Character naming is a touchy subject, and we’ve established numerous guidelines to generally ensure that you never run across a player whose name makes you doubt the good character of the shard’s denizens. To that end, the following are our naming guidelines:

1. You may not choose a name that has origins in a copyrighted environment such as a brand name, product, or company. Names like “Pepsi” or “Coke” would be unacceptable. We do, however, make an exception for “name-style” name brands such as “Indiana Jones” or “Jack Daniels.”
2. You may not use a name that my reflect, glorify, or emulate any real-world group or organization, terrorist society, criminal elements, discriminating organizations or their leaders and figureheads. This includes the names of real-world military, political, or religious groups.
3. Names that are solely to denote nationality, like “a korean,” “Japanese man,” etc, are prohibited.
4. You cannot use a name that is obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, insulting, offensive, hurtful, harmful, promotes drugs, profane, discriminatory, or ethnically, racially, or sexually offensive. Names may not impart any real-world hostility toward a specific nationality, race, or religion.
5. You cannot use a phrase or multiple word names that are strung together without spaces (e.g. MeSoPretty, IStealYou). Phrases in general are discouraged and will not usually be allowed. Trying to be cute with names like “I R Thief,” or “Terrible Bacon” can get you a name change. Try to use an actual name and not something ridiculous and you’ll be fine.
6. You cannot use a name that uses combinations of words hat product an offensive result (e.g. Hugeaz, Tug Mcgroin).
7. You may not use mixed case names, except to capitalize the beginning of each word. Names like “MiStEr CoOl” are forbidden. This includes names that are all uppercase as well.
8. The use of courtesy titles such as Mr, Mrs, Miss, Dr, shall be properly capitalized, punctuated, and have a space after the courtesy title.
9. You cannot use a name that may impersonate or parody an NPC vendor, such as “Josh the Banker.” Names such as “a cow” are permitted.
10. Names specifically for BOD collecting like “Bod Man One” are okay, however you should refrain from using them for normal play and keep bank appearances to a minimum. You may prefer to employ a Bulk Order Mailbox instead.
11. You may not use a name that impersonates or parodies any Staff character name or character from shard fiction.

Ultimately name changes are up to staff discretion, but be aware that a player may page on your character for any of the above reasons. If your name is judged inappropriate, it will be changed. If you are AFK at the time, it will be changed to “ChangeMe,” and you will be required to place a help request (“page”) with the new name you would prefer. In a pinch, we may spawn an NPC and give you its name.

Sufficiently offensive names are grounds for deletion or banning.

Overall you should just use common sense when choosing a name. Be considerate of your fellow players and don’t be a dick, and you’ll never become “ChangeMe.”

This naming policy also applies to guild names.