Romulan Names

Names, as everyone should know, are of extreme importance in Rihannsu society, having a quasi-religions significance. A name is a Rihanha's most important possession and says more about its owner than his face, clothes, or more physical possessions.

The typical noble Rihannsu name has four parts: the proper (or first) name, the secondary name, the family or house name, and with most Rihannsu also taking on a fourth name, known as a rehei. This page will discuss the creation and meaning of each of the four parts of Rihannsu names.

Note: The family or house name was originally reserved for great houses and noble clans- but the practice of having a house name has now been widely adopted by a majority of the population.

Each name has its own meaning and significance and tells all who hear it something about the nature of its owner. Rihannsu names form a rather set form and concept.

First Name

The first, or proper name is generally given by one's parents. Examples of these names and their meanings can be found in the Rihannsu dictionary on this site. Its meaning reflects their hopes and aspirations for the child, although not often in a literal sense. For example, parents might name a child 'Ael' which means 'winged,' in the hopes that she will soar to the limits of his abilities. Perhaps they would choose the same name with the intention of associating the child with the qualities of the Element of Air. Also, they may have any of a dozen other reasons. The shadings and connotations of a name go far beyond its simple dictionary definition.

Although the first name is bestowed by the parents before they know much about the character of their baby, children most often grow into their names, although not always in the way their parents had anticipated. The above named Ael, for example, might end up as an atmospheric transport pilot, showing her wings in flight as the birds do. Not perhaps what his parents had intended, but Ael nonetheless.

Second Name

The second name is locative and is determined by the Rihannha's birthplace or clan of origin. This locative name is prefixed by i- (in the city of) or ir- (in the region of). Examples of birthplaces can be found on this page, but this list is by no means exhaustive. There are three forms of locative names, each describing a different type of background and distinguished by the name's prefix.

The first form of place name begins i- meaning, from the city of. If our example person Ael had been born in the city of Ra'tleihfi, she would be known as Ael i-Ra'tleihfi. The second form of place name begins ir- meaning from the region of. A region is a rather nebulous term encompassing anything from a small province on a heavily-populated world such as ch'Rihan to an entire colony world, depending on the local population. If our Ael had been born in the Mnaehe province of ch'Rihan, she would be called Ael ir-Mnaehe, "Winged One of the Mnaehe Province."

The final and rarest form of the locative name is used only by nobility who have a family name other than the one they were born with. Usually, this happens through marriage, although occasionally adoption will require it. In this case, the person changing their name would take their old family name as their locative name using the prefix e-, meaning 'of the family of.' Continuing with an example, let's say Ael is a noble of the Khellian family, with a full name of Ael ir-Mnaehe t'Khellian. She wishes to marry another noble, a man of the Sahen family from Ra'tleihfi. His name is Nniol i-Ra'tleihfi tr'Sahen. When they marry, however, he changes his name to Nniol e-Sahen tr'Khellian. She would still be Ael ir-Mnaehe t'Khellian, since she is not leaving her family to join another.

Third Name

Third namea are the clan or house name. A Rihannha's third name determines the house they are affiliated with. In order to use a house name, one must be associated with a house, this may be by birth, by employment or by "adoption." Servants of great houses may choose to use the house name of their houses' lord, with permission.

The house itself possesses a name, for example, Khellian, and a Rihanha who is related to the house uses a prefix for that name: t' for females, and tr' for males, while the neuter prefix for the hfihar in general is s'. Thus, Lhaes tr'Khellian is a male member of house Khellian and Jaeih t'Vaebn is a female member of house Vaebn.

The primary name alone is never used except between equals, family, or friends. The house name may be used alone, except in circumstances where it is not unique, in which case some other identifier must be used, often the primary name. For example if several tr'Khellian's were present, Lhaes would be addressed as Lhaes tr'Khellian. The exception again is the old style single names, where the single name is used and the house name or middle name is used if differentiation is required, for example, S'taron i-Ramnau, if several S'taron are present. Some Rihannsu use this old style of name to show respect for S'task and his vision in leaving Vulcan.

If you are the hru'hfirh of a major noble family, you should set your name to be your hfihar name with the t' or tr' prefix. Note that this prefix is not capitalized, the correct capitalization is t'Hfihar not T'Hfihar or T'hfihar. Otherwise, you should set your name to your personal (first) name.

Fourth Name (Rehei)

Finally, some Rihannsu develop a fourth name, a rehei, which is a deeply personal name, discovered by its owner, not given. It is intensely private and shared only with intimate friends and family. For a list of some acceptable reheiin, refer again to the Rihannsu dictionary on this site. To find your rehei, you look inside yourself and if you look carefully enough, you will find the correct one. The meaning of a rehei is that which best describes its owner. As such, the rehei is shared only with close family and intimate friends, because to know a person's rehei is to understand the depths of their soul.

Other Notes on Names

The exception to this naming process is those who honor an old style and have a single name, often beginning with S' to honor S'Task. Names of this style may have a house name as well, but just as often do not. Rihannsu often change their name for reasons of honor, which will not be touched on here. Note that the lists of names presented in the above paragraphs are by no means exhaustive, so feel free to consult with other Rihannsu if you would like to invent a name for your character.

Also, as several seem to have misunderstood the purpose of the S'T and S'L prefixes for names. You can not just take the prefixes and tack them on to the beginning of a name. Quite the contrary, they are not really prefixes, but are there to show you what parts of certain names mean. Again, they are not to be tacked on to existing names, but only hold meaning when they are found in existing Rihannsu names, i.e. S'Task and S'Laerv, whose names infer bravery and honor, respectively, due to the presence of S'T and S'L present in the names. The Rihannsu take their names very seriously.

First a note on the Rihannsu language in general. In some cases, it may be desirable to make up a name rather than use one of the examples provided. There is certainly nothing wrong with doing that as long as you preserve the basic Rihannsu feel to the word. Basically, this means two things. First, Rihannsu words tend to be very smooth with liquid consonants and long vowels. Sharp, guttural sounds are best saved for Klingon words.

Some Romulan Names (and their meanings)

Aehkhifv: pain (male)
Ael: winged (female)
Aerv: watcher from above
Aeryrn: flier (female)
Aev: short for S'Tcaevra, braveheart (male)
Aidoann: moon (uncommon, female)
Argelian: (male)
Ariennye: hell (female)
Arrenhe: skilled (female)
Arrhae: one who is worthy of high position (female)
Avilh: the element of Earth (female)
Chavek: (male)
Deletham: protector (male)
Delon: swift one (male)
D'elon: swift, fleet (female)
Dhiemm: (male)
Dhael: bird, soaring, flying (female)
Dhivael: Storm bird (female)
D'Nal: (male)
D'Ral: (female)
Ecurai: hope (female)
Ejiul: (male)
Ekkhae: (female)
Eviess: (female)
Fveirrolh: perseverant (male)
Galan: seeker (male)
Giellun: (male)
Hanaj: (male)
Hannam: message (female)
Hatham: (male)
Havraha: traveler (male)
H'daen: pushy or forward (male)
Hexce: (male)
HHirl: proud one (male)
Hloal: (female)
Hvaid: (male)
Ihho: brook (female)
Isha: dream (female)
Jaeih: the element of air (female)
Jhu: angel (female)
Kakabam: storm, tempest (male)
Kaol: change (male)
Kaolea: changeling (female)
Khaiel: atmosphere (male)
Khiy: (male)
Khoal: (male)
Lai: (male)
Latta: death (female)
Lhaerrh: one who lifts (male)
Lhaes(l): (male)
Llaiir: flame (female)
Llhran: (male)
LLunih: (female)
Maec: keeper of tradition (male)
Maiell: (male)
Maiek: (male)
Mandukar:watchful, vigilant (male)
Mavus: strong sister (female)
Mhai: summer (female)
Miral: (male)
Mnheia: ruler, one who is fit to command others(f)
N'alae: (female)
Nalah: (female)
Nnerhin: (male)
Nniol: brash (male)
Nn'khiy: (female)
Nuhir: one who others will look upon favorably (female)
Nveid: independent (male)
Rhhaein: Ice, snow (female)
Rhian: Fire (male/female)
Rhiana: ruled by Fire (female)
Rh'vaurek: soul-catcher (male)
R'Imus: clever (male)
Saeihr: sun (female)
S'anra: servant of the Rihannsu (female)
Saren: pierce blood (male)
S'harien: pierce blood (male)
S'Hauen: air dreamer (male)
Shiarrael: starwing (female)
Sienae: sword (female)
Sindari: swarm (female)
Ssaedhe: steadfast (female)
S'Tarleya: constant (female)
S'Talon: (male)
S'Task: (male)
S'Tcaevra: brave heart (male)
S'Ten: gallant, brave (male)
S'Tev: humorous (male)
Stelam: star (male)
S'Tokkr: (male)
Taev: humorous (male)
Takaram: comet (male)
Taleirrh: (female)
Tav: carrier, expected to bear a burden (male)
Teelis: song (female)
Teillh: mercy (female)
Terrh: darkness (male)
Thue: (female)
T'maekh: hot-headed (male)
T'Manda: unique (female)
Vaebn: sneaky one (male)
Vaurek: soul (male)
Verelan: graceful (female)
Vrih: one who excels (male)
Yhea: agile or maneuverable (male)

Prefix & Suffix Meanings

D' - grand or great
Rh' - keep or hold
S'L - honor
S'T - bravery
us - suffix meaning strength
T' - honor (female)

Some Great House Names & Locations

For a full list visit the Romulan Clans page.

AAnikh: Latasalaem (ch'Havran)
Aieme: Ra'tleihfi (ch'Rihan)
Aimne
Annhwi
Ehhelih: i'Ramnau (ch'Rihan)
Hheinia
Hrienteh
Hwaehrai
Hwersuil
Illialhlae
Keirianh
Khellian: Ramnau (ch'Rihan)
Khev
Khnialmnae: Ra'tleihfi (ch'Rihan)
Lhaihtrha: Mhiessan (ch'Rihan)
Lhoell
Llhweiir
Llweii: Ra'tleihfi (ch'Rihan)
Radaik
Raedheol
Rehu: Nn'Verih (ch'Rihan)
Riuurren: Latasalaem (ch'Havran)
Rllaillieu: Mhiessan (ch'Rihan)
Sahen: Ra'tleihfi (ch'Rihan)

Place Names

Aihai: area of plains outside Ra'tleihfi
ch'Rihan: capital world of the Rihannsu Empire
ch'Havran: companion world of ch'Rihan
Elehu: district in the Nn'Verih ship-bloc nation on ch'Rihan's north continent
Fethraie: a river on ch'Rihan
Hartlhei Caves: a large comples of caves near Mhiessan
Ihhliae: a great city near i'Ramnau
i'Ramnau: a city on ch'Rihan
Iuruth: a poor city on ch'Rihan near i'Ramnau
Kihai: a ship-bloc nation on the east continent of ch'Rihan
Korthre Cliffs: tall, beautiful oceanside cliffs in Mhiessan
Levaeri V: an uninhabited planetoid once used as a military research base
Llunih: a ship-bloc nation on the east continent of ch'Rihan
Mnaeha: a city on ch'Rihan
Mhiessan: a large port city on ch'Rihan
Nn'Verih: a ship-bloc nation on ch'Rihan's north continent
Ra'tleihfi: capital city of the Rihannsu Empire, located on ch'Rihan. Also, a river running through that city
Rhehiv'je: a city neighboring Ihhliae on ch'Rihan
Thieurrull: Hellguard, a failed colony planet (uninhabited)
Vorta Vor: Rihannsu Eden or Heaven