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NAMES / NOMS DE PLUME
NOMS DE PLUME
In Estoria, everyone has a Nom De Plume. This is a name that they go by in place of their "real name". What's the difference between the two?
When a person is born and begins their sense of self, they are aware of their real name. There is no one who gave them this name, this is just a name that came to their awareness and they know that this name belongs to them, and it must be protected at all costs. And although they are not aware of this, the real name is actually their canon name. There's nothing that should lead them to believe that the name belongs to their original life, but that's the one memory they have intact. So Son Goku's real name would still be "Son Goku," he just wouldn't know about his saiyan life on Earth.
The desire to protect the real name is why Noms De Plume are a thing. Noms De Plume are the names that can be shared. As a baby, parents or guardians will give the child their own Nom De Plume, but they are NOT permanent. While some might keep their original birth Nom De Plume, many will adopt Noms De Plume from different people in their lives. Some will want to choose their own. Some will want to give someone a Nom De Plume. The Eight Families will sometimes give thematic Noms De Plume specifically for family representation, used only between the members of the family.
In general, if someone asks for your name, the Nom De Plume of your preference is what you share.
It is extremely rare to share your Real Name. You have to truly trust someone more than you trust yourself. As you share the name, you have to overcome the innate fear that comes with it. This instinctive fear is what keeps people from sharing it to just anyone. This includes family members and even the person you fall in love with. It truly has to be the person you would entrust your entire life to at 100%. A destined soulmate even.
There is a question that people asks when it comes to Real Names and Noms De Plume.
Why?
That's something people don't really have the answer to. They only have theories. It's fairly certain that Real Names are important to one's sense of self and identity. Some believe that the reason why there is an increase of amnesiacs in Estoria is because of the rise of people convincing others to share their Real Names. There's no evidence of this at all, mind you. In fact, it doesn't really even make sense considering even the amnesiacs remember their real names and have that same fear instinct.
But the way Real Names feel tied to a person's soul is something everyone can understand. It's easy to believe that if a person loses their Real Name, they might also lose themselves.
When a person is born and begins their sense of self, they are aware of their real name. There is no one who gave them this name, this is just a name that came to their awareness and they know that this name belongs to them, and it must be protected at all costs. And although they are not aware of this, the real name is actually their canon name. There's nothing that should lead them to believe that the name belongs to their original life, but that's the one memory they have intact. So Son Goku's real name would still be "Son Goku," he just wouldn't know about his saiyan life on Earth.
The desire to protect the real name is why Noms De Plume are a thing. Noms De Plume are the names that can be shared. As a baby, parents or guardians will give the child their own Nom De Plume, but they are NOT permanent. While some might keep their original birth Nom De Plume, many will adopt Noms De Plume from different people in their lives. Some will want to choose their own. Some will want to give someone a Nom De Plume. The Eight Families will sometimes give thematic Noms De Plume specifically for family representation, used only between the members of the family.
In general, if someone asks for your name, the Nom De Plume of your preference is what you share.
It is extremely rare to share your Real Name. You have to truly trust someone more than you trust yourself. As you share the name, you have to overcome the innate fear that comes with it. This instinctive fear is what keeps people from sharing it to just anyone. This includes family members and even the person you fall in love with. It truly has to be the person you would entrust your entire life to at 100%. A destined soulmate even.
There is a question that people asks when it comes to Real Names and Noms De Plume.
Why?
That's something people don't really have the answer to. They only have theories. It's fairly certain that Real Names are important to one's sense of self and identity. Some believe that the reason why there is an increase of amnesiacs in Estoria is because of the rise of people convincing others to share their Real Names. There's no evidence of this at all, mind you. In fact, it doesn't really even make sense considering even the amnesiacs remember their real names and have that same fear instinct.
But the way Real Names feel tied to a person's soul is something everyone can understand. It's easy to believe that if a person loses their Real Name, they might also lose themselves.