Writing might seem easy to an outsider, but only writers understand how hard it is to create an original piece.
Getting a story might seem like a big deal, but it is not the most challenging part of writing a story; getting names for your characters can prove challenging.
It would be best to name your characters appropriately to get to your readers. The evolution of technology has made robot stories increasingly popular, and you can make it big through them if you get the names right. Let us get into the details and help you pick one out;
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Understanding Robots
Robots came to us as sci-fi content in movies, and now it is all around us, and they have been around for decades, changing form and evolving to get better.
The idea of robots in movies always suggests that they will turn on us and rule as they enslave humanity.
We currently use robots for space exploration to dock shuttles, clean our houses, and so much more to make our jobs easier.
These robots are a result of decades of research and study so let us get a better understanding of what a robot is and where they came from;
The basic definition of a robot is a machine engineers make to accomplish a unique task. All robots have a set of sensors for inputs to perceive commands. Once they get commands, they use control systems to weigh the environment and decide.
After weighing the choices, a robot will use an effector to make an output or complete a task, which sounds simple enough.
Laws of robotics did not come from an engineer or physicist; they came from an author, Isaac Asimov.
Mechanical robots come in many shapes and sizes to carry out their primary tasks. Robots have different functionalities, designs, and degrees of autonomy, but they all come up and perform complex tasks that humans can’t.
Types Of Robots
There are five types of robots in our world at the moment, and the chances are, your character will be one of these, so you need to know them.
Knowing your character will make it easier to give them a name since you will understand their purpose and story so let’s get into it;
1. Pre-programmed robots
These robots work in industries and other controlled situations to do simple, repetitive tasks. Such robots are often stationary, and they might be carrying heavy items from one station to the next or any other job.
A good example is a car assembly line with several pre-programmed robot arms. There are arms whose job is to insert an engine or weld a door on, and it does only one job. It does it for longer, more efficiently, and faster than a human would.
2. Humanoid Robots
These are robots that resemble human appearance and behavior. These robots can do the same activities as humans, like running, carrying objects, and talking.
Most of the time, engineers design humanoid robots to look like us, even with human expressions and faces.
An excellent example of this is Sophia, a Hanson Industries robot that resembles a human in behavior.
3. Autonomous robots
These robots work independently without any human intervention, like the Roomba vacuum cleaner.
These robots are a good option for open tasks that don’t need a human supervisor or terrain too dangerous to have a human.
These are closer to humans since they have sensors that help them perceive their environment then use complex decision-making structures to take action.
4. Teleoperated Robots
These robots are semi-autonomous, meaning they can work independently, but they depend on humans most of the time. They use wireless communication systems that allow humans to control them safely.
These robots are common for use under hazardous conditions that put humans in danger. A good example is drones detecting landmines or repairing submarines that fix pipe leaks in the sea bed.
5. Augmenting robots
These robots can replace capabilities a human has lost or enhance those they still have. This is one of the fastest developing robotics’ fields, making science fiction real very soon.
These robots can redefine human capability since they make humans faster and more robust. Such robots are robotic prosthetic limbs and exoskeletons that help workers lift heavyweights.
How To Choose A Robot’s Name
Naming a character is not a simple matter, and it will get even more challenging if you don’t have clear criteria by which you will go about it.
Thanks to the existence of a tool like a robot name generator, you no longer have to struggle to come up with names.
Aside from that, there are a few simple facts you can use to guide you to the perfect name for your character so let’s get into it;
1. Inspiration from the story
The best place to get a name for your character is from the story. You need to look at your main human character if you have one or a critical point of your story and use it to come up with a name.
For example, if an engineer’s mother dies in your story, you could name the robot after her as a way of the creator appreciating the mother.
You could name it after an event or invoke a specific feeling that the reader will get based on your storyline.
2. The robot’s purpose
Sometimes, a simple name that defines the robot’s original use will help you get readers. An excellent example of a simple name that worked well is Terminator, a robot that evil AI created to terminate humans.
If you have a robot character whose primary purpose is space exploration, you could name it Explorer or after a constellation like Orion. This would make it easier for a reader since the name will always suggest what the robot does.
3. Appearance and end game
Your robot’s appearance and demeanor can help you define a name. If the robot is calm and well-kept, you could name it accordingly to give off the feeling of calmness. A violent robot will also get a name that depicts its character.
You can also use a robot’s name to foreshadow what the robot is to accomplish at the end of your story.
You could twist a name like Xavier and use it to imply that the robot will save humans or something else at the end of the story.
4. Acronyms
Some Robot Name Ideas
Now that you have criteria for choosing a name for your robot character, it will no longer be difficult for you to create one. However, if you still need a bit of a help, you can use our Robot name generator. Also, here are some names you could use in your book, depending on how much they suit your character.
- It Man. This name sounds like IT man, which is descriptive for a robot as a product of IT. You can use it, especially if the robot is too sophisticated and doesn’t have bad intentions or ending.
- Annihilator. If you have a villainous robot hell-bent on destroying other characters, this is a good name to go with. It speaks to the robot’s purpose or intention, which will make the reader connect with your story better.
- Sense. This can be a good name for an intelligent robot with human emotions or heightened intelligence.
- Hell AI. This is another name you can use for a destructive robot, especially if it has a mind of its own. Artificial intelligence counts as robots, so you can have this name to specify the type of robot you are talking about.
- Cavalier. If your robot character looks dashing and is a manservant, you can use this name since it means a person that escorts people, especially ladies.
- Gentleman. This is a simple name that can say a lot about your robot’s character, and it can work for a butler robot or a well-mannered helper. You can juxtapose the character to mislead the audience and increase their interest.
- Knight. Knights are primarily loyal and honorable, so you can use this name for a robot with such qualities. It will be perfect for one with good intentions towards humans or other robots.
- Commoner. You could have several robots and end up with a character that doesn’t have anything impressive about them, so this will be a fitting name. It could also be an ironic name if the robot is unique and you have a spectacular future for it.
- Buddy. Buddy will be an excellent name for a friendly robot that is a companion to a child or human character in the book.
Conclusion
Naming a character can be challenging at times, even for expert writers, and you might need a nudge in the right direction. Sometimes it is best to look for a simple name that suggests what the robot is all about to make it easier on the reader.
A clever way to name your robots is to use acronyms that sound like real names. Some of the best names from movies result from the clever use of acronyms like SHIELD, so it can be an excellent point to start from.
However, you can also consider using our Robot name generator. It is a great tool, as it issues creative and practical suggestions. There’s no need to put yourself through the stress of coming up with names when the Robot name generator is here to help.
If you’re looking for more random name generators for your fiction, check out our collection of Fiction Name Generators here.
Also if you’re in for free author tools, see our 3d book cover software and our fantasy book generator.
