World Building - Name Meanings
Clan Names
Names are either related to the warrior's personality, appearance, or after an event they were related to.
Of course, names can be shared by clans. Sometimes prefixes or suffixes are used by clans.
Underlined = repeated by another clan.
These are not all the names, just the most common in relation to the clan.
Prefixes:
- Common names related to appearance
- Thunderclan - Ebony-, Red-, Spot-, Spotted-, White-, Dapple-, Long-, Speckle-, Dark-, Golden-, Brindle-, Blue-, Copper-, Dust-, Gray-, Tawny-, Frosted-, Small-, Patch-, Cinnamon-, Ash-, Cinder-, Smoke-, Soot-, Bristle-, Freckle-, Fuzzy-,
- Windclan -Tall-, Ash-, One-, Pale-, Soot-, Silver-, White-, Bristle-, Down-, Dust-, Fluff-, Wooly-, Silky-, Silk-, Slight-, Small-,
- Shadowclan -Tall-, Dark-, Little-, Tangle-, Kink-, Black-, Stumpy-, Brown-, Ragged-, Wet-, Russet-, Cinder-, Scar-, White-, Ash-, Hollow-, Jagged-, Red-, Shade-,
- Riverclan - Heavy-, Silver-, White-, Soft-, Black-, Green-, Shade-, Gray-, Wet-, Curl-, Shimmer-, Spike-,
- Skyclan - Dapple-, Spot-, Red-, White-, Curly-, Fringe-, Mottle-, Shining-, Short-, Sleek-, Tiny-,
- Common names related to nature
- Thunderclan - Clover-, Lilac-, Sage-, Willow-, Frost-, Holly-, Honey-, Aspen-, Sand-, Cherry-, Poppy-, Berry-, Hazel-, Fire-, Flame-, Rose-, Bramble-, Briar-, Thorn-, Pine-, Rose-, Bracken-, Pebble-, Fern-, Birch-, Ivy-, Tulip-, Elder-, Plum-, Mint-, Dew-, Acorn-, Ice-, Blossom-, Bloom-, Maple-, Sorrel-, Lily-, Seed-, Amber-, Daisy-, Alder-, Beech-, Thistle-, Leaf-, Chestnut-, Oak-, Dandelion-, Feather-, Flower-, Juniper-, Moss-, Twig-, Cypress-, Creek-, Jasmine-, Ginger-,
- Windclan - Gorse-, Heather-, Bark-, Flame-, Sorrel-, Stone-, Meadow-, Amber-, Rye-, Wheat-, Corn-, Mud-, Poppy-, Ice-, Web-, Oat-, Brook-, Chive-, Furze-, Grass-, Hickory-, Hill-, Sand-, Slate-, Wood-, Cotton-,
- Shadowclan - Marsh-, Pine-, Boulder-, Web-, Bracken-, Scorch-, Swamp-, Nut-, Rowan-, Apple-, Fern-, Holly-, Oak-, Cedar-, Fir-, Flint-, Juniper-, Light-, Log-, Nettle-, Needle-, Olive-, Pod-, Pool-, Puddle-, Shadow-, Hemlock-, Yew-, Mushroom-, Morel-, Spruce-,
- Riverclan -Willow-, River-, Timber-, Cedar-, Oak-, Shell-, Stone-, Bramble-, Mud-, Mallow-, Grass-, Ivy-, Reed-, Sedge-, Fallow-, Lake-, Feather-, Fin-, Moss-, Ember-, Cypress-, Frost-, Hay-, Ice-, Milk-, Oat-, Primrose-, Sloe-,
- Skyclan -Fire-, Leaf-, Rock-, Acorn-, Beech-, Nectar-, Coal-, Cherry-, Ember-, Fennel-, Frost-, Gravel-, Honey-, Lichen-, Parsley-, Petal-, Root-, Rubble-, Sandy-, Tansy-, Twig-, Violet-, Yarrow-, Ridge-, Pollen-, Frond-, Walnut-, Chestnut-,
- Common names related to animals
- Thunderclan -Thrush-, Lion-, Tiger-, Mouse-, Jay-, Fawn-, Raven-, Mole-, Lark-, Squirrel-, Sparrow-, Finch-, Spider-, Dove-, Fox-, Toad-, Adder-, Doe-, Cricket-, Bee-, Deer-, Eagle-, Goose-, Fly-, Robin-, Lynx-, Elk,
- Windclan - Hawk-, Rabbit-, Bee-, Cricket-, Lark-, Buzzard-, Pigeon-, Thrush-, Stag-, Wren-, Doe-, Crow-, Eagle-, Ant-, Sheep-, Hare-, Kestrel-, Midge-, Stork-, Buck-, Grouse-, Pheasant-,
- Shadowclan - Wolf-, Turtle-, Fox-, Badger-, Snake-, Newt-, Salamander-, Toad-, Frog-, Mouse-, Deer-, Finch-, Ferret-, Rat-, Hound-, Lizard-, Raven-, Maggot-, Owl-, Worm-, Weasel-, Raccoon-
- Riverclan - Fish-, Turtle-, Vixen-, Leopard-, Owl-, Vole-, Beetle-, Salamander-, Minnow-, Trout-, Carp-, Salmon-, Duck-, Swan-, Goose-, Pike-, Eel-, Frog-, Heron-, Moth-, Otter-, Perch-,
- Skyclan - Sparrow-, Bird-, Egg-, Gull-, Quail-, Robin-, Shrew-, Snail-, Slug-, Stoat-, Starling-, Swallow-, Weasel-, Wasp-, Wren-, Firefly-,
- Common names related to personality
- Thunderclan - Bright-, Bumble-, Spark-, Flash-, Flicker-, Sweet-,
- Windclan - Quiet-, Flutter-, Hoot-
- Shadowclan -Bright-, Blaze-,
- Riverclan - Loud-, Splash-, Shy-,
- Skyclan - Bounce-, Bright-, Fidget-,
- Common names related to events
- Thunderclan - Lost-, Half-,
- Windclan - Dead-, Torn-
- Shadowclan - Possum-
- Riverclan - Crooked-, Sneeze-
- Skyclan - Fallen-
- Common names related to abstract ideas/actions
- Thunderclan -Hope-, Wish-, Running-, Flip-, Swift-,
- Windclan - Hop-, Running-, Rush-, Crouch-, Flail-, Quick-, Song-, Swift-, Whistle-,
- Shadowclan -Hope-, Wish-, Broken-, Running-, Pounce-, Claw-,
- Riverclan -Echo-, Float-, Haven-, Prickle-, Rapid-, Splash-, Talon-,
- Skyclan -Echo-, Brave-, Fallen-, Harvey-, Hatch-, Kite-, Odd-, Sharp-, Strike-,
- Common names related to weather/the sky
- Thunderclan - Cloud-, Snow-, Dawn-, Sun-, Storm-, Rain-, Moon-, Lightning-, Thunder-,
- Windclan - Breeze-, Sun-, Morning-, Cloud-, Fog-, Moon-, Mist-, Gale-, Wind-, Gust-,
- Shadowclan - Dawn-, Blizzard-, Night-, Dusk-, Eclipse-, Twilight-, Evening-,
- Riverclan -Storm-, Misty-, Mist-, Rain-, Dawn-, Winter-, Drizzle-, Hail-,
- Skyclan - Cloud-, Spring-, Rain-, Sky-, Evening-, Sunny-,
Suffixes
Suffixes are slightly different to prefixes. Suffixes are still used to show personality, appearance, events, and rank.
Events is in relation to a 'warrior's feat', which is something that can earn an apprentice their warrior's name.
----For example, Jaypaw never really hunted birds because it was too difficult with his blindness, but he dragged a hawk out of the air and killed it when it snagged Heatherpaw, earning the name Jayflight despite his lack of bird-hunting.
Warrior Feat names are the only ones where the suffix does not typically have a meaning or the meaning typically assigned to that suffix.
EX: -fish, -flurry, -sky, -river, -chaser, -water, -dust, -holly
- Rank:
- -kit: Kit under the age of 6 moons. Very rarely is a cat with the -kit suffix older than 6 moons.
- -paw: Name for cats over 6 moons who have not received their warrior name. Shows they are still in training. Apprentice Rank.
- Warrior Rank is a full name with a suffix given to them by their clan leader. Typically received at 12 moons old, with some exceptions.
- -star: This rank is only used when a cat achieves the rank of leader. This suffix is granted by Starclan to show the leader's connection to their clan ancestors. To use this suffix without being star-blessed is a grave insult.
Suffix Meanings
Appearance:
- -tail/-pelt/-back/-fur/-tuft - This suffix is often used in relation to appearance. It can also be a sign of resiliance despite situation.
- -stripe/-dapple/-patch/-spot/-freckle/-speck/-blotch - This suffix is used to denote a cat's distinctive pelt markings.
- -ear(s)/-eye(s) - This suffix is used to denote a cat with distinctive ears or eyes. Also used to denote excellent hearing or vision/observance.
- -face/-mask - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's an excellent example of their clan's beauty standards.
- -cloud - This suffix is used to denote a cat with very thick and/or long fur.
- -berry/-mouse - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's very small in stature.
- -scar/-burr - This suffix is used to emphasize a cat's physical appearance.
Personality:
- -heart/-soul/-sprite/-spirit - This suffix is used to honor a cat's compassion, love, and their willingness to stand by their morals. This name is used fairly rarely due to this heavy meaning.
- -spark/-belly/-bright/-burst - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's very jovial and upbeat. They are often very perky and outgoing.
- Clan specific: -splash (R)
- -wish/-hope/-shine/-flash - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's very optimistic, regardless of the situation.
- -flower/-petal/-bloom/-fern/-meadow - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's very kind and caring.
- -flower is typically used in relation to cats who show very parental traits, especially towards kits and apprentices.
- -path/-willow/-pool/-bay - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's patient and excellent at teaching others.
- -dawn/-dusk - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's shows loyalty as certain as the rise and fall of the sun.
- -blaze/-fire/-flame/-glow - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's very protective of their family and clan.
- -oak/-bark/-mist/-stone - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's stoic and unyielding.
- -doe/-stream/-creek/-slip - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's kind and soft-spoken.
Skill:
- -shade/-haze/-nose/-snout/-frost - This suffix is used to denote a cat who excels in stealth and tracking.
- -frost is the least used as it is essentially saying this cat is the best of the best, especially if their appearance is one that would usually keep the odds out of their favor.
- -leaf/-light/-feather/-wing - This suffix is used to denote intelligence and high-skill. Most often used for medicine cats, but it is not exclusive to them.
- -tongue/-mouth/-throat/-jaw - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's an excellent story-teller
- Clan specific: -cry (W),
- -call/-song/-whistle - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's an excellent singer.
- -storm/-stalk/-flight/-runner/-whisker - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's an excellent hunter.
- -storm is for excellence overall, -stalk is for difficult prey like deer, -flight is for birds, -runner is for quick prey like rabbits and hares, and -whisker is used for small game like mice and squirrels.
- -fang/-claw/-tooth/-bite - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's an excellent fighter
- Clan specific: -talon (Sh), -briar (W)
- -foot/-leg/-toe/-wind/-breeze - This suffix is often used to denote swiftness or quick thinking. It can also be used in relation to appearance.
- -fall/-tail - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's an excellent climber.
- -gaze/-watcher/-sight - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's observant and good with details.
- -leap/-step/-spring/-bird - This suffix is used to denote a cat who's excellent at jumping, especially large heights/distances.
- Clan specific: -jumper (W)
Iceclan is a very interesting exclusion to this style of naming. They are made up of former rogues, loners, and kittypets. Most cats just keep the names they were given by their parents or their owners. More akin to human names due to their close interactions with them.
Rebuilt Skyclan is similar because of their former kittypet/rogue/loner population.
Names are very important to clan life. It is the one thing every clan cat dreams of one day achieving.
Tribe Names
Tribe names are less specific to the cats themselves. Unlike warrior names where they change as the cat ages and matures, they are stagnant their entire life.
Sometimes they can be similar to each other, but never in remembered history have there been cats of the same name. In their entire existence? Probably, more than likely actually, but if a cat remembers it, then they can't use it.
Typically the names are an object and an adjective. It's not a grammatically correct sentence, but it gets the point across.
---- Brook Where Small Fish Swim. Not just a random brook, but one where fish swim.
----Dark Shadow on Water. What kind of shadow? A dark one. Where is it? On water.
Yeah, I'm not gonna beat a dead horse on this one. It's pretty simple.
They try to make the names strong to match their severe environment.
Like Cloud With Storm in Belly? Kinda badass ngl.
Ancient Names
These names, much like the Tribe's, are not based around the cat specifically. They don't denote something important about the cat, except maybe their appearance. They also do not change over time like the clans do.
The names are based around nature and can have different meanings based on the adjective attached to the object. However, these meanings can be more hopes than accurate to the cat.
---- Furled Bracken is related to the idea of protection or defense. Their tribe was dying out due to the droughts.