Naming Conventions

Formal, Familial

Overview

For the vast majority of vnou, proper names are the sort of things that are used in a few choice legal documents but are otherwise the sort of things used for the rich and stuffy. It's almost over the top and a teasing way to address one another in every-day conversation. It is entirely possible there are portions of the population that don't know their entire proper name because it means so little to them and everything they do, though every vnou does have a way to construct a proper name. To the rich and powerful, proper names are important designators that relay a wealth of information and it's incredibly rude to get any part of it incorrect. Their names are filed and archived along with other important details in the family archives. In anything writ to them, regarding them, or in any polite or serious conversation, their proper name will be used. This lends to the common vnou finding it over the top and amusing when they see it portrayed in the media, but it's almost set up that way so they don't really understand the depth of anything surrounding the wealthy, powerful families. Not even how they address one another or why.

by Romain Dancre

Proper Name Parts

Example
Shpou'Shra-Zmutwe Name Zhu'Shpazh
Vyablie-Zmoh'Shra-Chlur Toramosyis Fa'Shysuligha

Breakdown
| Shpou / Dya / Vyablie / Vyung'Shra-Zar-Zmutwe | Name Proper Family Name

Meanings

Zhu : Indicates a family is patriarchal
Pra : Indicates a family is matriarchal
Sid : Indicates inheritance is neither, usually set in some other, declarative manner
Fa : Subsidiary / support family. An offshoot of a main bloodline that provides 'fresh blood' into family trees and receives ' cast offs'
Chi : Designator to indicate that they are an outsider; not Fa. Most common designator for normal vnou.

Shpou : Main bloodline
Dya : A cousin, aunt, or someone removed from the main line in some way
Vyablie : Someone married into, sold into, bought, or brought into the family
Vyung : Unmarried, eligible, and available but also part of the mainline

by C M

Importance & Significance

As mentioned, the vast majority of common vnou may be aware of what a proper name entails and might be able to construct their own, but most will not use it. Proper names are the things of wealth and detachment from normal life. Attributed to being out of touch and removed from the norm, common vnou might be called to use their formal name if brought to any sort of trial or asked to sign something regarding inheritance or other lawful document, but otherwise they use their name and family name, generally without the matriarchal/patriarchal designator since most vnou tend to leave a will detailing where their effects will go. There is no clear-cut norm when it comes to inheritance or property for common vnou, it's all very individualistic.

As with nearly everything, for the powerful families, the construction of names is incredibly telling. Most do not know the others by sight and traffic through documentation. The names are used to convey information quickly - even if it might seem like a mouthful - and to convey the proper respect for the individual's particular family, Shra, and position in their family. Appearances and respect are very important when it comes to interacting with one another while clarity and specificity is even more important when it comes to their records. Thus, any time anyone is referred to in documentation, their proper name is writ.