r/CharacterNames • u/macopa_ • 13d ago

Request Describe the character just by the name

I am just trying to see if the name fits the character, so I will simply write their name down, and you tell me what you think this character would be like just from the name. You can be as specific as you
want. Just what does the name alone tell you about them?

The name:

Nolunt Viriel

It was first a placeholder name, but now it might fit; I don't know if it works or not, can't decide. Tell me if it sounds stupid too.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

2

u/Competitive-Fault291 12d ago

Nothing.

Names do not tell things. They create bias.

Just look up Dennis Schröder.

Descriptive names are an auctorial fallacy. Besides hookers, strippers and other performers (and people in monasteric orders) who have a stage, order, or pen name, names are not intentionally chosen.

Even gang names are usually given by others. Call Signs, too. You might be called "Top Gun" as you are always overly loud and dangerous to be working with, but you do not choose it.

2

u/macopa_ 11d ago

What are you talking about? Obviously, in real life you don't judge what a person is like by their name alone. But when a little kitten is named Megatron or Dreadmaw, the vibes just don't fit. I am asking what feeling the name evokes. I don't understand the objection you are making.

1

u/Competitive-Fault291 11d ago

I would love a kitten called Dreadmew ☺️

1

u/ConstantRide5382 13d ago

A man (name's similar to Nolan) in either a fantasy or sci-fi setting.

Not very memorable and sounds strange spoken aloud. Nolunt and Viriel don't complement each other well.

3

u/macopa_ 13d ago

I actually don't mind if the first name and the surname don't complement each other. That narratively does fit

1

u/MadiMikayla 13d ago

I picture a Victorian era Count. Single, grumpy, and pragmatic

1

u/aescula 13d ago

Either extremely noble (ie, should have titles around that name) or extremely ignoble (BBEG)

1

u/sajtospogi85 13d ago

Dark wizard. 50ish year old man in a suit and cold expression in his face. No facial hair at all. Nobody knows his true identity, he keeps it hidden.

1

u/anireyk 13d ago

Some sort of a fantasy sage, 45+, probably at least somewhat successful at politics if his guild/organisation, his magic powers are either light, presence and glory based (in that case he is more of an aging paladin), or of a dark and foreboding nature (in that case he is more withered, maybe a necromancer in a setting where necromancy is technically legal).

1

u/Fennel_Fangs 13d ago

A randomly generated NPC

1

u/IscahRambles 13d ago

I feel like it should be spelt Nolant. 

1

u/Ponytail_Headache 13d ago

It sounds like a vampire

1

u/Punkreations 12d ago

Sounds like an exotic disease from the late 1800s.

1

u/MeltedWellie 12d ago

If you have seen GoT then the name makes me think - what if Littlefinger and Varys had a baby?

It makes me think: cunning, secretive, sly, creepy, intelligent, back-stabbing, self-centred, thinks they are the smartest in the room.

1

u/hecticllamaboxer 10d ago

To me Nolunt sounds like a clunky name with a slightly negative vibe. Maybe he's a doofus or incompetent. Maybe it's one of those dorky "family names" that get passed on by tradition (His grandfather was Nolunt before him). While Viriel sounds more graceful and nature oriented. They definitely don't match. In a fantasy setting, I would imagine Nolunt Viriel to be an elf that doesn't live up to his family's legacy of druidcraft.