Naming guide

We use a semi-traditional naming system. This means that prefixes are based on your character's appearance while suffixes are based on appearance, skills or personality. Additionally, WindClan has special allowances for prefixes and suffixes due to their urban environment.

Prefixes

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Prefixes should describe the physical appearance of your cat. This can include their pelt color, pelt pattern, fur texture, physical oddities, and general size. The only part of a physical appearance that is not applicable is a cat's eyes, as they do not open until a few weeks after they've been born. Prefixes are usually drawn from nature and can be taken from other animals, trees, flowers, bodies of water, so on and so forth. The only clan that has an exception to this rule is Windclan, who have lived among Twolegs and their cities for so long that they've begun to name their children after Twoleg items.

Examples of acceptable prefixes

• Apple- A name given to a kitten because her red fur reminded her mother of an apple!
• Cloud- A name given to a white cat to describe his white pelt; he reminded his father of clouds.
• Oriole- A name given to a tortie-and-white cat for her pelt's resemblance to an oriole bird.
• Dorito- A name given to a Windclan kitten because her bright red fur reminded her mother of Dorito chips.
• Candle- A name given to a Windclan kitten in honor of his pale, off-white fur.

While a majority of names based in nature are okay, there are a few that don't work in the lore. These can be words used to describe things that are invisible to the naked eye (such as air, breath, and the concept of space) and certain adjectives (sticky, stinky, fast). Prefixes that are derogatory are also not likely or even permitted to be used on our site.

In the case of Windclan, we may be a little more picky about certain items if they vary wildly in appearance.

Examples of unacceptable prefixes

• Poop- This is funny, but you'll probably be judged pretty harshly by your clanmates for naming your son that.
• Breath- Breath has no physical appearance- the only time a cat would see it is in the cold. They'd be more likely to name their kit Fog- instead.
• Tattoo- Tattoos are too varied to be narrowed down to just one description, and therefore it's too vague to be used as a prefix.
• Void- There is no color associated with a void. Not to mention, the connotations of 'void' can be pretty negative, which a parent wouldn't want to name their kid after.
• Thylacine- This name would not be permitted in clans that are not Windclan, as the other clans have no idea what the hell that is! In Windclan, you could make an argument for it!
• Manta- If you want to name your cat after the ray, you'd have to use the full name Mantaray-. This extends to most if not all animals with compound names (rattlesnake, etc.)

Suffixes

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Suffixes are the second part of a cat's name, given to them when they reach adulthood. Suffixes often times are used to further describe a cat's physical appearance or to go along with the first half of their name, to describe their personalities, or emphasize their talents as a warrior. Sometimes, they're just used to denote a cat is super well-rounded, or perfectly average! Like prefixes before, you can always get a little creative with what you use as your cat's suffix.

Examples of acceptable suffixes

• -claw - being used to denote a cat's strength or fighting prowess.
• -feather - being used to compliment a cat's pretty, wavy for- or for a cat's graceful nature.
• -whisker - for a cat's hunting prowess, or navigational skills.
• -heart - for a cat's dedication and empathy, or overall loyalty to their clan.
• -fur - if a cat is just kind of well-rounded, and an ordinary dude!
• -song - if a cat has a distinct voice, or to compliment a cat's prefix.

Suffixes are not often used in a derogatory way, and usually have a positive connotation with them. Generally speaking, so long as you can justify why you'd use a suffix/what it means, we're all good. With some exceptions.

Examples of unacceptable suffixes

• -break - That's just mean. It sounds like you're saying this cat can't jump and he sucks- which is rude!
• -rainbow - Everyone in the clan is gay, it came free with being a warrior cat.