History Main / IKnowYourTrueName

*** Similarly used in the Neil Gaiman collaboration GoodOmens where the AntiChrist, having been accidentally brought up by a normal middle-class family, is sent a Hellhound. When said Hellhound is simply named "Dog" since that's all the boy wants, however, it ends up becoming... [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin a dog.]]
**** A dog and ''all that implies''. It's a happy-go-lucky, cat chasing, normal, everyday dog.
** In ''Discworld/LordsAndLadies'', and a few others, there's issues with naming TheFairFolk aloud.

* The Yn from Janet Kagan's Hellspark use name magic

As evidenced by the long list of "Mythology" examples, below, this enters Western culture through the Judeo-Christian tradition, and most likely from the Ancient Egyptian religious tradition that influenced early Judaism. In the book of Genesis, the Abrahamic God created the world through the power of words, as opposed to the physical labors of gods of virtually all other mythologies. When the Abrahamic God created Adam, Adam was tasked with naming all the animals, as part of giving him "mastery" over all the other animals. Although modern tradition has largely forgotten it, the concept of true naming is supposed to grant power over the target, and there were several dozen "forbidden" names of God that would supposedly grant those who spoke them the ability to create miracles by manipulating God, although such things were, naturally, the height of blasphemy.

As evidenced by the long list of "Mythology" examples, below, this enters our culture through the Judeo-Christian tradition, and most likely from the Ancient Egyptian religious tradition that influenced early Judaism. In the book of Genesis, the Abrahamic God created the world through the power of words, as opposed to the physical labors of gods of virtually all other mythologies. When the Abrahamic God created Adam, Adam was tasked with naming all the animals, as part of giving him "mastery" over all the other animals. Although modern tradition has largely forgotten it, the concept of true naming is supposed to grant power over the target, and there were several dozen "forbidden" names of God that would supposedly grant those who spoke them the ability to create miracles by manipulating God, although such things were, naturally, the height of blasphemy.

** A slight variation involves the fact that ''giving'' a name to something changes its nature, as in ''Discworld/InterestingTimes'' (with regards to MagicalComputer Hex) "We should never have given you a name. A thing with a name is a bit more than a thing." Also comes into play when Agnes names her alter ego Perdita. She then develops a magical form of multiple personality disorder, as Perdita becomes an actual person living in Agnes' head with her and being everything Agnes wishes she could be.

* ''{{Bleach}}'': Knowing the name of an attack increases its power significantly. Unless you have also achieved bankai, using shikai requires the user to say the sword's name. Calling the sword another name that it ''doesn't'' like will cause it to refuse to use its special ability. [[spoiler:Ayaseqwa]] does this deliberately, because its kido-based ability would embarrass him in front of his squad mates.

*** ''Final Crisis: Revelations'' instead implied the reason to be that Spectre only delivers justice to those God wants justice delivered to via him - he is the hammer of God. He smites what God wants him to smite. Libra's fate (and that of Darkseid) had apparently already been decided, and it didn't involve Spectre. As a result, Spectre wasn't allowed to interfere with that particular issue.

* Towards the end of ''Simon the Sorcerer'', you must banish two demons to back to hell. One requirement for the ritual to do so is knowing their true names. Strangely enough, they ''want'' to go back to Hell, but still refuse to give out their names to you. Though this could ahve something to do with their true names being "Belchgrabbit" and "Snogfondle".

*** Interestingly, it has been revealed that one's True Name is the name that they ''think'' is their True Name. Also, if you name, say, any of [[SplitPersonality a crazy person's multiple personalities]] and so on, it would still work. It gets kinda complicated regarding the spiecifics on true names and souls and all that.

*** Interestingly, it has been revealed that one's True Name is the name that they ''think'' is their True Name.
*** It was specifically stated that any of a person's nicknames "crazy alternate identities," and so on would work.

** Relatedly, in the same series, the English language has far more then 26 letters. Being knocked out is just the least of the possibilities with the new words.
* ''{{Superman}}'' has "Mister Mxyzptlk", an imp from the 5th dimension who is sent back when he says his name backwards. As he's pretty much invulnerable otherwise, the only way to get him out of your hair is to trick him into saying his name backwards.

* The Pharaoh in ''[[YuGiOh Yu-Gi-Oh!]]'' was unable to reclaim his world of memories from Zorc Necrophades until Yugi and the others learned his true name, [[spoiler:Atem]].

** Relatedly, in the same series, the English language has far more then 26 letters. Being knocked out is just the least of the possibillities with the new words.
* {{Superman}} has "Mister Mxyzptlk", an imp from the 5th dimension who is sent back when he says his name backwards. As he's pretty much invulnerable otherwise, the only way to get him out of your hair is to trick him into saying his name backwards.

** Specifically, Roiben promises to tell her any three things she asks. After he plays literal genie with her out of habit/to protect her ("Shall I consider that your second question?") she asks for his name to piss him off. She only knows that fairies don't like to share their names, and finds out WHY when she uses a [[literalasskissing poorly worded insult]].

* Although no specific reason is given, The Ents in ''LordOfTheRings'' are likewise surprised at people giving out their real names, though the long-winded Entish language probably makes it moot for them (an Ent's true name can literally go on for days). Gandalf also complains that Bilbo was smart enough not to tell Smaug the dragon his name, but could have avoided rather more trouble if he hadn't told Gollum.

** As an aversion, Harry meets [[spoiler: a dragon named]] Ferrovax at a costume ball, and doesn't tell him his name (going by just "Harry Dresden" instead of 'Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden'). The incredibly powerful Ferrovax simply repeats "Harry Dresden", and forces him to his knees. Ferrovax is just that powerful, and is able to do the same thing if he'd said, 'Apple Pie.'