Valorik (Language)/Names
Modern Valorik Naming Conventions
Modern Valorik personal names are highly structured and reflect social order, lineage, and gendered linguistic norms. Unlike Ancient Valorik, modern naming conventions restrict syllable structure and strongly differentiate masculine and feminine forms.
Overview
Modern Valorik naming emphasizes clarity of lineage, social role, and ritual propriety. Personal names follow standardized phonotactic templates, while surnames and titles encode ancestry, clan affiliation, and social status.
Modern conventions prohibit vowel-initial masculine names and most short forms once common in Ancient Valorik.
Phonological Inventory
Modern Valorik names are formed using the standard phonological inventory of the language.
Consonants
m, n, t, d, k, g, t͡s, d͡z, t͡ʃ, d͡ʒ, f, v, θ, s, z, ʃ, ʒ, ç, h, ɹ, j, l
Vowels
iː, ɪ, uː, ʊ, ə, ʌ, oʊ, ɔ, æ, ɛ, ɛɪ, ɑɪ
The phonemes q, χ, and qχ are restricted to vulgar or taboo vocabulary and are not used in personal names.
Syllable Structure
The allowable syllable structures in modern names are:
- CV
- CVC
More complex clusters may occur medially but not word-initially.
Masculine Given Names
Modern masculine names are consonant-initial and favor longer, rhythmically balanced forms.
Common Templates
- CVCVC
- CVCCVC
Typical masculine medial clusters include:
- fricative + liquid
- liquid + fricative
- liquid + nasal
Final consonants commonly include n, k, l, ɹ, v, θ.
Examples
| Name | IPA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tɑɹɪk | /tɑɹɪk/ | Common modern form |
| Mɛɹɪn | /mɛɹɪn/ | Scholarly association |
| Zuːɹɪk | /zuːɹɪk/ | Martial connotation |
| Zʊɹɛθ | /zʊɹɛθ/ | Spiritual nuance |
| D͡ʒɛlɪk | /d͡ʒɛlɪk/ | Artisan usage |
Feminine Given Names
Modern feminine names are distinguished by their final vowel, almost always ending in -ə.
Common Templates
- CVC-ə
- VC-ə
- VC-jə
- CVCV-ə
Vowel-initial feminine names are permitted and remain productive.
Examples
| Name | IPA | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Zɛlə | /zɛlə/ | CVC-ə |
| Mɪɹə | /mɪɹə/ | CVC-ə |
| Ænə | /ænə/ | VC-ə |
| Iːjə | /iːjə/ | VC-jə |
| Fɛniːə | /fɛniːə/ | CVCV-ə |
Surnames and Patronymics
Modern Valorik surnames encode lineage and descent.
Patronymic Suffix
- -lɛk /lɛk/ — “child of”
The suffix attaches directly to a parent’s given name without phonological mutation.
Examples
| Parent Name | Surname | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Tes | Teslek | /tɛslɛk/ |
| Ûr | Ûrlek | /uːɹlɛk/ |
| Zuːɹɪk | Zuːɹɪklek | /zuːɹɪk.lɛk/ |
Name Structure and Usage
A full modern name may include:
- Given name
- Patronymic or clan surname
- Titles and honorifics (context-dependent)
Examples
- Tɑɹɪk Zuːɹɪklek
- Zɛlə Ûrlek-ʃoʊ
- kɑɪvoɹ Zɛlə Ûrlek Teslek
Social Conventions
- Masculine names must not be vowel-initial.
- Feminine names almost always end in -ə.
- Ancient masculine name structures are considered archaic or ceremonial.
- Vulgar phonemes are prohibited in personal names.
See Also
- Ancient Valorik Masculine Names
- Valorik Honorifics
- Clan and Lineage Structure