Renaming the characters

[Urgent Power]

Okay, Buffy is a stupid name. Xander is weird (even though it came from Alexander). Willow is not that common. Cordelia? Come on! Spike is a red-headed cat's name, and Angel is a girl's name.

So, with this conclusion, what would you name the characters if you were Joss? (it should fit them!)

And a sub-question: Does Joss like naming his characters weird names, and does he do it on purpose?

 

[Rowan Hawthorn]

Well, Spike, Angel, and Xander are all just nicknames. As far as the others, well: considering the kind of names people give their kids in Real Life, I don't exactly see your point here...

 

[Urgent Power]

Well, it's just a conclusion, it's not the point here. The point is renaming the characters, just for the fun of it.

 

[caritas08]

Joss said on either the Firefly or Serenity commentaries that he considers choosing a name for a character one of the most important processes. He said he spent like a week trying to come up with a name for the Operative before he realized he shouldn't have one. I think he chooses unusual names to give his characters a distinct personality.

As for alternative names I honestly can't think. He originally had a different name for Buffy but I can't remember what it was. I love the name Buffy (although I'm afraid it has kept many people from tuning in and giving the show a chance).
I actually knew a guy named Xander (nickname from Alexander). I love the name Cordelia (I think it's from King Lear). Spike is the only name I don't care for because it is such a common nickname (and it makes me think of spiky hair).

 

[InsaneMystic]

I actually love the name "Willow Rosenberg" (yeah, I love everything about Will, so sue me ^^ )... when I first found out her last name I was all "how fitting both of her names are floral". 🙂

 

[Mozzymandias]

I think Buffy's name had to be something different can you imagine like really common names.

Emily the Vampire Slayer.

Emily being the most popular name of 2007.

 

[Primal Slayer]

I actually like all the names. Their not to far out there and not to common.

 

[The Chosen]

Well, didn't Buffy start out as "Rhonda the Immortal Waitress" or something? Or was that just Joss being funny again?

 

[Lyri]

I liked all the names on the show. I liked how they were different and stood out from the rest of the characters on TV. I mean, seriously, how many TV creators would have named one of their regular, female, characters Fred? Yes, it's short for Winifred, but most people would have shortned it to Winnie (my aunt did) I congratulate Joss for not sticking to the 'normal' names. Although, I think it was a good idea to mix some of those 'normal' names in there, like Dawn, Connor, Zoe, Simon.

I don' think I could ever rename the characters, they're just who they are.

Side note: If I ever have the luck to have a son, he will be called Xander. Not Alexander, Xander.

 

[Aethra]

The woman who lives across the street from me is named Buffy, and she pre-dates the show! She's the only one I know, though. And I know a Xander. I knew an Angel who is a girl, but I don't know if that counts. I love the obscure-ish names, though, because they just add so much to the show. I think thats one of the things that was so funny about Tabula Rasa. Joan and Randy? Rather normal names, but totally not fitting.

 

[Fake Shemp]

Nora the vampire slayer with Norman her vampire with a soul boyfriend. He isnt liked much by wise cracking Mortimer but he is best friends with the witch Ethel, who had a werewolf boyfriend called Alfred but left him for fellow witch Miriam. Mortimer is dating ex-demon Agnes. and dont forget Hank the vampire with a chip and soul, and ex-librarian Walter.

 

[Rowan Hawthorn]

WA, in general, yeah, Buffy is a nickname for Elizabeth, but Buffy Summers's name actually is "Buffy" and not "Elizabeth" (referenced several times: "Welcome to the Hellmouth", "Something Blue" and "End Of Days" come to mind.)

 

[Angel's _Bud]

Buffy's name would look good with Mel Summers

 

[T.I.P]

I like all the names. but if i had to change id do: Id call Xander *Doug*, and Giles *Albert*, Willow would be *Ingrid* and Buffy *Patty*
also Spike would become *Frank*

 

[Fake Shemp]

Mrs. Featherbottom the Vampire Slayer

 

[Lily]

The only Buffy I know is short for Rebecca, but hers comes from a childhood nickname I think rather than a shortening of Rebecca into something unrecognisable 🙂 also I know a Willow and a Xander (his is also short for Alexander), I know 2 Anya's and have heard of a third (blahblahs grilfriends sister Anya) so I don't really think of the names as beig all that odd, and Rupert, Joyce, Olivia, Daniel etc not that weird at all!

I have no idea what I'd rename them as, although it amuses me to call Dawn Umad at times heehee

 

[T.I.P]

The weirdest name is Lindsey. ..............

 

[Lyri]

I have male and female friends called Lindsey, so that never bothered me.

But I do remember reading somewhere that Joss named Buffy after his sister, Rebecca. I'll see if I can find the link.

 

[fly on the wall]

I don't like the name Buffy outside BtVS, but c'mon, a vampire slayer needs a weird name.

Some of the names I love (Willow, Anya, Tara, Dawn), and I agree it's good that most of the names are really unique. Sometimes it annoys me...what are the odds of all these weirdly-named people knowing, interacting with, and becoming friends with each other? But it doesn't annoy me too much.

 

[Lily]

Some of the names I love (Willow, Anya, Tara, Dawn), and I agree it's good that most of the names are really unique. Sometimes it annoys me...what are the odds of all these weirdly-named people knowing, interacting with, and becoming friends with each other? But it doesn't annoy me too much.

maybe it's a hellmouth thing? so much mystical energy maybe it makes parents make weird names, which would make it not so much random happenstance as a foregone conclusion that they would all meet (Buffy being born in outside of Sunnydale is to be ignored lol cause it puts a fly in my logic ointment)? It's a thought, it's not a very good thought, but I'm putting it out there 🙂