Doll Names : Orginality vs Characters

It never wanted to create a doll based on a character from an anime for example. This isn't because I don't admire any characters at all, but I guess it's not my style.

As far as original characters goes, I don't create a character and then buy the doll that fits him best. I simply get the doll I like the most.

The only doll so far, that had a define character was my Sorren. His character was developed after his arrival. Of course such a strong character required a partner with huge amounts of tolerance, so for the first time I searched for a girl doll that gave out the feeling of politeness, love and great deal of understanding.

As far as naming goes. It usually takes a few days after the doll has arrived before it is named. I decide the name upon the feeling the doll gives me. Except from Sorren who had a very popular name, the rest of my dolls were named after greek mythology personalities and RP characters I have played.

 

I have both. Or I'm about to have both.

There are Yuuya and Nephele who are my original characters, and there are Spinel and Kero who are largely based on characters from the manga Card Captor Sakura, even if I don't care all that much about "keeping them in character" and shape them at my will.

I've been role playing manga characters rather than original characters for over two years now and I have just as much "pleasure" playing them than if they were my own.
You end up shaping them and giving them a special personality that make them yours. It's "your" Naruto, "your" Fay, "your" Draco (or whatever) - because it's your vision of the character. And I think there's no belittling non-original characters in the hearts of those who like them.

I created my original characters after I had received the dolls, and I chose their names little time before I had received them. Yuuya and Neph aren't characters I've ever role played. It's a fresh start with them lol
As for Kero and Spinel, I've been looking for molds that remind me of them/ the way I see them, and their characters have been ready for a long time already, and are characters I role play.

Since we are speaking of names, I think 'Spinel' and 'Kero' are more original than Yuuya or Nephele, since Yuuya and Nephele are real names whereas Spinel and Kero are not originally real names.
So, names of original characters are not any more "unique" than names of pre-made characters.
In my mind, it doesn't always go together.

It is my belief that no name is "unique". There are just rarer names and more common names.
I know some people research very obscure names to be sure there won't be ten bjds named as such. If this matters to them, well sure why not. But I don't think they should be angry if someone suddenly finds the name cool and copies it. Especially when that someone may live 5000 miles away from them and be most happy to have finally find -the- name they were just as eager to find.
I don't care one bit about someone using the same name for their doll. I didn't invent the name and it's certainly not my property.
----> The character is however mine. If someone was to copy my original character I would be pissed. It's one thing to name them the same, but it's not to try to make the same doll. (although I've never heard of that happening lol)
But for the name... what's in a name?

As for "invented" names... From the moment you tell everyone what your doll is named, you loose control over that name... I understand that someone would be pissed off about the invented name of their original character being used. It's their creative "baby". But really... there's little that can be done and it is in fact rare that the name you think you've invented has not in fact existed before you...
I don't think anybody should feel obligated at all to "ask" someone if they can use the same name.
But I understand that someone might appreciate to be asked. We're on sentimental grounds here A little kindness is never bad

(To the OP and to those of you interested in names, I invite you to have a look at the message board of Babynamesworld, the website I work for ^^ Invented names/ name theft is the kind of thing we discuss there too.
*spams* http://www.babynamesworld.com/forum/index.php)

 

As for me, I don't personally see anything wrong with character dolls. To me, it seems like someone has such fond feelings for a charcter that they want to emulate it. I find it admirable.

Personally, both my (incoming) dolls are originals. Esharpe started out as a character I had drawn and then named. Her name is based off of the music notation E sharp because her character is a Bard.

My other doll, Arietta, I originally heard in a video game and simply fell in love with the name. However, name is the only similarity between the two.

As for 'stealing' names, I don't think of it as that big of an issue. Afterall, someone else is bound to have the same name sooner or later. Plus, if I had come up with a special name, I would feel honored that someone else wanted to use it.

That's just my view point on this.

 

I own manga-inspired character dolls (Chrono, from Chrono Crusade, and Orihime, from Bleach, and Ling (from Fullmetal Alchemist) is waiting for his body...) and 'original' dolls (ChinSeung, Noah, Shoshou), and one inbetween sort of doll (Sora).

For the character dolls, it's just part of the fandom, like making a plushie, isn't it? But way, way more expensive. And if you have the money to burn, so be it! You can always resell, you can always change your mind and change the doll. But if you're really a huge fan of the character, it's nice to have something to 'hold', right?

Also, the 'creation' of these character dolls is a lot of fun. You spend a long time scouring the boards and doll companies to find the right face mold and body mold. You have to figure out how you want to paint that mold, what eyes to get, what wig to get, how to make the clothes/accessories/etc. It's like cosplay planning, right? That's honestly half of the fun. My Chrono doll has been in the works for almost 3 years XD He's so close to being really complete, with manga outfits and everything.

Original 'dolls' (so not original RP characters or whatever-- just a doll) are just dolls I really like, for whatever reason. I see the kind of doll and just want it! And they get (or come with) a name, and that's that. They're enjoyable because you can change their look all the time and try new things. As much as I love them, though, I don't think they're really interesting enough to write stories about/RP as...

My 'inbetween' doll was purchased half because I liked the doll, and half because I thought it was a cute representation of a RP OC (though the RP is based off of Feature Characters...). So, it lets me enjoy both the 'character' aspects of the doll, but also the freedom to do whatever I want with her because she's original.

As to the 'naming' topic that has popped up, I can't say I spent a /whole/ lot of time focusing on the idea of making a unique, individual name. I just made a name that I was happy with, and that fit the doll (like ChinSeung, or Noah Laban). Shoshou came with his name, Sora was named by someone else.. and the others are character dolls ^^

But, there's an interesting subject-- what about people who have the same 'Character' doll? o_o I started Chrono three years ago, and since then I've seen one or two other 'Chrono' dolls (from Chrono Crusade) pop up on the board. Neither use the body/facemold I'm using, and not many people knew about him (since he was incomplete) so I /know/ they aren't 'copying'. They just love the character enough to make a doll too!

Some people might have a problem with this? I don't, really, since my doll is my doll and I'm happy with that ^^

 

I prefer to make my own characters but I don't see anything wrong in basing a doll on a game or cartoon character. I personally spend alot of time on how they'd look, their personality their hair and name. I guess it is easier to use one that exists lol

 

I find both okay because I have an original character and I plan on making one or two characters based after their manga counterparts. Also, making names aren't my forte in the first place, so it takes me a while to name anything anyway. XD

 

My future doll(s) will be original dolls. I want to put my dreams and pieces of myself into them. I will sew clothes for them, the same I wear myself for example. But they will also have something I don't have, like elven ears.

I enjoy original dolls because there are no boundaries. When I would build an existing character, there are certain things that the doll must have in order to be that character. And I want my dolls to be how I want, or how they want themselves to be. If I decide that my doll would wear only pink flowery dresses, she would wear it. And if I decide that she wants to wear all black emo clothes, she can do that. But she still would be herself. But if you have a certain character (lets say Chii of chobits for this example), you can not change wig color. A chii with blue dreads would not be chii anymore.

If someone copies the name I have given to my doll, that's fine with me. There is no copyright on the names I want to use because they are ordinary names. I try to find a name that is not already taken, but with the BJD's community's growing, there might be a day when someone else decides to use the same name as my doll.

But I also think it depends on the name. I take myself for an example this time. The name my parents gave me is Debbie. Not original, a lot people are called Debbie (or Debby). So if I would give my doll a name like that and I see someone else uses the name as well, I don't mind.
But then my screenname/nickname VelvetBat. A name that I have made up myself. It's not an existing name. For such names, I would not like to see when someone copies that name.

 

As people have said before, original names have their own appeal. For instance- (not to be nitpicky, but...) there are about an estimate of ten Edwards on this forum, and at least five Elizabeths. However- taking yet another 'pointing' example, Xi-Feng's Ilu, Ysiri and Ikikuna are automatically distinguishable from other users', be it on photostory titles or gallery labels.

Hence. Excuse my pointless ramble, but the point of BJDs is to enjoy a thing of beauty, and to have a one-of-a-kind doll. Names are a part of someone's identity, and to a doll it's no less. Of course people (flesh ones) have have the same name all the time (I should know- I'm Christine), but BJDs are rare beings that deserve a little individuality. Not to insult Edwards and Elizabeths, of course, and if the character of the doll is suited towards a common name, then it's perfectly okay. No one is going to badger them to call them K'lio or Geardan or Astrakthus.

As Jaina stated above, when you invent a name and post it anywhere, it's bound to get across. Unless the name you've created is fully copyrighted, like Pikachu or Lucario, if people like it they will steal it. Of course, there's always the option of choosing not to reveal the doll's name, but somehow that seems a bit unfair to him/her, doesn't it?

All in all, the summary of my two cents (pennies glued together) is that in my opinion, it all suits the liking of the BJD owner. No one is pressuring Xi-Feng to call Ikikuna 'Emily', and no one is knocking down Aernath's door to 'copyright infringement' her Ichigo and rename him something original, like Crixtion.

Just my own little thoughts on teh subject. ^_________^

 

I'm about to start saving for my first doll (after the holiday season!) and he already have a name, Ryuichi Sakuma from the anime/manga 'Gravitation,' and I'm doing it to not only show my love for my favorite anime/manga character, whom I also cosplay as, but to pay tribute to manga-ka (manga artist) Maki Murakami whose work I greatly admire. I looked for months for a BJD that looked like my Ryuichi, aand when I found him, I was so happy that I danced around the diningroom!

I plan on eventually putting different clothes on him, and even wigs; but to me, he will always be my Ryu, no matter who or what he ends up temporarily looking like!

Ryuichi

 

Original dolls are the best. Personally I think of it as you have to create it from scratch. You don't get to do that with already 'made' characters. I like the constant wondering of what it is my character likes, dislikes, mood, back story, and such. Just something that makes it much more interesting for me and my friends to help create.

I would get mad if someone took their names without asking. My newest doll, that I just ordered has a totally unique and original name. Thats hard to do now a days. About emulating them, I wouldn't mind so much. I don't think a person could create an all original doll. Besides when we see things that we like about one doll, and or character we may end up using it later, because it was just that impressive. I'd try and give credit if I remembered and such, but that just depends on the enormity of what I took.

Names are names, but when it comes to something you create like a doll character, you don't really want it to be stolen. Thats your pride and joy that you've put together and to have someone else just walk up and take a piece away from you, and such can be a challenge. I would love for someone to just say hey I really like that name, how'd you come up with it and such and leave it and never touch it.
When I get my precious boy, I really hope people love him and his character, but it would be even better if people let him be MY original character.

 

I prefer the idea of creating an original character for a doll or giving the doll a character you've come up with yourself. There're so many dimentions to personalities that I'd find it difficult to see all those without making them up anyway.
But when it comes to things like that, I'm a sucker for sticking to the rules so I'd find it much easier and more fun to just go along with whatever you make up yourself, or what the doll demands in some cases (like characters do when you're writing original fiction XD).

 

I personally dont see whats wrong with either. I like the original dolls because you are able to give the doll(s) a personallity you choose, and be able to design (Like clothes, eyes, ect.) the way your doll looks, which is always fun and interesting to see.

But I do like RP or Character-based dolls, because its interesting to see the owner of the doll(s) interpertation, or view I guess of the character. Not to mention its always interesting to see the Characters in doll form.

But I do like both, and love my doll if I may say whos an original, and hey, whatever makes the owner of the doll happy

 

I prefer original dolls because you can create their character and everything about them.

 

I have two original character dolls, I feel like I'm stealing if I take someone else character even to write fan fiction. I wouldn't pay that much money to feel guilty over it. I like my dolls originality, I don't know enough about any other character to own a doll about anyway.

 

I think both ideas are fun, character names can be really fun because then you have an image to emulate, and original you just go from scratch.
"Retired" names? I don't get that concept, except to think maybe soem dolls are so notorious that you would always think of them when you referenced your doll of the same name. sort of like naming your daughter "Madonna". However I am extremely green with envy that someone else (with beautiful memorable dolls) named one of her boys "Johnny Thunders". Broke my heart. Now I have to work on a "Buster Poindexter" boy!

 

Honestly, all names come from invention. Thousands of years ago there might not even be names such as "Peter" or "Mary", because the early humans could not write or communicate in written/spoken language. Languages were eventually invented, civilization progressed and the world developed into its current state.

As such, I find it ridiculous how can anyone claim ownership to any names unless, of course, the name you claim to own is something like "Uasdjhbfajkjwheyhglolha". For example, I call a thing that holds flowers a "vase", and hey I happened to be first one to call this thing a "vase"! Therefore, I am displeased whenever someone calls his or her flower-holding thing a "vase" because I invented it! They should be original and call theirs "asev" (or something else)!

This might not be a very good example because names are after all different from objects, but I am just trying to illustrate the point that names cannot be "owned" by someone and that other people should not feel guilty or whatsoever when they use the same name. They are of course free to feel guilty if they want to, and those that have supposedly came up with names they think they are the first are free to feel disturbed.

The point is - no one owns a name. And that is my own opinion. I am trying to convince no one, and I am merely stating my opinion towards names that are thought to be original and these doll owners who feel distressed/displeased when someone else' doll has the same name.

Although people might say it is for self-consolation, but it is not the name that makes one unique - it is you yourself. And I believe that applies to dolls. Your doll is original because it belongs to you, and you are unique.

And oh, to add on to the fact that even one might not be the first to come up with a name, the name Étienne (from Xi-Feng's profile and no offense ) is the actual name of a friend of mine.

 

This whole thing rather reminds me of the old Original Prose VS Fanfiction debates. The OP-ers will argue that creating a character from scratch is more rewarding, more interesting, requires more creativity and thought than simply 'copying' someone elses character and world. The fanfic-ers will say that there is nothing wrong in enjoying another person's characters, of giving them your own 'spin' and exploring character relationships and paying tribute to a series you enjoy.

I would agree that there's a certain fun to be had and a dedication required to create character dolls, searching out the right face, clothes and accessories.

But, for a hobby that is so much about customisation, uniqueness and the personality of each doll, I can't help but think that original characters are 'truer' to the BJD ethos. I don't say this out of any elitism that original characters are somehow automatically 'better'. But when you pour so much time and money and effort wouldn't you rather a character who is unique and special and identifiably your own? If you do make a doll based on a character from a manga/book/etc, what happens when your love for that series and character fades?

One of the things I love in general about creative arts such as writing and drawing is that your own creations are things that are constantly evolving and feeding off inspiration around you. While I see the appeal of homage dolls, I personally would find another persons character too limiting.

Names don't really bother me, I mean there's nothing wrong with two dolls having the same name. People in real life have similar names so it makes sense dolls would too. As long as you feel the name is true to your doll and you're not naming them something 'just because'. But that's probably a hanger-on from hanging around a writer's forum a lot, your mind goes numb to cliche Mary Sue style names @_@

 

Biologist here - Amanita, Yersinia, Rhabda, and Shigella may be the best names ever, in microbiology. It's only when you get into species and genera names (Hesperia, Thyatira, Thyansura, Issoria... How does one choose) that it gets anywhere near that good again.

My first doll will probably be named Isertana. It's just too good to miss.

 

I'm not going to make a doll based on an existing character (except one girl, that's going to represent myself)... but I don't see a problem if someone does... I find it rather interesting... I'd like to see some Vincent Valentine (FFVII) doll actually

and for the names... well... I don't care... I've already seen someone's doll named Yoru... but I will stick with this name... because my nickname jardindelanuit means "garden of night"... and "yoru no niwa" is the japanese version... my second boy will be called Niwa, no matter how many other dolls I may stumble across, having the same name

 

I have five original character dolls, and I adore them because they embody parts of me, characters I've made and played and enjoy interacting with. They're mine a hundred percent. (Except the one who was played by a friend, who hlped me flesh out the doll.)

That having been said, I have plans for a single, canon character doll. I'm not sure if I'm doing it yet, but I have the plans there if I want to. I love the character, I think he's gorgeous and interesting and I found a perfect doll for him. But I'm not sure if I'd be comfortable with it yet.