A Little Explanation of Naming Systems is an appendix to Gideon the Ninth, released with the paperback edition 14 July 2020. This appendix contains information on the naming systems present in the culture of the Nine Planets System, as well as a pronunciation guide and explanation for Muir's thought process in naming her characters.
The Two Name System[]
The First Name[]
- The first name is a familial name, given to a person by their parents and often in reference to a family connection.
- "Double-barrelled" names such as Jeannemary and Coronabeth point to "heirloom name particles" (Also visible in the shared "hark" of Harrowhark and Priamhark).
The Second Name[]
- The arithmonym, or number name, is the second name of a Nine Houses inhabitant and is referential to the House a person belongs to.
- Specific arithmonym naming conventions are different for each House.
- This name is rarely shared among families (eg: Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Pelleamena Novenarius, and Priamhark Noniusvianus do not share a second name).
- Twins may gain a "unit" name, such as the Tridentarii (or, more uncommonly, the Asht brothers).
Marriage[]
- Second names are not changed with marriage.
- A non-necromancer marrying into a new House must choose their affiliation.
- It is tradition when marrying a necromancer to affiliate with the necromancer's House.
- Children are of the settled House.
- Necromancers cannot marry out of House.
- Sixth House only: any person, regardless of necromantic aptitude, marrying any member of the Sixth House (also regardless of necromantic aptitude), becomes a member of the Sixth House. This binds them to the Sixth House for the rest of their lives; additionally, any subsequent children they might have are for the Sixth, even if their current partner is not of the Sixth House.
Character Naming Inspiration and Pronunciation[]
If available, character naming inspiration and pronunciation will be with their Character Page.