Naming things tips

[Husk]

When you other writers are trying to come up with names for things - corporate entities, vehicles, guns, factions, what have you - how do you do it. Do you have a specific formula that you use, or do you just think until you come up with something?

I'm writing this to satisfy my own curiosity and possibly cure my own ineptitude at naming things as well as maybe having this to help other writers out there.

[themeatcomesfromorphans]

I don't know much about this sort of thing either, but maybe you could try looking for a name for it in another language? Again, I'm still a noob at writing myself, but it's just a suggestion.

[Daryn]

More often than not when I look at the description for something I've come up with the name will come naturally. In cases where it doesn't, I often just look for a random name generator on the internet. It's not a fool proof system, but at least it does give me some ideas now and then.

[Dusty]

It depends on the flavor. If its a weapon I generally follow the ordance number theme of that type of weapon. So if I make an assault rifle it'll usually be along the lines of M-XX or Type-XX. If its a vehicle same deal but I'll usually assign a nickname to those. I'm not so big on naming a fire arm, it just feels cheesy to me

As for naming races/nations/empires. I generally look to real/past countries and names. Also the more totalitarian the more democratic it needs to sound

Outside of that I just think about it, eventually something will come to mind.

Also welcome back Husk!

[Brome Teks]

When I need to make alien species, names, and worlds and am completely stumped for a name, I have the following incredibly complex, super secret formula:

Spoiler

Hammer on the keyboard wildly, and then add vowels until it's pronounceable.

And that is how I came up with names like the Zrackli. :3

[macrorufus]

I cheat!
I generally just apply a name that tells me in Chinese what it is supposed to be like. That way I remember what I'm playing or designing, and to you guys (no offense) it sounds... well random.

[Dusty]

I cheat!
I generally just apply a name that tells me in Chinese what it is supposed to be like. That way I remember what I'm playing or designing, and to you guys (no offense) it sounds... well random.

Such exotic names! He is a very interesting person!

Actual translation:

"Big Boom Stick"

[Husk]

One thing I have found that kind of helps, if you are working in a SciFi setting at any rate, is to use names related to real astrological things. Por ejemplo, I was looking for a name for a really technologically advanced ship, and it hit me... Sirius-class! After Sirius the dog star.

BTW, thanks for the welcome back, Dusty.

[karakris]

Hmmm - well I am playing a play-by-post Game - sort of roleplay,
but Presidents of Star Systems, Colonies, Fleet Commanders - 14 Players ATM

I am a Player - but also G.M. I get to Post a lot of stuff for other Players who
are busy - we have to keep it going.
We are up against an Empire of nasty Aliens - but I think we gave them a
VERY bluddy nose, last time we fought.

For Star Systems, I do the Discovery / Scout Reports.
Always Greek Letters so far.

Then as Colony Systems - the name must begin with the same
first letter, sort of --
X became Excelsis
Y became Wyanodot
Alpha became Attica
Delta became Dannica
Gamma was different - they renamed it New Byzantium, not my choice.
Lambda became Limonosov I think.

Now Planets - I try to get something with the right feel

Attica uses all Greek Names - Argos, Ithica - and all Bases and
Shipyards are Ancient Greek names.

Cold world became Tundria.

New Byzamtium uses all Roman Names.

The "Dragon" System is a doozy - discovered by a Welsh Scout Captain,
and lots of place names in Welsh. Quad group of Suns, although two are tiny
One World like Earth in the Ordovician Age ( Ordovices were a Welsh / Celtic Tribe ) Called Ordowiccia. Loads of Welsh names there.
One World like Earth in the Carboniferous Age - not named yet.

Omega System - not gonna change it.
Omega Two is a Desert World - called "Arrakine" ( from Dune )
Omega Three has lots of water - 95% called "Piscemund"
Omega Four is wetter - 99% called "Panthalassa"

Wyandot System has Asteroid Colonies named after Native American Tribes -
and Defensive Bases named after the old Colonial Names of Indian Cities ( Asia ).

Ship Names we do by "Classes" - groups of Cruisers, Battleships, etc.
with related names.
Ran out of Greek Gods - so the Gods Class now has Babylonian Gods for Names.
Other Classes may be long or short collections.
All really come from Earth.
Started on South American Cities, Southeast Asian Cities
Did Continents but I have run out of ones - even invented ones, for the
Super Carriers - gonna do Princes next.
Started doing Ancient Chinese Generals - may do Japanese or Indian Heroes.
I have done Mountains, Lakes - loads of them still left to do.

True - all Human - and apart from Sol, only 7 years out in space,
so no "traditions" from other Systems.

However - the Interstellar Peoples Consortium are people cloned from
Alien Slaves rescued from the Nasty Aliens - they have their own President,
and so far he is being quite inventive

I get nearly all Info from Web Searches - currently 20 odd saved Links.

Just some ideas for others to try - maybe.

[Silverwind]

I tend to try and keep things to a theme - For example, in a story I'm writing currently, the mini-mecha/powered armour suits used by the military are named after mythical beasts, while their ground vehicles are named after ground animals (of appropriate names to their size and armament), while aircraft are named after birds.
Missiles are names after bladed or melee weapons also - keeping everything easy to work out and remember, and to give it all some kind of consistency.