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All Transformers have a name, which is a moniker by which they themselves and others use to designate who is being spoken about. Sometimes, when a Transformer takes on a [[new body]], they also take the opportunity to take a new name, which may be a better match for their new form.


Most ([[Pay_phone_refugee|but]] [[Maccadam's_bartender|not]] [[Padlock#Orange_jet_Autobot|all]]) Transformers have names, or titles that serve as names. Some are only known by an [[The_Fallen|alias]]. Unlike names in most [[Human|human]] cultures, these names are not treated as [[Renaming|permanent identifiers]], and it is rare for for two Transformers to share the same name, except across different [[Continuity|continuities]]. On the rare occasion that two or more Transformers in the same general area ''do'' share a name, they may be forced by [[Axiom_Nexus|those in power]] to [[Jackpot#TransTech|add a modifier]] to distinguish themselves.{{storylink|Gone Too Far}}
==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====Marvel Comics continuity====
Transformers had names for themselves in their [[Cybertronian languages|native language]]. These names are often not pronounceable to non-Cybertronians. Upon arriving on [[Earth]], the Transformers took on English codenames. {{storylink|Man of Iron (story)|Man of Iron}}


==Naming Process==
===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
How a Transformer receives a name varies between [[continuity|continuities]]. Some (but not all) Transformers are known nicknames or codenames which can be pronounced by non-Cybertronians {{storylink|Man of Iron!}}; others receive names during training or following an upgrade to a more powerful form, while others are known from their earliest appearances by only one name.  
Upon arriving on a new planet and taking on alternate modes scanned from local life-forms, the Transformers generally took on names fitting their new forms. Activated [[protoform]]s did likewise.


Transformers generally appear to be named with respect to their abilities, for example: [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s association with music and audio, which extends to his [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|cassette companions]]. This trend is strongest among the non-civilian [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Animated]] Autobots, who appear to receive names based on their special abilities or personalities- in one example we see that [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm]] is named for his ability to stretch his limbs, [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] because of his ability to cover himself in armour plating, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] for his size and perceived lack of intelligence, and [[Wasp]] & [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] because of their relative accuracy (or inaccuracy) with their stinger weapons.{{storylink|Autoboot Camp}}
===''Animated'' continuity===
Autobots who attended [[Autobot boot camp]] received names based on their special abilities or personalities. [[Shockwave (Animated)|Longarm]] is named for his ability to stretch his limbs, [[Ironhide (Animated)|Ironhide]] because of his ability to cover himself in armour plating, [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] for his size and perceived lack of intelligence, and [[Wasp]] & [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] because of their relative accuracy (or inaccuracy) with their stinger weapons.{{storylink|Autoboot Camp}}


==Linguistic Origins==
===''TransTech'' continuity===
Despite many of them predating these languages, numerous Transformers bear names and titles drawn from Human languages. English is one of the most common (with [[Hasbro|good reason]]), although often an individual Transformer will have alternative names which can be traced to [[Multilingual packaging|multiple languages]].
[[Axiom Nexus]] forced [[Jackpot]] to take a new name to distinguish himself from other "Jackpots". {{storylink|Gone Too Far}}


===Japanese===
===Live-action film continuity===
* [[Kobushi]] - meaning ''fist'', or ''little warrior'' when split into 'ko' and 'bushi'.
[[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] explained that the designations of individual Transformers cannot be properly translated into English, thus leading the Autobots to assume designations based on their personalities. {{storylink|Movie Adaptation Issue Number Three}} Optimus also asked for a brief moment to consider appropriate designations for the two Decepticons who were terrorizing [[Rome]], finally coming up with [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] and [[Dead End (Movie)|Deadend]]. {{storylink|The Veiled Threat}} Finally, [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] required a few moments to pick up an appropriate descriptor based on the limited conversation he heard from [[Sam Witwicky]]'s group. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)}}
* [[Zangetsu]]


===Latin===
==Notes==
Latin is frequently the language of choice for [[Cybertron_(planet)|Cybertronian]] [[Transformer_government|leaders]]
* In many continuities Transformers simply have names with no particular explanation given for their origin. This sometimes leads to inconsistencies such as [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] having the name "Jazz" on Cybertron millions of years before the invention of jazz music.
* [[Decimus]] - ''tenth'', a given name originally used for the tenth son of a family.
* [[Optimus (disambiguation)|Optimus]] - ''best'', in the masculine nominative case.
* [[Ultra_Magnus_(disambiguation)|Ultra Magnus]]
** Ultra - adverb or preposition meaning ''beyond''.
** [[Magnus]] - ''large'' or ''great'', in the masculine nominative case.


===Not Latin===
* Most Transformer names in Japanese fiction and toylines are English words. Notable exceptions are members of the [[Trainbot]]s and [[Dinoforce]].
Some Transformers have pseudo-Latin names which evoke the style of their fellow leaders.
* [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]
* [[Legonis]]
* [[Octus (G1)|Oct]][[Octus (Animated)|us]]
* [[Rodimus (disambiguation)|Rodimus]]


===Other===
* Most Transformer names in Western Fiction and toylines are derived from English words. A notable minority are given names derived from Latin and pseudo-Latin and are commonly given to more "elite" characters. Examples include:
* [[Emirate]] - From the Arabic [[wikipedia:Emir|أمير (amir)]], roughly meaning  ''commander'', ''general'', or ''prince''.
** [[Decimus]] - ''tenth'', a given name originally used for the tenth son of a family.
 
** [[Optimus (disambiguation)|Optimus]] - ''best'', in the masculine nominative case.
==Impracticalities==
** [[Ultra_Magnus_(disambiguation)|Ultra Magnus]]
 
*** Ultra - adverb or preposition meaning ''beyond''.
On Cybertron, such things as [[Bumblebee (G1)|bumblebees]] and [[Jazz (G1)|jazz music]] don't exist, so it is fairly safe to assume that Transformers' names in English are vastly different from their real Cybertronian ones. While in the real world Transformers are named after human items that the public can relate with, it becomes rather confusing when Transformers' names are viewed from an in-universe perspective.
*** [[Magnus]] - ''large'' or ''great'', in the masculine nominative case.
 
* Examples of pseudo-Latin names include [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], [[Legonis]], [[Octus]], [[Rodimus (disambiguation)|Rodimus]], and [[Megatronus]].
In the [[live-action film series|live-action]] [[continuity family]], [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] explains that the designations of individual Transformers cannot be properly translated into English, thus leading the Autobots to assume designations based on their personalities.<ref>''[[Movie Adaptation Issue Number Three|Transformers issue 3]]''</ref> Optimus also asks for a brief moment to consider appropriate designations for the two Decepticons who were terrorizing [[Rome]], finally coming up with [[Swindle (Movie)|Swindle]] and [[Dead End (Movie)|Deadend]]. {{storylink|The Veiled Threat}} Finally, [[Jetfire (ROTF)|Jetfire]] requires a few moments to pick up an appropriate descriptor based on the limited conversation he heard from [[Sam Witwicky]]'s group. {{storylink|Revenge of the Fallen (novel)}}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Renaming]]
*[[Renaming]]
*[[Transformers names in other Hasbro lines]]
*[[Transformers names in other Hasbro lines]]
==References==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Transformer culture]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Revision as of 19:07, 7 September 2010

All Transformers have a name, which is a moniker by which they themselves and others use to designate who is being spoken about. Sometimes, when a Transformer takes on a new body, they also take the opportunity to take a new name, which may be a better match for their new form.

Fiction

Generation 1

Marvel Comics continuity

Transformers had names for themselves in their native language. These names are often not pronounceable to non-Cybertronians. Upon arriving on Earth, the Transformers took on English codenames. Man of Iron

Beast Wars cartoon continuity

Upon arriving on a new planet and taking on alternate modes scanned from local life-forms, the Transformers generally took on names fitting their new forms. Activated protoforms did likewise.

Animated continuity

Autobots who attended Autobot boot camp received names based on their special abilities or personalities. Longarm is named for his ability to stretch his limbs, Ironhide because of his ability to cover himself in armour plating, Bulkhead for his size and perceived lack of intelligence, and Wasp & Bumblebee because of their relative accuracy (or inaccuracy) with their stinger weapons.Autoboot Camp

TransTech continuity

Axiom Nexus forced Jackpot to take a new name to distinguish himself from other "Jackpots". Gone Too Far

Live-action film continuity

Optimus Prime explained that the designations of individual Transformers cannot be properly translated into English, thus leading the Autobots to assume designations based on their personalities. Movie Adaptation Issue Number Three Optimus also asked for a brief moment to consider appropriate designations for the two Decepticons who were terrorizing Rome, finally coming up with Swindle and Deadend. The Veiled Threat Finally, Jetfire required a few moments to pick up an appropriate descriptor based on the limited conversation he heard from Sam Witwicky's group. Revenge of the Fallen (novel)

Notes

  • In many continuities Transformers simply have names with no particular explanation given for their origin. This sometimes leads to inconsistencies such as Jazz having the name "Jazz" on Cybertron millions of years before the invention of jazz music.
  • Most Transformer names in Japanese fiction and toylines are English words. Notable exceptions are members of the Trainbots and Dinoforce.
  • Most Transformer names in Western Fiction and toylines are derived from English words. A notable minority are given names derived from Latin and pseudo-Latin and are commonly given to more "elite" characters. Examples include:
    • Decimus - tenth, a given name originally used for the tenth son of a family.
    • Optimus - best, in the masculine nominative case.
    • Ultra Magnus
      • Ultra - adverb or preposition meaning beyond.
      • Magnus - large or great, in the masculine nominative case.
  • Examples of pseudo-Latin names include Jhiaxus, Legonis, Octus, Rodimus, and Megatronus.

See also

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