History Main / SpecialPersonNormaLname

* Everyone who works for ''WesternAnimation/MonstersInc'' has a plain name like "James P. Sullivan" or "Mike Wazowski", which helps to reinforce their characterization as average, working-class Joes.

** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXVI'': Clive Rosfield is the Dominant of Ifrit, [[spoiler:the chosen vessel of [[BigBad Ultima]], and by the end of the game, quite possibly the strongest ''Final Fantasy'' protagonist in terms of the raw power he possesses, yet he has one of the most normal names of the franchise seen yet.

* In ''VideoGame/Mother3'', Lucas is a pretty normal name for a kid living in Tazmily, especially when compared to the names of the people who live there like "Flint, Hinawa, Lighter, Fuel, Wess, Duster, etc.". Lucas is one of only Two People in the world who can use PK Love, [[spoiler: and use that power to pull the 7 needles trapping the Dark Dragon under the Nowhere Islands.]] Subverted, as per WordOfGod his name is pronounced "lü-KAAH", not "LOO-kas" (this doesn't keep the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' announcer from pronouncing it the latter way, though).

* The big good of the Marvel Universe. Epitome of honor, justice, and duty. The man who ComicBook/{{Batman}} both admitted would beat him and put in charge of the largest battle in the series. This is Superman in the body of a human being. [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica His name is Steve Rogers.]]

** ''Series/TheReturnOfUltraman'' has the titular hero's name revealed way later in ''Series/UltramanTaro'': It's Jack.

* The version of WebOriginal/JennyEverywhere who stars in ''Webcomic/JennyAndTheMultiverse'' is known simply as Jenny Smith, even some time after getting her powers and catching the attention of Altern Corporation.

* [[AvertedTrope Averted]] in the English translation of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI''. The name "Tina" likely sounded exotic to Japanese ears, but dirt-common to an American audience, so translator [[{{Woolseyism}} Ted Woolsey]] changed it to "Terra", and every English translation since has followed suit.

* "Ash" and "Ketchum" aren't especially unusual names in real life. In the ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' world, however, [[KidHero Ash Ketchum]] is frequently TheChosenOne. (This also applies to his original Japanese name: Satoshi, which is fairly common for Japanese males, including the franchise's creator himself.)

* ''ComicBook/XMen'' gives us ComicBook/JeanGrey. She's had a number of names over the years (such as Marvel Girl and Phoenix), but nothing ever really stuck. Across various media and incarnations, Jean is just... Jean. Lampshaded in one issue:
-->'''ComicBook/{{Cyclops}}:''' Everyone, Jean and I have an announcement to make...\\
'''ComicBook/JubileeMarvelComics:''' ''[off-panel]'' Don't tell me, she finally got herself a real code-name?\\

** We also got Jubilee sarcastically referring to Jean as "Miss 'I'm too sexy for a codename, too sexy for a codename'". Another time, in an ''WesternAnimation/XMenEvolution''-based comic, Nightcrawler asked why [[NoNameGiven Rogue was just Rogue]], in superhero and in civilian life. Cyclops said "The same reason Jean's just Jean." When Nightcrawler asks about ''that'', they're interrupted before any answer can be given.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'': Mr. Incredible's real name is Bob Parr. It helps when you're trying to live a normal life, if involuntarily. "Parr" is a MeaningfulName from the word "par", meaning average.