Culture Chronicles Blog

- March 11, 2308

The Colorful Tapestry of Mononyms: From Ancient Times to the Digital Age by Fax Shepherd

Let us embark on a journey on the ever-evolving landscape of human identity through the annals of human history and into the 24th century! Today, we're delving into the fascinating realm of mononyms and pseudonyms, tracing their journey from humble internet handles to legally recognized identities.

In a memorable scene from the old classic Doctor Strange movie filmed in 2016, the titular character, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, engages in a humorous exchange with Wong, played by Benedict Wong. The dialogue unfolds as follows:

Strange: And you are?

Wong: Wong.

Strange: Wong. Just Wong? Like... Adele? Or Aristotle? Drake? Bono? Eminem?

Mononyms, tags, gamertags, pseudonyms, pen names, handles, aliases, nicknames have been around for as long as humans have had words to go with their identities. More than likely we only had to come up with more than one name when suddenly there were 6 guys named Urgbok in the village and they all weren’t related. Urgbok. Such a classic prehistorical name that transcends time but not actual written history.

Our story begins amidst the grandeur of ancient civilizations, where mononyms reigned supreme as symbols of power, authority, and divine connection. From the pharaohs of Egypt, gracing us with names like "Ramses" and "Cleopatra," to the venerable Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle, who etched their names into the annals of history with a single stroke, mononyms were the epitome of prestige and reverence.

Mononyms were not merely names; they were badges of honor for royalty and religious figures across the globe. Emperors like Nero and Caesar strutted the Roman stage with their single names. Sure, the Romans typically had 3 names, but for some, only one was needed to do the job. Revered spiritual leaders such as Buddha and Muhammad transcended mortal realms with their divine monikers. In every kingdom and temple, mononyms stood as beacons of authority and divine favor.

As human civilization evolved so did the art of storytelling and self-expression. In the realms of literature and the arts, mononyms found new life as pseudonyms and stage names. Writers like Voltaire and Plato, artists like Madonna and Prince, each adopted a single name to craft a distinct identity, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of humanity. From Pele to Meat Loaf (OK technically 2 words) to Bjork to Beyoncé, these celebrities captivated hearts and minds with their singular names.

Let's rewind to the mid-21st century, a time when the internet was blossoming into a digital playground teeming with usernames and gamertags. In this virtual realm, a new breed of celebrity emerged, known primarily by their pseudonyms or mononyms. These monikers weren't just fleeting online identities; they became brands, trademarks, and even legal identities for some.

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It should be noted that in the zeal for creating unique identifiers during this time another related phenomenon came to pass, tragedeighs. People would choose standard names for their children and give them a unique spelling. For example, Johnathan or Jonathan would be a standard spelling for this name. The child might have the standard pronunciation, but it is spelled Jawnawthayn or Giohnnathin. Likewise, sometime the parents didn’t even try for a standard name. Some of the wealthy and celebrities went all out for this. Elon Musk named a son, X Æ A-12. Frank Zappa, a musician who was arguably on the leading edge of this trend had children named Moon Unit, Dweeziel, and Diva Muffin. Many parents were simply making up names out of whole cloth, such as Sharkiesha, Ermergerd, and Donsquat. As terrible as some of these names were considered at the time, they seemed to pave the way for more reasonable mononyms. Truth be told, perhaps they were just ahead of their time because no one would blink an eye at them now. During this period a surname was still standard, but if someone’s name is Moon Unit, people knew who you might be talking about.

Fast forward to the end of the 21st century, and these pseudonyms started creeping into the human legal system like a stealthy virus in a computer network. Birth certificates began sporting a special slot reserved for pseudonyms, a testament to their growing importance in human society. Parents would sometimes take the liberty of entering their child's future pseudonym on their birth certificate, but often, the task fell to the child themselves during a naming celebration held at different ages in various cultures or whenever it was decided they were old enough to choose one.

Initially, these mononyms were as permanent as birth names, requiring legal processes to change. But in a stroke of genius (or regret?) in the mid-22nd century, SpunkTrunk (formerly known as JizzWhiz) proposed a revolutionary idea. He suggested that legal mononym changes could be easily facilitated and tracked using Distributed Ledger Tech resident within GRETA, a move that was swiftly adopted by all GRETA-compliant nations in 2256 in the interest of streamlining bureaucratic and judicial processes.

However, as with any system, there were bound to be a few glitches. In 2258, restrictions were slapped on after "TheLORDismyshepherdHeleadsmeinpathsofrighteousnessIwillfearnoevilIwilldwellinthehouseoftheLORDforever" changed his name daily for 586 days straight. Lengthy mononyms were also subject to generous restrictions, lest we end up with a legal identity longer than a Tolstoy novel!

Of course, this innovative process didn't stay confined within the borders of GRETA-compliant nations; it spread like wildfire across the globe. But while the masses embraced this new wave of identity management, the wealthy tended to maintain a more traditional naming structure, complete with family surnames and multiple given names. Rumor has it, they even joke about how the poor can't afford more than one name!

Yet, despite its widespread adoption, the practice of using mononyms as legal identities is far from universal. About 35% of humans on Earth still adhere to classic naming structures, though this number has fluctuated over the centuries. In certain generations, the use of mononyms has been sporadic, with some eras viewing them as a sign of being uncultured, low-class, or plebian, while in other periods, they have been seen as symbols of individuality, freedom, and self-determination.

There you have it, readers! A short history of mononyms. Let me know what you think in the comments. What are some of your favorite mononyms? Are they trashy or classy? Are they significant or superficial?