History Main / WithholdingTheirName

* In ''Podcast/ThePenumbraPodcast'', Peter Nureyev is notorious throughout the galaxy as "the Nameless Thief'; he provides each of his contacts with a different alias, and it's likely that Juno is the only person alive who knows his true name. It's later revealed that he abandoned his birth name because [[spoiler:he's a former freedom fighter who, after he successfully stole the reactor powering [[EvilColonialist the floating city of New Kinshasa]], became the IconOfRebellion for the Brahmese Revolution]]. As of season 3, he seems to have struck a middle ground - as a member of [[CaperCrew the Carte Blanche]], he goes by "Peter Ransom", his real first name and his mentor's last name.

'''Angel''': Lorne Greene!\\

* In ''Literature/TheSouthernReachTrilogy'', expedition members are explicitly forbidden from telling each other their names. None of the characters in ''Annihilation'' are named, referring to each other only by their job titles: the biologist, the psychologist, the anthropologist, and the surveyor. While most of them Subvert the trope by sharing their names over the course of the next two novels, the biologist refuses to ever give her real name, insisting that she be called by the nickname "Ghost Bird".

[[folder:Live-Action Television]]

* ''Series/OnceUponATime'': The [[MysteriousStranger motorcycle rider]] who suddenly comes into Storybrooke partway through the first season reveals hardly anything about himself, not even his name, for the first few episodes he appears in. Eventually, he introduces himself as August W. Booth, but that's just what he goes by. [[spoiler:His real name is Pinocchio.]]

* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishi The last member of the Yahi tribe of Northern California]] could only have his name known after a friend from his tribe introduced him to an outsider. Since he was the last one of his tribe, there was no one to introduce him, and he became known as "Ishi," "man" in his language. His real name will never be known.

The character may have [[MeaningfulRename abandoned their old name in favour of a new name]], adopted a name that reflects their lack of a name, decided they [[NoNeedForNames don't need a name]], or just use [[OnlyOneName part of their name]] because the rest of their name is embarrassing.

* Prevalent in Naruto, with the tradition originating from a time of constant clan warfare where revealing your clans name could get you killed by anyone from a rival clan.

* ''Film/MadMaxFuryRoad'': Being a paranoid loner of the post-apocalyptic landscape, Max Rockatansky refuses to reveal his name, until after the climax of the film. As such, Furiosa refers to him as "fool".

* ''Literature/ADozenBlackRoses'' by Nancy A. Collins: The main character Sonja Blue is referred to as "the stranger" throughout the whole book, when asked for her name, she either refuses to give it, or is cut off. She [[SubvertedTrope finally reveals it]] at the end to one of the few surviving characters.

* The Angel of the LORD does this twice in Literature/TheBible. In the Literature/BookOfGenesis, when Jacob wrestles with the Angel and prevails over Him until the Angel gives Jacob a limp and blesses him, Jacob asks for the Angel's name, and the Angel refuses, asking "Why do you ask My name?" Later, in the Literature/BookOfJudges, Maon and his wife, the parents of Samson, ask the Angel for His name, and again He refuses, this time saying "Why do you ask My name, seeing that it is wonderful?" (Some translations have Him say that it is "beyond understanding.")

[[folder:Japanese Media]]
* In ''LightNovel/AccelWorld'', the female lead is OnlyKnownByHerNickname of "Kuroyukihime" ([[Literature/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs Princess Snow Black]]). She claims that it's not that far from her real name, but refuses to say what it is, even going so far as to hack her student ID to read Kuroyukihime (something that other characters had previously thought to be unhackable).
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': The zanpakuto of the Soul Reapers (the swords are sentient spirits who are created with their own identity) withhold their names from their owners until a SecretTestOfCharacter is passed. They withhold it because IKnowYourTrueName is very important in this universe; affecting the power something or someone has.
* {{Inverted|Trope}} and PlayedForLaughs in ''Manga/CromartieHighSchool'': Hokuto's lackey [[RunningGag frequently gets cut off]] before he can say his name. The background and author notes in the manga finally does reveal his name to the reader, but the whole cast of the series admits that it's better that he just continues to go by "Hokuto's Lackey" because they've built up their friendships and familiarities with him around it. Learning his name would be a rather jarring change to that relationship.
* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': The Ishvalan known as Scar underwent a MeaningfulRename, and tossed away his old name in his quest for revenge.
** During ''Brotherhood'', Yoki asks Scar's name. Scar responds that to Ishvalans, a person's name is the most important thing; the name is regarded as a gift from God. So Yoki asks again, and Scar's response is "I threw it away. I threw away my own ''name''." Yoki doesn't dare ask him again. At the end of the series, [[spoiler:he ''still'' refuses to give his name and says [[NoNeedForNames you can just call him whatever you want to.]]]]
** During the 2003 ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemist'' anime, Scar's name is never given, even when he's about to die. [[spoiler:When Lust asks him his name, he answers that his body once had a name, but "[[ThatManIsDead that person died a long time ago]]." Lust, who'd only called him [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep "scarred man"]] up to this point, finally uses the "name" Scar as he dies: "Goodbye...Scar."]]
* Yuuko Ichihara from ''Manga/XxxHolic'' never reveals her true name, as that would [[IKnowYourTrueName give others power over her]] so she only uses a pseudonym.
[[/folder]]

* In ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'', the Visarch cast aside his name when he abandoned his duty as an [[BadassPreacher Exarch]]. When he met Yvraine, one of his former students, he refused to give her his name but she still realised his true identity due to his knowledge of her past and his fighting style.

* {{Inverted|Trope}} and PlayedForLaughs in the case of Rookie from ''WebVideo/BattyBattalion'', who often tries to tell the others his name, but no one cares so they call him Rookie instead.

* Even in the film version, ''Film/VForVendetta'' refuses to share their name because they discarded their old name/identity to become a symbol of revolution.

The character may have [[MeaningfulRename abandoned their old name in favour of a new name]], adopted a name that [[SomebodyNamedNobody reflects their lack of a name]], decided they [[NoNeedForNames don't need a name]], or just use [[OnlyOneName part of their name]] because the rest of their name is embarrassing.

This character hides some secret, and his name is a part of it. To keep this secret buried and cut all ties to it, this character withholds the name associated with that secret from his friends and allies. While the character is hiding their name, admitting that they refuse to share his name is at least telling the audience that there is a secret to be learned and this secret is often revealed in the story.

The character may have [[MeaningfulRename abandoned his old name in favour of a new name]], adopted a name that [[HisNameReallyIsBarkeep reflects his lack of a name]], decided he [[NoNeedForNames doesn't need a name]], or just uses [[OnlyOneName part of his name]] because the rest of his name is embarrassing.

If IKnowYourTrueName is in effect in the work, a person may hide his True Name to prevent his enemies from using it against them.

Sub-trope to TheNameless (the character seems to have no name). Contrast with CodeName and NomDeGuerre: This trope is only in play if the character refuses to share his name, not if he disguises his name by using another. Compare to the SisterTrope NoNameGiven, where the author avoids naming a major character in the work.

* V from ''ComicBook/VForVendetta'' underwent a MeaningfulRename, where he discarded his old name/identity to become a symbol of revolution. When asked, V states: "[[NoNeedForNames I do not have a name.]] You can call me V."

* Even in the film version, ''Film/VForVendetta'' refuses to share his name because he discarded his old name/identity to become a symbol of revolution.

* The short story ''Literature/AnEncounterAndAnOffer'' has a nameless fae boy, who's name was stripped from him by the fae courts. He refuses to reveal why.

This character hides some secret, and their name is a part of it. To keep this secret buried and cut all ties to it, this character withholds the name associated with that secret from their friends and allies. While the character is hiding their name, admitting that they refuse to share their name is at least telling the audience that there is a secret to be learned and this secret is often revealed in the story.

The character may have [[MeaningfulRename abandoned their old name in favour of a new name]], adopted a name that [[SomebodyNamedNobody reflects their lack of a name]], decided they [[NoNeedForNames don't need a name]], or just use [[OnlyOneName part of their name]] because the rest of their name is embarrassing.

If IKnowYourTrueName is in effect in the work, a person may hide their True Name to prevent their enemies from using it against them.

Sub-trope to TheNameless (the character seems to have no name). Contrast with CodeName and NomDeGuerre: this trope is only in play if the character refuses to share their name, not if they disguise their name by using another. Compare to the SisterTrope NoNameGiven, where the author avoids naming a major character in their work.

[[folder: Anime, Light Novels, and Manga ]]
* In ''LightNovel/AccelWorld'', the female lead is OnlyKnownByHerNickname of "Kuroyukihime" ([[Literature/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs Princess Snow Black]]). She claims that it's not that far from her real name, but refuses to say what it is, even going so far as to hack her student ID to read Kuroyukihime (something that other characters had previously thought to be unhackable).
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': The zanpakuto of the Soul Reapers (the swords are sentient spirits who are created with their own identity) withhold their names from their owners until a SecretTestOfCharacter is passed. They withhold it because IKnowYourTrueName is very important in this universe; affecting the power something or someone has.
* {{Inverted|Trope}} and PlayedForLaughs in ''Manga/CromartieHighSchool'': Hokuto's lackey [[RunningGag frequently gets cut off]] before he can say his name. The background and author notes in the manga finally does reveal his name to the reader, but the whole cast of the series admits that it's better that he just continues to go by "Hokuto's Lackey" because they've built up their friendships and familiarities with him around it. Learning his name would be a rather jarring change to that relationship.
* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': The Ishvalan known as Scar underwent a MeaningfulRename, and tossed away his old name in his quest for revenge.
** During ''Brotherhood'', Yoki asks Scar's name. Scar responds that to Ishvalans, a person's name is the most important thing; the name is regarded as a gift from God. So Yoki asks again, and Scar's response is "I threw it away. I threw away my own ''name''." Yoki doesn't dare ask him again. At the end of the series, [[spoiler:he ''still'' refuses to give his name and says [[NoNeedForNames you can just call him whatever you want to.]]]]
** During the 2003 ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemist'' anime, Scar's name is never given, even when he's about to die. [[spoiler:When Lust asks him his name, he answers that his body once had a name, but "[[ThatManIsDead that person died a long time ago]]." Lust, who'd only called him [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep "scarred man"]] up to this point, finally uses the "name" Scar as he dies: "Goodbye...Scar."]]
* Yuuko Ichihara from ''Manga/XxxHolic'' never reveals her true name, as that would [[IKnowYourTrueName give others power over her]] so she only uses a pseudonym.
[[/folder]]

[[folder: Comic Books]]

* In Creator/WarrenEllis's breakout series ''ComicBook/{{Nextwave}}'' features a protagonist named only "The Captain". Due to his abusive childhood, depression, and alcoholism, he refuses to divulge his real name; his teammates theorize that [[NameAmnesia he may not even remember it]].

* V from ''ComicBook/VForVendetta'' underwent a MeaningfulRename, where they discarded their old name/identity to become a symbol of revolution. When asked, V states: "[[NoNeedForNames I do not have a name.]] You can call me V."

[[folder: Film]]

* ''WesternAnimation/PenguinsOfMadagascar'': One character refuses to share his name, telling Skipper that his real name is classified, but Skipper [[{{WhosOnFirst}} takes it literally]] and [[ComicallyMissingThePoint calls him Classified]] for the rest of the film.
* Even in the film version, ''Film/VForVendetta'' refuses to share their name because they discarded their old name/identity to become a symbol of revolution.

[[folder: Literature]]

[[folder: Live-Action Television]]
* On ''{{Series/Angel}}'', "The Host of Caritas" was not given an official name (even to the other characters) until late into the second season. The explanation, when their name is revealed, is that it's too embarrassing. [[spoiler: Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan.]]
--->'''Host''' (who is a green-skinned demon): It's Lorne. I don't like to mention it because, well...
'''Angel''': Lorne Greene!
''(Cordelia and Gunn stare blankly)''
'''Angel''': ''Bonanza''? Fourteen years on the air doesn't mean anything?
''(They are still blank)''

* [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep The Janitor]] from ''{{Series/Scrubs}}'' makes a point of never revealing his name to anyone. When J.D. is leaving for another hospital, he finally reveals his name is Glen Matthews. But when J.D. leaves, another character addresses him [[SubvertedTrope by a completely different name]].

[[folder: Music]]
* Music/GaMetal[='s=] creator has the stagename Jonny Atma, but his real last name is unknown. He described it in an interview as '[[OverlyLongName Long]], German, [[EmbarrassingLastName and very unsexy]]', though.

[[folder: Video Games]]

[[folder: Webcomics ]]
* ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'': One of the fairies refuses to share their name with the other characters because her best friend gave it to her. [[spoiler: Her name is <Snuffle> (her friend was a jackelope) but it has to be said/done in a specific way or it sounds completely different.]]

[[folder: Web Original]]

[[folder: Western Animation]]

[[folder: Real Life]]
* ''{{Website/Cracked}}'' had an article about a guy who filmed a porn movie on short notice. The director didn't give his name, but for the sake of clarity told the author to address him as Mr. [Name of the street they were on].

* Ghost of ''ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}}'' erased all record of his original identity after he became Ghost. When he recounts his origin, [[[[SpellMyNameWithABlank every mention of his original name is blacked out]].

* In Creator/WarrenEllis's breakout series ''ComicBook/{{Nextwave}}'' features a protagonist named only "The Captain". Due to his abusive childhood, depression, and alcoholism, he refuses to divulge his real name; his teammates theorize that he may not even remember it.
* Ghost of ''ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}}'' erased all record of his original identity after he became Ghost. When he recounts his origin, every mention of his original name is blacked out.

* Yuko Ichihara from ''Manga/XxxHolic'' never reveals her true name, as that would [[IKnowYourTrueName give others power over her]] so she only uses a pseudonym.

This draft is part of the TRS thread for TheNameless. Suggestions on naming are welcome. Description could use improvement. Examples will come from existing pages.

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