Line #51 Main/WithholdingTheirName


1	->'''Inigo''': Who are you?\
2	'''Man in Black''': No one of consequence.\
3	'''Inigo''': I must know.\
4	'''Man in Black''': Get used to disappointment.
5	-->-- ''Film/ThePrincessBride''
6
7	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.
8
9	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. They may also be called by a nickname, [[OnlyKnownByTheirNickname and only a nickname]].
10
11	If IKnowYourTrueName is in effect in the work, a person may hide their True Name to prevent their enemies from using it against them.
12
13	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.
14	----
15	!!Examples:
16
17	[[foldercontrol]]
18
19	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
20	* In ''Literature/AccelWorld'', the female lead is OnlyKnownByHerNickname of "Kuroyukihime" ([[Literature/SnowWhite 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).
21	* ''Manga/BlackButler'' is careful not to reveal the true name of [[spoiler:"Ciel Phantomhive", who actually stole the identity of his dead twin brother, the ''real'' Ciel Phantomhive. Even after this is revealed, the other characters are careful to only refer to him as "Earl Phantomhive" or "Young Master" as he prefers to not go by his old name]].
22	* ''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.
23	* ''Coffee Shop Anemone'': Raizō Sumizome keeps his real name a secret and prefers to go by just "Rai". This is because his full name gives away the fact that he is a {{Miko}}, which he has been bullied about.
24	* {{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.
25	* ''Franchise/FullmetalAlchemist'': The Ishvalan known as Scar underwent a MeaningfulRename, and tossed away his old name in his quest for revenge.
26	** In the [[Manga/FullmetalAlchemist manga]], 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.]]]]
27	** During the [[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist2003 2003 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."]]
28	* ''Manga/MoriartyThePatriot'''s William James Moriarty assumed the identity of the real William James Moriarty after murdering him as a child, and the protagonist known as William makes a point to keep his birth name hidden from nearly everyone. The only characters who seem to know for certain what it was are his brothers and [[spoiler:Sherlock, when William gives him his birth certificate]]. And all of them still call him "William" exclusively.
29	* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'': Most characters in the series go by a single name, with the tradition originating from a time of constant clan warfare where revealing your clan's name could get you killed by anyone from a rival clan.
30	* 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.
31	[[/folder]]
32
33	[[folder:Comic Books]]
34	* 'The Dog' in ''ComicStrip/FootrotFlats'' has such an EmbarrassingFirstName that he never allows it to be said or revealed in any way in the comic, and holds a grudge against Aunt Dolly for giving him the name.
35	* Creator/WarrenEllis' 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.
36	* 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]].
37	* V from ''ComicBook/VForVendetta'' underwent a MeaningfulRename, where they 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."
38	* ''ComicBook/ZatannaEverydayMagic'': When Zatanna makes Nimue swear off her DealWithTheDevil, she uses her NomDeGuerre of Nimue Ravensong, thus making the whole thing invalid. Zatanna only realizes this later and manages to save Constantine from the Trade in the nick of time by swearing by Nimue's true name of Mary-Ann.
39	[[/folder]]
40
41	[[folder:Fan Works]]
42	* ''Fanfic/JauneArcLordOfHunger'': While showing Jaune memories of his past, Darth Nihilus censors any mention of his original name. Whenever someone in the flashbacks mentions Nihilus' real name, they are either cut off at the last second or their words become unintelligible to both Jaune and the reader.
43	* ''Fanfic/TheFourthOfJuly'': When Sharon Carter is assigned to work with Steve Rogers, she initially refuses to give her actual name telling him to refer to her as Agent 13. Steve eventually tries throwing random names at her to see if he can guess what her real name is with Sharon [[TheBet agreeing to answer truthfully if one of his guesses is correct]]. In ''You and I Were Fireworks'', she gives Steve her first name [[spoiler:and [[Film/CaptainAmericaTheWinterSoldier Arnim Zola]] informs Steve of Sharon's surname and thus relation to [[FirstLove Peggy Carter]]. When Steve confronts Sharon about why she didn't tell him who she was, Sharon explains that she kept her relation to Peggy a secret to most of SHIELD, not wanting her career to be based on being the founder's great niece and that she didn't tell Steve out of fear of it ruining their partnership.]]
44	* In the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' fic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/31564853 A Little Red and Blue]]'', Sharon is inadvertently sent to the year 1944 by Wanda and is later found by the past Steve and Bucky, introducing herself to them as simply "Kate" to hide the fact that she's from the future.
45	[[/folder]]
46
47	[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
48	* ''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.
49	[[/folder]]
50
51	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
52	* PlayedForLaughs in ''Film/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy2005'', where Slartibartfast initially refuses to give his name [[UnfortunateNames because it's embarrassing.]]
53	* ''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". It's only after his CharacterDevelopment near the end, [[spoiler:as he's giving his blood to her to save her life]] that he finally says his name.
54	* ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock'': Commander Kruge's name is only spoken once early on by Valkris (whom he then kills); his troops only address him as "My Lord" or "Sir", and he flat-out refuses to tell Kirk his name.
55	* In ''Film/VForVendetta'', V refuses to share their name because they discarded their old name/identity to become a symbol of revolution.
56	[[/folder]]
57
58	[[folder:Literature]]
59	* ''Literature/ArtemisFowl'': Only Butler and his mother know his birth name, for security reasons. Thus when faced with impending death, Butler tells Artemis his first name, [[spoiler:Domovoi, a type of Russian FairFolk.]] This comes in handy later when ([[TheTapeKnewYouWouldSayThat a recording of]]) Artemis uses it as proof of their having been through truly harrowing experiences together, allowing Butler to defeat the fairy mind-wipe.
60	* In ''Literature/DarknessAtNoon'', No. 402 refuses to give his name when Rubashov asks. [[spoiler: No, we don't know their name, either.]]
61	* The title character in Creator/FrederickForsyth's ''Literature/TheDayOfTheJackal'' assumes several identities over the course of the story, but we never learn his real name and only a few hints about his background. Much of the plot hinges on a RedHerring, with investigators [[spoiler:assuming he's another man (Charles Calthrop) with shady ties to international arms dealers]].
62	* ''Literature/ADozenBlackRoses'' by Creator/NancyACollins: 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.
63	* In ''Literature/TheCrewOfTheCopperColoredCupids'', the Queen of the Black Market placed her real name under a Curse of Silence: it can only be revealed to those she wish, otherwise people's minds will simply not retain the name even if they see it written down. She explains that she underwent the costly procedure to protect herself against IKnowYourTrueName-type attacks, although she is also observed to keep other private details about herself, such as her species and world of origin, a secret.
64	* The short story "Literature/AnEncounterAndAnOffer" has a nameless fae boy, whose name was stripped from him by the fae courts. He refuses to reveal why.
65	* PlayedWith by Seerdomin from ''Literature/MalazanBookOfTheFallen'', who goes by the title of his former military rank to show that he won't hide from his crimes under the Pannion Domin. It is later revealed that his real name was Segda Travos, but nobody alive remembers it.
66	* The main villain of ''Literature/TheMentalState'' goes to extreme lengths to conceal his real identity from the rest of the world. It is even suspected that he joined a black-ops group just for that purpose. He has a variety of different pseudonyms but no one ever finds out his true name.
67	* ''Literature/NettleAndBone'': The [[OurWitchesAreDifferent dust-wife]] is only ever referred to by [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep her profession]], a polite epithet, or, at her suggestion, "ma'am". Fenris doesn't get anywhere when he asks for more.
68	-->'''Fenris:''' Do you have a name, Lady Fox?\
69	'''Dust-wife:''' [[MathematiciansAnswer Yes.]]
70	* The fairy tale ''Literature/{{Rumpelstiltskin}}'' has as one of its main points the queen trying to find the name of the eponymous dwarf as the escape clause out of the DealWithTheDevil she had made with him in order to keep her child. He gives three chances to correctly guess his name, and it takes all three nights for her to find out what it was. When she says his name, he throws such a tantrum it actually kills him.
71	* 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".
72	* Servants of the ''Literature/SpellsSwordsAndStealth'' dark god Kalzidar give up their names as part of their service to him. One such nameless priest is the primary antagonist of the second book. Upon meeting a rogue in the third, the party is immediately wary when she initially refuses to give her name. In that case, it's just a case of the rogue, Elora, being cautious.
73	[[/folder]]
74
75	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
76	* 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.]]
77	-->'''Host''' (who is a green-skinned demon): It's Lorne. I don't like to mention it because, well...\
78	'''Angel''': Creator/LorneGreene!\
79	''(Cordelia and Gunn stare blankly)''\
80	'''Angel''': ''Series/{{Bonanza}}''? Fourteen years on the air doesn't mean anything?\
81	''(They are still blank)''\
82	'''Angel''': Okay, now I feel old.
83	* ''Series/DoctorWho'': When a Time Lord graduates, they choose an alias that they will be known by, and keep their personal names secret. This overlaps with MeaningfulRename and NamingCeremony. The Doctor prompts the TitleDrop when people try to ask him his name, and he [[HisNameReallyIsBarkeep insists on the title]] instead.
84	* ''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.]]
85	* [[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 that his name is Glen Matthews. But when J.D. leaves, another character addresses him [[SubvertedTrope by a completely different name]].
86	* ''Series/StargateAtlantis'' is PlayingWith this trope. When telepathic [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Wraith]] get captured for interrogation or just become recurring characters, [[TheNicknamer Colonel Sheppard randomly assigns human names to them]] so they can be called something other than [[YouKnowTheOne "that Wraith"]]. The ExpandedUniverse novels reveal that Wraith have names that they use among each other, but they're apparently based on their roles in society and/or how their minds "feel" to each other telepathically, which means they have no way of communicating their names to humans even if they wanted to.
87	* ''Series/{{Superstore}}'': The pilot episode features one character who always wears a name tag with someone else's name so that customers won't know her real name. While all the other workers know her name, she doesn't tell it to NaiveNewcomer Jonah until near the end of the episode. [[spoiler: Her name is Amy.]]
88	[[/folder]]
89
90	[[folder:Music]]
91	* Music/GaMetal[='s=] creator has the stage name Jonny Atma, but his real last name is unknown. He described it in an interview as '[[OverlyLongName long]], German, [[EmbarrassingLastName and very unsexy]]', though.
92	[[/folder]]
93
94	[[folder:Radio]]
95	* Douglas Adams had said that in ''Series/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy1981'' he came up with the name Slartibartfast because the character bearing the name had a hidden sorrow, something to be ashamed of. So Adams came up with an embarrassing name for him.
96	[[/folder]]
97
98	[[folder:Religion]]
99	* Literature/TheBible:
100	** In the ''Literature/BookOfGenesis'', when Jacob wrestles with an 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?"
101	** In the ''Literature/BookOfJudges'', Maon and his wife, the parents of Samson, ask an Angel for His name, He refuses, saying "Why do you ask My name, seeing that it is wonderful?" (Some translations have Him say that it is "beyond understanding.")
102	[[/folder]]
103
104	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
105	* In ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'', the Visarch [[NameAmnesia 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.
106	[[/folder]]
107
108	[[folder:Video Games]]
109	* ''Videogame/AzureStrikerGunvolt'': After Gunvolt fights him as a boss, he asks for Copen's name. He refuses, saying that he won't share his name to "abominations" like Gunvolt, [[SubvertedTrope but then added]], "But when God sends me to judge you, you may hear Him whisper, 'Copen'...".
110	* ''VideoGame/RivalSchools'' has [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep Chairperson]], who refuses to reveal her real name and would rather prefer other characters refer to her by her title.
111	* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'': [[spoiler:As suggested in the Cindered Shadows DLC, Claude's real name isn't actually "Claude". While his real name is never revealed in-game, WordOfGod confirms that it's "Khalid", a name befitting his homeland of Almyra.]]
112	* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars30'': While [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamNarrative Banagher Links]]' name is clearly displayed during Intermissions, he chooses not to divulge it to anyone, even when asked for it. As such, the party is forced to address him as just "you."
113	* ''VideoGame/{{Overwatch}}'': Cole Cassidy kept his name a secret for years, if not decades, and it's implied that he never told anyone it during his initial stint in the titular heroic organization. When the time comes for PuttingTheBandBackTogether, one of the first things he does upon rejoining is to admit his true identity [[ReformedCriminal to finally let go of his outlaw past]].
114	* ''VideoGame/{{Hatred}}'' has a playable antagonist whose narration starts out that his name is not important.
115	* Seen at the end of ''VideoGame/Hitman2016'' when the Constant approaches Diana during a train ride (and addressing her by name despite her traveling using an alias).
116	-->'''Diana''': I didn't catch your name.
117	-->'''Constant''': No. You didn't.
118	* ''VideoGame/VermintideII'': {{Downplayed\|Trope}}. Kerillian claims to [[IHaveManyNames have many names]], which she refuses to share even with her TrueCompanions when asked, but concedes that the name Kerillian is "real enough".
119	[[/folder]]
120
121	[[folder:Webcomics]]
122	* ''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.]]
123	* ''WebComic/MagickChicks'': If the mysterious girl who [[spoiler: is the spirit of the wand]] has a name, she has yet to reveal it and has [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/hang_on evaded the question]] both times [[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/obsessed_with_hellrune she was asked about it.]] She's only known by the nickname: "fade-out girl"[[note]][[http://www.magickchicks.com/strips-mc/your_damn_kitty given to her by Melissa]], due to her habit of making unexplained appearances in her dreams and in person, then vanishing[[/note]] or [=FoG=] for short.
124	* MediumAwareness version: Daigo in ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'', having discovered that giving his first name offered him enough NominalImportance to survive in a bad situation, is keeping his last name secret in order to use it as a Get Out Of Horrible Doom Free card later.
125	* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', the Crystalline Turtle Frog refused to give Mr. Verres their real name because [[IKnowYourTrueName it could be used to summon them]]. When he gives them the nickname "Steve", they accept.
126	[[/folder]]
127
128	[[folder:Web Original]]
129	* {{Inverted\|Trope}} and PlayedForLaughs in the case of Rookie from ''WebAnimation/CombatDevolved'', who often tries to tell the others his name, but no one cares so they call him Rookie instead.
130	* ''WebVideo/CriticalRoleCampaignThree'': Deni$e gives an admittedly fake name when she becomes a GuestStarPartyMember because she's meeting a strange group of people under highly dubious circumstances. She accidentally reveals her real name within the day.
131	-->'''Laudna:''' But first, what's your name?\
132	'''Deni$e:''' ...Mona.\
133	'''Laudna:''' I felt like you had to think about that for a second.\
134	'''Deni$e:''' Yeah, I got to think about it. I'm not going to tell you my real name yet. I don't know you that well.
135	* Kate, in ''WebVideo/KateModern'', revealed in episode 4 that her name wasn't really Kate. Her actual first name wouldn't be revealed until episode 88. [[spoiler: It's Genevieve, by the way.]]
136	* In ''Roleplay/FenQuest'', the first person Fen meets outside his home forest introduces herself as "Nonyour Bizniss".
137	* 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.
138	[[/folder]]
139
140	[[folder:Western Animation]]
141	* In the ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'' episode, "[[Recap/SpongeBobSquarePantsS5E4SpyBuddiesBoatSmartsGoodOlWhatshisname Good Ol' Whatshisname]]", Squidward and [=SpongeBob=] compete in against each other to learn the names of all the customers in the Krusty Krab. When Squidward gets down to the last customer, it seems like the customer doesn't want to tell Squidward his name, as it sounds like he tells him "What's it to ya?". After Squidward takes the customer's wallet from him, getting himself arrested as a result, Squidward finds out [[RealJokeName the customer's real name]] is "[[WhosOnFirst What Zit Tooya]]". [[/folder]]
142
143	[[folder:Real Life]]
144	* [[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.
145	* ''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].
146	[[/folder]]
147

Context Main / WithholdingTheirName