Line #110 Main/TheNameless


1	Characters without a name are a specific method of PlayingWith NominalImportance, which can impact the story in several different ways.
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3	Generally speaking, the more of a character's name that we hear, then the more important they are to the story. Just "we don't know their name", on its own, isn't significant. The BitCharacter is unlikely to have a name, because their impact on the story is low. When a character "doesn't have a name", but are so important to the story that they are given a name anyway, it tells us more about the story. It might be as simple as the [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep janitor who is called "Janitor",]] or they may have [[AllThereInTheManual an external reference]] for the name. Sometimes if a minor character is only referred to by the [[{{Stock Characters}} stock character]] name (like TheGunslinger), but the major characters have regular names (Bob, Alice, etc) this is the author's way of reminding you that the person is a flat, undeveloped character.
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5	If the ''work'' has no name, please see NoTitle.
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7	Subtropes include:
8	[[index]]
9	* TheExpyWithNoName
10	* NoNeedForNames -- A character or group of characters don't see the point in having names.
11	* NameAmnesia -- A character has lost/forgotten their name.
12	** TakeAwayTheirName -- Their name was ''stolen'' and possibly [[MeaningfulRename replaced]].
13	* NamelessNarrative -- All characters are identified by traits instead of names.
14	* NeverGivenAName -- A character never had a name given to them.
15	* NoNameGiven -- None of a character's name is used within the work, although they presumably have one.
16	** EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep -- A character's title is used in place of a name.
17	** OnlyOneName -- A character has one name, and it operates as both personal and family name.
18	** MrSmith -- A deliberately anonymous name.
19	** NoFullNameGiven -- A character presumably has a full name, but only their surname or their given name is known.
20	** UnnamedParent -- A parent (or other adult) whose name is based on their relationship to the younger main character.
21	* TheScottishTrope -- Characters avoid saying a name out of superstition.
22	* SomebodyNamedNobody -- Character is given a name that reflects their lack of a name/identity.
23	* WithholdingTheirName -- A character refuses to share their name with others.
24	* YouAreNumberSix -- Characters are dehumanized by having numeric designations instead of names.
25	* YouKnowTheOne -- Characters refer obliquely to another noun.
26	[[/index]]
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28	Compare the following tropes, because they often overlap:
29	* IKnowYourTrueName -- when this trope is in play, concealing one's name or lacking one entirely can have powerful ramifications.
30	* LastNameBasis -- A character's personal name is rarely used in the work, potentially causing the audience to assume NoNameGiven.
31	* NamedByDemocracy -- A character gets a new name from the consensus of their fellows.
32	* OnlyKnownByTheirNickname -- A character's nickname is used so often, it may cause the audience to assume NoNameGiven.
33	* SpellMyNameWithABlank -- A character's name has been redacted at least once within the work. Possible to overlap with NoNameGiven, but does not always do so.
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35	If you have arrived here from a wick describing a character, please correct that wick to the appropriate SubTrope.

Context Main / TheNameless