The names of Culture citizens could be complex. Biological persons and independent drones could use a multi-part designation called a Full Name[1][2] Minds chose their own names[3]; these did not typically follow any conventions.
It was considered particularly insulting in the Culture to not be called by one's chosen name.[4]
Biological persons[]
The Full Name for a biological citizen described their place of birth, rearing, or manufacture. Full Names were widely used in the Culture and required the names of stars and Orbitals to be unique.[5] The name served as an address if the person still resided at the same location.[5][4][6]
A name consisted of the following elements:
- Place of birth or raising. Possible combinations include the name of an Orbital if there is only one in a system, or the name of the local star and a specific plate on a local Orbital.[5]
- Given name, typically chosen by the mother[5]
- Chosen name, typically chosen by the individual in their teens and may change later[5]
- Family name, typically the mother's[5]
- House/estate of raising[5]
For everyday use, the name was typically truncated to just the given and family name.[2]
Example[]
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Juboal-Rabaroansa | |
| Perosteck | Given name |
| Alseyn | Chosen name |
| Balveda | Family name |
| dam T'seif |
Independent drones[]
Independent drones also used Full Names, although their nomenclature differed from that used by biological citizens.
Examples[]
| Notes | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "Chamlis Amalk-ney"[1] "Skaffen-Amtiskaw"[7] |
Abbreviation of name used for everyday conversation. |
| "Handrahen" "Xato" |
Equiv-tech espionage-level Special Circumstances nomenclature.[1] |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Player of Games, chapter 1
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Excession, chapter 5.3
- ↑ Use of Weapons, chapter 3.IV
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Look to Windward, chapter 11
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 "A Few Notes on the Culture"
- ↑ Surface Detail, chapter 3
- ↑ The State of the Art, chapter 7