Lalafell/Naming

The Lalafell in Final Fantasy XIV use names that are ruled by rhythm, repetition, and rhyming (as well as a little alliteration). Syllable count also plays a large part. There are four unique sets of rules, and these rules are rarely deviated from. Once the rules are learned, one will be able to discern a Lalafell’s clan and gender by simply looking at a name.

The Lalafellin language (used by the clans before they arrived in Eorzea) originally only possessed five distinct vowels: a e i o u. It should be noted that Lalafellin pronunciation is nearly congruent with that of Japanese. The pronunciations are as follows:

a (“ah” as in arm) e (“eh” as in bet) i (“ee” as in beet) o (“oh” as in home) u (“ooh” as in dude).

Surnames are only surnames in placement, as they are not taken from the mother or father and are unique to the individual.

Male
1. The phoneme pattern used is AB - CB 2. The A and C phonemes do not have to rhyme. 3. The A, B, and C phonemes are usually limited to one or two syllables.


 * Zorido Manarido
 * Kopel Yorpel
 * Alka Zolka
 * Waguda Mabaguda

Fun Fact: In everyday speech, Plainsfolk males will usually always use their full names, rarely ever breaking them down into solely first or last.

Female
1. The phoneme pattern used is ABB - AB. 2. The A and B phonemes are always one syllable, and most often a single consonant paired with a single vowel, or simply a single vowel.


 * Mimomo Mimo
 * Tokiki Toki
 * Ulala Ula
 * Honmeme Honme

Male
1. The phoneme pattern used is AAB - CCB 2. The A and C phonemes are 1 syllable, the B phoneme 2. 3. The A and C phonemes may rhyme, but do not have to. 4. Syllables are most often a single consonant paired with a single vowel, or simply a single vowel.


 * Jajariku Nanariku (rhyming)
 * Momomena Lolomena (rhyming)
 * Nunulupa Tatalupa (non-rhyming)
 * Fafajoni Kukujoni (non-rhyming)

There are rare cases when the B phoneme will ‘seemingly’ have one syllable such as Zozonan or Nanalai. The ‘n’ and ‘i’ here are, in fact, the remnants of sounds that were once paired with a Lalafellin vowel that, over time, has disappeared from speech, and therefore become silent in names.

Female
1. The phoneme pattern used is AAB - AB 2. The A and B phonemes are 1 syllable (with the A phoneme always repeated in the forename). 3. Syllables are most often a single consonant paired with a single vowel, or simply a single vowel.


 * Jajano Jano
 * Kokobi Kobi
 * Yayamo Yamo
 * Chuchumu Chumu

Royalty
Members of the Ul'dah and Sil'dih royal families also bear the names of their respective sultanates.
 * Nanamo Ul Namo
 * Lalawefu Sil Tatawefu