- See also: Names Used in the Warriors series.
Firepaw was named in honor of his flame-colored coat
In the Warriors books, the naming of cats follows a certain pattern. Every cat has a name to be identified by. They call each other by their given names at birth. It is up to the mother to decide the names of the kits.[1] In a Clan, the name of a new kit is given with the suffix -kit at the end.[2] In Twoleg territory, cats giving birth do not name their own kit. Most of the time a Twoleg does it for them.[3] However, in some cases, a cat may name her own kits and get away from the Twolegs.[4]
Clan Names[]
The names of Clan cats are constructed from two words (for example Bramble+Claw or Squirrel+Flight). Both of these words pertain to things or notions known to the Clan cats, and usually describe the appearance and/or the personality of the cat.[5] These can be of the following:
- Colors and Patterns: White,[6] Golden,[7] Dark,[8] Spotted,[9] Dapple(d),[10] Mottle[11]
- Attributes: Brave,[12] Sharp,[13] Sweet,[14] Wild[15]
- Body Parts: Claw,[16] Heart,[17] Foot,[18] Tail,[19] Fur,[20] Eye,[21] Fang,[22] Tooth/Teeth[23]
- Plants and Animals: Birch,[24] Holly,[25] Hawk,[26] Tiger,[27] Flower[28]
- Nature: Cloud,[29] Sand,[30] Stream,[31] Stone,[32] Moon,[33] Sun[34]
- Phenomena: Fire,[35] Mist,[36] Storm,[37] Thunder,[38] Lightning[39]
- Times: Dawn,[40] Dusk,[41] Morning,[42] Night[43]
- Action: Pounce,[44] Running,[45] Leap,[46] Step,[47] Jump[48]
Names are short, containing generally two or three syllables.
First Part of the Name[]
- The first part (prefix) is usually given by the kit's parents upon its birth.[49] The names can be of the following:
- Pertaining to the kit's appearance (Squirrel-[50] for fluffy tail, Blossom-[51] for patches that look like fallen petals, Bumble-[51] for stripes similar to a bumblebee's)
- In honor of another cat or ancestor (Leaf-[52] in honor of Leafstar and possibly Spottedleaf, Tiger-[1] in honor of Tigerstar, Cinder-[49] in honor of Cinderpelt)
- Some event pertaining to the birth or life of the kit (Storm-[53] for being born in a storm)
- Other, seemingly unrelated to either (Toad-,[54] Petal-[55])
Second Part of the Name[]
- Kits, apprentices and leaders have -kit, -paw and -star respectively as the second part (suffix) of their names by tradition.
- Examples: Whitekit, Whitepaw, Whitestar
- The suffix of warrior and medicine cat names are assigned by the Clan leader, (or medicine cat, respectively)[56] though they (or in some cases one of their relatives) can request a specific name for themselves, if they wish.[57]
Reserved Words[]
- The following notions are generally not used in Clan names:
- -star, -kit and -paw are reserved as leader, kit, and apprentice suffixes (e.g. Firestar, Cherrykit, Molepaw). However, the Tribe uses these words for their names.[58]
- Moon- was originally conceived as a name reserved for places sacred to the Clans where leaders and medicine cats communed with StarClan (i.e., the Moonstone and the Moonpool).[59] However, this idea was later discarded, and to date four cats have used Moon- or -moon as names without special connotations: Moonflower,[60] Moonpaw,[61] Ambermoon,[62] and Harveymoon.[63]
- Thunder-, River-, Shadow-, Wind-, and Sky- were thought to be reserved names due to the names of the Clans and their founders. Vicky once confirmed this idea,[64] but this idea has since been scrapped due to characters such as Windflight,[60] Skyheart,[65] Skywatcher[66] and Shadowsight.[67] These names also exist as suffixes, such as Brightsky,[68] Palesky,[69] Nightsky,[69] Scorchwind,[70] Runningwind,[71] Sun Shadow,[72] and Arc Shadow.[73]
Addressing Each Other[]
- Clan cats call each other by their full names, even if they are kin.[74] They do not use pet names, shortened names, or titles. There are a few exceptions to this rule.[75][76]
- It is considered rude and disrespectful to address a cat by his or her former name (that referred to a lower rank), for example, to address a warrior by their apprentice name[77] or a leader by their warrior name.[source?]
Name Change[]
- If a name does not suit a Clan cat anymore, the Clan leader can decide to change their name[78] via a name changing ceremony. This often happens when a cat receives a significant injury, although it also happens when a warrior retires to the elders' den.[79] For example, after Sparrowpelt loses part of his tail in a fight with a badger, he is renamed Halftail. The Clan leader can also change a name at the request of another warrior.[80]
Tribe Names[]
- According to tradition, modern Tribe kits are named for the first thing their mother sees or hears when they are born.[81] For example: Brook Where Small Fish Swim or Star That Shines On Water. These are usually shortened in conversations (like Brook or Star).[82]
- However, the ancient Tribe uses the same naming conventions as the Ancients.[83][84] For example: Bright Stream, Silver Frost, and Dewy Leaf.
- Tribe cats' names do not modify through their lives, except for the Healer, whose name is changed into Teller of the Pointed Stones (shortened into Stoneteller) upon appointment.[85]
Ancient Names[]
- The names of the Ancients who lived by the lake and were the ancestors of the Tribe of Rushing Water are all two word constructions, relating to nature and often describing the cat's appearance as well.[86] Examples are Jay's Wing, Dark Whiskers, or Stone Song.
Loner and Rogue Names[]
- Similarly to Clan cats, loners and rogues have names pertaining to things or notions known to them (like Barley or Patch). Loners or rogues living close to Twolegs (or those who used to be kittypets) may assume the names given to them by the Twolegs (like Sasha or Smoky).
- Cats who live in the Twolegplace may have names of Twoleg words, such as Dodge, Raindrop, or Skipper.
- Upon joining a Clan, a loner or rogue may agree to change their name into a Clan name (like Red becoming Russetpaw,[87] Scratch becoming Sharpclaw,[88] or Rusty becoming Firepaw[89]), or not (like Boulder,[90] Millie,[91] or Daisy[92]).
- A loner or rogue may change their own name by their own initiative, like Tiny changing his to Scourge.[93]
Kittypet Names[]
- Kittypets assume the names given to them by the Twolegs (such as Jake or Susan). This hints that they understand Twoleg speech to some degree.[94]
- Upon joining a Clan, a kittypet may agree to change their name into a Clan name (Rusty, for example, becoming Firepaw),[89] or not (for example, Millie.)[91]
See also[]
External links[]
- Warrior names on the Warriors official website (backup link) (Mentioned only)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Revealed in Outcast, page 129
- ↑ Revealed in Twilight, page 146
- ↑ Such as Purdy
- ↑ Revealed in Twilight, page 145
- ↑ Revealed in Into the Wild, page 52
- ↑ Such as Whitewing
- ↑ Such as Goldenflower
- ↑ Such as Darkstripe
- ↑ Such as Spottedleaf
- ↑ Such as Dappletail
- ↑ Such as Mottlepaw
- ↑ Such as Braveheart
- ↑ Such as Sharpclaw
- ↑ Such as Sweetpaw
- ↑ Such as Wildfur
- ↑ Such as Clawface
- ↑ Such as Brightheart
- ↑ Such as Ashfoot
- ↑ Such as Sunnytail
- ↑ Such as Lilyfur
- ↑ Such as One-eye
- ↑ Such as Yellowfang
- ↑ Such as Stonetooth and Bigteeth
- ↑ Such as Birchfall
- ↑ Such as Hollyleaf
- ↑ Such as Hawkfrost
- ↑ Such as Tigerstar
- ↑ Such as Flowerstar
- ↑ Such as Cloudtail
- ↑ Such as Sandstorm
- ↑ Such as Silverstream
- ↑ Such as Stonefur
- ↑ Such as Moonflower
- ↑ Such as Sunstar
- ↑ Such as Firestar
- ↑ Such as Mistkit
- ↑ Such as Featherstorm
- ↑ Such as Thunderstar
- ↑ Such as Lightning Tail
- ↑ Such as Poppydawn
- ↑ Such as Appledusk
- ↑ Such as Morningstar
- ↑ Such as Nightstar
- ↑ Such as Pouncetail
- ↑ Such as Runningwind
- ↑ Such as Rabbitleap
- ↑ Such as Heavystep
- ↑ Such as Jumpfoot
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 Revealed in Sunset, page 27
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 509
- ↑ 51.0 51.1 Revealed in Eclipse, page 158
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 510
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 8
- ↑ Such as Toadstep
- ↑ Such as Petalfur
- ↑ Revealed in Into the Wild, page 301
- ↑ As Crowpaw does, asking Tallstar in Dawn to name him Crowfeather, in honor of Feathertail
- ↑ Such as Star That Shines On Water
- ↑ Revealed in Erin Hunter Chat 6
- ↑ 60.0 60.1 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, allegiances
- ↑ Meet Moonpaw - a look at the new POV character for Changing Skies! on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- ↑ Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in SkyClan's Destiny, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed on Vicky's Facebook
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 248
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 337
- ↑ Revealed in Tigerheart's Shadow, page 198
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, allegiances
- ↑ 69.0 69.1 Revealed in Lost Stars, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, page 123
- ↑ Revealed in Into the Wild, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in The Blazing Star: Bonus Scene, page 4
- ↑ Revealed in Riverstar's Home, page 488
- ↑ For example, in Twilight and Sunset, Tigerstar, Brambleclaw, and Hawkfrost call each other by name, instead of "Father", "Son", or "Brother." In Outcast, Hollypaw calls Squirrelflight by her name, instead of "Mother"
- ↑ When Poppydawn calls her daughter, Sweetpaw, by her prefix, Sweet in Bluestar's Prophecy
- ↑ When Lionblaze calls his brother, Jayfeather, "Jay" in Night Whispers
- ↑ Revealed in Forest of Secrets, page 154
- ↑ Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 129
- ↑ Such as One-eye
- ↑ Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 108
- ↑ Revealed in Cats of the Clans, page 82
- ↑ Revealed in Moonrise, page 94
- ↑ Revealed in Long Shadows, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in The Sun Trail, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Sign of the Moon, page 295
- ↑ Such as Fallen Leaves
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, page 149
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 333
- ↑ 89.0 89.1 Revealed in Into the Wild, page 37
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, page 150
- ↑ 91.0 91.1 Revealed in Dark River, page 86
- ↑ Revealed in Sunset, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in The Rise of Scourge, page 50
- ↑ For example, Rusty, Princess, Smudge etc. all refer to themselves and to each other by the names given to them by the Twolegs. In Midnight, Purdy says, "Upwalkers called me different names... the Upwalker who had the fire called me Purdy"
| Hierarchy and positions in the Warriors world | |
|---|---|
| Clan hierarchy | Kits • Apprentices • Warriors • Deputies • Leaders • Queens • Elders • Medicine cats • Mediators |
| Ceremonies | Vigil • Apprentice • Warrior • Deputy • Leader • Elder • Medicine cat • Name changing |
| Tribe hierarchy | To-bes • Cave-guards • Prey hunters • Kit mothers • Healer/Stoneteller |
| Miscellaneous | General Clan information • General Tribe information • Cat names |
| Other groups | Loners • Rogues • Kittypets |