bloodname

A bloodname is a name that signifies a person’s descent from a particular lineage or bloodline, often carrying social, legal, or symbolic weight within a culture or fictional world. Distinct from a personal given name or a surname, a bloodname is closely tied to ancestry and may function as an indicator of birthright, allegiance, or magical claim in the settings where it appears.

In real-world scholarship, bloodname as a formal term is uncommon; the concept is more often encountered in speculative or fantasy contexts. When used, it describes naming systems in which lineage is central to identity, governance, or ritual practice. A bloodname may be inherited, bestowed by a clan or priesthood, or earned through a significant act, and it can be kept secret or revealed under specific conditions.

In fantasy literature and role-playing media, bloodnames appear as plot devices that explore themes of inheritance, power, and identity. They may unlock privileges, mark belonging to a faction, or connect characters to ancestral spirits or lineages. The trope often interacts with other naming conventions, such as patronymics, matronymics, or ceremonial names, to encode social structure and fate within a world.

Etymology and usage: The term bloodname is a modern compound of blood and name in English. It is not widely attested in historical sources and is primarily used in contemporary fiction and worldbuilding to describe a name tied to bloodline and lineage.