Characters by number of mentions

[Sforzando]

Hi. Well, I've been reading the posts here for a while, but I never really had anything to post about - until now.

I figured it'd be interesting to count up how many times each character was mentioned by name over the course of the series, to give an idea of which are the "major characters", who's more important than whom, and to create a definitive list of 'important people' that we're sure doesn't miss anybody out.

Fortunately the text was available online (thank you, nameless pirate websites) which allowed me to do a computerised count. The time-consuming bit turned out to be sorting out ambiguous mentions - there are a few times when Ned and Robb are just referred to as "Stark", for example, and I had to figure out which character was being mentioned from the context. Sorting the mentions of Hodor's name from the times when he just makes the 'Hodor' sound as a noise was also fun, as was sorting mentions of Will from the word Will!

Anyway, I can answer questions about the methodology, but I imagine you'd be more interested in the results...

To keep you in suspense I'll post the first part of the list today and then follow up with the rest over the next few days. You know you're dying to find out who takes the No. 1 spot... :-)

Obviously I'd love there to be discussion, speculation, expressions of surprise, and/or the placement of bets, but I realise people may not be interested and this may end up being a blank thread. I'll post regardless.

So let's begin with the characters mentioned between 20 and 30 times. I had to draw the line somewhere, although I do have the data right down to characters with only 1 mention if people want to request the count for a specific character. Hopefully this will remind you of the existence of some minor characters you hadn't thought about for a while...

Characters who are dead are listed in red.

=408. Azor Ahai (20)

=408. Ser Bonifer Hasty, the Good (20)

=408. Butterbumps (20)

=408. Lord Clement Piper (20)

=408. Ser Harrold Hardyng, the Heir (20)

=408. Hotho Harlaw, the Humpback (20)

=408. Myles Toyne, Blackheart (20)

=408. Ravella Swann, Lady Smallwood (20)

=408. Ser Stafford Lannister (20)

=408. Tansy (20)

=408. Maester Walgrave (20)

=399. Gretchel (21)

=399. Ser Horas Redwyne (21)

=399. Hullen (21)

=399. Mad Huntsman (21)

=399. Ser Imry Florent (21)

=399. Prince Lewyn Martell (21)

=399. Septa Moelle (21)

=399. Ser Tallad, the Tall (21)

=399. Yurkhaz zo Tunzak (21)

=381. King Aegon Targaryen IV, the Unworthy (22)

=381. Lord Ardrian Celtigar (22)

=381. Armen (22)

=381. Bloodbeard (22)

=381. Lord Bryce Caron (22)

=381. Ser Cletus Yronwood (22)

=381. Deaf Dick Follard (22)

=381. Dorcas (22)

=381. Haggo (22)

=381. Ser Helman Tallhart (22)

=381. King Jaehaerys Targaryen I, the Conciliator (22)

=381. Jarman Buckwell (22)

=381. Ser Ottyn Wythers (22)

=381. Ser Shadrich the Mad Mouse (22)

=381. Symon Silver Tongue (22)

=381. Toregg son of Tormund (22)

=381. Tybero Istarion (22)

=381. Walda Frey, Lady Bolton (22)

=369. Alla Tyrell (23)

=369. Ser Aron Santagar (23)

=369. Bannen (23)

=369. Maester Caleotte (23)

=369. Ebben (23)

=369. Elder Brother (23)

=369. Elinor Tyrell (23)

=369. Lord Godric Borrell (23)

=369. Jocelyn Swyft (23)

=369. Jonquil (23)

=369. Sweets (23)

=369. Timeon (23)

=360. King Aegon Targaryen V, the Unlikely (24)

=360. Chella daughter of Cheyk (24)

=360. Dunsen (24)

=360. Maddy (24)

=360. Melara Hetherspoon (24)

=360. Ser Robin Ryger (24)

=360. Septa Scolera (24)

=360. Prince Trystane Martell (24)

=360. Vayon Poole (24)

=349. Aegon Frey, Jinglebell (25)

=349. Ser Balman Byrch (25)

=349. Coldhands (25)

=349. Farlen (25)

=349. Ser Franklyn Flowers (25)

=349. Ser Gerold Hightower, the White Bull (25)

=349. Hother Umber, Whoresbane (25)

=349. Ser Illifer the Penniless (25)

=349. Jalabhar Xho (25)

=349. Lord Karyl Vance (25)

=349. Wun Weg Wun Dar Wun (25) - highest giant

=341. Alayaya (26)

=341. Lady Donella Hornwood (26)

=341. Haggon (26)

=341. King Maegor Targaryen I, the Cruel (26)

=341. Ser Raymun Darry (26)

=341. Ser Richard Horpe (26)

=341. Lord Rickard Stark (26)

=341. Ser Stevron Frey (26)

=336. Chataya (27)

=336. Lark, the Sisterman (27)

=336. Mero, the Titan's Bastard (27)

=336. Maester Vyman (27)

=336. Walder Frey, Black (27)

=328. Alyn of Winterfell (28)

=328. Bael the Bard (28)

=328. Septon Celladar (28)

=328. King Daeron Targaryen I, the Young Dragon (28)

=328. Maester Marwyn (28)

=328. Megga Tyrell (28)

=328. Mollander (28) - highest character only mentioned in one chapter

=328. Ser Wylis Manderly (28)

=318. Amerei Frey, Lady Darry, Gatehouse Ami (29)

=318. Ser Andrey Dalt, Drey (29)

=318. Blue Bard (29)

=318. Erik Ironmaker (29)

=318. Genna Lannister, Lady Frey (29)

=318. Lord Gorold Goodbrother (29)

=318. High Septon, the fat one (29)

=318. Rowan (29)

=318. Faithful Urswyck (29)

=318. Ysilla (29)

Who'll be next?

-sf

[Arkh]

Is Rowan supposed to be Lord Mathis Rowan? (318)

[Sforzando]

Is Rowan supposed to be Lord Mathis Rowan? (318)

Nah, that's the spearwife who comes with Mance. Lord Rowan comes later, much later.

[Woman of War]

This thread is total fun but forgive me for not yet being hooked, since I am waiting for the more interesting characters. I am really curious!

[The King in the South]

Jeez man that looks like a lot of work, but it'll be interesting to see the final results.

[mike_s_6]

Waiting for the 100's ;) My bet is on Tyrion at the top spot!

[Lions-and-Roses]

Waiting for the 100's ;) My bet is on Tyrion at the top spot!

Nah, surely it has to be a Stark at the top??

[Candor]

My bet is on Jon simply for the number of "you know nothing JON Snow."

[Silmarien]

Well dang, this is something I'd do if I had access to a reliable e-book format of the book! Sounds like a lot of work, but I'm definitely hooked! Bring em on!

And thanks for the effort, OP!

[shmoove]

Please tell me how many times Alebelly was mentioned.

[assjfjgjsgjljljglgjfjsduar]

My bet is on Jon simply for the number of "you know nothing JON Snow."

I played a game like this on Sporcle not long ago.

I'll put it in spoilers so this person's thread isn't ruined and people can look if they want.

1. Tyrion

2. Jon

3. Arya

4. Sansa (this surprised me, how high she is)

5. Jaime

6. Catelyn

7. Cersei

8. Eddard

9. Dany (this also surprised me, how low she is)

10. Bran

Because Tyrion, Jon and Dany are kind of the big three, I'll post their numbers.

Tyrion is pretty easily #1 with 1,676 mentions. Jon is at 1,306, in the #2 slot. Dany has 958 mentions.

[Zizoz]

I lol'd at «High Septon, the fat one».

Link to the Sporcle game? I can't find it, only one for just AGOT.

[assjfjgjsgjljljglgjfjsduar]

I lol'd at «High Septon, the fat one».

Link to the Sporcle game? I can't find it, only one for just AGOT.

Here.

If you search "A Song of Ice and Fire," a whole mess of games come up. Some are better/more accurate than others.

[Sforzando]

Here.

If you search "A Song of Ice and Fire," a whole mess of games come up. Some are better/more accurate than others.

Well, thanks for the idea! The Top 300 is now available as a Sporcle game. Hopefully it's slightly more accurate than the other games out there on the site, given the care I took over sorting out the names. The game currently has 85 plays so there are some keen fans out there, but looking at the stats, not some desperately knowledgeable ones...

...so if you guys really want a challenge you should head over to http://www.sporcle.com/games/Sforzando/song-of-ice-and-fire-top-300.

Of course, I've just ruined the whole keep-'em-in-suspense idea, but never mind. I couldn't wait to get the game out there. I'll still type up the rest of the list here over the next few days.

PS. thanks for the support!

[Zizoz]

Apple Martini: Thanks for the link. I'll mention that that game only uses the first four novels.

That explains why Dany was so low, although Jon and Tyrion topping the list might then seem rather surprising.

Sforzando: Awesome! I think I'll wait for you to post the rest here before playing, to salvage what suspense I can. :P

[Gillio]

threads like this are why i love this place, good work OP keep em coming!!

[Sforzando]

Please tell me how many times Alebelly was mentioned.

He only just missed out on getting into the OP, with 18 mentions.

Other characters that clocked in under the 20-mention cutoff are Quaithe (19), Rhaego (19), Maggy the Frog (18), Bloodraven (16), Cregan (14) and Howland Reed (13). Considering the amount of fan-love he gets, the little crannogman really hasn't been mentioned that much. His name hasn't appeared in the books at all since that chapter where Galbart and Maege get sent off to find him.

[DurararaFTW]

Kind of surprised Maester Marwyn managed to make to 29.

[LuisDantas]

Marwyn has been mentioned by Mirri of the Daenerys chapters in AGOT, by Qyburn, and by several Maesters and Oldtown characters.

[Sforzando]

Okay, here's some more:

=311. Alysane Mormont, the She-Bear (30)

=311. Lord Edric Dayne (30)

=311. Jack-Be-Lucky (30)

=311. Leo Tyrell, Lazy (30)

=311. Black Lorren (30) - highest character mentioned only in ACOK

=311. Ser Walder Rivers (30)

=311. Xhondo (30)

=308. Ser Aenys Frey (31)

=308. Ellaria Sand (31)

=308. Septa Unella (31)

=303. Bedwyck, aka Giant (32)

=303. Greenbeard (32)

=303. Lord Hallyne the Pyromancer (32)

=303. Khrazz (32)

=303. Mors Umber, Crowfood (32)

=297. Lady Anya Waynwood (33)

=297. Arnolf Karstark (33)

=297. Leathers (33)

=297. Lady Maege Mormont (33)

=297. Ser Robar Royce (33)

=297. The Weeper (33)

=291. Alys Karstark (34)

=291. Holly (34)

=291. Josmyn 'Peck' Peckledon (34)

=291. Myranda Royce (34)

=291. Petyr 'Pimple' Frey (34)

=291. Pia (34)

=287. Ser Aemon Targaryen, the Dragonknight (35)

=287. Brusco (35)

=287. Florian the Fool (35) - highest character who may be entirely fictional

=287. Nute the Barber (35)

=283. Gared (36)

=283. Pyat Pree (36)

=283. Qarl the Maid (36)

=283. Ser 'Red' Ronnet Connington (36)

=275. Ser Clayton Suggs (37)

=275. Ser Desmond Grell (37)

=275. King Harren Hoare of Harrenhal (37)

=275. Ser Hosteen Frey (37)

=275. Ser Lyle Crakehall, the Strongboar (37)

=275. Mycah (37)

=275. Nurse (37)

=275. Owen the Oaf (37)

=269. Admiral Groleo (38)

=269. Hareth 'Horse' (38)

=269. Ser Jaremy Rykker (38)

=269. Ser Marq Piper (38)

=269. Mully (38)

=269. Wex Pyke (38)

268. Ser Daven Lannister (39)

=261. Maester Colemon (40)

=261. Edric Storm (40)

=261. Harma Dogshead (40)

=261. Moon Boy (40)

=261. Qotho (40) - highest character mentioned only in AGOT

=261. Tysha (40)

=261. Yandry (40)

=256. Lord Alester Florent (41)

=256. Ser Creighton Longbough (41)

=256. Falyse Stokeworth (41)

=256. Garin (41)

=256. Hallis Mollen (41)

=253. Pretty Meris (42)

=253. Mikken (42)

=253. Styr, Magnar of Thenn (42)

=244. Halder (43)

=244. Lord Jason Mallister (43)

=244. Lyanna Stark (43)

=244. Moqorro (43)

=244. Ser Osfryd Kettleblack (43)

=244. Patchface (43)

=244. Raff the Sweetling (43)

=244. Stonesnake (43)

=244. Timett son of Timett (43)

=239. King Cleon the Great of Astapor (44)

=239. Dagmer Cleftjaw (44)

=239. Lord Garlan Tyrell (44)

=239. Shagwell (44)

=239. Willas Tyrell (44)

=233. Dalla (45)

=233. Ser Godry Farring the Giantslayer (45)

=233. 'Lame' Lothar Frey (45) - highest character mentioned only in ASOS

=233. Mord (45)

=233. Nymeria Sand (45)

=233. Todder 'Toad' (45)

=228. Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning (46)

=228. Doreah (46)

=228. Iron Emmett (46)

=228. High Septon, Tyrion's one (46)

=228. Ser Wendel Manderly (46)

=223. Septa Lemore (47)

=223. Ser Lyn Corbray (47)

=223. Roslin Frey, Lady Tully (47)

=223. Tomard 'Fat Tom' (47)

=223. Ser Waymar Royce (47)

=219. Ser Gerold Dayne 'Darkstar' (48)

=219. Harry Strickland (48)

=219. Three-Finger Hobb (48)

=219. Tyene Sand (48)

=216. Barbrey Ryswell, Lady Dustin (49)

=216. Tattered Prince (49)

=216. Tickler (49)

=212. Ser Archibald Yronwood (50)

=212. Lord Mathis Rowan (50)

=212. Ser Vardis Egen (50)

=212. Lord 'Bronze' Yohn Royce (50)

=210. Ser Cortnay Penrose (51)

=210. Edwyn Frey (51)

=204. Admiral Aurane Waters (52)

=204. Lord Emmon Frey (52)

=204. Jarl (52)

=204. Olenna Redwyne, Lady Tyrell, Queen of Thorns (52)

=204. Lord Rodrik Harlaw 'the Reader' (52)

=204. Shireen Baratheon (52)

=200. Kraznys mo Nakloz (53) - highest Astapori

=200. Polliver (53)

=200. Rakharo (53)

=200. Tristifer Botley (53)