Can Dragons Change Their Names?

[MetaCthulhu]

For example, I really don't think it is a coincidence that Durnehviir (Curse-Never-Dying) just happens to be cursed and never dying, it just seems a little to convenient. That brings me to my main point: If you are a peaceful dragon, who lives on a mountain and meditates, why wouldn't you change you name from Paarthurnax (Ambition-Overlord-Cruelty)? Doesn't it give the wrong impression? I mean if I heard the Greybeards say "Follow me. I will show you how to open the path to our cruel and ambitious overlord." I would get out my running shoes and book-it home.

So what do you guys think? Can dragons change their name? and if so, why hasn't Paarthurnax done so?

[Zero_The_Dark]

My guess is because he still is cruel and ambitious, I think somewhere in his dialog he mentions that he still has trouble resisting the temptation to go back to his old way of life. Just a guess though, maybe someone more familiar with the way he says it, or dragons in general could clear it up more.

[Minor Edits]

What is better - to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?

If he could change his name, Paarthurnax would not want to. It is a constant reminder of his nature, a nature that he must forever struggle to overcome.

Changing one's name is possible for mortals - and I don't mean just adopting an alias, but changing one's very identity, history, and nature. But the rules could easily be different for dragons.

[Pilaf The Defiler]

There are Dragons in the lore who don't seem to conform to the "three words of power" names, like Skakmat and Nafaalilargus, although these may simply be nicknames, as Nafaalilargus is probably "Nahfalaar" from Atlas of Dragons, which does fit the code. My personal headcanon is that Talos sent the Underking to tame the dragon, and he took his name. "Nahfalaar-Arctus."

[legoless]

My personal favourite is Dragonne Papre.

[Dark Spark]

I just call them 'Grumpy' in ascending numerical order. Alduin is Grumpy 1, Mirmulnir is Grumpy 2, etc. Akatosh is Grumpy Zero, of course.

[awkwardjoke]

I think dragons' names are in short who they are and what they are like. Paarthurnax is still ambitious, cruel, and likely yearns to be overlord; when he says that he's fighting his instinct as dovah I take it to mean that he's resisting his name, as it were.

So I don't think it's possible for them to change their names unless they somehow fundamentally change who they are, which is likely impossible.

[Trelares]

I think dragons' names are in short who they are and what they are like. Paarthurnax is still ambitious, cruel, and likely yearns to be overlord; when he says that he's fighting his instinct as dovah I take it to mean that he's resisting his name, as it were.

So I don't think it's possible for them to change their names unless they somehow fundamentally change who they are, which is likely impossible.

Well I like this explanation, though it makes Akatosh look like some sort of ass(for creating Dragons as "baddies") and condemns them to a cursed existence, which they never can escape. No free will for Dragons I guess.

[Dark Spark]

The fact that Grumpy 1 disobeyed his compact with Grumpy Zero suggests the freedom of choice, even if it is to choose badly. Other Grumpys have demonstrated their ability to break rank, the aforementioned Not-So-Grumpy (you know him is Paarthunax) and Not-Quite-As-Not-So-Grumpy-But-Not-So-Grumpy-Nonetheless (aka Odahviing).

[Imbalance]

The fact that Grumpy 1 disobeyed his compact with Grumpy Zero suggests the freedom of choice, even if it is to choose badly. Other Grumpys have demonstrated their ability to break rank, the aforementioned Not-So-Grumpy (you know him is Paarthunax) and Not-Quite-As-Not-So-Grumpy-But-Not-So-Grumpy-Nonetheless (aka Odahviing).

I think I prefer my nicknames over yours, at least out loud: Tosh, Al, Puff; call on Red, summon forth the Dude, Mummer is attacking the tower, etc.

[Trelares]

The fact that Grumpy 1 disobeyed his compact with Grumpy Zero suggests the freedom of choice, even if it is to choose badly. Other Grumpys have demonstrated their ability to break rank, the aforementioned Not-So-Grumpy (you know him is Paarthunax) and Not-Quite-As-Not-So-Grumpy-But-Not-So-Grumpy-Nonetheless (aka Odahviing).

It's not impossible, but it seems quite hard to do, depending on the dragons name(forcing it into a certain fate). For example a dragon with Drem(Peace) in it's name probably would have an easier life, but normally they got Destroyer, Hunter, Cursed, Dominate and so on.

So from my point of view either Akatosh has some sick sense of humor or was pretty megalomaniac when he created all those dragon spawns.

[MetaCthulhu]

Corollary question: Are dragons given all three names at the dragon equivalent of birth? Or are they born with one name and then get the other to tacked-on as they come of age? For example, was Odahviing created in a snowy province and then became known for his hunting and flying ability afterwards?

[Trelares]

MetaCthulhu there isn't enough source material to determine that truthfully. But if you don't mind me drawing an analogy I would say Dragon Names could be very similar to the fantasy/spiritualistic concept of "True Names".

Furthermore it's also suggested that all Dragons were created by Akatosh in the earliest days of Nirn. So we have no idea if there is even a thing like a "young" Dragon.

[legoless]

Corollary question: Are dragons given all three names at the dragon equivalent of birth? Or are they born with one name and then get the other to tacked-on as they come of age? For example, was Odahviing created in a snowy province and then became known for his hunting and flying ability afterwards?

Dragons weren't created, they exist outside of time. We know that Alduin was "firstborn", but that's probably metaphorical.

[Dark Spark]

I guess it would come about like how fighter pilots and aviators come up with each others' callsigns.

[RobotNixon]

Given what we know about them, it feels like they aren't really the deciders of their own destiny like mortals are. There are exceptions of course, but it just isn't their place to question or change their lot in life for the most part. Akatosh sets time in motion before/during/after Convention, Alduin eats the world after every kalpa, ect. Maybe some of the lesser dovah that don't play as important of roles can change things, but maybe the boss dragons have too much responsibility, and are too tied down to their inherent natures to bother trying.

That said, there are plenty of instances of mortals changing their names for them.

[MetaCthulhu]

Hidden:

It's also suggested that all Dragons were created by Akatosh in the earliest days of Nirn. So we have no idea if there is even a thing like a "young" Dragon.

Well Parthy does say "Goraan! I feel younger than I have in many an age" so it does seem like dragons (in a way) get older.

Dragons weren't created, they exist outside of time. We know that Alduin was "firstborn", but that's probably metaphorical.

So they are kind of like the elder scrolls. And any answer to a question about dragons is going to look like Ruminations on the Elder Scrolls (Also, if Alduin is outside of time, how did he get sent to the future?)

Given what we know about (dragons), it feels like they aren't really the deciders of their own destiny like mortals are.

Well this is an even trickier question; are mortals deciders of their own fate? Hermaous Mora, Azura, and Mephala don't think so. The prophecies of the elder scrolls also make the concept of free-will more difficult. (although the elder scrolls aren't actually set, or something. Legoless hopefully knows what I'm talking about)

I guess it would come about like how fighter pilots and aviators come up with each others' callsigns.

Yeah, that's exactly what I mean. (Or, since they exist outside of time, is getting named all at once the same for them as getting named over time?)

And, thanks to Dark Spark, I now have to give all the dragons Top-Gun esque nicknames.

:

I hereby nickname Mirmulnir as Goose.

[Emzi 43]

Dragons names are technically words of power; they involve magic which directly comes from Grumpy Zero. In that regard, I wouldn't be surprised if their names gave some clue as to their destiny or significant events that would happen in their life i.e. Durnehviir was probably named before the whole undying curse thing. Maybe when they told him he just facepalmed or something. How do dragons even get their names? Does it just occur to them?

[BetaB17]

Honestly I doubt dragons are bound to only one name, though out of pride or birthright they may desire no change much like how they too may never change. Part of me believes most dragons favor names from others like an alias(as DS suggested) either to the fact it seems praise worthy or just enjoy what names others can imagine. Whos to say a dragon cannot claim more than what at birth granted? Then again taking so many titles may seem arrogant

I mean in many accounts in history a new title brings admiration and rank, and when you can deem your own be it more befitting to current events, show of power, or just a new role, why wouldnt you when your very being casts pride and a desire to achieve. I highly doubt any dragon would fly given a name that no longer tells whom they are, to me it would be a bitter reminder to mock. If Dunn for one had a very worthy and pridefull name.. after his curse it just seems a thorn to his esteem to keep a name reminding whom he once was.. Parthy at least has a rational reason to keep his given his teachings to overcome oneself

[Borol gro-Brol]

The fact that Grumpy 1 disobeyed his compact with Grumpy Zero suggests the freedom of choice, even if it is to choose badly. Other Grumpys have demonstrated their ability to break rank, the aforementioned Not-So-Grumpy (you know him is Paarthunax) and Not-Quite-As-Not-So-Grumpy-But-Not-So-Grumpy-Nonetheless (aka Odahviing).

I'm sorry, just this is completely brilliant and I thought I should tell you that you have fundamentally changed my gameplay experience.

[Dark Spark]

It is the age-old saw that evil exists as a mechanism of free will. Freedom to explore means the chance to mistake our actions. Experience comes from surviving mistakes. And dragons are quite cranky because they've woken from a bad nap, hence the 'Grumpy' appellation.

[AeraDunmerMoon]

A brief sidestep on Paarthurnax: With his assistance in overthrowing his brother and his taking the reigns to convert (potentially forcibly) the other dragons to the way of the voice, could it be said that he is still in accordance with his name? That he hasn't really overcome his impulse to dominate, but rather taken the longer path to fulfill it. He's pretty much the top dragon now that Alduin is gone, or getting there.
It's just something to think about. Not saying he helped out of a conscious sense of his name, but the idea that he did so unconsciously.

[Borol gro-Brol]

Aera, that makes a lot of sense to me. And I kinda like the idea that he unconsciously is playing into his nature even while trying to overcome it. I think it would be very interesting in that sense to see how he appears in the future lore.

Also, how can you be an owner of Skyrim? It belongs to the Nords.

[AeraDunmerMoon]

-shrug- Some shifty looking feller handed me the deed and everything. I was very pleased.

Even Cruelty fits in that context, from a dragon point of view. The Way of the Voice is kind of harsh, and would curb a lot of freedom that dragons are used to. If he's forcibly bringing them into it, some may percieve him as a cruel overlord.