| Typology Number-themed |
| Total Entries 49 |
| Representative Thirteen |
|
When a character has a number as a name, i.e. a numeronym. Usually this carries dehumanizing implications. This can be for (at least) two overlapping reasons: The character is an “Artificial Human” or robot, whose creators regard it as non-sentient (or at least did when they were handing out names). The number is a serial number or shortening thereof; the character is a prisoner or otherwise an inhabitant of a large bureaucratic institution, which assigns people numbers to keep track of them. (And in some cases, to intentionally dehumanize them.) For some reason, these implications are usually somewhat lessened when the number in question is “zero”. They also don’t necessarily apply to spy or superhero “Code Names” that are numbers (like 007), unless they become part of a “Secret-Identity Identity”. Having a low number (i.e. in the single digits) as a name is generally considered less humiliating than a large one. And Heaven help you if your name is “4”, “13”, “34”, “69”, “108”, “420”, “666”, or a combination of them. “Science Fiction” stories, especially “Dystopias”, are likely to use this trope to some extent. It’s also common for prisoners to have serial numbers instead of names. Note that several languages have numeronyms (Japanese and Latin being the most likely to be encountered). In this case, the kids will be named in order of birth: literally, “Primus”, “Secundus”, “Tertius”, etc. Bizarrely, this can actually also serve to humanize beings that have never had separate identities before. If you have a race of robots or drones that become sentient, they may adopt their numbers as their actual names (à la Artoo Deetoo and See Threepio). Compare “One-Letter” Name. See also: “Numerical Theme Naming”, “Seven Is Nana”, “Goroawase Number”. For replacing an entire area’s name with a number, see “Airstrip One”. Not to be confused with “I Am Number Four” or “We Are Number One”… ~ You Are Number Six – TV Tropes
|
 |
