Na'vi full names and hypothetical "'itu" coinage

I would like to know, if you can answer, did you have any involvement in the creation of the Na'vi full name system - for example, "Neytiri te Tskaha Mo'at'ite", or was this an invention of James Cameron/someone else? If you were involved with the creation, are there set rules on them? Based on observations of existing names, we can conclude that the general pattern is [first name] te [surname] [mother/father name]'itan/'ite. However, there is some variation from this. In the AVATAR script, Tsu'tey's full name is "Tsu'tey te Rongloa Ateyitan", instead of what would be expected based on the existing patterns: "Tsu'tey te Rongloa Ateyo'itan". In the new AVATAR comics by Dark Horse, the younger brother of Tsu'tey, Arvok, has his name written the same way ("Arvok te Rongloa Ateyitan"). Do you know if it is an error or part of the system, perhaps a way of shortening the name?

I would also like to ask, in the case of Na'vi or Na'vi-interested individuals who identify as nonbinary (neither male nor female), what the solutions could be for their full name. A member of our community, Wllìm, came up with the hypothetical, gender-neutral term 'itu as a replacement for 'itan/'ite, but I'm curious if simply using 'eveng or 'evi would be a better choice, and if there would be any pattern as to which parent's name is used.

If it is possible for you, it would be great to have official information on the full conventions of Na'vi names. It would help people who are interested in constructing their own "Na'vi-ified names". I am also an editor for the fan-made AVATAR wiki, and having a place I can cite this information from so I can add it to pages there would be very helpful.

Thank you greatly for your time in advance should you choose to answer! Eywa ngahu

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#### Original correspondence text

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Kaltxì ngaru,

Smon nìprrte', ulte eltur tìtxen si a faysìpawmeri ngeyä irayo.

The Na'vi naming convention comes from JC himself. I would suggest that we think of "Ateyitan" as a permitted or conventional shortening of "Ateyo'itan," although under what circumstances such shortenings occur isn't clear. (I should ask JC about that, but as you might imagine, he's extremely busy right now.) I'm not sure, though, whether Rongloa in Tsu'tey's name is equivalent to a surname as we think of it, or whether it's some kind of group identifier, perhaps an existing or historical tribal name. That too is something I'll have to ask Jim about.

Sorry I don't have more definitive information for you, but this is "Cameronian territory" where I shouldn't decide things for myself.

About nonbinary names: I like Wllìm's coinage of 'itu, but I'm somewhat reluctant to adopt it, only because it would be SO basic a word that we would expect to have seen it from the very beginning of our experience with Na'vi. To introduce it now would seem odd. On the other hand, it fits the pattern of a gender-neutral term alongside the gendered 'itan/'ite very nicely, and the -tu termination is perfect for people. So . . . let me think about that a little more. In the meantime, using 'eveng in its place seems fine to me. For example, Tsuri te Rongloa Ateyo'eveng/Ateyeveng. (I just made up the name Tsuri.)

Thanks again for your questions, ma tsmuk, and all the best.

ta Pawl

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*Received January 7, 2022*

#### Reply

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Ma Pawl, tì'eyngìri ngeyä, irayo nìtxan.

Very interesting information. Everything you've said makes total sense, thank you very much for the reply! I'll stay tuned for any other thoughts you have on the topic.

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#### Correspondence

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Nì'prrte', ma tsmuk.

Since I wrote, I've been thinking more about 'itu, and I'm seriously considering adding it to the canon. I don't think JC would object to a name like Tsuri te Rongloa Ateyo'itu/Ateyitu for someone who's nonbinary. 'Itu would be a synonym of 'eveng, but it would be reserved for names. So to ask, "How many children to you have?" you would still say, "Lu ngaru polpxaya 'eveng?" not "Lu ngaru polpxaya 'itu?" I think that will work and not be disruptive in terms of the way people have been using the language.

I'll think a little more about this before I finally decide . . . but right now I like the idea! 😊

P.

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*Received Jan 18, 2022*

#### Reply

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Thanks for the update!

I have no preference on whether it be added, but I do like it. It feels a bit more 'personal' than 'eveng in this context and more for individuals of a specific, non-binary gender, whereas 'eveng can be used more widely for children indeterminate of gender. Does that make sense?

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## Unresolved questions

* Details on Na'vi naming patterns (Cameron territory; awaiting discussion with James Cameron)
* Circumstances under which Na'vi full names can be shortened i.e. Ateyo'itan -> Ateyitan
* Coinage of hypothetical nonbinary term **'itu** (Under consideration)
* Pattern of which parent's name is used in full name for nonbinary individuals