Gentle friends,

Whilst we of the Black Hat Society feel not the need for such trappings as some of our younger kindred (i.e. gothlings, kindergoths, baby bats, etc), it is, perhaps, entertaining to consider what our "Societal" names would be, much as the S.C.A. has Society names, the YaYa Sisterhood has their names and titles, etc. Also, I know that some of our sisters (and brothers!) have been granted what one might equate to "titles" by their younger Gothic brethren and sistren. I, myself, (if I may permit the boast) was given the title "Countess" by some of the younger Sacramento Gothlings quite a few years ago (more specifically, "the elder-Countess of Goth") due to my venerable age and years in the Community. I would opine that all we "middle-aged" OG's (black hats, no veil) might be deserving of the title of Countess, whilst our older sisters of the Full Veil might be granted the title Duchess. But I muse, only.

I believe we would agree that the Victorian age of penny-dreadful gothic splendors might perhaps provide the most appropriate names, however there are many areas to choose such a moniker from. The Middle Ages and Renaissance also provide names of elegant suitability. I would gently admonish all members, however, to avoid such cliched names as "Raven", "Drusilla", "Mina", "Morticia" and other such -- dare I say it? -- *common* names.

Some basic Victorian naming practices may be found at freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~...ml but this does not include the odd names often used by people in this area (think of the Classical names from mythology, and the many odd names that people in the American South used -- "Scarlett", "Carreen" and "India" are actually not strange for the 1800's South, nor did Margaret Mitchell simply make these up!)

Renaissance English surnames may be found at www.s-gabriel.org/names/chr...names.html (written by a good friend of mine, Lady Christian Ashley).

Gothic literature is, of course, one of the better sources for names. One might peruse the lists at members.aol.com/iamudolpho/basic.html or at www.litgothic.com/Authors/title.html (an AMAZING site to explore at any rate!!!!)

If one simply cannot find a name on their own, one *might* utilize Penny Dreadful's website of Gothic Names at home.comcast.net/~jeniphir...names.html -- but I strongly suggest caution in using some of these names!!! Some are too cliche to bear!

For myself, I prefer the Victorian and the Classic. Names of classic antiquity or Victorian nobility can never steer one wrong. I therefore take the name Countess Persephone Strangewayes, but you may call me Percy.

~ Countess Percy,
part of the OG Community since 1985



** you do know this is a joke, right??? that I am indulging in my obsession with onomastics??**
LOL!!