When doing research for this Tumblr, I come across a lot of interesting terms and mythological figures that immediately make me think, “That could be a name in Avatar!” I thought I’d share some of these names for any fan writers or artists who are interested in creating Avatar original characters. The names/words I’m listing are relatively easy to pronounce for an English speaker and in-line with the naming conventions that exist within Avatar (in my opinion).
Also, most of these names/words would not be used as names in the real world, but that’s always been the case with names in Avatar. ATLA is just a world of very on-the-nose names.
Suzaku (朱雀) - The Japanese name for the Vermilion Bird, which represents the element of fire, the direction of south, and the season of summer.
Sanzuwu (三足烏) - A red, three-legged crow known for dragging the sun across the sky in Chinese mythology.
Alaz - God of all fire in Turkic mythology. If fire is treated with respect, his flames can purify. If fire is neglected or disrespected, his flames can destroy.
Nezha (哪吒) - A protection deity in Chinese folk religion. He is often shown flying in the sky with fire wheels and a fire-tipped spear in his right hand.
Sanna or Sedna (ᓴᓐᓇ) - Inuktitut name for the Inuit goddess of the sea. Sanna is the actual pronunciation of the name, but Sedna is strangely the way the name is typically Anglicized in academia and other informational sources.
Arna - Various Inuit groups refer to the sea goddess by a name that incorporates the syllables “Arna”: Arnaqquassaaq (Greenland), Sassuma Arnaa (West Greenland), and Arnapkapfaaluk (Copper Inuit). I’m assuming Arna might be a morpheme indicating that the name/word relates to a woman.
Takana - Short for Takánakapsâluk or Takannaaluk, the Igloolik names for the goddess of the sea.
Akna - The goddess of fertility and childbirth in Inuit mythology.
Nanook - I know it’s a bit cliche since there’s already a film called “Nanook of the North” about an Inuk man in the Canadian Arctic, but it has a nice ring to it nonetheless. Nanook means “Polar Bear” in many Inuit languages.
Kaneq - Central Yupik for “Frost”.
Kuik - Central Yupik for “River”.
Qanir - Central Yupik for “To Snow”.
Like what I’m doing? Tips always appreciated, never expected. ^_^
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