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| "I have gathered the Clan to witness the giving of your new name. I'm sorry you have suffered so much. The whole Clan knows how brave you've been. Your new name may describe your face, young kit, but it doesn't describe your heart. I know you are as true and loyal as any warrior." |
| — Hailstar renaming Stormkit in Crookedstar's Promise, page 55 |
A name changing ceremony takes place when a Clan leader decides to give a Clan cat a new name. This is usually done when the cat's old name does not suit them anymore, or due to an injury.[1]
Process
When a cat's name no longer portrays who they are, a Clan leader can perform a ceremony to change it to a new name. Normally, the name is changed from the result of an injury, such as when Sparrowpelt was renamed "Halftail" after having his tail bitten off by a badger.[2] However, it can also be changed if a cat has been named incorrectly[3] and the leader wants to rectify the mistake, such as with Brightheart.[4]
Ceremony
The leader calls a Clan meeting,[5] and performs the change with the following words:
"Spirits of StarClan, you know every cat by name. I ask you now to take away the name from the cat you see before you, for it no longer stands for what he/she is. By my authority as Clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I give this cat a new name. From this moment on he/she will be known as (new name), for (description of the reason)." [4]
Examples
In The Darkest Hour, Firestar is asked to change Lostface's name to something less cruel, as Bluestar had named her to spill her hate of StarClan, believing that she was dying. Firestar then names her Brightheart to honor her brave spirit and the light that shines within her.
In Tallstar's Revenge, during Hopkit's apprentice ceremony, Heatherstar names him Deadpaw, believing that a name like his would trick his enemies into thinking that he could not fight.
Cats who have changed their names in the Warriors series
| Name | New Name | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Sparrowpelt | Halftail[2] | Bluestar's Prophecy |
| White-eye | One-eye[2] | Bluestar's Prophecy |
| Lostface | Brightheart[4] | The Darkest Hour |
| Stormkit | Crookedkit[8] | Crookedstar's Promise |
| Hopkit | Deadpaw[10] | Tallstar's Revenge |
Other instances
A cat can also request a name change if they would like their name or someone else's name to be changed, such as Cloudtail asking Firestar to change Lostface's name,[11] or Rainflower requesting her son's name, Stormkit, to be changed to Crookedkit.[12]
Quotes
- "Do you think One-eye or Halftail started off with those names? They had other warrior names first, you can be sure of that. There must be a ceremony of some sort. And I know the rest of the Clan won't accept a new name until you've said the right words."
- ―Cloudtail The Darkest Hour
See also
References and citations
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, pages 54-55
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 507
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, pages 53-55
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 108
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 107
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 506
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 54
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 55
- ↑ Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge, page 208
- ↑ Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge, page 490
- ↑ Revealed in The Darkest Hour, page 98
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, pages 52-53
| 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 |