Names and Overhauling. · 10:05am May 13th, 2012
"Artemis is a female name."
"Sweepy Bell is stupid."
Having been bludgeoned with these for a while now, I am seriously considering doing something I've not done before. Doing overhauls.
The question would be, What names SHOULD I use?
When it was first suggested, 'Silver Bell' was an attractive substitute. And as of late, I have recently heard 'Charming Chime', which is also catchy. Depending on which one of these is more popular, I will sweep through the entirety of Cross and Arrow, and what little there is of Whisper of Wind, and apply the changes. The same for Artemis. The alternates I keep hearing for him are 'Nocture' and 'Crescent'.
I am linking a poll in here for ponies to vote. If anyone has any other, different opinions on names, don't hesitate to comment in this journal about them. The link to the poll is below.
http://www.learnmyself.com/poll80546xe0DE4aBd
Be sure to let me know what you think!
Having enjoyed the Artemis Fowl series, I find Artemis to be an appropriate male name. I like it, but I'm not sure it fits for a pony. Would a pony be named after a huntress?
If you've ever read the Artemis Fowl series, you'd know there are other male protagonists that have that name. Personally, I find it rather unisex myself - just because it's the name of a female god doesn't at all mean males can't be named the same.
The same notion goes for real life as well - heck, look at the names some of our celebrities have. Cameron Diaz, Delta Goodrem, Bill Cosby...
I don't think there's anything wrong with "Sweepy Bell" and "Artemis" as names.
I think Silver Bell has a nice ring to it (geddit?). For Luna...That's a tough one. Most of the names concerning the moon are feminine.
dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/shrug_Twilight_Sparkle.png
Artemis can be a unisex name. At least, it works in the Artemis Fowl series. It does mean hunter, though, which isn't quite appropriate, methinks.
If you're after a replacement for it though, I would go for Umbra, as it sounds kind of cool. Either that or Sable, for pretty much the same reason.
I would be tempted to say "Apollo", but that's a sun god name. We were silly and used the name for our moon lander missions, though. So instead, how about just "Nocturn" for "Nocturnal"?
I like Silver Bell quite a lot.
As for Artemis, it's not the gender that I find odd, it's the origin. Why would the Moon God be named after a Hunter?
Silver and Nocturne are my picks.
Well, nearly all male pony names the series has given us have been silly jokes (Fancy Pants, Filthy Rich, Big Mac), so we don't have much to go on anyway. I've always found it hard to make male pony names, and you got the extra mission of somehow making male versions of existing female names...
Really, I'd say, keep them as you got them. It doesn't bother me, anyway.
Artemis is a cool name for the Moon god, considering some hunters like to hunt at night.
Some food for thought:
The English language male equivalent of "Belle" is "Beau".
Celestia and Luna are inspired by Skinfaxi and Hrimfaxi the horses in ancient Norse mythology who pulled the chariots of Dagr: Living embodiment of the Day and Nott: Living embodiment of the Night.
The Norse god of the sun eventually became "Sol" and the Norse god of the moon became "Mani".
There is also a Mesopotamian moon god named "Sin".
"Celestia" does not directly refer to the sun while "Solaris" does.
On the other hand "Luna" refers directly to the moon while "Artemis" does not, yet it also does not refer to the sky or night in a general sense like celestial does.
I would personally suggest "Beau Regard" for Sweepy. "Prince Cosmo" and "Lord Nott/Night" for Artemis. (Or "Night Terror Moon" if ya wanna be cheesy.
113017
> The English language male equivalent of "Belle" is "Beau".
You mean French, right?
113019
Well, originally, yes. But both words are used in the English language and both are bastardized from French words with the same Latin root..
I think you should keep the names as is and do not let what others say get under your skin.
I see nothing wrong with the names. Nothing.
"Artemis is a female name"? As quite a few people have said here already, it works in the Artemis Fowl series.
"Sweepy Bell is stupid"? Let's be honest here, if that's stupid then the name "Sweetie Belle" is kinda dumb too.
I think Artemis is a fine name for the male Luna!
No matter what the names are! 
Though i do have a suggestion for Sweepy, if it's okay.
Charming bell? It's just a suggestion so you don't have to take it seriously
but for some reason Silver Bell kinda reminds me of Silver Spoon, in my opinion anyway. Though your stories WILL ALWAYS BE AWESOME!
Artemis is also the name of one of the moon cats from Sailor Moon, the male one while his female counterpart is Luna. So while Artemis was originally a goddesses' name I say keep it
And don't forget, that it's likely ponies pick new names when they get their cutie mark if their birth name no longer "fits."
After all, what happens when a pony named "Rose Hips" gets an apple cutie mark?
Silver Bell will always be a Fallout: Equestria character to me (a female one). It's a nice name if you don't mind a small portion of your readership having those associations. She's a well-crafted character, not just a side-character who appears in the beginning (in chapters 9 and 10).
For Luna, maybe 'Soma' or 'Chandra'? According to Wikipedia:
[...] In Hinduism, the god Soma evolved into a lunar deity. Full moon is the time to collect and press the divine drink. The moon is also the cup from which the gods drink Soma, thus identifying Soma with the moon god Chandra. A waxing moon meant Soma was recreating himself, ready to be drunk again. Alternatively, Soma's twenty-seven wives were the star goddesses, the Nakshatras - daughters of the cosmic progenitor Daksha [...]
Fits well, rings well, if you ignore the polygamy and don't mind referencing Hinduism. Lets you write Luna in as liking her drinks.
Alternatively: "In Norse mythology, Máni (Old Norse/Icelandic "moon"[1]) is the moon personified."
You could also throw out a reference to http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/06/story-nocturne.html
by calling her Nocturne. It's a beautiful story and only 2 chapters, if you have a little time. A Nocturne (in case your music is at the is a type of composition.
I rather prefer Prince Nocturne myself. The other is harder to pin down a replacement. Silver Bell and Charming Chime are both good, but I hear the latter avoids a conflict with a character in another story (via comments above).
-Cv
There's really not many male gods of the moon, and their names aren't exactly fitting for a character that's based on a children's show. If I had to pick one for the moon princess, I'd say Chandra that's already been mentioned.
I'm also not opposed to you keeping the names the same. Elusive is kind of a girly sounding name, so is Butterscotch. These are ponies we're talking about here. It's all going to be kind of girly now matter how genderswapped you make it. If readers have a problem with the names, too bad. It's your story, do what you want to do.
"Silver Bell" and "Nocturne" sound great. "Charming Chime" is also excellent, but "Silver Bell" is a bit closer to "Sweetie Belle" so I think it works better.
Artemis is always appropriate for a male.
Fowl made sure of this, the cunning little fictional bastard.
Sweepy does sound a bit odd, but for Luna's sake, We have Berrypunch and Derpy. A little odd naming is not the end of the world.
I'm fine with them as is. I suggest the readership learn to come to terms with it.
Firstly, Sweepy Bell does sound a little odd, I grant you, but I kinda like it. Used to it now anyway, so I wouldn't mind if you keep it. If you do change, Silver Bell is certainly an apt replacement.
Now, there isn't really any need to change Artemis. Firstly, we're used to it (many other fics have borrowed the name as well). Second, the name works very well. Cresent doesn't sound quite as regal, and Nocture seems too ominous, more befitting of a Nightmare Moon-esque character, and not as a R63 Luna. Finally, as several peopel have pointed out, the brilliant story series Artemis Fowl has sort of helped the name to become a male and female name. I think you shouldn't need to change Artemis. Keep it
I should also point out to some confused people in the comments that Artemis was the Greek goddess of hunting AND the moon, not just hunting.
Wouldn't you have to also get Wanderer D to make edits to The Sweetie Belle Chronicles?
I personally don't have a problem with either name, although Silver Bell might sound a bit better.
The one I have issue with is your name for R63 Nightmare Moon, which was Anarchy Apollo. Apollo, as has been said, is a sun god's name. Might want to consider changing that one. Perhaps 'Nocture Bane'? Sounds rather dark and grim, perfect for a stallion wishing to bring eternal night upon the world.
Also, will we ever see R63 Discord or Chrysalis?
Eh, I like the names where they are :p
I don't know really know about Silver Bell, it's possible it'll get confused whenever Silver Spoon/Ladle gets mentioned... Yet "Charming Chime" doesn't really fancy me :/ I personally would go with something generic but musical related... Allegro, I'd say (still 3 syllabes!) but I have nothing more fitting, sorry.
As for Artemis, people can be so silly
I like Artemis (and let's be fair, it's not like there's many girls called Artemis these days so that point is kinda moot), but if I have to make a proposal, Endymion is likely where I'd go to. (Greek myths, this guy fell in love with the moon Goddess and was subsequently either cursed or asked to sleep forever and stay eternally young, so that Selene [said moon Goddess] could always watch over him)
EDIT: Or Lunick! Though really, I don't think that's a really fitting pony name- I just took it from the second Pokemon Ranger game xD (the default protagonists names are Lunick for the guy and Solana for the girl, derivatives of Luna and Sole)
112958 I've met three carols and two Tiffany's who were male.
And I thought sweepy was fine. Artemis i am perfectly content with. But, if the overwhelming population wants it... WHY listen to them? It's your story. Write it how you want it.
Le sigh... I would much rather it didn't change... But if you're set on it, try something in Latin, like blue Moon, maybe?
Artimus is seen a a female name due to the fact it was the name of the greek goddess of the moon. However now it is seen more of a boys name now as Luna is a girl name that pretty much means the same thing.
Actually at this point of time Luna and Sweepie are actually acepted names for Luna and Sweeetie Belle's Rule 63 forms, there's no need to change it, those who are anoying you to change them are just paraspriting(trolling) you, allways remember to do not feed the parasprites(trolls).
Now you know, AND KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE!
I see no reason to change anything, really. The names used in the story are fine. o_O Although "Nocturne" does sound pretty cool, hehe...
hmmm... nocturne sounds like a good choice to replace nightmare to me.
and then crescent could be used as his "normal" name.
How about Tsuki for Artemis? Tsuki is the Japanese word for the moon and I've heard it used as a male name. Yozora (night sky) would also work.
For Sweepy Bell, Silver Bell is nice.
Artemis IS a unisex name. It's just much more common as a female name. That one i like. For Sweepy, I would chose Silver Bell but Charming Chime stands out also, so either of those names are fine by me.
113257 The Fowl Chronicles(my own name for them) has consistently been one of my favorite series since I was young. So I might be a little biased towards the name.
Sweepy or Silver Bell both work for me since they're at least reminiscent of Sweetie Belle (though some part of me want Silver Spoon to get renamed Silver Platter and that'd create a possibly annoying doubling of characters named Silver)... I'd probably vote against Charming Chime if I could... Artemis, in spite of the theological gender mismatch, sounds perfectly fine to me and it has a built in nickname that amuses me with Artie... Nocturne's not a bad alt, though I might end up thinking of Zelda every time I read it... think I've seen Lunaris floated for r63 Luna as well.
Keep Artemis, Bo what you wish with sweepy
Luna - either Lunaris (or if that is too closely related Nocturnus or Noctis) +
Please note that all of these names are in latin, the translations are as follows
Lunaris = Lunar
Nocturnus = Nocturnal
Noctis (Nox also means this) = Night
Nah! Don't change it! Their nice names! Besides, i feel that Artemis fits the male gender.
I thought artemis was gender neutral...huh I guess the more you know. [G.I Joe!] Seriously do what you want bro.
Oh please, Artemis is awesome and gender-neutral. Hasn't anyone read Artemis Fowl? Nothing feminine about that kid.
In general, use the name board at http://mlpgenderswap.deviantart.com/
WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU ITS NOT ______ ITS ______!" I know its always the artist/writers choice, but it drives me bonkers, and it also makes me feel like a nitpicking jerk whenever I think that. I don't hate you or anything, its just me and my many problems.
Probably knew that, just shamelessly self promoting.
I love on a cross and arrow, but I can never finish it because my ocd is always "
'Silver Bell' is a great name, but to me will always be Silver Bell from Fallout: Equestria. You wouldn't name a character Boromir.
It's YOUR stories, so you can do what ever YOU want to. Listen to the fans, but know there is a line that they should not cross.
Why do people feel the need to say that a name in a story is bad or stupid?
Do you think that Stephen King changes names because 1000 people out of 6 billion wants it to be changed? Or how about J. K. Rowling? or any other novelist? I don't think so, as i said before, it is your book, and you should do what ever you want with it. From one writer to another, novelist to novelist. At least that is my philosophy.
I've liked Artemis, but for his Nightmare moon persona, I've like Dark Horse Knight, rather than Anarchy Apollo
as for Sweepy Bell. I like it too, but if you are thinking of changing it, I remember someone calling him Sweetie Beau and i though ut was nice
I think Artemis is perfect (but then again, I'm an Artemis Fowl fan.)
Charming Chime has a nice ring to it. (See what I did there?
)
I personally think the names are fine
For my two bits, I'd say keep the names. Imagining Sweepy Bell with shaggy hair makes it fitting. Artemis is pretty good; I've never read the Artemis Fowl books everypony seems to mention, but it still sounds like a masculine name to me. Do what you want, really, it'd be impossible for me to hate your works
Honestly, I'm fine with Sweepy Belle and Artemis.
But Anarchy Apollo? Come on now, that just doesn't strike terror into me. If I may suggest an alternative: Darkhorse Knight?
I'll admit that "Sweepy Bell" always did sound a little funny to me, but I never really had a problem with it. Always made me think of Sweetie using her tail to dust the picnic table in "The Show Stoppers".
I also automatically tend to envision Sweepy with a longer, bushier tail and mane than most colts, so the name fits fairly well in my mind. No, I don't think there's any need to change "Sweepy Bell". 
I do feel that there are better options than "Artemis" and (especially) "Anarchy Apollo", however. "Artemis" may be gender-neutral, but in my mind it just doesn't sound "moon/night-themed" enough, even if it was originally a name for a deity associated with the moon. The names "Celestia", "Luna", and "Solaris" all immediately bring to mind astronomical entities; "Artemis" feels a little out of place by comparison. It does complement "Solaris" in sharing the "-is" suffix, which might be a nice trait to consider for a replacement name if you choose one. "Noctis/Noctus" and "Nocturnis/Nocturnus" (whichever spelling you prefer
) are the best alternatives I've heard so far, though "Nocturne" sounds pretty good as well.
"Anarchy Apollo" is definitely the name I would most strongly recommend changing, particularly if you decide to keep "Artemis". Since Apollo was Artemis's twin brother in Greek mythology, it's pretty much assured that most readers will associate that name with the god of the sun before NASA's moon missions if you use them both. I rather like the alternative of "Darkhorse Knight" that others have suggested; not only is it is an excellent pun, but it mirrors "Nightmare Moon" very nicely.
My apologies for the length of this comment. I hope my feedback has been at least somewhat helpful. I very much look forward to seeing the continuation of "On a Whisper of Wind".
The thing is, the names that you've used have become so accepted that changing them now would be going against the fanon that you created yourself. It's a bit recursive.
I didn't like "Sweepy Bell" when I first read it, true. I can't think of anything to change it to, though. I wouldn't suggest anything with different initials, because Applebuck and Scooteroll are already very close, and it'd be weird for him to be the odd Crusader out. Besides, the more I think about it, the more "Sweepy Bell" sounds like a London street urchin who sweeps chimneys for a living, and I always got a bit of a British feel from your portrayal of Sweepy.
"Prince Artemis" is fine, as it's been used for plenty of males in recent times. "Anarchy Apollo" may be technically incorrect, but it just sounds right anyway.
If you want to change anypony, then I can't say this enough: Do something about "the Doctoress". It's not a word, and it's kind of insulting to an awful lot of doctors. I think your best bet is to give her another title entirely. I'm sure I've seen "Professor Whooves" somewhere. I'd also reconsider "Diamond Ladle" from the preview of the next "A Whisper of Wind" chapter, as it lacks any of the symbolism of "Silver Spoon".
Do be careful about changing things in existing stories due to fan feedback, though. That's a very dangerous road to go down, and ultimately you should be writing, first and foremost, for yourself.