Hello,
I was wondering what kind of source do you use in order to name your characters. On my side I use the 3rd edition list of name, but there must be a more complete source ?
FFG Fortunes might provide this one day, do they ? 🙏

I know there is also a web site that can generate those names ( and for multiple univers top)

Recently, I've been using this one and this one (respectively) a fair bit recently.

Generally, I shuffle a pile of cards from one or both of the games and draw one at random. Then go at look up the meaning at Behind the Name.

I just use the german-japanese online dictionary to find names for NPCs. Good thing the players haven't figured it out yet, a few of the names are rather telling (the NPC secretly worshiping a spider god is named Shoshi Kumo, for example).

I made a big Excel sheet of names and their definitions with the data from https://www.momjunction.com/baby-names/japanese/#gref . You can change the national origin of the name by using the drop-down box at menu at the top. I also included Chinese, Mongolian, and Korean names in my list because in our Rokugan some people have those. Like Harzerkatze, I'll sometimes pick a name based on it's meaning if it's relevant to the game and then see if any player figures it out. One NPC gave her name as the Mongolian word for "nobody" and only the Unicorn PC knows that she might be hiding something.

I go to Japanese name lists.

For most samurai characters I actually search Nanori name element lists and mix and match. There are a few online and I also have books that have them.

The Unicorn I sometimes wander afield. I've occasionally used Iranian and Arabic names.

For important NPC's and player characters I look up a name (usually on "behind the name") or translate a word that I find fitting for the character backstory.

For NPC's important enough to warrant a name but not important enough to have too much story relevance I pick a random name from "behind the name".

On the question of ethnicity;

For Unicorn-related characters I mostly pick Mongolian with their Ujik-ness, though more Rokugani characters tend to get other names.

For Lion, Crane and Imperial I go with Japanese words/names as these I see as the most traditional.

For Phoenix I actually like using Korean names, particularly for the Isawa, as I see them doing their own thing so I want that to show in their names as well.

Mantis I usually go with the previously mentioned, but I also look outside to Thailand, Philippines and that region. Maybe look at more traditionella Okinawan names if that is a thing?

Finally, for everyone else I use a mix of Japan, Korea and China.

Also: I am NOT above giving a few characters a name that is some sort of pun.

On 11/11/2019 at 3:12 PM, MirumotoOrashu said:

Also: I am NOT above giving a few characters a name that is some sort of pun.

Okay, I'll plead guilty to that as well. To wit, the Kitsuki-trained Magistrate named Doji Ikabodu.

On 11/7/2019 at 12:00 PM, Harzerkatze said:

I just use the german-japanese online dictionary to find names for NPCs. Good thing the players haven't figured it out yet, a few of the names are rather telling (the NPC secretly worshiping a spider god is named Shoshi Kumo, for example).

Ah, the Warhammer Fantasy school of character naming 😋 .

I tend to go through a list of Japanese names, unless I'm working with a family with a different influence like the Unicorn families (especially the Moto), and look for a meaning that I find thematic or, well, cool-sounding.