Acceptable versus Registered

Our Society recreates Europe or areas that contacted Europe prior to 1600 A.D that is defined as "period". To fully blend into our backdrop, we often choose names to be more "period" and allow us to believe that we are "living the dream" of the middle ages. If we choose names with period content and style, we feel that the name attempts to recreate the atmosphere of medieval life.

A registered name goes through the SCA College of Arms (often referred to as Laurel) to ensure that it is period but also to ensure that it is not offensive or presumptuous. This process also checks that no one else has that name or can be confused as that person. But until the name is accepted by Laurel, we would use an "acceptable SCA" name.

An acceptable SCA name is one that could be documented or constructed with period content and style. Then you can introduce yourself and not feel that you are still in the twenty-first century. Also, we also need to maintain the dignity of the Society within and to the outside world. Offensive names (towards race, religion, etc) are not funny and should not be used since it may reduce the fun for someone else. We also cannot claim power, status or relationships that we do not have. Ranks are earned and recognized by the Crown.

Although you can use any name, only acceptable SCA names have a chance for registration. Initially, the name is not overly important because few people know who you are. However, once you start calling yourself that, people will start recognizing you as that name. So, if you are unclear on what you want, simply use your "out of Society" or legal name. Once you have an acceptable name, most of us will convert quickly to your new name. So, do not rush it.

As you do more research into what you like in the SCA, you may discover what time period, country or culture that excites you. You may join a household, be part of a guild, and find an art or science that could lead you to your acceptable SCA name. Waiting is best while you figure it out.

But do not get into the "persona trap". You do not have to have a fully documented persona before you get your name. Here is some advice.

The heralds are not extremely interested in your persona. Where you are from, how you got there, etc is not critical to accepting the submission as long as it meets the period content and style requirements. A very wise herald once told me:
"Dear. You need not worry so much about your persona. You have just started in the SCA and overtime you probably will change your garb, time period and culture at least once over ten years. Do not get hung up making sure your name matches your current persona because you do not know what you will be ten years from now. Just find something that you like and can represent you."

Good advice! In fact, I did time shift for a little while but in the end came back to my original persona. However, not everyone does.

But where do you find documentation or good name sources?

How to Find Document Sources

The SCA College of Arms has a list of good sources that provide adequate documentation and bad sources that do not. Good sources generally are based upon primary resources, a document written within our time period chronicling the names, deeds, assets, etc. If the back of the book indicates a significant bibliography, it may be OK. A couple on-line sources can be found from the Laurel website http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names.html which have been developed from the Laurel staff. If you are having difficultly, the Academy of Saint Gabriel for further assistance. They do research for names but use a different standard for their documentation. They also have a great listing of name documents and can be found at http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/ .

Not so good sources titles normally start with the "Name your baby" or "What in a Name?". Although they indicate origin, standard name your baby books do not have a good bibliography nor can they provide dates. "Name your baby books" and those that Laurel has deemed "unacceptable" are written for a different audience, for people looking for general information not documenting actual names for use in the SCA. Laurel has complied a list of unacceptable books which can be found in the Administrative Handbook, Appendix F. See http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/admin.html#APPENDIX_F )

If you cannot find something in the good sources, talk to a herald. If your culture is not listed, talk to a herald. They have access to further resources and maybe find what you want. If you have further problems, contact Green Mantle or Trillium for help!

Why Registration?

Once we have an acceptable name, why should we register one? In our Kingdom, we have not restricted anyone from lack of registration. We do not stop anyone from receiving an AoA, fighting in Crown, becoming a peer, etc.

However, we need a registered name to register a device or any other heraldric submissions (heralds call this the "primary society name"). Our legal name connects us to the world outside the SCA; our SCA name connects us to the Current Middle Ages. The SCA name provides a "file folder name" for all your other submissions. So, if you want your device or badge to be protected so no one else can have it, you will need to register your name as well.

You can register your name, device and badge together as one package. Or you can start your name and then submit your device or badge later. As long as your name is in the process, any heraldric submission after that can be done.

Where Do I Go From Here?

Start looking at the sources we talked about. Contact your local pursuivant or herald. Attempt to find something that will work and could get registered eventually.

If you want to get something registered, your local pursuivant or herald can help with the submission forms and get you the address of the submissions herald (Green Mantle) for your completed package. If you have any questions about this or any other naming problem, contact the Green Mantle Herald or the Trillium Herald whose information is located inside the Tidings.