r/TopCharacterTropes • u/dream_monkey • 11h ago

Lore (Loved Trope) Aptronyms

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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.

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u/TyroneSlothrop88 5h ago

This movie gets a lot of hate but the name fits * Side note I liked the movie

18

u/TyroneSlothrop88 5h ago

Oh and Edward scissorhands, I mean what are the chances.

7

u/4d-lettuce 5h ago

Most everyone I’ve seen hating the movie hasn’t actually seen the movie.

2

u/Embarrassed-Display3 5h ago

The movie stars Jesse! And Plemons!! Wow!

1

u/brookrain 4h ago

I’d like to watch this movie but I can’t say I like the way he’s standing with his legs spread like that