Creating Second Life Last Names

LL could also make a good premium off of marketing external company names to those companies before current users could buy them. For example Jimmy Linden could be interested in buying the Microsoft surname, but seeing as how Microsoft is an established giant, LL could offer the surname to Microsoft first for a considerable mark-up. Seeing as how SL would ideally replace, enhance, or otherwise integrate itself into the web in the future, this could be used as a selling point somewhat comparable to how domain names are sold. Even if Microsoft wouldn't use the name at the time, it would be an investment for when SL becomes more integrated into the mainstream. I'm sure they'd hate to see news headlines about an army of trolls with their surname.

lol.

I second all Chance's opinions. Thinking of it...it might be weird if someone outside of the company bought and use surname Microsoft, AOL, etcetc. Not to mention chances that there'll be someone whose name Bill, and bought surname Gate That might make him suddenly become well-known without needing to do anything

See, I don't even need a change, Hamilton is a valid name right now... too bad it wasn't around when I signed up

I am reposting my earlier comment from way back when this thread started. I feel the part about name ecology is important.

I find having last names limited and in rotation is a good thing.
It helps to put individuals into a semi-random group - your last name - and you meet some people you otherwise wouldn't. When you are new, it's a nice event to bump into someone who shares the same last name.
It also adds to the name ecology in a good way - variety, but not out of control.
I also like that names have certain 'generations' to them as well. It's an interesting aspect to SL.

Maybe free-raffle off 10% of new last names to residents.

If people could make an innapropriate last name, they could make an innapropriate first name too. *shrugs* And if it had to be approved before the transaction was completed, that would make it easy enough to regulate I would think.

Every other online game out there allows you to pick your own name with a few filter options to keep bad language out. Actually I was pretty shocked when I had to pick a last name from a list in the first place. Sorry but I'll just keep the name I have. To me it is a waste of money and not really justifiable to have to pay for a last name. So unless the option was free, I wouldn't pay. That is my opinion.

I support #1 with a fee, but once.

I was absolutely disgusted with the choice of surnames when I created my account back on Halloween (10/31/05). Since then, a better choice had appeared (especially as it fits with my main avatar), and I would relish the opportunity to change it to that. Even if it were only a one-time thing, I would be much happier with it.

As it is, I thought I'd grown used to my current surname, but someone mentioned it to me as if he'd been infamous (a quick Google search turns up the fact he was a Nobel-winning poet), which made me think about it some more.

I still believe I'd be happier with 'Tiberious Tiger' as a name, though...

I think it's a great idea, I would love to change my last name! When I first signed up I guess I didn't realize much about the game and that my last name would be something I actually cared much about.. but now that I've been a resident for a while I'm always thinking that my last name isn't really "me". So it would be nice to be able to change it to something that is. =]

name changes. There should be a permanent fixed and displayed record of 'prior names' in the person's profile. This would help avoid peeps 'hiding' from past behavior and seeming to be a new face to someone they have encountered before... under whatever pleasant or unpleasant circumstances.

I actually like the idea of owning a 'family name', but once you've let somene in, its sort of hard to get rid of them. LOL. Sounds like real life.

I also worry about the the near spellings of similar sounding names. I could not now prevent a Char Trudeau, though most of my friends and even I shorten my Charlene Trudeau to that name. Hmmm. Maybe I should get an alt there... lOL.

To me, my reputation within SL is worth more than anything else and I have been careful to always be as pleasant and helpful as possible. To have, say, a griefer show up as Char Trudeau and begin a wave of actions contrary to my own that were then attributed to me, would be depressing at best.

Name selection dates, should, of course, be able to be tracked, but would there be a means of arbitration if a disput over copying/infringing/deliberately misleading names occurs?

Char

i really dont see why we need to have this. but i suppose some would like the option. i rather like that we are limited to what sl gives us at the time. makes things interesting. now when it comes to getting married that is when it would be good to chsnge your name - for a fee - and if you get divorced well it should cost a mint to go back to maiden name ONLY. this may detuor those that seem to get married once a week. *rolls eyes

Suppose we could treat the last name you chose at the start as a kind of birth name. Then later on once you've reached a certain point you can choose a new name, or create one. Kind of like a right of passage.

*shrug*

Xavier Dot

Omg wish I would have read this forum first lol..anyway.. I AM ALL FOR IT LINDENS... MAKE IT HAPPEN!!! LOL SOON

Same here, good suggestion

This is a great idea but what happens if someone else buys the rights to the last name you want? Im also concerned about "Name Barrons" as someone else mentioned.

If this option were added to the game I would also like to see the ability to change our last names as well.

I would be very interested in this. I've even setup a proposition for it, Proposition 1009. That's probably the best way to let Linden Lab know how interested we are.

An expanded name list is a good idea for free accounts. Try this site for Eastern surnames:

http://www.gaminggeeks.org/Resources/KateMonk/index.htm

Be sure to write the author and thank her for her hard work.

Make the name choice only upon aquiring a full membership and on the yearly anniversary of continuous membership. Plus all former names can be listed on the profile involuntarily.

Another problem seems to be with the filtering software for obscene names because some names I've seen have obscene elements but aren't really obscene. For example, Hitchcock and Hancock would all be obscene under the current software even though they are perfectly respectable last names. I don't see why a Revolutionary history buff shouldn't be able to take the last name of Hancock or a film buff shouldn't have the name Hitchcock after John Hancock and Alfred Hitchcock. Plus, some foriegn names are going to look obscene to English speakers. Hassan, for example.

My solution would be go to assess these names individually. Set up a name evaluation center where people can come and earn L$ by determining the obscenity of a name.

Just my $.02

I agree that it would be nice to be able to change your name.... however....

I don't like option 1. Period. Yes it would be nice for instance in my family to allow them to have my name, and ONLY them to have my name, BUT name barons would QUICKLY become an unavoidable problem so I think that idea should be scrapped.

Some aspects of 2 I liked though after readin all these pages i've kind of lost the complete thoughts I had on it =x

My opinion - I think partners should be able to shair names. I think for instance John Paul and Mary Rary get married, John Paul remains the same and Mary becomes Mary Rary-Paul. I think it should be mandatory that if they WANT the same last name it be a hyphonated name, not a complete change. I think this could limit some of the problems as well.

Second thought - If being able to change names is the plan, I think all players should start out by picking a last name from the preselected list, as is the current set up. Then, after maybe a trial period of say 90 days, they are allowed to change there name on request to a name that has NOT been put in the preselected list. I really don't want to see new Thorns coming into the wood works, heck I don't like most of the old ones! But its MY last name, along with a few others I know, back from 04, and I want to keep it to me me me! I think that would be the better way to go about it though that would eat up some linden time, reading, answering, deciding, on the name changes. Of course though with all that time taken there should be a nominal one time fee, as anythin in SL ~snicker~

And of course this should only be implemented if it will not affect inventory, ban lists, friends list, and all the other things mentioned.

I agree with loki here. My last here is also retired as it is 2 years old. I like the fact that you don't see many foo's out there, and is pretty rare as well. I do think that a renaming option where all of your contacts would be automatically notified upon your name change so you don't have to do it yourself.

I am in favor of it all . The only question I have at the monent is does or doesnt your last name change here in sl when you get married like in rl? thats it I think that giving an option or a wider selection of different last names or being able to choose your own is way kool

somebody deep in the forum used the term ad nauseum and I think this is descriptive of this entire idea so far.

I love my last name. I am glad i was forced to chose. It's a tie-in to the world. It makes me part of this experience. It gives me pride like an RL last name does.

Somebody mentioned they like to keep the same name for everything they do in cyberspace. I don't understand why. My name in each game, each forum, each chat program is a new persona, a new piece of me, a new way of viewing the world. This shouldnt' be any different.

I think if the available names list doubled in size, there would be less complaint. I think if there was a short explaination on why LL feels selected last names are a nice part of this world, people would understand.

I dont' think marriage should effect last names. I think partnership should be treated as a group option ( the only exception to the three avi group rule) I think the profiles are utilized well with the partner label helping keep the profile informative.
I wasn't allowed to pick my last name at birth, this is a step above that and the names on the list are some that i wold never have thought to come up with. Belvedere (which i researched def. before i selected) is something i never would've picked for myself given an unlimited option. Belvedere means great view from above which is cooler than anything i would have picked.

~You can get so predictable with yourself if you aren't prompted to change anything about you.~

~Lefty

Hello, I am unsure where to post my question, but I wish to request a last name Where would I direct that? As a role player, choosing the last name is very important for me. Thanx!

Just shooting off some thoughts here:

1) creating last name and owning the rights to it is inviting abuse

2) about being able to change your AV's name and relevant notecards to get updated, I'll use an analogy:
MSN uses your email address as personal identifier
ICQ uses a UIN, a sort of serial number; there you could just choose your email address and name and change it whenever you wanted
=> why not use a serial number as the basic identification of a person, and as a result changing an AV's name would have significantly less problems to overcome

Actually each Avi/person in SL does have a UID. So I would think that changing an Avi's name would be easier then some might think eventho harder then some things. And surely not easy task to fix some things that are already in place in SL that is user created and only uses the Avi's name.

I'm not all that sure though at this time I'd want to change my last name as much as I once was. I wouldn't completely rule it out but its defanitly a thiner chance then it once was. I have somewhat of a reputation especially with those close to me. Not all of it may be great. But, most of it is positive.

It's about a choice though that would be given. And, I'm all for more of that. I'm sure lots of others will be happy to have this option.

Boy I think I said more then even I intended. In any event I hope that helps you out, Will.

I like both options but... why the need for an additional charge that is such a minor thing? Shouldnt the people have this basic MMORPH feature?

I dont understand the need to charge for this. Can anyone explain why there should be a charge for choosing a last name?

I don't think those that have been here in Second Life should be charged if they want to change there existing last name to one of their own choosing. But, if later you would want to change it again? Or maybe if LL gives all now existing players a chance to choose a last name for a specified amount of time and we choose not to. Then later would like to do so then I'd have to agree to a fee in that respect.

No one should be able to change there last name at will? There would be a LOT more griefing in that respect then we have ever yet seen. My one concern is that now if we do get to change last names. What will happen to the Ban lists on peoples properties? Since they are tied to names and not the Avi's UID's. If they changed this before any name changes were to go into effect that would be so much easier. And no need to go back and "FIX" what should had never become "BROKEN"?!