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I'm pretty sure Rocky's real name is John.
I've been wracking my brains about it for a while and got hit with this sinking realisation, and now I can't shake it.
It all started because we'd been chatting idly about names while going through some somewhat boring but necessary systems checks in the control room.
"It's kinda cool how Eridian names don't have meanings, but how do they get made up then?" I'd said.
Rocky paused in fiddling with his repairs. His tool belt had frayed and he was carefully stitching up the hole with a synthetic twine. He tilted his carapace slightly.
"Does have meaning."
"What? But - didn't you say it didn't?" I raised an eyebrow. Had he been fibbing? Why?
Rocky tapped his claws together with urgency. "No no no. I didn't say that. I said that my familial-hatching name has no meaning in language I speak. Language I speak now is 🎵🎶. My name has meaning in old old old language. From religion song-record."
We'd had a conversation about religion a few days prior - it took us a while to figure out, as two basically agnostic science types, but it did seem that Eridians had something analogous to a creation mythology, and old stories and beliefs to go with that. I got the impression that Rocky found it a bit silly, and quickly realised that his hesitation was strongly connected to wanting to convince me that Eridians were all way more sensible and logical than humans... Hah! Take that Rocky - Humans aren't uniquely esoteric!
Rocky fiddled his claws. "My name means... Grace/mercy of [Central religious/mythology figure]. In old old old Eridian language."
I have to glance at the laptop for that translation. Some words that don't come up often. I noted it down. Huh. "I can hear the same chord for my name in there, that's cool. But it doesnt sound anything like how you say Rocky, right?"
"Yes, is correct. Languages are... not in same creche. Not family or podmates. Meaning in my language will not sound same as name."
Ahhh. The ancient language Rocky's name is from isn't closely related to the modern one he speaks. Okay, makes sense. Like, English and Ancient Greek.
I jot down some more notes. "Is Grace-of-gods a common name? Man, it's funny that we kinda have a bit of the same name there."
"Yes yes yes, very common. More common in older Eridians, still medium common in young Eridians. Traditional name." Rocky paused a little, thinking. "Has feeling like sturdy, can trust, normal."
A thought creeps into the back of my mind.
I grab the nearest laptop, and pull up the wikipedia clone app. What a fantastic tool that is, as a side note. I look up a couple of things. Oh Christmas cracker.
Rocky scuttles closer. "Grace okay? Grace okay? Hear Grace sound shocked?" He chitters anxiously.
I turn to look directly at his carapace. "Rocky I have some really bad news." I take a deep breath. "I think your name is John."
A solemn beat of silence.
"...Okay? Grace explain question?"
"It's a really common name. More common in old white guys. It means 'grace of God'. And it's super boring."
Rocky lets out a peal of annoyed whale noises. "This it? This big big problem? Grace so annoying, Grace always make big deal over silly thing. What name Grace like on Earth? I bet is silly name given to silly people." He continues grumbling on in this way for a bit.
"Well.. Grace is not a super common surname. It's more common as a first name, for women." I touch my chin self consciously for a moment. Boy did that not go down well when I was kid. But I relax when I remember that Eridians really don't care about that sort of thing. "But you remember how my first name is actually Ryland?"
"Yes remember. Always remember." He sounds snotty, but he's settled back down - I can tell he's deadly curious to know about it. Maybe give me an Eridian name, I think hopefully.
"Well, Ryland is pretty unique. I've never met another Ryland actually; but I know that it's getting more common. Still uncommon though. It means like, land of rye. And rye, um, it's a kind of food - " I realise my mistake as I'm speaking.
Rocky breaks into Eridian laughter, clicking and squealing. "Grace name is disgusting! Grace name mean food place and also Grace name is trendy silly name, I understand. Grace name in Eridian be like 'Defecation place' yes yes - "
Yeah. I've made a mistake.