Gorean Philosophy Regarding Names

Goreans are a superstitious lot — at least those of the Lower Cates (the High Castes won't admit to such) and as even in some cultures found on Earth, the use of a "real name" versus that of a "use name" is common on Gor.

"The Goreans have a habit of not revealing names easily. For themselves, particularly among the Lower Castes, they often have a real name and what is called a use name. Often only the closest relatives know the real name. On the level of the First Knowledge, it is maintained that knowing the real name gives one power over a person, a capacity to use that name in spells and insidious magical practices. Perhaps something of the same sort lingers even on our native Earth, where the first name of a person is reserved for use by those who know him intimately and presumably wish him no harm. The second name, which would correspond to the use-name on Gor, is common property, a public sound not sacred or to be protected. At the level of the Second Knowledge, of course, the High Castes, at least in general, recognize the baseless superstition of the Lower Castes and use their own names comparatively freely, usually followed by the name of their city. For example, I would have given my name as Tarl Cabot of Ko-ro-ba, or, more simply, as Tarl of Ko-ro-ba. The Lower Castes, incidentally, commonly believe that the names of the High Castes are actually use-names and that the High Castes conceal the real names." — Tarnsman of Gor, pages 58-59.

"May I ask your name?" she asked tactfully.
      "I am Tarl."
      "Is that a use-name?"
      "No," I said, "it is my true name."
      "Talena is my true name," she said. Of High Caste, it was natural that she was above the common superstitions connected with revealing one's name. — Tarnsman of Gor, page 107.

The use of a free person's name is something that is allowed only between free persons, and never of a slave addressing a free.

"I realized that she had spoken to me as a free woman, having used my name." — Tarnsman of Gor, page 72.

"Tarl Cabot!" she cried. "Tarl Cabot!" It seemed like lightning to us both that she had cried my name as might have a free woman. And indeed it was a free woman who cried those words, Dina, a free woman of Turia. — Nomads of Gor, page 108.

Earth names are often given to a slave, not only because many Earth names sound beautiful to a Gorean male, but also to discipline a slave, that she is not any better as a Gorean-bred slave than that of a barbarian slave of Earth.

Editor's Note

This page is an on-going project and will be updated as time allows.

 

 

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Special Note

Because of the differences in publishing the books, depending upon whether published in the U.S. or Europe, depending upon whether a first publishing or a Masquerade Books release, page numbers will often vary. All of my quotes are from original, first-printing U.S. publications (see The Books page for a listing of publishers and dates) with the exception of the following books:

  • Tarnsman of Gor (2nd Printing, Balantine)
  • Outlaw of Gor (11th Printing, Balantine)
  • Priest-Kings of Gor (2nd Printing, Balantine)
  • Assassin of Gor (10th Printing, Balantine)
  • Raiders of Gor (15th Printing, Balantine)
  • Captive of Gor (3rd Printing, Balantine)

Disclaimer

These pages are not written for any specific home, but rather as informational pages for those not able to get ahold of the books and read them yourself. Opinions and commentaries are stricly my own personal views, therefore, if you don't like what you are reading — then don't. The information in these pages is realistic to what is found within the books. Many sites have added information, assuming the existences of certain products and practices, such as willowbark and agrimony for healing, and travel to earth and back for the collection of goods. I've explored the books, the flora, the fauna, and the beasts, and have compiled from those mentioned, the probabilities of certain practices, and what vegetation mentioned in the books is suitable for healing purposes, as well as given practicalities to other sorts of roleplaying assumptions.