Here is some basic philosophy on how to proceed with the SCA naming process. I am not an expert in the naming field at all, nor is it an aspect of heraldry that calls me as loudly as some others do. I do, however, have three credentials for writing on this matter. One is that I do have a general understanding of the naming process, and that is my goal to share with you here. Two is a strong interest in seeing our Society grow in directions that maintain and reflect a sense of historic reality. Three is that I have connections to the Chronicler - I submit, and thus I get published. So In the hopes of helping you have a trip through the naming process that is as straightforward as possible, without the un-necessary & unpleasant backtracking such as I have had to do, I ask that those without SCA names heed these words for their journey, and that those with SCA names let themselves be more fully informed, and whatever else one might tell me on these matters, the invitation is there.Submission notesUnfortunately, one must submit a name along with one's armory (device and badge) submissions. I say `unfortunately' because it is generally more work and less fun, but then I know I am biased in this matter as I just love working with devices. For more on devices, arms, badges, group arms & the uses and differences thereof, see some previous issue of The Fire Beacon
For simple steps to making your own device, watch this space in future issues. While one may submit "first-name" of "Group" i.e. - Jenny of Distant Shore, you will have to pay both to submit it, and to change it. At $15.00 (Canadian) per item submitted, there is some incentive to do your best the first time. If the name is not accepted, you can continue to submit changes for free, as long as the re-submissions are within a year of the most recent rejection date.
As well, in recent years and perhaps even months, the SCA College of Arms has been tightening the rules for acceptable names. Now names may have only one language, meaning they must fully follow the traditions of one culture. Unless, of course, you can document the likeliness that your chosen name might have been done otherwise. I have seen this done, but you must have good references Authenticity versus Retroactive Egalitarianising;.
To which you all will surely say "What?!?" The concept is not new, now is the practice, but it's been a long time since I made up a word, so there it is. R.E. is based on this principle: one of the things we have chosen not to re-create in our current middle ages is the sexist divisions in life. Women are fighters, fencers, archers, merchants, travelers, teachers, students, etceteras, regardless of whether women were likely to have openly done these things in period. By extension, some people would rather be know as their mother's child than their father's child, and wish to be named accordingly. The theory follows much of how we do things in the current middle ages, yet I believe it will run hard into the SCA College of Arms practices or policies or preferences. Where the balance between authentic and creative lies, I cannot say, nor am I even sure where I stand on the issue, but I do introduce you to the question and my word for the concept, though a simpler one surely exists.
General on names
Having a persona name does a lot to help us be someone other than our everyday selves, and it also adds a lot to the flavour, feel and reality or illusion of our attempts to re-create life in the middle ages. Just as it matters that we wear other-than-everyday clothes, so too it helps to use another name. What is needed is the sort of name that a real person would have used at that time; whether it be a "mere" 400 years ago or the full 1400 years ago, and that these names are not, in and of themselves, exciting. This is not a place for a lot of blatant self-expression or creativity. And in the mundane-ness of the naming lies the richness of the persona creation process.
Yet, in subtle ways one can have a name that is both ordinary and different. Consider the good Lady Darnley. Called Elizabeth at birth, that being consistently one of the most popular (ie the most common) names for girls for centuries in those places of English persuasion, not to mention variations in other cultures. Because it was a common name, (especially in Elizabethan times!) there arose many variations and diminutives. It happens that the person who invented the character of Lady Darnley wanted to express that personae as a bit of a flibbertigibbet, and thus picked a very diminutive variation, and one which has, to her thinking, a certain airy quality to it. And yet she also wanted a name that has gone out of current usage, and thus she settled on being called Bess.
People are named when they are born.Odd as this statement may sound, it is much the truth for first names. First names, or given names do not usually bear much reflection of character or characteristics. These are much more likely to be a reflection of the time and place of birth. Names have cycles of popularity. Favourites change as does the Crown of the place & their popularity. The pool of names to choose from was smaller then than it is now, for now-a-days we do all sorts of inventive things in naming our offspring. Some of the most common names from Period are still with us; and some that are not - and therefor, to my ear, sound & feel more period - may seem awkward or simply take some getting used to.
Names followed birth culture
Again, in generalized, simplified terms, people are named according to the traditions of their parents' culture, which was most often the same for both parents. A welsh couple, for example, will give their children welsh names, regardless of whether they are born in the heart of the village or in some foreign land, such as England. If the parents were from different places and did somehow get together, the offspring would most likely be named according to the practices of the place where they lived, assuming that this was Home for one parent.
Suppose your own parents had been in some far-off place when you were born; they would not likely give you a local but foreign-to-them name. So the SCA Clich‚ of round-about tales such as "My mother was from X and my Father was from Y and I was born in Z so that's why I have a Z-like name but dress like a Y but I'm really." are a prime example of misplaced creativity.
Names do get acculturated; that is, they are translated to the language of the place where they are used. Thus, Giovanni Cabotto (?) becomes John Cabot. Yet, people did generally not move as much or as far or as often as we do now. Again, before you follow the understandable urge to do mixings of this sort, find out what would have really happened, if indeed your scenario is even plausible.
Types of names
First names
There are many lists of names that have been collected from all sorts of period sources. Unfortunately, records of any sort about women's names are scarcer, but that is probably not surprising news.In different places there were different ways of giving first names. You need to find out what the practice is of the culture you are interested in before you even pick from a reputable list. For instance, as I understand it, only Italians had more than one first name, possibly having three, each in its place likely being from a particular ancestor. Each culture (Language) has its own way of feminizing names - if this was even done at all. In modern English practice nearly anything goes, though for example adding an `a' to the end of a boy's name make it a girl's name: Erica, Roberta, Shawna. Before claiming to be a girl named after your father, or a substitute for the boy your folks wanted, find out how - if at all - this was done in that language at the time you are looking at. Similar practices must be followed for changing a first name to a last or vice versa.
Last names -- weren't
In a very simplified version, people did not have last names as we know them. Yet, for a name to be registerable, in the SCA, it must have a "last name" aspect. What there was in place of last names, are called `by-names', and are of four basic sorts: Father's name, birthplace, whether town or manor-name (especially if you've moved) occupation or father's occupation and less commonly, though more interestingly, nicknames.
Given/Assumed names
By assumed names I mean the default setting sort of name that one just gets.
Child of father - Either accept the patriarchal system of being named as one's father's child, or do a bit of retroactive egalitarianising, and call yourself as the pattern would be but be your mother's child, instead. There are, within each language a whole bunch of little words whose name escapes me now, (patronymics, it is) but they mean `son of' or `daughter of'. These are place between your given name and the parent's name. For example, ferch is the welsh term for `daughter-of', and ap is for `son-of', so Lady Elise is the daughter of Morgan who is the son of Owen, who would be her paternal grandfather. Suddenly Elise ferch Morgan ap Owen seems simpler. Best to leave the specifics of these to the experts, since the choice of word depends not just on the language, but on the time period, and the names involved. If there is a particular one that you like or dislike, learn what you can to build the rest of your name around the preferred parts. Living with a name that you feel has been mangled is not good, as is the case with Lady Caitlin, daughter of Padraig. She wanted the form of `nic' to be used, but had the cumbersome `inghean' foisted on her since it was right for her time. These little words are a good case of "don't try this at home"; at least not without expert help, much of which, I hear tell can be found on the internet.
Just as it is common to be known as your father's child, if he was more know by what he did, for that is how he was known. For instance Wynfrithe the Fletcher or Cealain the Horseman, you may likely be knows as the Fletcher's son or such. These are names we get early in life, before we have done much or become notable is some way. Few people who live in a place are known, there, as being of that place. Diedre de Champignon, whose late husband was a mushroom grower, was also known as Diedre of Ruantallan. While around here this name is not notable, consider what can happen when one leaves that place - the old home takes on much more significance - as with Baroness Seagirt, the Honourable Lady Rianaghch of Ruantallan.
Acquired names
This is totally my assumption, for I do not really study these things, but it seems to me that names were more fluid in period; one's "last name" may well change as one grew up, did things, or travel. But, the names would follow the pattern rules. Thus, Anastasia the Fletcher's daughter may become know as Anastasia the Lark, once the sweetness of her voice became known. By some people I have been known as "the woman who wears everything on her belt, which strikes me as a perfectly period style (though cumbersome) name. It was applied by others to distinctly identify a person – and it worked.
Person of place
The Manor where one lived may well be a name source, as I assume is the case with Lady Cathleen of Greystones. Place could also be a landmark type of place-name, such as Edwenna of Ravensherst. These types of names work even while you are living in the place, but if the reference is unknown in your new place it may get generalized, such as to the town you are from.
Occupation
We may be known by what we ourselves do or have done. I am called Bonetrader, for that is what I do; or consider Lord Dervel Mallory, who is known as the Bearcatcher. His experience is also an example of some of the difficulties of the naming process. Occupational names are also a field in which the gender & tradition boundaries are or can be stretched, with women more often taking on their own identities, separate from their men-folk. Again, how true to period style you wish to be will shape what you do.
Nicknames
Nicknames are given by others, and more often than not, according to perdiod records and sources, the name is either unflattering or tongue-in-cheek. Why is Gruffyd called the Innocent, when he clearly has all his wits? The name may well be known to others and have stuck before the person knows it. Nicknames point to some distinction of the person. Thus, names such as "the Wanderer" (unless it applied to one's fidelity) or "the Merchant" are generally not specific enough to be meaningful, and would not have happened. In the SCA, however, more often nicknames are taken by the bearer, without appreciation for the ironic or unkindness of the naming tradition, so be not quick to assume what a name may imply about a person, says one known as Instigator!
Simple start to a name
So, now that given you so much theory & speculation, it seems only fair to give you some more concrete directions on how to get a name for yourself.
Pick a culture or Language
Perhaps the easiest starting place is to pick a country, region, or culture. For example, one might pick Ireland, or the Hebrides, or early Italian. Some people are as specific as City and exact year, but for starters, you can be fairly general. In fact, starting general can be good as it leaves you room to grow into your persona as it develops along with your interests. Why you pick the place you do can be for any number of reason, whether you like the clothes from the time, or you want to tie in to your own family ancestry.
Pick a time.
The next step would be to pick a time. This can be as loose as "the 800's or 900's", or as specific as "1548". Most people are have themselves down simply to a certain century, which over time may become refined to "the first (or last) half of."
Find out what the pattern of names was for those people. You do not have to ever pin yourself down to any place or time. You can remain undecided or unspecific for years, if that suits you. But, if you do, it might be better to pick a less specific name, such as a variation of your own first or middle name.
How to deal with the "But I'm going to an event, I need a name now" syndrome.
The first few events or months or seasons of being involved with the SCA can be hard. We tend to feel awkward surrouned by all these new people wearing all their great stuff and being called by such different names. It's easy to feel inadequate saying your name is just Ann or Paul or Bill. But, since getting a proper name is slow & painstaking, what can be done to bridge this gap? Some possible solutions are to use your middle name, or your full given name, if they feel any better to you. Or elaborate on your own first name by adding a "generic" name part, such as part of where you live, using everyday truths in a period style.
Or, just bear with the awkwardness for a while, and it will lessen. No need to say "I don't have a name" for you do, and it will most likely be clear to those who meet you that this is your given name, not an SCA name. It is by far an easier task to change from your everyday name to an SCA name than it is from one SCA name to another. Just ask the Bearcatcher, who has gone through some major changes.
What not to do
Do not ever pick any name from your head, from any book you have read for pleasure or from any movie or any other entertainment source. This may sound harsh, but when the goal is to have a period style name, pop culture, even when it seems to have done its research, is not a reliable source. Neither can one judge by the names that are registered in the SCA which ones are now registerable. The rules have changed a lot over the last three decades. Names that were once allowed may not be now.
Names must have been used by ordinary people, or if invented, they
must follow the patterns of names for that people.
Some of my Personal preferences
I also urge people to try to pick a name that is not in local use. Even though in period, as in current times, there are many people with the same first name, it does no harm to have your own name. There is nothing that says you cannot have the same first name as someone else has, but it is perhaps simpler as well as more interesting to have your own variation. Consider Elizabeth (Bess), Elizabetta (Betta) and Elspeth, as three distinct names, though from the same source.
In the course of the process there are some things you will need to consider. What matters about your name? I wanted one that was easy to pronounce. To some people, the meaning is more important; or it may be that the name follow the exact practice of a particular language, time and place. Some people do not care about the sex of the name they use, but this can really cause some confusion, since period names did not have the adaptability of modern ones in terms of gender changing. Some people just want a name that can be registered in a straightforward way. There are lots of choices, so ask lots of questions of those who have names.
Where to get a name from
In some places there are libraries that have the type of book that can be used for name research. Those of us who live in the rest of the world just have to work harder at it and find other resources.
SCA sources
The Compleat Anachronist, an SCA periodical which covers a different topic in each booklet, has several volumes which cover names & naming in different cultures, such as Russian and Welsh. There are, for those who can access them, a lot of SCA related name source web-sites. Some are as easy as picking a name from column A and one from column B and submitting your automatically documented authentic period name. Get to these through links from the main SCA page, Eastkingdom.org.
The Known World Handbook has information on naming, and has references, as well.
There is an e-mail list of SCA heralds. It is not the sort of list one can just drop in on and get a quick answer to a name or device question - nothing in heraldry is usually that simple. Anyone can be part of it, but for the best use, perhaps find someone who is a regular on it (I used to be) and have them pass your question along. This is a good place to fine-tune a name before submission or to find out more reference sources.
Every group herald should have a copy of the rules for submissions of names and armory. These are the source of many of the "Must'nts" and can be used to settle some of the questions. You may look at them, too.
Heralds
Every herald (or pursuivant, as we are called at the local group level) has their own levels and areas of interest. Some hold the office more to support the structure of the group than out of their own interest. Some are name-process inclined, others tend more towards field, court or book heraldry. Some non-heralds may know more than their official counterparts. Ask lots of questions of lots of people.
Ask people with names how they went about finding & choosing it; what they learned in the process, what to do differently, what resources they found helpful or not. Ask those who do not have SCA names what they are doing & have learned. Double-question with other sources any statements you hear about "you cant have."
Conclusion
Having an SCA name is a good thing. But a name, in this sense, really encompasses more than a name; it is the basic definition of a whole person, and thus need be approached with some care. Choose carefully, go slowly, be patient, and take the time to find out who your persona may be, for often they have lives of their own that we seem to merely stumble into. Enjoy being yourself or your persona.
© Jenny Stewart, 1999, 2001 wrote this article to help people off to a better start in the name process. It may be reprinted intact ,for use within the SCA as long as the text is kept complete and all credits are given. If you wish to publish this, please mail me a copy of the publication, care of Barony Ruantallan, (Nova Scotia & PEI)