Line #63 Main/ArmsAndArmorThemeNaming


1	[[quoteright:350:[[VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pokemon_shieldsword.png]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350: Not pictured: [[ExpansionPack the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra]].]]
3
4	->''"The goat's level 1 super is Cannonball, continuing the endearing trend of naming her attacks after weapons she doesn't have."''
5	-->--'''Oleander''' on Shanty, ''VideoGame/ThemsFightinHerds''
6
7	Authors like to use themes to create a sense of unity or cohesiveness within their work. Some extend themes to the names of the characters, often beyond the similarities that would be expected for characters from the same culture or who all speak the same language. One variation is to name a set of characters or groups after weapons or armor. This almost invariably has martial meanings. Characters with such names are likely to be fighters of some sort. If the named characters are antagonists, expect NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast.
8
9	[[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Has nothing to do with]] the ThemeNaming of actual weapons.
10	----
11	!Examples
12	[[foldercontrol]]
13
14	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
15	* Almost everyone in ''Literature/ScrappedPrincess'' is named after a type or brand of firearm or ammunition.
16	* All of the military characters in ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' are named after actual planes, tanks, weapons, and other technology from World War I onward.
17	* In ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' we have the early trio of shinobi composed by Kabuto (Helmet), Tsurugi (Sword) and Yoroi (Armor). It's later revealed that [[spoiler:Kabuto didn't have a name and he was picked up by an orphan house. His "brother" put a helm on his head and named him after that]].
18	* Alita's Opponents in the "Moto Ball" arc of ''Manga/BattleAngelAlita'' are named for weapons. Chakram, Glaive, Scramasax, Arbalast etc.. Most likely taken from the TabletopGame/TunnelsAndTrolls rulebook.
19	* Shinigami Brigade girls from ''Manga/{{Kurohime}}'' are named Axe, Mace, Hammer, Dagger, Lance and Sword.
20	* ''Manga/OnePiece'': Most of Luffy's attacks are named after firearms and different weapons, like Gum-Gum Axe, Pistol, Rifle, Gatling, Bazooka, Cannon... After the timeskip, he also extends this to more specific weapons (Culverin, Schneider, Red Hawk...), and sometimes peppers them with animal names. This seems to have sprouted from his claim as a kid that his punch was "as strong as a pistol".
21	* ''Manga/{{Gangsta}}'' has the Destroyers whose members are all named after firearms or firearm companies such as Beretta, Sig, Colt and Spas.
22	[[/folder]]
23
24	[[folder:Comic Books]]
25	* The Franchise/MarvelUniverse has the covert organizations S.H.I.E.L.D., A.R.M.O.R., S.W.O.R.D. and H.A.M.M.E.R.
26	* ''ComicBook/ElfQuest'':
27	** A family with theme naming. Strongbow's son is named Dart, and Dart's son is Bowki (combining his father's name with his erstwhile friend Geoki). The line can be extended to four generations if you use "archery" rather than "weapons" as theme: Strongbow's mother was named Trueflight.
28	** The Wolfriders also have Cutter (partly named for his swords[[strike:man]]elfship), Redlance (who's good with a spear) and Pike (likewise). On the other hand, Wolfrider women tend to have pastoral names.
29	[[/folder]]
30
31	[[folder:Fan Works]]
32	* ''Fanfic/FromBajorToTheBlack'' has a pair of Starfleet ''Excalibur''-class cruisers named the ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulfberht Ulfberht]]'' and the ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Szczerbiec Szczerbiec]]''.
33	* In ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'', the males in the Blackthorn Dragon Clan have names related to spear weapons: there's Lance, his father Halberd, his grandfather Javelin, his uncles Sibat [[note]]Filipino for "spear"[[/note]] and Trishula [[note]]A three-pronged spear used as a symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism[[/note]] and his granduncle Yari [[note]]The Japanese straight-headed spear[[/note]].
34	[[/folder]]
35
36	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
37	* Webley the farmer in ''Film/HotFuzz'' has a tremendous stash of unlicensed weapons in his barn.
38	* ''Film/LoadedWeapon1'' has the two main characters named after gun manufacturers, Luger and Colt.
39	* In ''Franchise/TheMatrix'' trilogy, the crew aboard the ''Mjolnir'' all have names that have to do with guns: Roland, Maggie, AK, Colt, and Mauser. Mjolnir itself, of course, is named after the weapon of Thor from Myth/NorseMythology.
40	* Darth Maul in ''Franchise/StarWars'', starting with ''Film/ThePhantomMenace''. He's TheBrute, so it's hardly surprising he named himself after a bludgeoning melee weapon. Ironically though, he wields a double-bladed lightsaber that's very complex to wield.
41	[[/folder]]
42
43	[[folder:Literature]]
44	* Literature/DonQuijote. In Spanish, ''quijote'' means cuisse, the thigh plate.
45	* When they’re not re-using the names of the Journey ships, the Literature/{{Rihannsu}} tend to use these types of names for their warships. Examples include ''Cuirass'' and ''Gorget'' (although the latter was also a Journey ship). Subverted by ''Rhea's Helm'', named after the most infamous creation of a rather nasty JackassGenie that was worse than useless as armor (Rhea was a mage that got captured by an enemy who wanted to become invulnerable. Rhea made that helm... And bound to it a demon that ''bit off the captor's head'', [[ExactWords making him invulnerable because dead men cannot be wounded]]).
46	[[/folder]]
47
48	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
49	* The Winchesters from ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' are named after the rifle. When they get [[spoiler:mindwiped and false identity-ed]], they're Dean Smith and Sam Wesson.
50	* In ''Series/KamenRiderSaber'', a majority of the Kamen Riders are named after a type of sword (i.e; Saber, Buster, Durandal) or the word "sword" in another langauge (i.e; "Espada" is Spanish for sword, Sabela is derived from "szablya", the Hungarian word for sword).
51	[[/folder]]
52
53	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
54	* ''TabletopGame/BattleTech'' is absolutely full of units named after historic weapons or armor. After AnimalThemeNaming it's probably the most common form of name for battlemechs. Notable examples include the ''Warhammer'', ''Katana'', ''Longbow'', ''Excalibur'', and ''Hatchetman'.
55	* ''TabletopGame/YuGiOh''
56	** Brionac, Gungnir and Trishula, the dragons of Ice Barrier archetype, are named after famous mythological spears used by Gods.
57	** "Blowback Dragon", "Fusilier Dragon, the Dual-Mode Beast", "Twin-Barrel Dragon", "Barrel Dragon", and "Gatling Dragon" are a family of DARK/Machine monsters, who share a names that consist of firearm-related terms and the word "dragon".
58	** The Heroic Champion monsters, like the Ice Barrier Dragons, are named after certain named weapons: {{Excalibur}}, [[Myth/ArthurianLegend Rhongomyniad]], [[Myth/JapaneseMythology Kusanagi]] and [[Myth/HinduMythology Gandiva]]. Their Heroic Challengers are also named after more generic weapons but with another word that explains the monster's purpose.
59	[[/folder]]
60
61	[[folder:Toys]]
62	* The main characters in Toys/{{Lego}} ''WesternAnimation/NexoKnights'' all have {{punny name}}s based on the weapons they use: Clay Moorington (claymore), Lance, Aaron (arrow), Axl (axe), and Macy (mace).
63	* The standard Forge vehicles in ''Snap Ships'' are named after melee weapons: Scythe, Saber, Lance, Falx, Gladius and Trident. As each vehicle is assembled from modular components both in and out of universe, there are generally multiple ways to put them together; each vehicle constructed from the same set of parts has the same weapon name, but a different serial number and tactical role (e.g. the Trident kit makes the Trident T-14 rescue/recovery vehicle, the Trident ST-33 gunship, and the Trident AT-43 assault ship).
64	[[/folder]]
65
66	[[folder:Video Games]]
67	* ''VideoGame/MegaManLegends 2'' has a pair of [[SkyPirate air-pirate]] {{Recurring Boss}}es named Bola and Klaymoor.
68	* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' features several characters named for brands of guns, including Kyosuke '''Nanbu''', Excellen '''Browning''', '''Ingram''' Plisken and [[spoiler:his clone]] Viletta (presumably supposed to be '''Beretta''') Badim, and Lefina '''Enfield'''. Ingram's most famous HumongousMecha, the Astranagant, is another example (Astra + Nagant).
69	* ''VideoGame/DragonQuestSwords'' has sword-themed names all over the place. The hero's father is named Claymore, the hero's two traveling companions are Fleurette and Anlace, the BigBad is called Xiphos, and a few of the game's locations are mostly named for legendary weapons ('''Caliburn''' [[NoobCave Cave]] and '''Arondight'''/Alondite Heights).
70	* In the ''VideoGame/{{Evolution}}'' games for Dreamcast, each of the playable characters are named after a type of fire arm ([[IdiotHero Mag Launcher]], [[TheQuietOne Linear Cannon]], [[ActionGirl Pepper Box]], [[BattleButler Gre Nade]] etc).
71	* In the original Japanese version of ''VideoGame/GhostTrick'', Kamilla's name is Kanon, while her dog is named Missile. Ironic, since they're two of the sweetest and weakest people in the game [[spoiler: until Missile dies and TakesALevelInBadass.]]
72	* ''VideoGame/{{X}}'': Terran fighter ships in the ''X3'' expansion pack ''Terran Conflict'' have names of swords (specifically Rapier, Sabre, Scimitar, Cutlass, and Claymore). Their two freighter classes are named after things you put weapons ''in'' (Baldric and Scabbard).
73	* ''VideoGame/JakXCombatRacing'': All members of Mizo's gang are named after something sharp. A mizo is a type of Bowie knife, and then there are Edje (edgy), Razer (razor), Cutter, Shiv (a prison-made knife) and Kleiver (cleaver), even though he wasn't originally a member.
74	* ''VideoGame/Fallout3'' features Flak, Shrapnel, Barrett, Machete, Timebomb, and Hammer, all spread out throughout the wasteland.
75	* ''VideoGame/BattlestarGalacticaOnline'' has Colonial Escort ships named after weapons: Scythe, Maul, Glaive and Halberd.
76	* ''VideoGame/BrawlStars'': Two members of the Wild West Trio are named after the firearms they use, being Colt after his revolvers, and Shelly after her shotgun shells.
77	* [[LaResistance Bora]] fighters in ''VideoGame/TachyonTheFringe'' are named for weapons: Cutlass, Battleaxe, Mace, etc.
78	* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
79	** ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' has '''Ax'''ew, Fr'''ax'''ure and H'''ax'''orus. The last one is essentially a dragon with an axe for a face.
80	** ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'' gave us Clauncher and Clawitzer, inspired by pistol shrimp and named after types of artillery (a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MGM-51_Shillelagh gunlauncher]] and a howitzer respectively).
81	** ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' had Remoraid and Octillery, which aren't quite so obvious in English (though Octillery brings to mind the word 'artillery'). In Japanese however, their names are Teppouo and Ocutank, literally "Gun Fish" and "Octopus Tank." Fun BilingualBonus: Teppouo is Japanese for the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archerfish archerfish]], which spits water at prey.
82	** ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'' has this on the game titles themselves, though the two mascots follow a ColourfulThemeNaming.
83	* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPGLegendOfTheSevenStars'' has the Smithy Gang, which includes such members as Mack the Knife, Bowyer, Yaridovich (''yari'' being Japanese for spear), and the Axem Rangers.
84	* ''VideoGame/BatenKaitos'': The names of Savyna's finishing moves are themed weapons, such as Burning Arrow, Erupting Flail, Splash Spear and Freezing Axe.
85	* In the ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' games, human exoatmospheric planes are named after blades (Sabre, Shortsword, Longsword, Broadsword, etc.) - in-planet aircraft follow the same AnimalThemeNaming of ground vehicles.
86	* In ''VideoGame/EveOnline'' Minmatar ships smaller than Battlecruisers are often named after weaponry (i.e. Scythe, Broadsword).
87	* ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'' has a few people who are named (or who named themselves) after weapons or armor, including Maul, Jordis the Sword-Maiden, Argis the Bulwark, and an entire family known as Clan Shatter-Shield. It's a Viking-inspired country where the people are fond of sobriquets, so it's pretty standard.
88	* ''VideoGame/ShantaeAndTheSevenSirens'': FamilyThemeNaming brothers Armor Baron and Ammo Baron.
89	* ''VideoGame/StarTrekOnline'' extends out the canonical ''Scimitar''-class Romulan Warbird with variants named for other types of swords (so there's a ''Tulwar''-class, a ''Falchion''-class, a ''Kopesh''-class...).
90	* Every unit in ''VideoGame/PhantomOfTheKill'' is named after a mythical weapon. Sword-fighting units have names like Laevateinn and Masamune, spear-wielding units have names like Longinus and Sky Piercer, etc.
91	* [[PirateGirl Shanty]] from ''VideoGame/ThemsFightinHerds'' has special attacks named after pirate-themed weapons such as "Cannonball" and "Harpoon", despite not using any weapons herself during her fights. Oleander {{Lampshades}} this in the tutorial mode.
92	-->'''Oleander''': The goat's [Shanty's] special attack is Cutlass. I looked into it and much to my disappointment, no actual swords are involved, despite the name.
93	* In ''VideoGame/WildArms'', there was a knightly order in which every member had a title based on a piece of armor. Jack Van Burace was once Knight of the Vambrace. The re-release on [=PS2=] screwed up the reference by making him Knight of the Gauntlet instead.
94	* Franchise/{{Kirby}}:
95	** Meta Knight's airship, which appears throughout the series, is named the '''Halberd'''.
96	** The three mage-generals of the Jambandra cult from ''VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies'' are named '''Francisca''', '''Flamberge''' and Zan '''Partizanne'''.
97	* In the ''VideoGame/WingCommander'' series, many Terran fighters are named after pre-gunpowder weapons, though not all. So you can fly around in ''Rapier'', ''Broadsword'' and ''Longbow'' class ships for example. One of the best ships is appropriately named ''{{Excalibur}}'' class.
98	* ''VideoGame/TheWorldIsYourWeapon'': Some of the important people, such as the sisters, '''Wea'''co and '''Pon'''mi, their father, Dirk, the final boss, "Ameno Ohbari" (Ame no Ohabari, a mythological weapon), and Claymore the witch.
99	[[/folder]]
100
101	[[folder:Webcomics]]
102	* The protagonists of ''Webcomic/{{Loserz}}'' are named Benjamin Winchester, Jodie Beretta and Eric Remington.
103	* ''Webcomic/SleeplessDomain'': One trio of {{magical girl}}s is named Team Spear, after its members' [[WeaponSpecialization signature weapons]]. The individual members have the matching magical girl titles Sunlight Spear, Moonlight Spear, and Starlight Spear. The theme naming carries over to at least one of the girls' civilian names -- Starlight Spear's real name is Mingxing Guan, and she uses a type of polearm called a guandao.
104	* There are many characters in the ''Webcomic/{{Swords}}'' universe, and anyone who isn't [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep only known by their title]] is most likely named after a sword or sword-related word, such as Xiphos, Sickle, Hilton, Stabbins...
105	[[/folder]]
106
107	[[folder:Western Animation]]
108	* The Insecticons in ''Franchise/{{Transformers\|Generation 1}}'' have bomb-related names: Bombshell, Shrapnel, and Kickback.
109	* In ''WesternAnimation/BikerMiceFromMars'' the Martians are named either after weapons (Rimfire, Mace, Carbine Cannonblade) or motorcycle/engine terminology (Harley, Throttle, Stoker), the only exceptions being Vinnie ([[AerithAndBob real name: Vincent]]) and Modo (name origin unknown).
110	[[/folder]]

Context Main / ArmsAndArmorThemeNaming