Pony Names

[Meeps 297]

I was thinking about how ironic it is that a pony's name typically matches up with their special ability/gift, even before their cutie marks appear. Scootaloo was named long before she was old enough to ride a scooter, for instance. In fact, I don't think there is a pony without a name at least a bit relevant to their cutie marked abilities. So, how do parents name their foals? Are ponies just amazingly good at knowing what their offspring will likely be up to when they're older? I haven't seen any instances of names being changed at any point in the series, but it just kind of blows my mind to think of how fitting their names all are. I guess it is debatable that names like Pinkie Pie and Sweetie Belle leave some room, though! 

[碇 シンジン 27,431]

Or is it that the Name can somehow influence on what their talent or cutiemark is going to be?

I mean otherwise  it is pretty far fetched  to say silver spoon and diamond tiaras parents just happened to give them the exact names their cutiemarks are?

Edited September 9, 2017 by ooReiko

[Brony Number 42 10,069]

The comic asks the same question. Maybe they can use magic to predict what their talents might be.

[Flutterstep 47,089]

It's just like in the Smurfs how each character's name describes their personality. We have Fluttershy, a shy pegasus who's cutie mark has butterflies and she has an interest in animals; then Rarity, who has an eye for rare and unique items and wants to stand out amongst the crowd.

[Mirage 24,770]

Eh...I wouldn't give it too much thought. Names in fantasy are extremely important because they assist with depicting personality and encourage interest. Like, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom don't imply their talent, but rather their family and 'country folk' culture. So I think for the most part, the writers if MLP are just having fun with them, while loosing obeying the rules of fantasy names.

[Meeps 297]

On 9/9/2017 at 7:21 PM, Mirage77 said:

Eh...I wouldn't give it too much thought. Names in fantasy are extremely important because they assist with depicting personality and encourage interest. Like, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom don't imply their talent, but rather their family and 'country folk' culture. So I think for the most part, the writers if MLP are just having fun with them, while loosing obeying the rules of fantasy names.

You're probably right; I doubt we'll ever get a real answer to the question of foal-naming, namely (heh, see what I did there?) because there is no reason for us to need to know! At best, I view it as a quirky little hole

[Mirage 24,770]

9 hours ago, Meeps said:

You're probably right; I doubt we'll ever get a real answer to the question of foal-naming, namely (heh, see what I did there?) because there is no reason for us to need to know! At best, I view it as a quirky little hole

I hate it when I re-read my posts and find all kinds of stupid errors. I really need to slow down...

But yeah, the names they choose are simple and creative, and not too over the top with trying to mean something.

[Rikifive 24,191]

What if parents actually see something like this?

 

And the rest is handled automatically, randomly?

Edited September 11, 2017 by Rikifive

[Meeps 297]

5 hours ago, Rikifive said:

What if parents actually see something like this?

 

And the rest is handled automatically, randomly?

My creative mind loved that, lol!

[Foxy Socks 2,599]

Perhaps their cutie mark is based on their name. They could also pick up interests based on their name, so for example Scootaloo thinks it would be cool to ride scooters because of her name. 

[Tacodidra 61,194]

On 10.9.2017 at 3:21 AM, Mirage77 said:

Eh...I wouldn't give it too much thought. Names in fantasy are extremely important because they assist with depicting personality and encourage interest. Like, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom don't imply their talent, but rather their family and 'country folk' culture.

Granny Smith is a particularly curious example. The following could explain many others but not that one:

21 hours ago, Foxy Socks said:

They could also pick up interests based on their name, so for example Scootaloo thinks it would be cool to ride scooters because of her name. 

With Scootaloo, it could simply be that her parents liked the name and she (either inspired by the name or coincidentally) started riding scooters later. But Granny Smith would be a weird name for a filly, though it suits her now that she's old and has grandchildren. Maybe it's just a nickname and her real name is something else...