Fictional characters with funny names?
November 17, 2005 11:48 AM Subscribe
Kilgore Trout. Napoleon Dynamite. Waring Hudsucker. Martin Chuzzlewit. Egon Spengler. Herman Menderchuck. President Merkin Muffley. What are some other great, creative, bizarre, or otherwise unique fictional character names?
I like the fake names fictional characters assume, like Karen Walker's Anastasia Beaverhausen or Cosmo Kramer's H.E. Pennypacker.
posted by MegoSteve at 11:53 AM on November 17, 2005
posted by MegoSteve at 11:53 AM on November 17, 2005
Tricky Dixon, from Our Gang. There are several other well-named characters in that book, but I can't remember them off the top of my head.
posted by cog_nate at 11:53 AM on November 17, 2005 [1 favorite]
posted by cog_nate at 11:53 AM on November 17, 2005 [1 favorite]
Milo Minderbinder.
posted by devilsbrigade at 11:53 AM on November 17, 2005
posted by devilsbrigade at 11:53 AM on November 17, 2005
Response by poster: Of course, I should've used a Groucho name in the examples, too! My favourite: Otis B. Driftwood!
posted by Robot Johnny at 11:53 AM on November 17, 2005
posted by Robot Johnny at 11:53 AM on November 17, 2005
Horatio Hornblower. Ebenezer Scrooge. Rufus T. Firefly. Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore. Salvador Mundi. Ace Ventura.
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:53 AM on November 17, 2005
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:53 AM on November 17, 2005
Five out of six ain't bad.
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:54 AM on November 17, 2005
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:54 AM on November 17, 2005
Anathema Device (from Gaiman & Pratchett's Good Omens)
posted by junkbox at 11:55 AM on November 17, 2005
posted by junkbox at 11:55 AM on November 17, 2005
Benovan Stanchiano. An immensely minor character from a Simpson's episode (marge buys magazines from him).
posted by deafmute at 11:55 AM on November 17, 2005
posted by deafmute at 11:55 AM on November 17, 2005
Since I was just thinking about A Christmas Story - Scut Farkus!
posted by garbo at 11:56 AM on November 17, 2005
posted by garbo at 11:56 AM on November 17, 2005
Ford Prefect.
posted by uncle harold at 11:57 AM on November 17, 2005
posted by uncle harold at 11:57 AM on November 17, 2005
Scooter Libby
posted by blue_beetle at 11:57 AM on November 17, 2005
posted by blue_beetle at 11:57 AM on November 17, 2005
Phaethon Prime Rhadamanth Humodified (augment) Uncomposed, Indepconciousness, Base Neuroformed, Silver-Gray Manorial Schola, Era 7043 (the "Reawakening").
That's one name, btw. From The Golden Age.
posted by agropyron at 11:57 AM on November 17, 2005
That's one name, btw. From The Golden Age.
posted by agropyron at 11:57 AM on November 17, 2005
Response by poster: I'm going to play along to my own question, as I think of new ones, too... musn't forget the Three Amigos: Lucky Day, Dusty Bottoms, and Ned Nederlander
posted by Robot Johnny at 11:59 AM on November 17, 2005
posted by Robot Johnny at 11:59 AM on November 17, 2005
Keyser Soze. Mustafa Mond ('Brave New World'). Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five).
posted by Radio7 at 11:59 AM on November 17, 2005
posted by Radio7 at 11:59 AM on November 17, 2005
major major major major. (or was it major major major major major?)
posted by advil at 12:01 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by advil at 12:01 PM on November 17, 2005
Guybrush Threepwood. From the Monkey Island series of computer adventure games.
There was also a character in one of the games named "Mancomb Seepgood".
posted by BaxterG4 at 12:06 PM on November 17, 2005
There was also a character in one of the games named "Mancomb Seepgood".
posted by BaxterG4 at 12:06 PM on November 17, 2005
Buckaroo Banzai
and then we musn't forget all the Johns like John Bigbooty and John Smallberries
posted by poppo at 12:06 PM on November 17, 2005
and then we musn't forget all the Johns like John Bigbooty and John Smallberries
posted by poppo at 12:06 PM on November 17, 2005
There's a one-shot joke on a Simpson's episode where Homer (in the past) makes a jacket that's supposed to say "DISCO STUD" but he only manages to get "DISCO STU" on before he runs out of room.
Fast forward to today and the jacket is in a garage sale at the Simpson's house. Some guy picks up the jacket and says to his friend, "You should buy this jacket." His friend retorts, "Disco Stu doesn't advertise!"
The ratio of long setup to extremely short payoff makes the joke all the funnier (IMO).
posted by GuyZero at 12:07 PM on November 17, 2005
Fast forward to today and the jacket is in a garage sale at the Simpson's house. Some guy picks up the jacket and says to his friend, "You should buy this jacket." His friend retorts, "Disco Stu doesn't advertise!"
The ratio of long setup to extremely short payoff makes the joke all the funnier (IMO).
posted by GuyZero at 12:07 PM on November 17, 2005
Lobster Johnson
Abe Sapiens
Oderus Urungus
Sexicutioner
posted by COBRA! at 12:07 PM on November 17, 2005
Abe Sapiens
Oderus Urungus
Sexicutioner
posted by COBRA! at 12:07 PM on November 17, 2005
Bonanza Jellybean from Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
And although there's nothing funny abou it, D.H. Lawrence's Gudrun Brangwen has always been one of my favorite names.
posted by bibliowench at 12:12 PM on November 17, 2005
And although there's nothing funny abou it, D.H. Lawrence's Gudrun Brangwen has always been one of my favorite names.
posted by bibliowench at 12:12 PM on November 17, 2005
Titus Groan
Sepulchrave
Doctor Prunesquallor
Steerpike
Irma Prunesquallor
Barquentine
Hell, pretty much everyone in the Gormenghast Trilogy.
posted by oh pollo! at 12:16 PM on November 17, 2005
Sepulchrave
Doctor Prunesquallor
Steerpike
Irma Prunesquallor
Barquentine
Hell, pretty much everyone in the Gormenghast Trilogy.
posted by oh pollo! at 12:16 PM on November 17, 2005
"I know what you're asking yourself and the answer is yes. I have a nick name for my penis. Its called the Octagon, but I also nick named my testes - my left one is James Westfall and my right one is Doctor Kenneth Noisewater."
posted by bobot at 12:18 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by bobot at 12:18 PM on November 17, 2005
Winston Potter Crisply from The Remarkable Return of Winston Potter Crisply
Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler from From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
posted by birgitte at 12:18 PM on November 17, 2005
Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler from From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
posted by birgitte at 12:18 PM on November 17, 2005
Reality Nirvana Tuttle, from the wonderful and obscure 80s novel Fabulous Nobodies
Many of the denizens of E. Annie Proulx's The Shipping News, including B. Beaufield Nutbeem, Beety Buggit, Bunny and Sunshine Quoyle, Petal Bear, Tert Card, and Diddy Shovel.
posted by dlugoczaj at 12:20 PM on November 17, 2005
Many of the denizens of E. Annie Proulx's The Shipping News, including B. Beaufield Nutbeem, Beety Buggit, Bunny and Sunshine Quoyle, Petal Bear, Tert Card, and Diddy Shovel.
posted by dlugoczaj at 12:20 PM on November 17, 2005
Ethelbert Cleep, from Gerald Durrell's Rosie Is My Relative
posted by Oobidaius at 12:20 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by Oobidaius at 12:20 PM on November 17, 2005
William J. LePetomaine
Hedley Lamarr
Lili Von Shtupp
Orin/Hal/Avril Incandenza
Mike Pemulis
Ortho Stice
posted by COBRA! at 12:21 PM on November 17, 2005
Hedley Lamarr
Lili Von Shtupp
Orin/Hal/Avril Incandenza
Mike Pemulis
Ortho Stice
posted by COBRA! at 12:21 PM on November 17, 2005
Joey Jo-Jo Shabadoo
posted by SlappyPeterson at 12:23 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by SlappyPeterson at 12:23 PM on November 17, 2005
In the Hitchhiker's vein, I always did like "Gag Halfrunt." I was pleased to see that they actually retained his most prominent line ("Zaphod's just zis guy, you know?") in the film.
Oh, and Eccentrica Gallumbits. And who can forget Hotblack Desiato, which is a real estate firm in London?
posted by kindall at 12:28 PM on November 17, 2005
Oh, and Eccentrica Gallumbits. And who can forget Hotblack Desiato, which is a real estate firm in London?
posted by kindall at 12:28 PM on November 17, 2005
Mad Magazine's Don Martin used a lot of varieties of the name Phonebone in his cartoons. I had a grammar professor who used two fictional names in almost all of his exemples Elvira Hazelhuhn and Jodokus Mukkenblakker (he offered a pack of Gauloises for anybody who actually found a person with that name. Also he smoked a whole pack during the 3 hour class - geez, I miss stuff like that) and Cobra!: thanks, I'm gonna watch Blazing Saddles, right now)
posted by ouke at 12:28 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by ouke at 12:28 PM on November 17, 2005
Slartibartfast.
posted by ludwig_van at 12:28 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by ludwig_van at 12:28 PM on November 17, 2005
America Throne. (Of course, if you're writing a not-really-autobiographical novel and your real name is Moon Unit Zappa, you have your work cut out for you.)
posted by tangerine at 12:35 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by tangerine at 12:35 PM on November 17, 2005
Mulberry Sellers
Pudd'nhead Wilson
Huckelberry Finn
posted by LarryC at 12:38 PM on November 17, 2005
Pudd'nhead Wilson
Huckelberry Finn
posted by LarryC at 12:38 PM on November 17, 2005
Perdita Durango
Lemmy Caution
Miss Mandible
Dodderont Debilitus
posted by cobra libre at 12:39 PM on November 17, 2005
Lemmy Caution
Miss Mandible
Dodderont Debilitus
posted by cobra libre at 12:39 PM on November 17, 2005
Lazlo Toth a.k.a. Father Guido Sarduchi
Spider Jerusalem, yes!
posted by Specklet at 12:46 PM on November 17, 2005
Spider Jerusalem, yes!
posted by Specklet at 12:46 PM on November 17, 2005
Raymond Luxury Yacht (pron. 'Throatwobbler Mangrove')
posted by spinifex23 at 12:46 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by spinifex23 at 12:46 PM on November 17, 2005
Ralph Malph
(And cog_nate, Mr. B is my favorite MST3K ever.)
posted by jrossi4r at 12:49 PM on November 17, 2005
(And cog_nate, Mr. B is my favorite MST3K ever.)
posted by jrossi4r at 12:49 PM on November 17, 2005
The entire character list of Dr. Strangelove is fantastic, I mean you got President Muffley, but Buck Turgidson? Alexi de Sadesky? Jack T. Ripper?
On another note how about Hudson Hawk (not to mention Darwin and Minerva Mayflower from the same flick) or Du Quois, La Trine, Escargot, Deja Vu and Chocolate Mousse from Top Secret!?
posted by Pollomacho at 12:50 PM on November 17, 2005
On another note how about Hudson Hawk (not to mention Darwin and Minerva Mayflower from the same flick) or Du Quois, La Trine, Escargot, Deja Vu and Chocolate Mousse from Top Secret!?
posted by Pollomacho at 12:50 PM on November 17, 2005
The Invisible Man
Basil Fawlty
Winnie the Pooh
Tarzan
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 12:55 PM on November 17, 2005
Basil Fawlty
Winnie the Pooh
Tarzan
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 12:55 PM on November 17, 2005
I dunno.
Rembrandt Q. Einstein?
Handome B. Beautiful?
posted by jon_kill at 12:59 PM on November 17, 2005
Rembrandt Q. Einstein?
Handome B. Beautiful?
posted by jon_kill at 12:59 PM on November 17, 2005
People have already mentioned Pynchon, but I have to mention my own Pynchon/fictional name : Tyrone Slothrop from Gravity's Rainbow.
posted by Slothrop at 1:00 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by Slothrop at 1:00 PM on November 17, 2005
How about this one:
Freddy Pharkis Frontier Pharamacist?
posted by bDiddy at 1:02 PM on November 17, 2005
Freddy Pharkis Frontier Pharamacist?
posted by bDiddy at 1:02 PM on November 17, 2005
From one of my fave toons, Sheep in the Big City,
General Specific, Private Public, and of course, Angry Scientist (why do you keep calling me mad? I'm angry! angry angry angry!)
posted by nomisxid at 1:09 PM on November 17, 2005
General Specific, Private Public, and of course, Angry Scientist (why do you keep calling me mad? I'm angry! angry angry angry!)
posted by nomisxid at 1:09 PM on November 17, 2005
(Must be published?) A high school friend wrote a story featuring Ophelia Bumps.
posted by booth at 1:10 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by booth at 1:10 PM on November 17, 2005
Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.
posted by Johnny Assay at 1:11 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by Johnny Assay at 1:11 PM on November 17, 2005
"Mori-father" from The Pinch-Runner Memorandum.
posted by Espy Gillespie at 1:13 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by Espy Gillespie at 1:13 PM on November 17, 2005
Eustace Clarence Scrubb, of course.
(Since he deserved it.)
I always liked the way "Meriadoc Brandybuck" gave my mouth a workout, too.
posted by kalimac at 1:14 PM on November 17, 2005
(Since he deserved it.)
I always liked the way "Meriadoc Brandybuck" gave my mouth a workout, too.
posted by kalimac at 1:14 PM on November 17, 2005
Thulsa Doom
posted by Pollomacho at 1:15 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by Pollomacho at 1:15 PM on November 17, 2005
Oh - and my friend's father wrote a (hitherto unpublished) novel, with a character named "Bejesus Terwilliger."
posted by shifafa at 1:19 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by shifafa at 1:19 PM on November 17, 2005
Esmé Squalor
Carmelita Spats
Fargo North, Decoder
Hubert T. Farnsworth
Arlen Specter (oops, not fictional)
Buck Tuddrussel
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 1:20 PM on November 17, 2005
Carmelita Spats
Fargo North, Decoder
Hubert T. Farnsworth
Buck Tuddrussel
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 1:20 PM on November 17, 2005
The Schroedinger's Cat Trilogy is chock full of names that sound like phrases when you pronounce them. Bertha Van Ation, Marvin Gardens, Juan Tootreego, Hugh Crane, etc. etc. etc.
posted by nebulawindphone at 1:21 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by nebulawindphone at 1:21 PM on November 17, 2005
Ramona Quimby
T.S. Garp (short for technical sargent garp from Irving's World According to Garp)
posted by jodic at 1:21 PM on November 17, 2005
T.S. Garp (short for technical sargent garp from Irving's World According to Garp)
posted by jodic at 1:21 PM on November 17, 2005
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate (from Seuss's Too Many Daves)
Barthemo Beele (the annoying hack from Sladek's The Reproductive System)
ISTR one of the tribe of Muggs in The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear had a surname A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z. Since it was a mortal insult to mispronounce a Mugg's name, this character always had a grievance against the world.
And just about every character from the Uncle books, by J P Martin: Beaver Hateman, Hitmouse, Jellytussle, Hootman, Alonzo S. Whitebeard, Ira Smoothy, Oldeboy, Noddy Ninety, Cloutman, and Gubbins are just a few.
posted by scruss at 1:29 PM on November 17, 2005
Barthemo Beele (the annoying hack from Sladek's The Reproductive System)
ISTR one of the tribe of Muggs in The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear had a surname A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z. Since it was a mortal insult to mispronounce a Mugg's name, this character always had a grievance against the world.
And just about every character from the Uncle books, by J P Martin: Beaver Hateman, Hitmouse, Jellytussle, Hootman, Alonzo S. Whitebeard, Ira Smoothy, Oldeboy, Noddy Ninety, Cloutman, and Gubbins are just a few.
posted by scruss at 1:29 PM on November 17, 2005
Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr
posted by blueneurosis at 1:36 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by blueneurosis at 1:36 PM on November 17, 2005
Jasper Japes (or any name in Ambrose Bierce's Devil's Dictionary).
posted by GarageWine at 1:41 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by GarageWine at 1:41 PM on November 17, 2005
Along the lines of MegoSteve's comment, I also like Phoebe's Regina Philange.
I also really like Bigwig.
posted by like_neon at 1:44 PM on November 17, 2005
I also really like Bigwig.
posted by like_neon at 1:44 PM on November 17, 2005
Vivian Darkbloom.
posted by trip and a half at 1:53 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by trip and a half at 1:53 PM on November 17, 2005
These are great. Does anyone know if there's a term for these kinds of names?
posted by DyRE at 1:53 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by DyRE at 1:53 PM on November 17, 2005
You can't beat Dickens for this sort of thing: in addition to the aforementioned Martin Chuzzlewit and Ebenezer Scrooge, there's Nicholas Nickleby, Uriah Heep, Oliver Twist, Wackford Squeers, Harold Skimpole, Murdstone, Creakle, Pecksniff, Pickwick, and on and on.
I think J.K. Rowling has a bit of Dickens's touch here too: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Draco Malfoy, Sirius Black, Ron Weasley, Severus Snape, Dudley Dursley, and so forth.
posted by jjg at 1:56 PM on November 17, 2005
I think J.K. Rowling has a bit of Dickens's touch here too: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Draco Malfoy, Sirius Black, Ron Weasley, Severus Snape, Dudley Dursley, and so forth.
posted by jjg at 1:56 PM on November 17, 2005
Horselover Fat from Valis
Uncle Wiggily
James Bond females:
Holly Goodhead
Honey Ryder
Jinx
Kissy Suzuki
Mary Goodnight
May Day
Molly Warmflash
Octopussy
Plenty O’Toole
Pussy Galore
Tiffany Case
Xenia Onatopp
posted by doctor_negative at 1:59 PM on November 17, 2005
Uncle Wiggily
James Bond females:
Holly Goodhead
Honey Ryder
Jinx
Kissy Suzuki
Mary Goodnight
May Day
Molly Warmflash
Octopussy
Plenty O’Toole
Pussy Galore
Tiffany Case
Xenia Onatopp
posted by doctor_negative at 1:59 PM on November 17, 2005
Baron Karl Friedrich Hieronymus von Münchhausen
posted by jackofsaxons at 2:00 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by jackofsaxons at 2:00 PM on November 17, 2005
Dickens' Pickwick Papers was full of them:
Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C.,
Tracy Tupman, Esq., M.P.C.,
Augustus Snodgrass, Esq., M.P.C.,
Nathaniel Winkle, Esq., M.P.C.,
posted by CrunchyFrog at 2:04 PM on November 17, 2005
Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C.,
Tracy Tupman, Esq., M.P.C.,
Augustus Snodgrass, Esq., M.P.C.,
Nathaniel Winkle, Esq., M.P.C.,
posted by CrunchyFrog at 2:04 PM on November 17, 2005
Indiana Jones
Eustace Tilley
Pippi Longstocking
Auric Goldfinger (try to resist singing it to yourself, I dare you)
posted by missmobtown at 2:32 PM on November 17, 2005
Eustace Tilley
Pippi Longstocking
Auric Goldfinger (try to resist singing it to yourself, I dare you)
posted by missmobtown at 2:32 PM on November 17, 2005
Major Major Major Major
posted by jetskiaccidents at 2:37 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by jetskiaccidents at 2:37 PM on November 17, 2005
Response by poster: A few have been mentioned, but here's a bunch of Groucho Marx's characters:
Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding
Prof. Quincy Adams Wagstaff
Rufus T. Firefly
Otis B. Driftwood
Dr. Hugo Z. Hackenbush
J. Cheever Loophole
S. Quentin Quale
Wolf J. Flywheel
Ronald Kornblow
Lionel Q. Deveraux
posted by Robot Johnny at 2:42 PM on November 17, 2005
Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding
Prof. Quincy Adams Wagstaff
Rufus T. Firefly
Otis B. Driftwood
Dr. Hugo Z. Hackenbush
J. Cheever Loophole
S. Quentin Quale
Wolf J. Flywheel
Ronald Kornblow
Lionel Q. Deveraux
posted by Robot Johnny at 2:42 PM on November 17, 2005
Probably fictional and certainly from one of your all time favourite movies:
Marty DiBergi
John 'Stumpy' Pepys
Bobbi Flekman
Artie Fufkin
Joe 'Mama' Besser
Good to see you here Robot Johnny!
posted by Glum at 3:04 PM on November 17, 2005
Marty DiBergi
John 'Stumpy' Pepys
Bobbi Flekman
Artie Fufkin
Joe 'Mama' Besser
Good to see you here Robot Johnny!
posted by Glum at 3:04 PM on November 17, 2005
Shaft!
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 3:20 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 3:20 PM on November 17, 2005
Joey Buttafuoco - oh, wait, he's real
Humper Staab, secret agent (he's doubly-fictional; that should make up for Joey)
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:20 PM on November 17, 2005
Humper Staab, secret agent (he's doubly-fictional; that should make up for Joey)
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:20 PM on November 17, 2005
More here, also mentioning Martin Amis: John Self, Keith Talent, Nicola Six, Guy Clinch, etc.
posted by holgate at 3:22 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by holgate at 3:22 PM on November 17, 2005
Shart!
Shut 'cho mouth!
Erm, back to the list:
Slab Bulkhead
Fridge Largemeat
Punt Speedchunk
Butch Deadlift
Bold Bigflank
Splint Chesthair
Flint Ironstag
Bolt Vanderhuge
Thick McRunfast
Blast Hardcheese
Buff Drinklots
Trunk Slamchest
Fist Rockbone
Stump Beefgnaw
Smash Lampjaw
Punch Rockgroin
Buck Plankchest
Stump Chunkman
Dirk Hardpeck
Rip Steakface
Slate Slabrock
Crud Bonemeal
Brick Hardmeat
Rip Sidecheek
Punch Sideiron
Gristle McThornBody
Slake Fistcrunch
Buff Hardback
Bob Johnson
Blast Thickneck
Crunch Buttsteak
Slab Squatthrust
Lump Beefrock
Touch Rustrod
Reef Blastbody
Big McLargeHuge
Smoke Manmuscle
Beat Punchbeef
Pack Blowfist
Roll Fizzlebeef
Bob Johnson... oh, wait.
posted by cog_nate at 3:28 PM on November 17, 2005
Shut 'cho mouth!
Erm, back to the list:
Slab Bulkhead
Fridge Largemeat
Punt Speedchunk
Butch Deadlift
Bold Bigflank
Splint Chesthair
Flint Ironstag
Bolt Vanderhuge
Thick McRunfast
Blast Hardcheese
Buff Drinklots
Trunk Slamchest
Fist Rockbone
Stump Beefgnaw
Smash Lampjaw
Punch Rockgroin
Buck Plankchest
Stump Chunkman
Dirk Hardpeck
Rip Steakface
Slate Slabrock
Crud Bonemeal
Brick Hardmeat
Rip Sidecheek
Punch Sideiron
Gristle McThornBody
Slake Fistcrunch
Buff Hardback
Bob Johnson
Blast Thickneck
Crunch Buttsteak
Slab Squatthrust
Lump Beefrock
Touch Rustrod
Reef Blastbody
Big McLargeHuge
Smoke Manmuscle
Beat Punchbeef
Pack Blowfist
Roll Fizzlebeef
Bob Johnson... oh, wait.
posted by cog_nate at 3:28 PM on November 17, 2005
Deathwish Drang
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:29 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by Kirth Gerson at 3:29 PM on November 17, 2005
Peter O'Hanrahahanrahan.
Suzanne Geckeloyz
Sophie V'Haalbjje (pronounced "Valve")
Wayne Carr
Adolf Snarn
Suzannee Wooola-Koopus
Chuck Faranoid
...and anything else from The Day Today, Brass Eye, On the Hour, etc etc.
posted by ajp at 3:33 PM on November 17, 2005
Suzanne Geckeloyz
Sophie V'Haalbjje (pronounced "Valve")
Wayne Carr
Adolf Snarn
Suzannee Wooola-Koopus
Chuck Faranoid
...and anything else from The Day Today, Brass Eye, On the Hour, etc etc.
posted by ajp at 3:33 PM on November 17, 2005
Luke Skywalker.
And in real life, Bob Geldof's daughters:
Heavenly Hiraani Tigerlily Geldof,
Peaches Honeyblossom Geldof,
Pixie Frou-Frou Geldof,
Fifi Trixibelle Geldof.
posted by armoured-ant at 3:41 PM on November 17, 2005
And in real life, Bob Geldof's daughters:
Heavenly Hiraani Tigerlily Geldof,
Peaches Honeyblossom Geldof,
Pixie Frou-Frou Geldof,
Fifi Trixibelle Geldof.
posted by armoured-ant at 3:41 PM on November 17, 2005
I've always loved the name Montana Wildhack. When I first read Slaughterhouse Five I thought it was really sexy.
posted by iconomy at 4:32 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by iconomy at 4:32 PM on November 17, 2005
Mrs. Niggerbaiter.
posted by TimeFactor at 4:33 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by TimeFactor at 4:33 PM on November 17, 2005
"What kind of name is Yossarian?"
"It's Yossarian's name, sir."
posted by ori at 4:35 PM on November 17, 2005
"It's Yossarian's name, sir."
posted by ori at 4:35 PM on November 17, 2005
non-fictional: Rip Torn. also, in elementary school I road the bus with a kid named Jack Alford (poor guy).
posted by mcsweetie at 4:35 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by mcsweetie at 4:35 PM on November 17, 2005
Cut Me Own Throat Dibbler
Number Ten Ox
Long Wang
Hung Well
Enormous Genitals
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:45 PM on November 17, 2005
Number Ten Ox
Long Wang
Hung Well
Enormous Genitals
posted by robocop is bleeding at 4:45 PM on November 17, 2005
One of my all-time favorites is a comic book character named Clint Flicker (not sure which comic book, as I've only heard this story second hand). So named because in typical all-uppercase comic book lettering style, the "L"s and "I"s in his name run together and look like "U"s.
posted by cathodeheart at 5:06 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by cathodeheart at 5:06 PM on November 17, 2005
Ann Kittenplan (from "Infinite Jest")
Most of the characters that Steve Ditko has named in the last 25 years or so--Stac Rae and Ote Kame come to mind.
posted by 88robots at 5:09 PM on November 17, 2005
Most of the characters that Steve Ditko has named in the last 25 years or so--Stac Rae and Ote Kame come to mind.
posted by 88robots at 5:09 PM on November 17, 2005
wile e. coyote
clutch cargo
yosemite sam
ethel mertz
posted by brandz at 6:56 PM on November 17, 2005
clutch cargo
yosemite sam
ethel mertz
posted by brandz at 6:56 PM on November 17, 2005
Odd names were a standard part of the humor of W. C. Fields: Larson E. Whipsnade, Mahatma Kane Jeeves, Effingham Huffnagle, Egbert Souse... more here.
posted by Snerd at 7:07 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by Snerd at 7:07 PM on November 17, 2005
From pro basketball (so, not fictional) World B. Free, one of the greatest names ever... And the old Epic comic series Alien Legion had some pretty good names. Like Woon Balveebes.
posted by Slothrop at 7:43 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by Slothrop at 7:43 PM on November 17, 2005
Raising Arizona - Nathan Arizona, H.I. McDonnough, Leonard Smalls, Gale Snoats, Evelle Snoats
Face/Off - Castor Troy, Pollux Troy
Angel Heart - Louis Cyphre, Harold Angel, Toots Sweet
posted by mumeishi at 7:49 PM on November 17, 2005
Face/Off - Castor Troy, Pollux Troy
Angel Heart - Louis Cyphre, Harold Angel, Toots Sweet
posted by mumeishi at 7:49 PM on November 17, 2005
From PK Dick:
Lord Running Clam
From Gilbert Shelton:
E. Normus Pylah
posted by Eothele at 8:21 PM on November 17, 2005
Lord Running Clam
From Gilbert Shelton:
E. Normus Pylah
posted by Eothele at 8:21 PM on November 17, 2005
127 comments already, but hell, I'll chime in. For the best collection of artfully named characters in a single novel, I submit Nicola Six, Keith Talent, and Guy Clinch, from Amis's London Fields. (On command + F to see if I'm duplicating: Damnit! OK, seconding holgate here. Cheers, mate. Darts! Innit!)
posted by donpedro at 8:26 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by donpedro at 8:26 PM on November 17, 2005
Rembrandt Q. Einstein?
handsome B. Beautiful?
I think they were Handsome B. Wonderful and Einstein Q. Rockefeller.
posted by 6550 at 8:40 PM on November 17, 2005
handsome B. Beautiful?
I think they were Handsome B. Wonderful and Einstein Q. Rockefeller.
posted by 6550 at 8:40 PM on November 17, 2005
Alexander Throttlebottom
From a Pulitzer Prize Winner, I'll leave it for you to figure out which one (a significant one at that.) No fair Googling!
posted by leafwoman at 8:58 PM on November 17, 2005
From a Pulitzer Prize Winner, I'll leave it for you to figure out which one (a significant one at that.) No fair Googling!
posted by leafwoman at 8:58 PM on November 17, 2005
Jerry Cornelius.
posted by Luther Blissett at 9:09 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by Luther Blissett at 9:09 PM on November 17, 2005
Kramer's other alter ego, Dr. Van Nostrand
Fred and Barney Nothing
William "Fat Tony" Williams
Grady
Roosevelt Franklin
Auric Goldfinger (try to resist singing it to yourself, I dare you)
Max Power
He's a man, whose name you'd just
Love to touch
But you mustn't touch
His name sounds good in your ear
But to say it, you mustn't fear
'Cause his name can be said
By anyonnnnne
posted by evilcolonel at 9:13 PM on November 17, 2005
Fred and Barney Nothing
William "Fat Tony" Williams
Grady
Roosevelt Franklin
Auric Goldfinger (try to resist singing it to yourself, I dare you)
Max Power
He's a man, whose name you'd just
Love to touch
But you mustn't touch
His name sounds good in your ear
But to say it, you mustn't fear
'Cause his name can be said
By anyonnnnne
posted by evilcolonel at 9:13 PM on November 17, 2005
Slam Bradley
Horatio Hellpop
Abraham Sapien
Dr. Manhattan
Clarence Boddicker
Zap Branigan
Terunga Leela
John Sunlight
Travis Bickle
Nyarlathotep
Gyro Gearloose
Sos the Rope
posted by Scoo at 9:42 PM on November 17, 2005
Horatio Hellpop
Abraham Sapien
Dr. Manhattan
Clarence Boddicker
Zap Branigan
Terunga Leela
John Sunlight
Travis Bickle
Nyarlathotep
Gyro Gearloose
Sos the Rope
posted by Scoo at 9:42 PM on November 17, 2005
3. Preston Sturges: (tie, appropriately) Trudy Kockenlocker and Norval "Ratziwatzki" Jones
2. Thomas Pynchon: the SS Susanna Squaducci
The Grand Champeen, no-shit-Sherlock Numero Uno, hate-to-ruin-the-surprise-for-those-who-haven't-read-it
(drumroll, please)
1. David Foster Wallace: Judith Prietht*
*Sound it out if necessary
posted by rob511 at 9:47 PM on November 17, 2005
2. Thomas Pynchon: the SS Susanna Squaducci
The Grand Champeen, no-shit-Sherlock Numero Uno, hate-to-ruin-the-surprise-for-those-who-haven't-read-it
(drumroll, please)
1. David Foster Wallace: Judith Prietht*
*Sound it out if necessary
posted by rob511 at 9:47 PM on November 17, 2005
Nkrumah Fubar, from the Illuminatus trilogy
posted by afroblanca at 10:57 PM on November 17, 2005
posted by afroblanca at 10:57 PM on November 17, 2005
What? Why is we always forget the name of Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern- schplenden- schlitter- crasscrenbon- fried- digger- dingle- dangle- dongle- dungle- burstein- von- knacker- thrasher- apple- banger- horowitz- ticolensic- grander- knotty- spelltinkle- grandlich- grumblemeyer- spelterwasser- kurstlich- himbleeisen- bahnwagen- gutenabend- bitte- ein- nürnburger- bratwustle- gerspurten- mitz- weimache- luber- hundsfut- gumberaber- shönedanker- kalbsfleisch- mittler- aucher von Hautkopft of Ulm?
posted by Harry at 3:49 AM on November 18, 2005
posted by Harry at 3:49 AM on November 18, 2005
Well, if we're going to cheat and put in actual athletes:
Catfish Hunter
Rollie Fingers
Dick Drago
Real people from my life:
Candice Kane
Hymen J. Doodlesack
More fictionals:
Nathan Thurm
Cruella DeVille
Joe Mentum
Al Gore's Rythm Aces
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:53 AM on November 18, 2005
Catfish Hunter
Rollie Fingers
Dick Drago
Real people from my life:
Candice Kane
Hymen J. Doodlesack
More fictionals:
Nathan Thurm
Cruella DeVille
Joe Mentum
Al Gore's Rythm Aces
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:53 AM on November 18, 2005
I apologize; it was Hyman Doodlesack.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:00 AM on November 18, 2005
posted by Kirth Gerson at 5:00 AM on November 18, 2005
From PG Wodehouse (Jeeves & Wooster):
Bertram Wilberforce Wooster
Hildebrande 'Tuppy' Glossop
Cyril 'Barmy' Fotheringay (pronounced Fungy) Phipps
Augustus 'Gussie' Fink-Nottle
Marmaduke 'Chuffy' Chuffnell
Cyril Bassington-Bassington
Stilton Cheesewright
Sink me, I almost forgot:
Sir Percival 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' Blakeney, Baronet
And, to bring the list to America:
Capt. Augustus McCrae
Capt. Woodrow F. Call
And in real life:
US Army PFC Optimus Prime
posted by phoebus at 5:18 AM on November 18, 2005
Bertram Wilberforce Wooster
Hildebrande 'Tuppy' Glossop
Cyril 'Barmy' Fotheringay (pronounced Fungy) Phipps
Augustus 'Gussie' Fink-Nottle
Marmaduke 'Chuffy' Chuffnell
Cyril Bassington-Bassington
Stilton Cheesewright
Sink me, I almost forgot:
Sir Percival 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' Blakeney, Baronet
And, to bring the list to America:
Capt. Augustus McCrae
Capt. Woodrow F. Call
And in real life:
US Army PFC Optimus Prime
posted by phoebus at 5:18 AM on November 18, 2005
A few excellent W.C. Fields characters I didn't see on Snerd's list :
A. Pismo Clam
Filthy McNasty
Mr. & Mrs. Pangborne
Mrs. Pastromi
Do phony store names count? I remember "Ice Cream Cohen" from a Laurel & Hardy short.
From Forbidden Zone:
Squeezit Henderson
Huckleberry P. Jones
Flash Hercules
Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve
J. Algernon Hawthorne
Edith Prickley, Perini Scleroso, Earl Camenbert, Alki Stereopolis, Big Jim McBob, and (my favorite) Billy Sol Hurok
Peter O'Toole (There's no way that's his real name -- I don't care what his bio says :) )
Hives, the Butler
P.D.Q. Bach
Oedipus Tex
posted by Opposite George at 6:18 AM on November 18, 2005
A. Pismo Clam
Filthy McNasty
Mr. & Mrs. Pangborne
Mrs. Pastromi
Do phony store names count? I remember "Ice Cream Cohen" from a Laurel & Hardy short.
From Forbidden Zone:
Squeezit Henderson
Huckleberry P. Jones
Flash Hercules
Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve
J. Algernon Hawthorne
Edith Prickley, Perini Scleroso, Earl Camenbert, Alki Stereopolis, Big Jim McBob, and (my favorite) Billy Sol Hurok
Peter O'Toole (There's no way that's his real name -- I don't care what his bio says :) )
Hives, the Butler
P.D.Q. Bach
Oedipus Tex
posted by Opposite George at 6:18 AM on November 18, 2005
A few more:
Hyman Krustofski
Corporal Punishment
Coach Steroid
Angel Dust
Roger De Bris
Dom Bell
Mr. Creosote
Roy Stalin
posted by Opposite George at 6:33 AM on November 18, 2005
Hyman Krustofski
Corporal Punishment
Coach Steroid
Angel Dust
Roger De Bris
Dom Bell
Mr. Creosote
Roy Stalin
posted by Opposite George at 6:33 AM on November 18, 2005
Response by poster: Fantastic everyone! I had a blast reading all these.
-Robot Q. Johnny
posted by Robot Johnny at 8:53 AM on November 18, 2005
-Robot Q. Johnny
posted by Robot Johnny at 8:53 AM on November 18, 2005
Boris Badenov
Bullwinkle J. Moose
Dudley Do-Right
Snidely Whiplash
posted by Kirth Gerson at 9:02 AM on November 18, 2005
Bullwinkle J. Moose
Dudley Do-Right
Snidely Whiplash
posted by Kirth Gerson at 9:02 AM on November 18, 2005
I've always liked Winslow Ferry, from one of Frank Herbert's non-Dune novels (either The Dosadi Experiment or Whipping Star, not sure which). Herbert was a Seattle resident, and there really is a Washington State ferry which goes from Seattle across Puget Sound to the town of Winslow.
posted by lhauser at 9:48 AM on November 18, 2005
posted by lhauser at 9:48 AM on November 18, 2005
Wyoming Knott
Aurora Borealis Smith
all of the Addams Family
all of the Culture Ship Names
posted by Zed_Lopez at 12:39 PM on November 18, 2005
Aurora Borealis Smith
all of the Addams Family
all of the Culture Ship Names
posted by Zed_Lopez at 12:39 PM on November 18, 2005
Harry stole my comment! (That was literally exactly what I was going to say if I had seen this earlier)
posted by easternblot at 2:12 PM on November 18, 2005
posted by easternblot at 2:12 PM on November 18, 2005
Phineas Phreak
Eulalie Mckecknie Shin
Ponder Stibbons
Rustrum Midcully
Windle Poons
Philbert Desanex
Buck Loner
Constance Lingus
posted by forrest at 9:50 PM on November 18, 2005
Eulalie Mckecknie Shin
Ponder Stibbons
Rustrum Midcully
Windle Poons
Philbert Desanex
Buck Loner
Constance Lingus
posted by forrest at 9:50 PM on November 18, 2005
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posted by Zed_Lopez at 11:52 AM on November 17, 2005