Ygrain Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Is it just me, or do saviour figures have a tendency to be named John? Babylon 5: John SheridanMass Effect: John ShepardHalo games: John Little...- Damn, with the first two, it's even the same initials! Is the universe somehow inclined towards J.S.? :D Can we put together some more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon of the Dead Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 John ConnorJohn Carter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Alysanne™ Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I thought ME you can choose you own name? Correct me if I am wrong cause I made my character female. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sullen Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 John is just the blandest name most authors can come up with, which facilitates the reader substituting the character with their own persona. This is especially apparent in two of your examples, Shepard and MC are left rather nondescript on purpose, these characters aren't characters, they are vessels for whoever is experiencing the narrative. I think it's the same case for ASoIaF's favourite bastard. (And it's also part of the reason why I dislike the character so much) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygrain Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 I thought ME you can choose you own name? Correct me if I am wrong cause I made my character female. Yeah, but the default is John (and Jane). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen Alysanne™ Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Yeah, but the default is John (and Jane). Ah ok I forgot :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjen of the Kingsguard Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I've noticed other J names have appeal, such as James Bond and Jack Bauer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygrain Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 John is just the blandest name most authors can come up with, which facilitates the reader substituting the character with their own persona. This is especially apparent in two of your examples, Shepard and MC are left rather nondescript on purpose, these characters aren't characters, they are vessels for whoever is experiencing the narrative. I think it's the same case for ASoIaF's favourite bastard. (And it's also part of the reason why I dislike the character so much) Not the case with Sheridan, though, his persona practically drips off the screen. His case is a bit specific, though, as for some reason, MJS kept the same initials with Jeffrey Sinclair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sullen Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Not the case with Sheridan, though, his persona practically drips off the screen. His case is a bit specific, though, as for some reason, MJS kept the same initials with Jeffrey Sinclair. I have yet to see Babylon 5 (I know, you can all crucify me later for that heinous crime), so I can't really comment on Sheridan. I find the high number of heroes called John S. interesting though, I had never taken a minute to ponder about it. My first guess would be that it relates to John Smith, the blank character par excellence, but I'd guess there must be some cultural (read religious) reason behind the popularity of that name format. J.S is somewhat reminiscent of JesuS, which could factor in the ludicrous amount of messiah figures being named John S, (Or simply J. S) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeae Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 John Doe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
assjfjgjsgjljljglgjfjsduar Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 It's a solid everyman name. I don't think it's the same thing as being "bland," so much as it's something relatable about the character (we all know a John/Jon), and takes the focus off the guy's name and puts it more onto what he does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygrain Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 I've noticed other J names have appeal, such as James Bond and Jack Bauer. I have yet to see Babylon 5 (I know, you can all crucify me later for that heinous crime), so I can't really comment on Sheridan. I find the high number of heroes called John S. interesting though, I had never taken a minute to ponder about it. My first guess would be that it relates to John Smith, the blank character par excellence, but I'd guess there must be some cultural (read religious) reason behind the popularity of that name format. J.S is somewhat reminiscent of JesuS, which could factor in the ludicrous amount of messiah figures being named John S, (Or simply J. S) I think Benjen of the Kingsguard might be onto something - there might be some phonetic appeal to the J sound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sullen Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I think Benjen of the Kingsguard might be onto something - there might be some phonetic appeal to the J sound Remark that both these examples are monosyllabic as well. Doesn't really work with longer names starting J, like Jonathan, or Jeremy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protar Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Not the case with Sheridan, though, his persona practically drips off the screen. His case is a bit specific, though, as for some reason, MJS kept the same initials with Jeffrey Sinclair. Nor in the case of Master Chief actually. He's got plenty of personality, especially in the last game. But yeah John (or Jon) is a nondescript name, good for the strong and silent types and/or audience surrogates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygrain Posted September 29, 2013 Author Share Posted September 29, 2013 Remark that both these examples are monosyllabic as well. Doesn't really work with longer names starting J, like Jonathan, or Jeremy... Touché. It has to be short, and start with a strong but pleasant sound. Also, I'd say that the following vowel shouldn't be too tense, I don't think Jim works, either. Nor in the case of Master Chief actually. He's got plenty of personality, especially in the last game. But yeah John (or Jon) is a nondescript name, good for the strong and silent types and/or audience surrogates. And I could add that at least Renegade Shepard doesn't suffer frlom any lack of personality :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sullen Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Touché. It has to be short, and start with a strong but pleasant sound. Also, I'd say that the following vowel shouldn't be too tense, I don't think Jim works, either. And I could add that at least Renegade Shepard doesn't suffer frlom any lack of personality :P I'd be of the opinion that Jim could work, though definitively not as much as John, James, or Jack... obviously. Jim is too diminutive. And I disagree with MC having a "Strong personality", most of what he feels are easily expected reactions, and his definitive lack of flaws make him a rather weak character in my opinion. As for Renegade Shep, s/he reminds me too much of the cliche'd 90s Anti-hero for me to say that s/he has a tangible, unique personality. But oh well, maybe that's just me being overly negative and harsh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castellan Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Is it just me, or do saviour figures have a tendency to be named John? Babylon 5: John Sheridan Mass Effect: John Shepard Halo games: John Little ... - Damn, with the first two, it's even the same initials! Is the universe somehow inclined towards J.S.? :D Can we put together some more? On the other hand its a vastly common almost stock name for a man. Like Jeyne for a girl in Westeros! Anyway, Jon is the short form of Jonathan and I believe GRRM has Biblical connotations in there. Jonathan fought the Philistines from Hill Top forts. Jonathan is a symbol of brotherhood suitable for nights watch. Jonathan was the official heir who renounced his throne for David, which is interesting and seems like the reverse of Jon's situation but who knows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Weirwoods Eyes Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I kind of just thought that he found it funny to name the Hero such a generic common name as Jon, when fancy fantasy names are so prevalent throughout the books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drogon'sWrath Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I kind of just thought that he found it funny to name the Hero such a generic common name as Jon, when fancy fantasy names are so peeve leant through the books. Yea, right. Viserys Targaryen Daenerys Targaryen Rhaegar Targaryen Aerys Targaryen Jon (Targaryen) Snow I swear, Martin just likes to fuck with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castellan Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Could he be named after Jon Connington? If Ned named him you'd think he'd pick a Stark name, even though he's a bastard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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