Names in the Spiral Empire

The five kingdoms in the Spiral Empire have their own naming schemes, which are often culturally, linguistically, and historically significant.

## Commonwealth of Dhi

Dhi is separated into three regions: the lowlands, the foothills (Ma), and high-altitude villages (Aleya). Each has their own naming standard. Because it is not always possible to determine someone's place of birth by name alone, some Dhi adopt Ma or Aleya as a middle name to make their homeland clear.

### Aleya

In the Aleyan villages, children are generally given a first name based on the day they are born, a second name based on the month, and a third name based on their clan, of which there are nine. Because this leads to many similar or identical names, some villages have added a year name, based on the Diao eighteen-year calendar. Most Aleyans have one or more nicknames, based on their features, important events in their lives, or their roles. For instance, most villages have someone called Mukha (leader), Mathi (healer), and Maia (teacher).

#### Clan Names

* Erpa
* Yani
* Dhan
* Bhat
* Makha
* Pan
* Ji
* Aleya
* Goan

### Lowlands

Dhi in the lowlands interact much more with the other kingdoms and have adopted some of their practices. Starting in approximately 10 PS and ending circa 20 SE, lowland Dhi began giving each of their children different surnames, which led to a proliferation of additional surnames, as opposed clan-based surnames. They also adopted some foreign names, often spelling and pronouncing them in a more Dhi way. Like Aleyans, lowlanders put the first name first, followed by the surname. Most lowlanders do not have a middle name and they rely less on nicknames, which are more confusing in sprawling cities than tight-knit villages.

### Ma

Ma cities and towns generally fall somewhere on a continuum between the lowlands and Aleya region. Some name children after the day they are born but adopt a looser, more lowland style of surnames. Others give children a wider variety of first names but use their clan names or places of birth as surnames. In the west, some towns have taken to including a generational name or placing the surname first during introductions.

### Etiquette

In general, adult foreigners should refer to Dhi by their first name in conversation and refrain from assuming a shared last name indicates shared ancestry. Especially in Aleya, certain roles deserve additional respect. Healers should have *ami* appended after their name. If a healer's first name is Deva, she would be called Deva Ami, Deva-ami, or Deva'ami. Local leaders should have *napa* appended: Deva Napa, Deva-napa, or Devanapa. In formal environments, foreigners may append *ama* to the end of the name, regardless of role.

The etiquette around nicknames is far too complex for foreigners to understand. In general, do not refer to a Dhi person by their nickname unless explicitly invited to do so and refrain from giving them nicknames. In writing, refer to Dhi by their first name, last or clan name, or both. Do not append terms of respect for job roles as these are only used in speech.

Knowing and pronouncing someone's name correctly is of vital importance. While foreigners may find multiple Dhi names sound or are spelled similarly, mistaking one name for another is a grave insult. If possible, it is best to learn someone's name before meeting them. If a centurion wishes to speak to the village healer, he should first seek out the village chief (whose name he should already know) and ask what the healer is called. He should greet her by name before introducing himself.

Many Dhi 'collect' names as they age, adding nicknames and the names of teachers or mentors to their own name until they are ten or more names long. Using someone's full name indicates a level of intimacy. As such, most Dhi choose not to introduce themselves with all their names and may be uncomfortable if a foreigners enquires after more names or divulges too much biographical information in the first or second meeting.

## Ju Kingdom

Ju naming standards are influenced by DIao custom. As in Diao, Ju surnames come first. Most aristocratic families and some middle class ones then insert a generational name. Siblings and cousins will all have the same generational name, which is generally determined years or even centuries in advance. The last syllable of their name is what a Seprum would consider a first name. There is no canon of first or generational names as there is in Seprum and Makkada. First names are often chosen in conjunction with the surname and generational name to evoke a certain mood or reference the natural world.

### Etiquette

Foreigners should refer to Ju people by last name or position. To show additional respect and when introducing a Ju person to someone else, add an "honorable," "eminent," or Mr., Ms. or Mx. In general, non-military foreigners should avoid only using someone's last name. In writing, however, last names can be used without honorifics. Do not refer to Ju by their first name or generational name alone in writing.

Amongst themselves, Ju often refer to one another by relative status. There are specific ways to refer to cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, distant relatives, and so on, as well as for young people to refer to elders, students to teachers, citizens to government officials, and vice versa. Do not assume that because one person referred to someone a certain way, anyone can.

In some cases, Ju invite foreigners to call them by their first name. This is often a romantic overture or sign of a strong friendship. Though foreigners may already be going by their first name, it is important to reciprocate and offer the same.

Monarchs should always be referred to as king, queen, or ruler or with the appended title of Ju, for women and wifere, or Ji, for men. Non-royal foreigners should refer to themselves in the second person, e.g. "your humble servant." For more information about greeting monarchs, see Royal Etiquette in the Spiral Empire.

## Kuan Empire

Kuan parents can name their children any name they'd wish except that of the current saj or their heir. After a saj retires or dies, there is often a bump in the number of children with that name. Some parents also name their children after high-ranking officials they anticipate may one day become saj. Rather than making up new names, most parents name their children after other Kuan. As a last name, they adopt their ethnic group: Kuan, Hsia, or Akkan. Some rais order their subordinates to adopt the rai's name as a middle name to make the hierarchy clear.

Until age four or five, children are generally just called "child," especially if they have older siblings who died young or are born at a time of local tragedy. If children become sick, parents may change their name to Ossei (No name) or the word for something unappealing to keep them safe from demons.

### Etiquette

Kuan with titles (saj or rai) should always be referred to with their title: Tsenbai Saj, never simply Tsenbai, whether or not he is present. They should not be referred to by last name, e.g., not Tsenbai Kuan Saj or Kuan Saj. Low-ranking Kuan can be referred to by middle name, their rai's name, or as "servant of [rai's name]." This is customary if the rai is present. Even higher-ranking Kuan can be called "servant of Tsenbai Saj," though this can be seen as disrespectful. Kuan may refer to themselves as "servants of Tsenbai Saj" as they wish; this should not be seen as an invitation to do the same.

When alone or in public spaces, it is generally safe for foreigners to refer to Kuan by their first names alone. In writing, they should be referred to by their first name, name and title, or first and last name.

## Makkada Sultanate

Makkadi naming standards are generally quite strict. First names come from an accepted canon of names or, in rare cases, are invented or adopted from a foreign country. Middle names are the clan name or, occasionally, the island or country name. Their birth places function as last names, always with edj- as a prefix. Sometimes, if a famous parent was born in one city and had a child in another, the last name is passed down. It is not safe to assume a Makkadi's birthplace based on name alone. As an example: Bari Amakka edj-Makkar was named Bari after a famously pious elai, Amakka after the clan of his mother, father, and wither, and edj-Makkar to indicate he was born in Makkar.

When parents come from multiple clans, the more important parent's clan generally takes precedent. Having multiple middle names is rare. It is becoming more common for parents to give their children non-clan middle names as a way of moving beyond the clan system and towards a unified Makkada. This is more common in less powerful clans.

Clan names:

1. Adhan
2. Agharesh
3. Amakka
4. Araka
5. Erahma
6. Imas
7. Qurakka
8. Umad
9. Udamai

### Etiquette

Foreigners can safely refer to Makkadi by their first name unless asked not to. They should refrain from identifying people by clan, or asking if their birthplace suggests membership in a certain clan, as this is seen as rude. In speech, it is rare to refer to someone by last name only, though in writing, it is acceptable, if it will not result in confusion. When referring to someone by title, drop the middle and last name, e.g. Rashid Udamai edj-Zjani is called Vizier of Coin Rashid.

## Seprum Republic

Seprum names have two parts: a first name from a canon of stems and an ars name. Indentured servants may know their family names but they will not be recorded on official census records until they have earned their citizenship. First names are declinated to indicate gender. In general, -ius, -or, and -ix are masculine, -ioc and -iok are wiferine, and -a and -ia are feminine. Thus the same stem can create a variety of names: Junius, Junor, Junix, Junioc, Juniok, Juna, or Junia. Parents sometimes add additional syllables to common steps to create new names: Ael- to Aelian-, for instance, or Just- to Justin-.

### Etiquette

Ars leaders (paters, waters, and maters) should be referred to by their title and ars, e.g. Pater Timi or the pater of ars Timi. All other titles should be paired with first names. In general, citizens may refer to one another by first name unless one is of significantly higher rank than the other.