Names and Naming

Names are very important to the Rihannsu. Any name has power, and the name of a person even more. A Rihannsu name expresses who one is; self, house, family honor. The typical Rihannsu name has three parts: the proper name, the secondary name, and the house name.

The proper name is placed first. It is generally selected by the parents or elders (often long before birth, or conception, or the birth of the parents) and has some meaning associated with it.

Examples:

Male: Argelian; Giellun; Hanaj; H'daen; Hexce; Hirl; Ejiul.

Female: Ael, "Winged"; Aidoann, "Moon"; Ariennye; Arrhae; Dhiemm; Ekkhae; Eviess; Hloal; Hvaid; Jaeih; KhoalLai.

The secondary name is usually indicative of place of origin - often it is the name of a birthplace preceded by the prefix i'.

Example: i'Ramnau, from the city Ramnau.

The root name can be a region of any size from a sector of space to a district of own, though city names are most common.

Examples: Mnaeha; Khellian; Ramnau; Mhiessen.

The third name is the clan name. The "clan name", or "house name", is very special - it is gained only by employment, birth, or adoption. Therefore commoners -- who are not members of a house -- have but two names. The house name, Khellian for example, is used with a prefix to indicate gender. The prefixes are t' for females, and tr' for males. Thus, H'daen tr'Khellian is a male member of House Khellian, Arrhae t'Khellian is a female member of the same House.

Sample House Names: Aanikh; Aimne; Annhwi; Ehhelih; Hrienteh; Hwaehrai; Hwersuil; Illialhlae; Keirianh; Khellian; Khev; Khnialmnae; Lhoell; Llweiir; Raidak; Raedheol; Rehu; Rllaillieu; Sahen; Tei.

The exception to this is those who honor an old style, and have a single name, often beginning with S' to honor S'Task. Names of this style may include a House Name as well, but just as often do not. As well, Rihannsu often change their names for reasons of honor.

Finally, some Rihannsu develop a fourth name, a rehie, which is a deeply personal name, discovered by its owner, not given. It is considered intensely private, and shared only with intimate friends and family.

The primary name alone is never used, except between equals, family or friends. The House name may be used alone, except in circumstances where it is not unique, in which case some other identifier must be used, often the primary name. For example, H'daen tr'Khellian would be used if several are present.

Name format:

1st name: Personal name, chosen by the parents to reflect their hopes for the child.

2nd name : Locative, reflects the city or region from which the person comes. Begins with i- for a person of low status or ir- for a person of high status. If somebody is using a family name other than the one they were born to, i.e. adopted, or married men, then they may use their original family name instead, prefixed with e- .

3rd name: Family. Prefixed with t' for a woman, or tr' for a man.

4th name: Rehai, deeply personal name chosen by the person themselves and told only to trusted friends.

S' names are often assumed names, and may be used singularly.