@Allamorph:

Hmm. Do you have a problem with the names resembling an already established culture, maybe one that has ties to the society you constructed? With all the animal influence, could you choose a naming system with Native American or Egyptian roots, or some other animal-intensive culture? (links are your friends =D)

I realize that coming up with something all your own is hard without a different language to draw from. Most all fantasy works I've read seem to have the names sound like they're straight out of Beowulf or something. They all blend together since we think in English terms and sounds. Even attempts to not make normal English sounds become one big blur. You could always pull an Avatar and take names straight from the nations your people resemble.

@TwistedCyberChick:

I have, but then I still have to come up with a linguist sound; although I'll be using English as essentially Common speech, the allamorphs would have developed a culture completely separate from that. Really, I just don't know what it sounds like, and I'm not as accomplished as certain other authors at creating my own language.

@Allamorph:

I'm not sure of the actual sound of the names, but have you considered going along the lines of the fairly common Eastern custom of naming children based off world events, virtues or physical traits? Some cultures don't give infants official names until well after birth. As I said, it wouldn't dictate the actual sound, but it could give you a direction to think about.

@TwistedCyberChick:

(I think I put too much pressure on myself. *shrug*)

Probably. I mean, this was just an enumeration of what I need to do. Outside ideas are welcomed, of course, but not required, and not expected.

Sorry that I only just now got around to reading this whole post, but I'll mull over some ideas that are slowing twinkling into light in my head and then throw them out for you.

I'm glad I could help resolve one issue, and I'll do my best on the others. (I think I put too much pressure on myself. *shrug*)

I've read a number of the Pern books, so I catch your drift there. So many things have been done in the Fantasy Universe that's it's hard to come off as truly original.

I'll post back when I have a better grasp of my own ideas.

I have no idea really. o_O I mean, what you already mentioned with the shortening of one's name sounded good to me. However I have not read anything by the author you were concerned over potential plagiarism issues with, so I don't know how closely related they are.

If I think of anything, I'll be sure to come back and comment. ^_^

-Sabrina

Ya may have already thought of this, but why not look at what culture they are similar to and use that language as a base. God knows Nana has and will still have this same problem. Other than that, the naming after the first leader sound good; but then again you need a name.
Reading what you wrote the first leader comes to mind as a very strong willed being, so a name that puts that across could work.

Well good luck

NNM
Oktoberfest be damned. I'm flyin down to Italy for food

@Nehszriah:

See, it's not really a power so much as a . . . personality, if that makes sense. It's just part of who they are. They're not human, and they're not animal, but they're still both. For an allamorph, going from human to wolf is like if you walked down the block and then started running.

I'm still working out how the shift-magic works, too. Blast that Man in White for meddling in EVERYTHING.

Making me think at 4.30 in the morning... man...

Alright, I haven't read as much fantasy as you have, clearly, but I understand what you're getting at.

Maybe the naming system can be that shortened thing, but based on their animal of morphy-powers. Until they reach their coming-of-age, kids can have a different sort of thing... like (don't laugh) Kirita'tra and have the affixed part of the name after their given. Then, once they are of age, they can choose whether they want their name to take it from behind or in front, but have the affixed portion be after some great former carrier of their beast form. (From what I recall, there are great former carriers of names, right? I'm lucky I'm thinking this clearly.)

I'm not sure about clan names though, which I do believe would help. Meh. This is what happens when you leave Chat to sleep, spend the next two or so hours on wikipedia looking up internet memes and Dracula adaptations and and then attempt to think coherently.

*yawnmewlsniffle* Hope it makes sense/helps.