Hello everybody. I hear a lot about how the different names of races in Tes correspond to different cultures in the real world, but I can't seem to recall what these were. I'm fairly certain the Bretons have French names, but what about the rest? I think the Imperial are Roman, but what I really need to know are the Redguards. I ask because I need a title for a story of mine, and am wondering what I should translate "War of Knights" into to make it relevant to Hammerfell. Thanks

You're making some pretty big assumptions there..the Bretons aren't all that French and the Imperials are only superficially Roman..they're more Byzantine than anything. And the languages of Tamriel are completely different from those of Earth. With the exception of Yokudan and Hist, most of the spoken tongues are derived from the language of the Aldmer.

Of course, I only meant for naming purposes. I always thought that Breton names came from France and Imperial names came from ancient Rome; am I wrong? If not, then do you have any idea as to what the Redguard names come from? I would hazard a guess at something African, but I don't really know. Thanks though

I'm really not sure what's up with the Redguards. Older games portrayed them with heavy Middle Eastern influences in their architecture and naming conventions. Of course, this was probably because the races weren't as fleshed out back then and it may have helped to distinguish them when working with older graphics and technology. Then came Redguard, and the "Hammerfell style" we all know and love. I've wondered if both of these incarnations of the Redguards are canon, or if we can generally assume that the older, Arabic style wasn't right.

Many of the names actually sound like they're derived from the Southern United States, "slave names" such as Jim, Wayn, Ernest, and Jon. However, that only accounts for some of the names - a great deal more seem completely random, but I'd go so far as to say European-inspired more than African.

Those are cyrodilic names given to Redguards (like Redguard itself).

Many have British names, some have Germen/Prussian names, some have swiss names and soem have Scottish ones. Generally, they have central/western European names.




Name-wise the majority of Redguards have Persian and non-Arabic middle-eastern names while a good many also have Japanese names.

Not sure as to where the Redguards names come from, but the Imperials are pound for pound Roman (lots of C names), like Crassius Curio, Caius Cossades, Cassius Clay (:hehe:).

Most Imperial names look like Latin names...

While Breton names are oftentimes french, they seem to be "Celt". Big word, right?

No, it's just a generalisation. Breton names are mostly French, strangely. Many are English (not British - that includes eight races, no generalisation like that can be correct). Only a few of them are Breton, one of the Celtic races.

"British" isn't so much intended as racial term as a political and geographical one, though. Most uses of the term "British" are meant in the context of "originating in Britain".

I don't think it's specific enough. It's not that much more specific than saying 'European,' and that won't be of any use to the OP.

When talking of ancient cultures, no, I suppose not.

Well, this OP is very thankful for all your help

So, the general idea is that most of them have non-Arabic middle-eastern names like Mortazo said? Beyond that they are also Persian and Japanese? Sounds kind of a random way to name people. Oh well, thanks anyway, I'll come up with a good title eventually

Morrowind has major Assyrian influences. The Dwemer LOOK like ancient Assyrians, and the Ashlanders have ancient Assyrian-like names.

My impression is that many Redguards have Persian/Arabic names like Azzan and similar. Which, if we are looking for real-world correspondences, makes more sense than European names.