# Alien naming contest! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 3, 2002, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222 "2002-08-03T21:22:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jenner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@Jenner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenner)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/1 "2002-08-03T21:22:23Z")
I want to name an alien character in the sci-fi short story that I may or may not get around to writing one of these days. Whoever can think up the bizarrest, campiest, most alien-sounding name wins! The only rule is that the name must be completely original ( **Zaphod Beeblebrox** , for instance, would be disqualified). ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/2 "2002-08-03T22:23:36Z")
Hmmm… A couple of questions? 1. Is the alien Male, Female, or “none of the above”? 2. What type of creature is the alien? Similar to a Reptile? A Mammal? Something that doesn’t have a parallel on Earth? 3. Hero or Villain? ---
**Author:** ![Jenner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@Jenner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenner)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/3 "2002-08-03T22:33:17Z")
_1. Is the alien Male, Female, or “none of the above”?_ Hmmm… good question. None of the above. _2. What type of creature is the alien? Similar to a Reptile? A Mammal? Something that doesn’t have a parallel on Earth?_ Definitely insectile. With maybe a few reptilian characteristics. _3. Hero or Villain?_ Villain, of course! ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/4 "2002-08-03T23:18:43Z")
Kragelspinxtred. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/5 "2002-08-03T23:51:11Z")
Crikdrisstex Dirsq Myrdixen Tyxlefner Hurkdictar Simdiclon (I love coming up with funky names) ---
**Author:** ![majinborg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/db5fbb/32.png) [@majinborg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/majinborg)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2002, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/6 "2002-08-03T23:59:05Z")
Try going to this website: [http://www.rinkworks.com](http://www.rinkworks.com) On that website is a Fantasy Name Generator (Scroll down the sidebar of links until you see it). Granted, it’s not exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s darn close and it has a LOT of adjustable options. Even if you don’t get a name you like, maybe you’ll see something you can tweak. ---
**Author:** ![Jenner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@Jenner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenner)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/7 "2002-08-04T01:15:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > **Myrdixen Tyxlefner** I think a doctor prescribed this to me one time. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by majinborg \* > \*\*Try going to this website: [http://www.rinkworks.com](http://www.rinkworks.com) > > On that website is a Fantasy Name Generator (Scroll down the sidebar of links until you see it). Granted, it’s not exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s darn close and it has a LOT of adjustable options. Even if you don’t get a name you like, maybe you’ll see something you can tweak. \*\* Ustkalcha, Blaperach, Smeeshbur, Vorkindelgartia… that’s a cool site! ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/8 "2002-08-04T02:18:41Z")
Pinkelbictor. ---
**Author:** ![lothos2002](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/df788c/32.png) [@lothos2002](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lothos2002)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/9 "2002-08-04T02:22:49Z")
ZARTAK (the z and k sounds make it cool) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/10 "2002-08-04T03:18:19Z")
K’Xaal. The apostrophe and double “a” suggest an imperfect transliteration into English, which is logical enough for an alien name, and the name itself is reasonably short and memorable, making it easier for the reader. I suggest you play around with “K” sounds for something short, sharp and servicable. ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/11 "2002-08-04T04:17:35Z")
Baal’ran Spomaj Katlothbry. Which I made by taking the first syllables of the names of each Doper to respond to this thread, minus myself. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/12 "2002-08-04T05:56:29Z")
At least I’m bringing up the rear. “Katlothbry” sounds kinda cool. ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/13 "2002-08-04T06:42:36Z")
Insectoid, eh? K’x’k’x’x’k’x’xk’'xkx’xkkx’xkkx’k’Dupont. Or Fred. I’ve always liked Fred. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/14 "2002-08-04T06:58:35Z")
Alien Bob ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/15 "2002-08-04T17:52:55Z")
Tars in on the right track. The wierder the alien, the more mundane the name. “Jennifer” would be a very good name for an alien insect. Now, if you’re going for serious, keep it short and simple. Use gutterals. “Krait” would be especially good, since it’s also the name of a poisonous snake. And, for the love of all that’s science fiction, don’t put any apostophes in the name. ---
**Author:** ![Lodrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@Lodrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lodrain)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/16 "2002-08-04T21:51:29Z")
Yes, please, no apostrophes. Use something else, like section symbols or paragraph marks, just to screw up the publishers. How 'bout _Xixax?_ Question mark, too. Not only does it have a lot of X’s (always a good thing), but the mandatory question mark suggests tone or something. The alien probably speaks Chinese or something. I am Xixax?. I come in peace. ---
**Author:** ![TheOnlySaneOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@TheOnlySaneOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheOnlySaneOne)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/17 "2002-08-04T22:58:24Z")
**Pryaxor** , Son of Gr’reware, Son of Twre’klar, Overlord of the 234th Dimension, King of the planet THyrea’tchPra, and Husband of Jennifer. ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/18 "2002-08-04T23:16:47Z")
Yeah, I’m with Tars and Silentgoldfish on this one Bob, Fred, Dirk, Bobo, something like that. I suppose considering it’s to be a villian, maybe Weed or Stinger. The way I see it, the alien would have a name that cannot be pronounced or written in our language, therefore, people would have to come up with something that could be so they could refer to the alien by some kind of name. Otherwise, I’d go with something like Cztich ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2002, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/19 "2002-08-04T23:18:06Z")
Damn, I really hate it when I hit return before I’ve finished with \*\* MY FORMAT CODING!!\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2002, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222/20 "2002-08-05T03:24:17Z")
Is this name to be pronounceable by humans? I nominate !ksnixt. The exclamation point at the beginning is actually the accepted phonetic symbol for a sound found in some human languages, though I’m not sure what it is. I think it _might_ be the sound of clicking one’s tongue against the roof of one’s mouth. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alien-naming-contest/122222.md?page=2)