This discussion has been brought up a number of times, and I probably just should translate the page from the Suikoden Encyclopedia that explains this in detail. This won't be a word-for-ford translation though, just to get the idea across. So here goes (from page 344 of the Genso Suikoden Encyclopedia).

Rules on People's Names within Suikoden
(Translated and partially re-written by Vector Xthonic of Suikosource)

In the suikoden world, there are those who have last names, middle names, and even those who only have first names. If you know the rules of how people are named, you will be able to get a general understanding of their background. There are basically four different types of names. Here are the explanations:

1. Names with Last Names (and middle names)
   Only for those who are beyond a certain rank within their country, are a member of a family with a long history, or of aristocratic background. This means, by merely having a last name (and possibly middle names), you will immediately be recognized as a person from a prestigious family. Of course, due to that fact there are those who will create false last names to fake themselves as those from the upper class.
   
   Examples:
   • Odessa Silverberg: Born into Scarelet Moon Empire aristocracy.
   • Teresa Wisemail: Born into the noted Wisemail family.
   • Humphrey Mintz: Given his last name due to his military merits.
   • Perceval Fraulein: Given his last name from Captain Galahadupon becoming knighted.
   • Augustine Nabor: May be a genuine family, but may possibly be fake.
   • Freed Y (Yamamoto): Born into the Yamamoto family.
   • Nash Latjke: Harmonian 1st Class Citizen.
   • Thanatos Crawford: A fake name used by Zaj Quilos after he "purchases" 1st Class Citizen rights of the Crawford family, and then adopted the first name "Thanatos."
2. First Name Only
   Normally in the Suikoden world, people only have first names. These are basically the common people. Even if a person has an important role within a nation, if they are born as a commoner, then they won't have last names. In certain cases, last names are granted to commoners, but rules on this depend on the nation, and these cases are typically rare.
   
   Examples:
   • Annabelle: Leader of the Jowston Alliance, but still a commoner.
   • Lepant: President of the Toran Republic, but still of commoner origin (The Toran Republic also discontinued the Scarlet Moon Empire's military-aristocracy system, although those who've had titles from before have kept their names)
   • Amada: A sailor.
   • Lucia: Chief of the Karaya Clan, but the Karaya have no last name system.
3. Elven Names
   Elves have special naming schemes, where their name is listed in the order of--
   
   Individual Name + Mother's Name + Family Name + Clan Name
   
   In the case of Kirkis, his full name is Kirkis Shana Ques Laviankaana. So, this means Kirkis is his individual name, by which most people call him. His mother's name is Shana, Ques is his family name, and he is from the Laviankaana clan (unfortunately, Kirkis is the only elf for whom we know the full name).
   
4. Special Names
   Some names have spaces (or dots) that separate sounds within their names, which make it seem like they have first and last names, but these are actually just one name. Names like this sometimes end up being created by parental whim, or sounds are added to a person's name just to make it sound better. Names of these kind are uncommon, but they don't indicate a person's cultural background or anything.
   
   Examples:
   • Yam Koo: Not Yam of the Koo family, he's just Yam-Koo.
   • Tai Ho: Not Tai of the Ho family, he's just Tai-Ho.
   • Kun To: Not Kun of the To family, he's just Kun-To.
   • Ronnie Bell: Bell is just an "affectionate ending" added to her name, so she isn't from the "Bell" family.
   • Fu Su Lu: Not Fu from the Lu family with middle name Su. It's all just one name-- Fu-Su-Lu

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Thank you very much for this information. I was curious myself as to why certain characters had first and last names, why some only had one name, etc. To some people this info may not mean much to them, but to me it helps me better understand the characters.

Thank you for that article. I never really thought about the etomology behind the Suikoden names. It's nice to have that information.

Percival's last name is Fraulein? That seems either a bit odd, or perfect for his character.

Most people probably know, but Fraulein auf Deutsch (in German) means "young woman". Since Percival seems to be a bit of a sucker for the young ladies, I suppose it seems to make sense.

But Percival "Young Woman" sounds a bit odd.

whoa thats craaaaazy is there really a suikoden encyclopedia? iv always wondered where they got all the information that wasnt in the game cause im a huge fan and have played through everyone (except 5) countless times and was wondering if there were like comics or novels or something that people were getting the information from

So, with this rules, the name Gustav Pendragon and Lilly Pendragon are falses?

Gustav take by his own the last name "Pendragon" when he becomes president of Tinto Republic. isn't it?

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http://www.27runes.tk Comunidad de Suikoden en español [Suikoden site in spanish]
or http://27runes.iespana.es

That's unknown actually. Gustav may have had that last name before, and we may simply have not known about it (such as with Klaus and Kiba's last name, which was only revealed in a publication). He may also have given himself the name after becoming president, establishing himself as a "person of quality."

But, there is no official verdict on this.

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Pendragon is not just a name but is also a title.



So it's likely he gave it to himself after becoming mayor.

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I have a question, what kind of name is Nefentitiri Radames Ampenhetep Iruiktanas Antikoseus Puto Remaios Kureakias Dimetirios Farasmuseian Ishak Saraj Amenenuhet Tatomes Hatshepsut Toto Ank Amen Hortez VI (Aka Hortez's Mother)?

_________________
PD:Forguive my bad english.
http://www.27runes.tk Comunidad de Suikoden en español [Suikoden site in spanish]
or http://27runes.iespana.es

why there's no a name starting with letter X.....

ex. Xera, Xion......

try to explain this... pleaseeee!!!

[quote="Transcending_time"]why there's no a name starting with letter X.....

ex. Xera, Xion......

try to explain this... pleaseeee!!![/quote]

Because the creators haven't made any?

[quote="Transcending_time"]why there's no a name starting with letter X.....

ex. Xera, Xion......

try to explain this... pleaseeee!!![/quote]

Because the creators haven't made any? [/quote]

Wow I never noticed that up till now. But I don't care really.

[/quote] I have a question, what kind of name is Nefentitiri Radames Ampenhetep Iruiktanas Antikoseus Puto Remaios Kureakias Dimetirios Farasmuseian Ishak Saraj Amenenuhet Tatomes Hatshepsut Toto Ank Amen Hortez VI (Aka Hortez's Mother)?
I have a question, what kind of name is [b]Nefentitiri Radames Ampenhetep Iruiktanas Antikoseus Puto Remaios Kureakias Dimetirios Farasmuseian Ishak Saraj Amenenuhet Tatomes Hatshepsut Toto Ank Amen Hortez VI [/b](Aka Hortez's Mother)? [/quote]

A very long one.

Why did the tags stop working? And as for the letter X, there isn't a whole lot you can do with that letter that can't be done with a different one, usually Z. The translators probably thought that a Z was supposed to be used instead of an X or something.....I could see Zunda being Xunda really easily. And that really long name that I'm not even gonna attempt is extremely Egyptian.

This has been by far one of the most interesting posts that I have read.

Japanese make X with "ks" isnt it?

and about the name of hortez mother, its just from another culture, and they probablly are joking about other cultures long names or surnames

( its funny have the puta name in her name, puta in spanish is prostitute )