Musings on Names · 8:22pm Nov 9th, 2012
Rainbow Dash has the most difficult name for me to write and nickname in fics consistently.
Okay, so I think it's clear that ponies with two-part names are not listing both their first and last names, but rather have a name that's two words, right? Twilight Sparkle's last name isn't Sparkle; else Shining Armor's name would be Shining Sparkle. Except, wait, no, Pinkie Pie's last name is Pie, seeing as her full name is Pinkamina Diane Pie. Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity are exempt from this conversation, as they only have one name. Applejack can be assumed to have the last name 'Apple,' since her family is referred to as the Apple family. It's no wonder her last name isn't used, Applejack Apple is a rather cumbersome name. But on the other hand, her brother is named Big Macintosh, so is her last name Macintosh? How about Granny Smith, or is Granny just a title?
And Rarity's sister's named Sweetie Belle. Is Belle their last name?
I think it's safe to say that in most cases a two-part name is just a two-part name. A last name, thus far, appears to exclusively belong to Pinkie Pie. As Rainbow Dash has no family names revealed, I think it's safe to say her name is a two part first name, with no clear last name.
I'm afraid I often treat 'Dash' as a last name, though. I treat 'Sparkle' as a last name as well. Both characters more often than not are referred to as Rainbow and Twilight, both in dialogue and description. I have less trepidation with Twilight, though; in canon very few people call her 'Twilight Sparkle' and for all intents and purposes her second name is treated as a last name. It's used when she's being addressed formally or being scolded. Although, she's the character where it's most clear her second name isn't a last name.
Rainbow Dash on the other hand...
Canonically, she's called Rainbow Dash, Rainbow, and RD. Unless I'm mistaken, the nickname 'Dashie' is a fandom invention. I also rather dislike it; it sounds like something only Pinkie would call her in my head, but wrong for other characters unless they're mocking her.
Her being called Rainbow Dash in-show doesn't carry the same formality as Twilight getting both names bandied at her, either. Example quote that springs to mind (and not just because it's fun to take out of context and imply Twidash) is from Lesson Zero: "Oh, Rainbow Dash! You don't have to hide your feelings from me!" Twilight is not scolding, nor being formal, just using both names to talk to her friend.
So how does one use her name in a fic? I tend to call her 'Rainbow' more often than not. I add on the Dash when there's a formality, like an introduction or someone is being specific ("She's THE Rainbow Dash!" or some such), and I occasionally have character's call her 'Dash,' usually to signify a sense of annoyance or curt formality. In Rainbow Rambles, Cloud Kicker stopped calling her Dash and started calling her Rainbow as they became legitimate friends. These are the little conventions I've established to my own fic writing, but they don't actually make sense. There's no basis in canon to show her name being used this way.
All the other characters are so much easier. Twilight is Twilight, unless the conversation is formal, or she's being scolded. She is occasionally called Twi', usually as an affectionate pet name. Applejack is Applejack or AJ. Rarity is Rarity. Unless she's being made fun of, then it's Rares. Fluttershy is Fluttershy, sometimes Flutters or 'Shy, whether to be affectionate or condescending. Pinkie Pie is easiest, since Pie actually is a last name. She's Pinkie Pie or Pinkie, and if she needs to be scolded I can bust out the Pinkamina Diane Pie.
It had to be my favorite pony that makes me second-guess how I use her freaking name.
actually, I though Dashie was Pinkie's nickname for RD in over a barrel. When she said that fluttershy isn't a tree
508267
I stand corrected.
Now it makes sense for me to only hear Pinkie say it in my head.