1 | Characters without a name are a specific method of PlayingWith NominalImportance, which can impact the story in several different ways. |
2 | |
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. |
4 | |
5 | If the ''work'' has no name, please see NoTitle. |
6 | |
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]] |
27 | |
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. |
34 | |
35 | If you have arrived here from a wick describing a character, please correct that wick to the appropriate SubTrope. |
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FollowingContext Main / TheNameless
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