Miqo'te naming conventions

The Miqo'te naming conventions of Final Fantasy XIV are intricate, and vary between the Seekers of the Sun and Keepers of the Moon. There are similarities between the two however, as they heavily factor in their respective patriarchal and matriarchal societies and provide easy ways to decipher each individual's lineage.

Seekers of the Sun

Befitting their patriarchal society, Seeker names are heavily tied to their tribe and the tribe's patriarch.

All Seeker forenames, regardless of gender, are preceded by a letter representing their tribe, followed by an apostrophe representing their given name. In colloquial speech amongst close friends and companions, sometimes the tribe letter will be dropped from the forename if favor of using just the given name (eg. Lhaminn instead of F'lhaminn).

Most males have simple, one or two syllable given names, while females can have slightly longer names, typically two to three syllables. The extra H's seen in names such as "Bhee," "Kuzh," and "Pahsh" represent a slight hissing/spitting sound that is made when the name is pronounced by the cat-like Miqo'te. Many of the other races in Eorzea cannot accurately reproduce this sound, so the H's end up going silent when read (Bee, Kooz, Pash).

Seekers do not take family names, with their tribe name filling a similar role instead. For surnames, female Seekers take their father's given name, while males take one of two titles that denote their position within their tribe: "Nunh" for breeding males and "Tia" for all others. All males are born as tia. At any time in their lives, a tia can challenge the tribe nunh to battle. If the tia is victorious, he takes the nunh's place as tribe breeding male until he is challenged and defeated, and the nunh becomes a tia once again if he survives the ordeal. This is done to ensure that the tribes offspring are of the finest stock. Depending on its size, a tribe may have multiple nunhs.

Seeker tribes

Seeker forenames, regardless of gender, are always preceded by a letter representing their tribe. In the mass exodus which occurred during the Fifth Umbral Era, 26 Seeker of the Sun tribes crossed the frozen seas to Eorzea in search of food and warmer climates. The names of these tribes contained many sounds which were difficult to represent with the existing Eorzean alphabet, but the fact that there were the same exact number of tribes as letters in the Eorzean alphabet was taken as a sign that they were destined to make the new realm their home, and so each tribe was assigned with a letter/sound that was closest to its name. Over time, this resulted in the changing of the pronunciation to more closely resemble the pronunciation of the Eorzean letter than that of the original word.

The tribe names are originally based on traditional beastkin, scalekin, or cloudkin totems, which are said to protect the tribe.

A: Antelope (pronunciation: short Ah)

B: Boar (short Bee)

C: Coeurl (short Ka)

D: Dodo (short Deh)

E: Eft (short Eh)

F: Bear (short F)

G: Gryphon (short, hard Goo)

H: Gigantoad (short Hah)

I: Bufflalo (short Ee)

J: Jackal (short Jah)

K: Hipparion (short Koo)

L: Viper (short Lee)

M: Marmot (short Meh)

N: Aldgoat (short N)

O: Mole (short Oh)

P: Basilisk (short Peh)

Q: Puk (short Key)

R: Raptor (short Ruh)

S: Zu (short Soo)

T: Condor (short Tuh)

U: Drake (Ooh)

V: Vulture (short Vah)

W: Wolf (short Wah)

X: Lynx (short She)

Y: Jaguar (short Yah or short Ee)

Z: Ziz (short Zoh)

Example names

Male

• O'raha Tia (Raha, tia of the Mole Tribe)
• O'bhen Tia (Bhen, tia of the Mole Tribe)
• U'odh Nunh (Odh, nunh of the Drake Tribe)
• K'tyaka Nunh (Tyaka, nunh of the Hipparion Tribe)

Female

• N'bolata Raha (Bolata of the Aldgoat Tribe, daughter of Raha)
• A'zumyn Bhen (Zumyn of the Antelope Tribe, daughter of Bhen)
• H'amneko Odh (Amneko of the Gigantoad Tribe, daughter of Odh)
• J'nangho Tyaka (Nangho of the Jackal Tribe, daughter of Tyaka)

Random Seeker of the Sun names

The following are the potential names generated by the in-game name generator for Seeker of the Sun characters. All have an equal 1% chance of being chosen with the exception of male surnames, which have a 97% percent chance of being Tia and a 3% chance of being Nunh, representing the rarity and importance of nunhs in the Seekers' patriarchal society.

Male forenames	Male surnames	Female forenames	Female surnames
A'bhin	Nunh	A'dhodjbi	Aba
A'ghol	Tia	A'gnayak	Aboh
A'nuloh		A'khebica	Amih
A'tiqa		A'linhbo	Bamu
A'vanoh		B'abodji	Banhi
A'vett		B'arhll	Batih
B'alih		B'nimuili	Belhi
B'ghol		B'raemha	Bhen
B'nhea		C'lantaa	Bhudi
B'raht		C'ranmaia	Bihl
B'zinba		C'tadhara	Celah
C'behm		D'maladyu	Chaho
C'mona		D'ondolo	Cirha
C'shtah		D'wonjhali	Cott
C'vanoh		E'jusana	Denma
D'bhin		E'nibnpha	Dhen
D'chah		E'paghlo	Dhol
D'lohi		F'mallibo	Dinhe
D'nuloh		F'manafa	Falh
E'datih		F'whalon	Fhey
E'kayah		G'intana	Fhuz
E'mhati		G'konnala	Fijah
E'nijah		H'alabali	Gayha
E'rinha		H'molosi	Genhu
F'iaho		I'dhakya	Ghuh
F'lohi		I'dhinek	Ginwa
F'zula		I'nanghal	Halha
G'azih		I'zazanh	Heleh
G'tenpe		I'zimzizi	Hena
G'viloh		J'dasshym	Hiqoh
H'laqa		J'lamahni	Iahe
H'rihnn		J'majha	Jesal
H'zhet		J'talhdi	Jhamei
H'zula		K'biwali	Jhida
I'chai		K'djawana	Jinh
I'datih		K'lyhhia	Jutah
I'kayah		K'pandolu	Kett
I'phel		K'yalwann	Khah
I'quon		L'koliwe	Khilo
I'raht		L'mihgazoo	Khuba
I'rihnn		M'dennmo	Laqi
J'atoh		M'korolon	Lhea
J'azih		M'laiboli	Lhuil
J'chah		M'sumbla	Lizha
J'inwa		M'trimmna	Loha
J'yhuh		N'onggo	Malha
K'falkh		N'rhabye	Menh
K'phel		O'bokhn	Mhasi
K'shtah		O'bolaff	Mitnu
L'iaho		O'datnan	Monhi
L'olh		O'juramm	Muhih
L'tiqa		O'kholbeh	Naweh
M'bahlo		O'ndanya	Ndai
M'binba		O'yaalamo	Neneh
M'welhi		P'dhamya	Nitsah
N'bhem		P'dhilogo	Nulah
N'binba		P'fhiroh	Odh
N'quon		P'lahmui	Oimeh
N'welhi		P'tajha	Pahlo
N'zhet		P'tchakha	Petih
O'tenpe		P'wabati	Phen
O'tyada		Q'hahtoa	Pinha
O'zinba		Q'nhalki	Qhulu
P'inwa		Q'zalikko	Qolnh
P'jenma		R'adebh	Quah
P'tyada		R'lloon	Quohn
Q'linh		R'nabyano	Raha
Q'olh		S'hozqha	Rahz
R'atoh		S'kalkaya	Rhel
R'ndae		S'lakshai	Rhid
S'mitu		S'naidjaa	Rhiki
S'ndae		T'brohka	Rhof
S'nijah		T'mhalawi	Rhowa
S'yhuh		T'perjha	Rhuwa
T'jenma		T'pondhao	Rihll
T'khot		U'bhowaqi	Runja
T'laqa		U'djongo	Sheqa
T'rhika		U'qawhau	Shikhu
U'holha		U'rhoyod	Sthah
U'khot		U'shakkal	Taqa
U'mitu		U'zangho	Tenbe
U'quih		V'arimbeh	Thish
U'viloh		V'doyagha	Tohka
V'apa		V'piqoi	Tyanu
V'nhea		W'baharra	Tyata
W'holha		W'kepaga	Tyatu
W'quih		W'llayan	Tykha
W'rinha		W'yandih	Vanih
X'apa		W'zamqo	Vheo
X'chai		X'dhovaka	Vhuh
X'linh		X'ghonako	Vimba
X'vett		X'pahtalo	Wetae
Y'rhika		X'telihgo	Wiloh
Y'thub		X'toldha	Xhula
Y'weta		Y'dyalani	Yarhu
Z'alih		Y'khonebb	Yelho
Z'mhati		Y'nbulea	Yhisa
Z'mona		Z'attano	Zhed
Z'thub		Z'jhimei	Zinbhe
Z'weta		Z'moldva	Zolwe

Keepers of the Moon

Conversely to the Seekers of the Sun, Keepers of the Moon have a highly matriarchal society, with family names passed down by the mother from generation to generation. It is said that some of these surnames have survived since the First Astral Era. The matriarchal strength in the clan is further displayed by the fact that female first names are short, one to two syllable constructions that closely resemble names used by male Seekers.

More evidence of how important the mother is to the Keepers of the Moon can be seen when looking at the names given to males. In addition to taking the mother's surname, males also take the mother's forename, adding a suffix to the end to designate the order in which they were born. While ten such suffixes are known, it is rare for a Keeper family to have more than two or three sons.

First son: 'a

Second son: 'to

Third son: 'li

Fourth son: 'sae

Fifth son: 'ra

Sixth son: 'ir

Seventh son: 'wo

Eighth son: 'ya

Ninth son: 'zi

Tenth son: 'tan

Example names

Female

• Okhi Nbolo
• Cemi Jinjahl
• Gota Jaab
• Sizha Epocan

Male

• Okhi'a Nbolo (First son of Okhi Nbolo)
• Cemi'to Jinjahl (Second son of Cemi Jinjahl)
• Gota'li Jaab (Third son of Gota Jaab)
• Sizha'sae Epocan (Fourth son of Sizha Epocan)

Random Keeper of the Moon names

The following are the potential names generated by the in-game name generator for Keeper of the Moon characters. All forenames have an equal 1% chance of being chosen. All surnames have a 2% chance of being chosen with the exception of Jawantal, which has a 4% chance.

Of note among these is the male forename Rhaya'lo, whose 'lo suffix is not listed amongst the known male suffixes. Their order of birth is thus unknown, and the implication of them being one of eleven or more brothers would be an extremely rare anomaly within Keeper society.

Male forenames	Female forenames	Surnames
Amh'a	Amh	Akhabila
Bathu'a	Bathu	Amariyo
Daca'li	Bukah	Anbolho
Daca'to	Cemi	Awandah
Detoh'li	Daca	Bajhiri
Dhebi'li	Detoh	Betwanhe
Dhebi'ya	Dhebi	Binbotaj
Fihpo'li	Doyoh	Burwani
Gota'li	Fihpo	Chalahko
Hawu'li	Giah	Chelewae
Jihli'a	Gota	Dakwhil
Kehda'li	Hahs	Dolabnha
Kehda'to	Hawu	Elakha
Kheda'a	Hnaba	Entialpoh
Khona'li	Jihli	Epocan
Khona'to	Kehda	Fashonti
Khuja'a	Kheni	Gamduhla
Khuja'to	Khloe	Ganajai
Khuma'zi	Khona	Garanjy
Kiht'a	Khuja	Jaab
Kiht'li	Khuma	Jakkya
Koh'a	Kiht	Jawantal
Koh'li	Koh	Jinjahl
Koh'sae	Lalah	Jomalah
Lalah'to	Leih	Kaatapoh
Leih'a	Lhei	Khamazom
Leih'li	Lho	Lanbatal
Leih'to	Masha	Lihzeh
Lho'a	Masya	Lyehga
Lho'ir	Mauh	Maimhov
Masha'to	Mhih	Mewrilah
Mholi'ra	Mholi	Mhakaracca
Mholi'to	Miah	Molkoh
Miah'to	Mikh	Molkot
Mikh'a	Monh	Moshantu
Mikh'li	Muijh	Moshroca
Mikh'to	Naih	Mujuuk
Naoh'a	Naoh	Nbolo
Naoh'li	Nashu	Nelhah
Naoh'ra	Nemoh	Panipahr
Nhagi'li	Ngha	Polaali
Nhago'li	Nhagi	Quowaital
Nhago'ra	Nhago	Rabntah
Nhago'ya	Nheu	Relanah
Nheu'a	Nozih	Tayuun
Osha'li	Oah	Wahcondalo
Osha'tan	Oghii	Wilzuun
Osha'to	Okhi	Wolndara
Osha'zi	Okkh	Zhwan
Pelhi'sae	Osha
Pimoh'a	Pahja
Pimoh'to	Panha
Poki'a	Pawah
Qahs'a	Pelhi
Qata'a	Pimoh
Qata'to	Poki
Qih'sae	Pyha
Qih'to	Qahs
Qih'wo	Qata
Qina'a	Qhom
Qina'ra	Qhon
Qina'to	Qhota
Raih'a	Qih
Raih'li	Qina
Rhaq'a	Raih
Rhaya'li	Rhaq
Rhaya'lo	Rhaya
Rhaya'ra	Rhel
Rhela'a	Rhela
Rhela'li	Rhesh
Rhela'to	Rhoe
Rhel'ir	Rinh
Rhel'ra	Rubh
Rhel'wo	Sahja
Rhesh'a	Sami
Rinh'a	Seda
Rubh'a	Senah
Rubh'li	Sizha
Sami'a	Tahla
Sami'tan	Tajih
Sami'to	Tefh
Seda'a	Thata
Seda'li	Thya
Sizha'li	Tseh
Sizha'to	Tsimh
Tahla'to	Tsubh
Tefh'a	Tyago
Thata'sae	Tyo
Tyo'li	Una
Una'a	Urha
Una'li	Vhaso
Una'sae	Wyra
Una'to	Xau
Wyra'li	Xheh
Wyra'to	Yehn
Yehn'a	Yhah
Yehn'ir	Yhom
Yehn'wo	Yohah
Zana'sae	Zana
Zana'tan	Ziuz

Mystel

The First's version of Miqo'te, the Mystel, follow a differing naming system that hyphens two words together to make a name. Female first names are 4-5 letters long, and their second names are 3-4 letters long; the reverse is true for male names. It is unknown what the relation between names is, though the only married couple encountered, Dulia-Chai and Chai-Nuzz, share the "Chai" name, possibly indicating a familial element to the female second name and male first name.

Female examples:

• Riqi-Mao
• Hanji-Fae
• Renda-Sue
• Nunsi-Lue
• Moshei-Lea
• Mosha-Moa
• Zumie-Shai

Male examples:

• Mei-Tatch
• Fae-Hann
• Chei-Ladd
• Zao-Mosch
• Vrio-Reeq
• Bie-Zumm
• Kee-Satt

Some names come in feminine and masculine versions, such as:

• Queshi/Quesh
• Renda/Rend
• Bosta/Bostt
• Chora/Chorr
• Tatcha/Tatch
• Zumie/Zumm
• Tista/Tistt
• Hanji or Hangi/Hann

Other tribes

Miqo'te found in Dalmasca, while having the same features as Seekers of the Sun, seem to use different forename conventions, as seen with the only two named Dalmascan Miqo'te, Dyunbu and Llofii. Dalmascan Miqo'te surname conventions are unknown, as both Dyunbu and Llofii adopted the Garlean surname Potitus, common amongst Miqo'te with imperial citizenship.

Behind the scenes

A number of Miqo'te surnames of both tribes are taken directly from specific Mithra NPCs in Final Fantasy XI:

• Aliapoh
• Epocan
• Jaab
• Jakkya
• Jinjahl
• Lihzeh
• Lyehga
• Mewrilah
• Mhakaracca
• Molkot
• Moshroca
• Moui
• Nelhah
• Nbolo
• Polaali
• Rabntah

Notes

References

Miqo'te Naming Conventions on the official forums