(Loved Trope) Aptronyms

[u/dream_monkey]

Aptronyms are characters whose name is heavily symbolic or represent them as a character. Sometimes it is a subtle play on words, sometimes it’s just a clunky transliteration. Either way, it can help characterize a character and provide more allegorical depth. Authors must be careful not to delve into the realm of cliche, though.

1. Draco Malfoy (Harry Potter series) His name means Evil Dragon, and he tries really hard to live up to his name.

[Many commenters have pointed out that Darth Vader is not a true aptronym. I stand corrected .]

1. Darth Vader (Star Wars series) His name means Dark Father, which cleverly conceals one of the biggest reveals in cinema history.

2. Cthulhu (Lovecraft mythos) Cthulhu may just sound like a nonsense syllable, unpronounceable by a human mouth. The name is derived from the word “cthonic” which means a being that lives under the earth or in the underworld, so an ancient and terrible god that lies dreaming in death at the bottom of the ocean would definitely fit the description.

[u/raccoonsonbicycles]

Tons of comic villains 

"Guy with 8 arms is named Octavius?" (Otto Octavius = Doc Ock which is short for both Octopus or Octavius)

Same vein of bad guys who are just Dr. Lastname - Victor Von Doom was destined to be bad

Caitlin Snow = Killer Frost 

John Henry Irons = Steel

Thal Sinestro = Sinestro = a sinister guy (evil not left handed)

Scott Free = Mr. Miracle, escape artist

Silviya Sablinova = Silver Sable

Leland Owley = The Owl

Blackagar Boltagon = Black Bolt

Asa Martin = Samaritan

I feel theres a case to be made for Jonathan Crane (Scarecrow) being creepy like Sleepy Hollow/ichabod Crane

[u/DMFAFA07 → u/raccoonsonbicycles]

Scott free is the opposite I think. He was given that name because he tried to escape Apokolips so much I think he was named that mockingly.