actually thats spelled Devon and she's a naughty actress.) Jordan (here (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0480465/) and here (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0480465/)) and Addison (this (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0693994/) one's a touch tougher (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1789970/)).

Americans not caring if girls have boys names is not the same as gender ambigous names. :smallbiggrin:

jguy
2011-02-10, 04:35 AM
I am surprised no one has mentioned either Jamie or Alex.

Haarkla
2011-02-10, 06:38 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kyuubi
"Misha
Zhenya
Nicola
Luca"

The first three sound decidedly female to me,
I agree. Nicola is a common female name in the UK.

FelixG
2011-02-10, 06:39 AM
Sam

It could be either Samuel or Samantha

kladams707
2011-02-10, 06:46 AM
I am surprised no one has mentioned either Jamie or Alex.

As well as Drew and Leslie.

However...

What about: Ashley. It's a gender ambiguous name. And you could always shorten it to Ash.

gathro
2011-02-10, 06:56 AM
I agree. Nicola is a common female name in the UK.

I actually know a male Nicola.

Rising Phoenix
2011-02-10, 07:11 AM
I am surprised no one has mentioned either Jamie or Alex.

Adrian as well (short for Adriana)

Ceaon
2011-02-10, 07:33 AM
JD from Scrubs has dated/slept with a lot of women with androgynous names: Elliot, Jordan, Sam, Danni, Jamie...

AslanCross
2011-02-10, 07:45 AM
"Joe" is a spelling I usually see for guys, and it's typically short for Joseph. "Jo" is usually used for girls, and is used for Josephine, Joanne, or other similar names.

"Joey," however, I see used for both men and women. I'm not sure it fits with your concept, though. I did like the "Anathema" for the Tiefling.

Dimers
2011-02-10, 11:15 AM
Reese, Cass, Emlin, Kern ... they're androgynous, but they lack the oomph of a "Mordenkainen". Not enough syllables.

Frozen_Feet
2011-02-10, 11:29 AM
Lalita. It's a sanskrit name meaning "Charming" or "Playful". There are actually two versions, one for males and one for females, but they're romanized the same.

In Finnish, Kaino and Vieno are suitable for both genders.

A good resource is here. (http://www.behindthename.com/random/)

Flickerdart
2011-02-10, 01:20 PM
The first three sound decidedly female to me, while the last is, as far as I know, a male name. For what it's worth.
The first is a diminutive form of Michael, the second is a diminutive form of Eugene. Still sound female?

Apophis
2011-02-10, 01:56 PM
Wizards (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20010208b) has a fantasy name generator. Just keep generating names until you find one you like.

Although, this (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GenderBlenderName) has a list of gender neutral names.

No brains
2011-02-10, 02:41 PM
What about: Ashley. It's a gender ambiguous name. And you could always shorten it to Ash.

This is probably the best one that fits an 'evil' theme and doesn't require much thought.

If you're still stumped, beware this when picking a name: 'a' at the end is typically used to imply femininity whereas 'o' denounces masculinity. If you want to use a latin suffix try using 'um' or 'ium'. Those typically denote something that isn't alive, fitting better with the eventual lich-shtick.

Glyde
2011-02-10, 02:45 PM
My female's changeling's name is Kit. Was originally going to be male, so it could work.

grimbold
2011-02-10, 02:57 PM
um
Varsuuvius? xD
but really
Artemis can work
Nicola is good
Amadal is good sounding to me
Egwin might work

Tengu_temp
2011-02-10, 03:50 PM
I agree. Nicola is a common female name in the UK.

Nicola Tesla disapproves.

Valameer
2011-02-10, 06:15 PM
Spell it Aren instead of Erin or Aaron.

Short for Arenesh or something if you need length.

Yukitsu
2011-02-10, 06:44 PM
Yuki.

It's a fairly culturally specific one though.

Jarian
2011-02-10, 06:45 PM
The first is a diminutive form of Michael, the second is a diminutive form of Eugene. Still sound female?

Yes they do. What their actual source may be has no bearing on what pops to mind when your players hear a name. If you want it to be neutral, it should sound neutral.

"Technically" neutral names that carry a significant gender bias are only going to result in a lot of "Yeah, saw that coming" or "But that's not a GIRL'S NAME. :smallyuk:"

panaikhan
2011-02-11, 08:35 AM
I've seen 'Malice' used for male and female characters (tho Drow do seem to have a monopoly on the female version).

Do you want an androgynous name, or a genderless name? I named my last Warforged "Glitch".

Vknight
2011-02-11, 01:31 PM
Here are some that I've seen used for both male and female.

Luc
Carson
Al (If female short for Alberta)
Ike

Mystic Muse
2011-02-11, 01:33 PM
Do you want an androgynous name, or a genderless name? I named my last Warforged "Glitch".
Androgynous, although genderless could work.

FMArthur
2011-02-11, 01:38 PM
I know multiple men with the name Sasha (Sacha?) and am even playing Psychonauts right now, which has a male Sasha character. Regardless it sounds vaguely female and I've seen or heard references to plenty of female Sashas.

Vknight
2011-02-11, 01:38 PM
Then your characters name could be an ideal.

Courage, Love, Justice, etc.

FMArthur
2011-02-11, 01:40 PM
Then your characters name could be an ideal.

Courage, Love, Justice, etc.

I'm actually going to disagree on this. While the words themselves are perfectly neutral (well, maybe not if you say them in French), it's almost always girls that are named this way.

Vknight
2011-02-11, 01:44 PM
Those were examples but yes it is more commonly a female related thing. But it all truly depends on the ideal along with other things.

You could have a name that screams the opposite gender so you cover it up by calling yourself 'No One of Consequence'

Waker
2011-02-11, 01:53 PM
I would further support the idea of using a concept or creating a word and calling it a name. My name for instance was created for a Shadowrun character I was thinking of making and since I wanted it to be of an unknown gender I intentionally chose an odd name. Just take a random noun or verb and add a "R" or "Y" at the end and see what you can make.

The Cat Goddess
2011-02-11, 01:57 PM
Those were examples but yes it is more commonly a female related thing. But it all truly depends on the ideal along with other things.

You could have a name that screams the opposite gender so you cover it up by calling yourself 'No One of Consequence'

Just be careful that you don't say "My name is unimportant"... you'll end up with party members calling you "Hey, Unimportant!"

Vknight
2011-02-11, 02:10 PM
Yeah don't say your name is Unimportant.

LtPowers
2011-02-11, 03:21 PM
There's a difference between a name that is used for both genders and a name that sounds gender-neutral.

What you want is the latter. "Ashley" is gender-neutral in theory but today has very strong female connotations. Same with "Lynn" and many others.

In fact, I'd avoid names from any well-known human languages. Make something up.

The last sound in the word is very important to gender identity. To avoid a gender impression, avoid any name ending in "-a", "-i", "-o", or "-y". Avoid "-ess", "-et", "-ette", etc. Terminal letters such as l, u, n, m, and w are the most gender-neutral. Hard letters like k, j, g, and d are very masculine at the end of words.

Here are some examples of made-up gender-neutral names:

Taru
Celam
Ixall
Woshe
Brenil
Amabe



Powers &8^]

Weimann
2011-02-11, 03:56 PM
Really, it will probably be very hard to keep your players from making up their minds. They will ascribe the character some kind of gender identity, and when one has started using a pronoun, it's likely to affect the others.

Just use a name that, in your country, can be used for any gender, and keep silent about it if they prod you.

graeylin
2011-02-11, 06:11 PM
Fellow I work with is named Jean, it is not an exclusive female name.

After you run the gamut of ambiguous/shared names (Pat, Terri, Kris) and the cool word/concepts-as-names ideas (malice, insolence, charity, ), fun words as names (Farthing, Stave, Valley) or foreign words (Nactis, Acer, Quercus), or place names (Taos, Phoenix, Dorant) just try just making up names. Toss vowels and consonants together and make something you like the literal sound of:

Baylin, Dorner, Jynx, Rohispe, Rhys, Carness, Thoss, etc..

The_JJ
2011-02-11, 06:26 PM
Sam.

Or Sami.

What? I like Sam's.