Naming Guide

[Oceanstar]

Here on VWW the naming system is quite lenient, and in general terms staff will allow most names users choose. The general rule to work by when choosing a name is to assume a mother is naming your character; name your character something that a mother would know, rather than not.
In the WARRIORS universe the guide for naming is rather simple. The prefix (or first half) or the name is given at birth and generally resembles the cat's PHYSICAL appearance. In some cases the kitten may also be named after someone else within the clan, or perhaps after a thing that the mother wants her child to embody. The suffix (second half) of the name is given at a warrior's ceremony, and leader's generally tend to match the suffix to the cat's PERSONALITY, TALENTS or APPEARANCE. And example will be given below, as well as a general naming guide for prefixes and suffixes.

eg. A kit is born. He is completely black except for a white mark on his chin. His mother names him WHITEKIT for the white mark.
At his warrior's ceremony, Whitepaw is given the name WHITEJAY, because he is chatty and cheerful, like a jay bird.

eg. A kit is born. She has silver fur with black tabby stripes. Her mother names her RIVERKIT because her light fur looks like running water.
At her warrior's ceremony, Riverpaw is incredibly swift and is named RIVERCHASER for her love of running.

eg. A kit is born. He is a solid brown tom. His mother names him Otterkit for his brown fur.
At his warrior's ceremony, Otterpaw becomes OTTERFUR for his all-round abilities.

Now an example of what is NOT acceptable.

eg. A kit is born. He is a brown tabby with a black tail. His mother names him Purplekit for his bright, purple eyes.

Uh oh. We generally like you to avoid naming a character after their eye colour, as kits do not open their eyes straight away, and when they do, their eyes are always blue for the first part of their lives. This is not a realistic prefix

eg. A kit is born. Her fur is grey with a white belly. Her mother names her Shark-kit for her sleek fur and colouring.

Woops. The cats of VWW wouldn't have any knowledge as to what a shark is, as none of them live near the ocean. We ask that you carefully consider where your cat is living and what they may or may not know

[Oceanstar]

Below is a list of prefixes and suffixes with examples of relevant descriptions. These are only EXAMPLES and certainly do not have to be used, but they do provide an idea as to what is generally accepted when it comes to naming your characters. THIS IS IN NO WAY A COMPLETE LIST. There are many, many more prefixes and suffixes which may be used. The ones listed below are simply to give you an idea as to the naming system in play so that you will be able to name your own characters with ease.

PREFIXES

1. Almond-
   Used by: Brown or red cats
   
   
2. Ant-
   Used by: Brown or red cats, perhaps with tabby stripes or black markings / A very small cat
   
   
3. Alligator-
   Used by: Brown or grey cats, usually with other markings
   
   
4. Bear-
   Used by: Brown, black or white cats, generally without markings / A very large cat
   
   
5. Blue-
   Used by: A cat with blue fur
   
   
6. Cicada-
   Used by: A brown cat, perhaps with white markings or tabby stripes
   
   
7. Clay-
   Used by: A mottled blue, brown or grey colour cat, potentially with tabby stripes
   
   
8. Dog-
   Used by: Generally abnormally large cats
   
   
9. Duck-
   Used by: Brown, grey or white cats, generally with some form of marking
   
   
10. Fish-
    Used by: Any cat, provided their fur resembles a species of fish. Trout, carp, salmon, ect
    
    
11. Grass-
    Used by: Cats with long spiky fur / tabby cats / calico cats
    
    
12. Kite-
    Used by: Mottled brown, grey or black cats, maybe with white markings
    
    
13. Oriole-
    Used by: Typically red cats, often small or thin
    
    
14. Rain-
    Used by: Silver cats or cats with blue/grey fur. Sometimes with dapples or stripes
    
    
15. Snake-
    Used by: Cats with dark coloured fur / Very long cats
    
    
16. Salamander-
    Used by: Ginger, brown or grey cats
    
    
17. Tapir-
    Used by: Brown or black cats, often with white markings
    
    
18. White-
    Used by: White cats, sometimes points, but generally solid
    
    

SUFFIXES

1. -Back
   Used by: Cats with a distinctive marking on their back, or cats who are known to carry many burdens.                                      Examples: Tigerback, Brambleback
   
   
2. -Berry
   Used by: Small cats, cats with very sweet personality. Sometimes, cats with bright colours on their pelts.                                             Examples: Littleberry, Brightberry
   
   
3. -Bite
   Used by: Cats very good at fighting or with a very distinct hunting or fighting 'bite'
   Examples: Galebite, Lionbite
   
   
4. -Call
   Used by: Very loud and friendly cats, or cats with a very distinct voice
   Examples: Jaycall, Windcall, Foxcall
   
   
5. -Claw
   Used by: Cats with very big claws or very good at combat
   Examples: Dogclaw, Stoneclaw
   
   
6. -Dance
   Used by: Very graceful or fast cats
   Examples: Snowdance, Swallowdance
   
   
7. -Flight
   Used by: Very fast cats or cats who enjoy climbing trees
   Examples: Swiftflight, Robinflight
   
   
8. -Fin
   Used by: Cats very good at swimming
   Examples: Yellowfin, Clayfin
   
   
9. -Fire
   Used by: Very passionate cats or cats who often have fiery personalities
   Examples: Sunfire, Acornfire
   
   
10. -Flower
    Used by: Gentle cats or cats with brightly coloured fur
    Examples: Brightflower, Foxflower
    
    
11. -Heart
    Used by: Any cat that shows kindness, loyalty or strong belief in their value
    Examples: Tallheart, Moonheart
    
    
12. -Pool
    Used by: Calm cats
    Examples: Icepool, Goldenpool
    
    
13. -Stone
    Used by: Dependable cats who are able to keep their head in a crisis
    Examples: Rainstone, Wolfstone
    
    
14. -Swarm
    Used by: Very sociable or loud cats, or quick cats on a battlefield
    Examples: Waspswarm, Snowswarm
    
    
15. -Wing
    Used by: Swift cats or gentle cats
    Examples: Featherwing, Cherrywing