h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was hoping Magnolia would come back...
ok - give me a sec - I haven't had breakfast either - it's almost 6pm here...
(needless to say, I'm a little ill...)

Goodness! I haven't visited this forum for a while and didn't realize there was someone dangling about unread! Excuse me, Margravine Palavar! One analysis coming up ...

Okay! Right off, my first impression is of someone who's really into communication. Palavar is rather a giveaway, but there's also the "vine" part of the first name -- as in "grapevine" Also, a series of sites I visit are all linked with a "vine" theme -- The ScifiVine, The ComputerVine etc, so I can't help but think along the lines of communication and communities.

Sometimes a name inspires a strong sense of colours in me: this one makes me think of a strong rich red -- the Margravine part of the name. AND, for some reason, a full head of warm brown hair. But you realize, don't you? that this isn't meant to be any kind of divination -- it's just what the name "sounds like" to ME. Maybe that's because I hear a shade of magenta in that first name. And also a bit of marmalade, and also a pat of margerine -- so all in all, a sense of morning sunlight and a comfortable breakfast nook!!

As you can see the associations are flowing rather freely.

Palavar also brings to mind medieval knights -- sounding very faintly like "Palladin" maybe? -- so I think of this person as being someone with a warm sense of history and the classics, perhaps a bit of a romantic? Someone who likes an orderly universe and doesn't mind appearing with a conventional first name and a last name format. Except that they're not QUITE typical names, which suggests to me that this user enjoys subtle wordplay and has a wry but quiet sense of humour.

Someone who doesn't mind taking the trouble to type in a long name -- is possibly house-proud and likes to dress well -- all of this from the sense of effort of creating a username with three syllables each. This is a different kind of effort to the sort of name which is actually a complete statement, because this name SOUNDS like a real name, not a sub-heading for a personal biography -- to actually choose a longish name for use in cyberspace suggests a user who is perhaps attracted to long names in real life or actually has a long name or -- this is a private theory I have, founded on pure blue sky -- is a fairly tall person and is thus used to taking up a bit of space.

I would expect that there is some specific derivation for the name, that it isn't just a random collection of sounds. Maybe associations with authors' names or friends, maybe a favourite character in a book or a movie. *shrug* Can't say what precisely, however.

And ... okay, that's it! Sorry it took so long to get back to you, Margravine. OH -- I also had a bit of an idea, that someone who chose Nidra as a name might also be interested in yoga. Just a thought.

... speak of the devil and she appears! That was rather nicely time, MyRedDice! I'm still away from my base-camp on Earth, so I haven't been watching over this forum closely (does everyone find that their forums sometimes take off and live a life of their own without appearing to? I imagined that I kept a hawk-eye out for all and any sign of activity, but I missed these last three or four days altogether. Anyway, you and Penguin Girl are doing a splendid job! It's delightful to have associates).

Could someone analyze my username?

I will make this harder by refusing to tell you how it's pronounced. I will admit that the signature I use is shortened to Fragilis.

Fragilis
See?

Here goes... Entirely plausable is the idea that this is another name which the author would claim "means nothing". Such claims are to be ignored - in that case the subconsious came up with the name, and the subconscious always has reasons - obscure though they may be... I'd place my bets on a soft 'g' - the hard g would stick in the throat during routine pronounciation, and seems unlikely, given the softness of the rest of the name.

Note that the signature doesn't have a preceding '-' or a following '.' This person doesn't particularly need adorning - happy to be themselves, not someone who'd take to regularly greasing their hair/slapping on makeup, though probably not hugely averse to it. Someone at ease with themselves.

Fragilis rhymes with Analysis, which is intellectually pleasing, but almost completely irrelevant. The only point to ponder is whether the name was created especially for this analysis session, which would be backed up by the obtuseness of the introduction, but this seems ridiculously unlikely.

Perhaps more sensibly, It's kind of similar to that old TV favourite - "Fraggle Rock", starring The Fraggles - small muppet-like creatures which ran around in a demented daze avoiding the big monsters from the outside world. Maybe a fan, or perhaps just a coincidence. Then again, it *could* be from Quake or some other violent game, and refer to the process of "fragging" someone. This seems less likely, as it would require a hard 'g', but it could happen.

The ending: -ilis, is a little more revealing: It sounds a Latin type of ending, suggesting that the user is well-read, or at least wishes to appear to be well-read. I can't recall myself the gender and plurality of the ending: I think it's masculine, singular, but my Latin is a little rusty, sadly. Let's work with masc/sing for the moment, anyway, eh? It also implies a little age - enough years to decide that Latin isn't instinctively evil - no younger than 20, I'd say.

I suppose the other obvious simile is "fragile" - perhaps we're dealing with someone with one of those soft, sensitive sides I hear so much about? Or possibly a name designed to make people think that so he can bop them on the head - that would take a particularly ruthless personality - someone trying to turn empathy against their owner. Well, you can never be sure if a username is deliberately trying to create a false impression, so let's assume honesty, and press on.

I have a theory that names of the form "A the B" are generally derived from role-playing games, or possibly some of the more pulplike Sci-fi/Fantasy, especially with the classical capitalisation shown here, and the dropping of the qualifier for sigs. But which of these is true here, or are both? And is this new information when you consider that the majority of people here will be into one or the other anyway?

Second word: Melodical. I love this - because it describes the name itself: "Fragilis the Melodical" is a very Melodical name! Going along with the RPG theme, I'd expect this character to be a bard - but otherwise we could safely expect that the user is some sort of musician, or at least attempts to be. Perhaps it's an ironic thing, and the user tries to play an instrument but fails miserably - saying "oh yeah, me, I'm very melodical"? Could be, but I don't think so on this occasion. In any case, I think the self-reference suggests a good degree of inate intelligence.

Now I steal Magnolia's shoes, and try out a few of her tricks. Only a single descender, and lots of ascenders. That suggests a fairly up-in-the-air personality, prone to flights of fantasy - that fits in with the RPG thing, again. Lot's of l's and i's -> short letters. I don't know what that implies, but it certainly implies something! We've got the standard capitalisation, which suggests a degree of intelligence, and an understanding of the rules - though the lack of descenders implies a willingness to break them where appropriate. All those ascenders shows a willingness to stand up and be counted, though this person would be sure not to stand on anyone's toes as he did so...

Ok, so who do we have? Well, looking at this name, I'd be thinking of a man, sitting at his computer. I think he's sitting there alone - there's nobody watching over his shoulder as he types, or if there is then he doesn't like it! That doesn't mean he's single, but I'd go as far as to say unmarried - I can't imagine a married/engaged person using a singular ending. Probably got a few books on his bookshelf, some sci-fi or fantasy, but a few eclectic ones from a widely varied background. On balance, I reckon he *is* an RPGer - playing a bard of some kind. For some reason I think it's an MMORPG like Ultima Online, rather than a face-face thing, but I'm not sure.
Not wearing anything special: T-shirt, jeans, that sort of thing. I'd like to imagine a few random instruments up in the attic, or perhaps a mouth organ lying around somewhere close to hand. Maybe a cute Fraggle cuddly toy in the corner, probably given by a friend as a joke, and clung onto long after it stopped being funny to anyone else. Subdued lighting, and a lava lamp too.... no, that's going a bit too far...

MyRedDice - takes off Magnolia's shoes, and goes to get a coffee

Actually, it's difficult to add anything to a really well-fleshed out analysis, like MyRedDice just did, so normally I wouldn't bother. But in the case of this name, I had a different response to MyRedDice. And the thing about Name-alysing is that it's really about what a name APPEARS to suggest ... and that might well change from person to person, depending on age and ethnic background and all manner of other factors.

So for me Fragilis the Melodical sounds like a fragile and musical person! That was the first impression I got. And the thing about first impressions is that they're hard to shake off. I find that I am routinely mistaken in my ideas about who is REALLY male or REALLY female, so I can only say that I get the impression of a young female person, delicate of frame, perhaps a little crystalline, rather like those wine glasses that can be made to "sing". So if this user is actually a 7-foot tall stevedore well ... he has succeeded in fooling me!

Ahh well, I looked it up, and an -ilis is actually a neuter singular ending, so I have to rapidly backpeddle on the gender!

There is actually a wildly obscure reference in the HHG trilogy to a Fragilis, whose music was the mark of a by-gone golden age on a particular planet. I also liked the name for the gender-neutral Latin-sounding connotation. I added "the Melodical" partly because I knew nobody would catch the reference, and partly because it sounded good. I was very aware of the "fragile" connotation. In fact, I actually pronounce it "frah-jee'-liss."

I enjoy role-playing. I actually do my role-playing in real life (primarily Shadowrun). However, I am also an incredible net-head. I enjoy both science fiction and fantasy books, and I also have a penchant for classic fairy tales and mythology. I have played the piano since age 6, and the flute since age 12. I compose music in my spare time.

I am a 26-year-old female, of the short red-headed variety. The long name is ironic and satiric, since I'm usually self-effacing and shy in person. I am bisexual, and enjoy a certain gender neutral view of the world. I have lived with my male soulmate for over 5 years (met him on the internet), but I refuse to get married until there is at least one more consenting adult in the house. And yes, I hate it when people look over my shoulder while I'm typing. And I do have an Intel Bunny Person, a JugglyPuff Pokemon and a 3-eyed cat on my computer. But no lava lamp.

Hurray for the username interpreters! And a round of Djinn for everyone -- on me.

Djinn?
*drinks some*
Sounds nice - what is it?

Some people online use small letters in their names for a reason not mentioned here yet. In chat rooms and message boards for people into dominant/submissive role-playing, submissive personalities are expected to use small letters only to denote their status. Their names are often very ordinary (like jane), indicate vulnerability (like tinywaist), or are a bit insulting (like pantyboy). Dominant personalities use capital letters at the start of their name, and may also use British-style titles to denote a certain royal status (Lady Marveaux, Xavier, Count Metrix, and so on).

My own name is a bit of a bender on this practice. It is related to the word "fragile" but also uses capital letters and includes a faux title (the Melodical). If you haven't guessed, I am a switch on those rare occasions when I indulge in the BDSM chat scene.

Sorry if that was too much information.

Djinn is the liquid embodiment of the phrase, 'Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.' It grants you one wish, and then promptly takes it away the next morning and leaves you with a roaring headache.

Most people wish simply to get nice and inebriated, but you can be creative and wish for something else if you like.

I wish for naked women!

*smacks his head ineffectually*

Ok, Lucinda, naked men too...

*sigh*

Oh! What a beautiful interpretation of my name. I enjoyed the part about The Vine sites since I visit the Reader's Vine regularly. (I'm Mitsou Durrell there should anyone feel like visiting. Come and help renew the Saki thread!) It is a very communicative name isn't it? I'm becoming prouder of it by the second as it takes on this little life of its own.

I have to agree about that whole breakfast nook bit. The name has that pompous length but overall it's rather warm and welcoming I think. My hair is a very warm, intense auburn so your color associations are just right. For some reason when I picture a Margravine Palavar, I picture a slightly unraveled auburn Gibson Girl type hairstyle.

I actually came up with it after a little free associating about words and sounds I like. Both words have their own meanings but are just underused enough that I can ignore them. Their being nice to say came first for me. I also love the word Malabar. (Say it to yourself now. It feels good.) You know I hadn't noticed it until you mentioned it but my given name has the exact same number of syllables. Perhaps I did gravitate towards that instinctually.

I think I was somewhat influenced by Michael Moorcock's End of Time stories. All of the characters have those wonderfully ridiculous names like Sweet Orb Mace and The Iron Orchid.

Oh, and I don't practice yoga but you're on the right track. Nidra is a Hindu name. Anyway, thank you for the well thought out interpretation. It really brought out a lot of my semi-conscious motivations in making it.

Not too much information at all -- that was very interesting, Fragilis, thanks! I am hoping to append a list to the main article on UserName Analysis of specific features to look out for while NameReading and this is exactly the kind of information that is pertinent. I will be sure to credit suggestions of this kind ... so anyone who has been following threads in this forum, please DO feel welcome to offer your thoughts and criticisms regarding the techniques being used here.

Hi -- glad you liked the 'nalysis -- and would you recommend registering at the Reader's Vine? I am starting to suffer from site-ennui and wonder whether I can possible manage yet another one ... But I adore Lawrence Durrell (well, I've really only read the Quartet -- but that's enough!), so if he's the Durrell you mean, I already feel a little encouraged (of course I like Gerald too, but if I HAD to choose between the two Durrells I would opt for the older one. Of course).

I would definitely recommend the Reader's Vine. It's a pretty time consuming site since participation is all that keeps it going, but it's a really nice environment for discussing books. The Durrell in question is Gerald. I'm pretty sure that it's an American site and Gerald is the more famous brother here.

There's someone waiting to be analysed on another conversation here...