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HELP! > Crowd-Sourcing for a Name

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message 1: by Isaac (new)

Isaac Alder | 20 comments Hey all!
So, I have a fun little dilemma on my hands here. I can't think of a name for a war. I'm sure we've all had trouble with names at least once before, so please take pity on me and share some of your wonderful opinions!

A little background: All of my novels take place in an alternate history of our world, where the main divergence is that the Holy Roman Empire thrived for far longer and managed to unify most of Western Europe. Then, it collapsed. Three of the major states who rose from the ashes (for simplicity's sake think of them as Spain, Italy, and Germany) developed some territory issues and eventually wage a massive war on each other. Anyway, this war is a huge historical event that impacts most of my novels. But I can't decide on a name! I called it "The Great War," but I have had overwhelming feedback saying this confuses the "fake-ness" of the history, and only makes the reader unsure of the setting (it conjures up ideas of WWI, which is not too far off in terms of scale and timing). I've come up with a list of alternatives.
Triskele War
Triskelion War
Triperion War
Triperium War
Triquetra War
Any feedback or opinions would be much appreciated! Thank you all in advance!!!!


message 2: by Isaac (new)

Isaac Alder | 20 comments Ah, it also may help to know about the logic behind each name. They aren't just made up for giggles.
Triskele/Triskelion = Two different names for the same symbol motif. Greek roots meaning "three-legged." The symbol is three spirals or other "appendages" rotating into a middle meeting point.
Triperium = Latin roots meaning "three-empires." No known historical context/made up by yours truly.
Triperion = Alternative spelling/adaptation of Triperium. Also made up by me.
Triquetra = Latin roots meaning "three-cornered." Symbol is three leaf shapes overlapping, often interwoven, to form a triangle. Adding a circle makes the familiar Celtic Knot. Symbol is common in multiple religions.
Don't know if that helps your decision, just letting y'all know!


message 3: by Anna (new)

Anna Faversham (annafaversham) | 1236 comments With names I think you need something that is going to be pronounced roughly as you need it to be to convey the meaning or link with the war/your book.

The first two can be pronounced in several different ways.
The next two also, except more people might have a grasp of Latin or at least the root of your chosen word.
The fifth doesn't sound like a war - too nice a word.

So for me, it's numbers 3 or 4.


message 4: by Carole (new)

Carole P. Roman | 4665 comments Mod
"developed some territory issues and eventually wage a massive war"

Are you set on those?
Just my opinion- but the names take me to outer space or ancient Rome.

Is the book set in modern times?

Have you thought about using the name of the disputed territory like "Alsace and Lorraine," or an incident- "War of the Spanish Succession," or Who could ever forget- "The Spanish Main," "Lusitania" "Jenkin's Ear."


message 5: by Nat (new)

Nat Kennedy | 153 comments Many of those names make me think Celtic... whether they are celtic or not. It's just ingrained.

I like the Triperium, but it does make me think outer space.

Also, think of a name that can be shortened by the average person in your book. How could it be trimmed to add some layer of world building by making slang.

Just random thoughts.


message 6: by Isaac (new)

Isaac Alder | 20 comments It never even occurred to me it sounded like it was outer space! It kinda does though. So far my novels all span various points roughly between 1870-1920, so more or less historical fiction (just not our history).
A location-based name is feasible, although the war pretty much consumes all of Europe. Hence why "The Great War" was a solid choice, except real life already stole that from me. Another thread suggested something like "Pan-Europa War."
Thanks for all the help everyone! I really appreciate it!


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