The world of Roger Zelazny's Amber series contains a vast number of personages who we meet and places we hear about or run across. Are the names for such things randomly chosen or do they provide some greater insight into the mysteries of Amber? Both, would seem to be the only answer. Some of the names have been chosen with a definite purpose behind them, others are less obvious as to what, if any, hidden meaning they may contain. The purpose of this article is to delve a bit more deeply into some of the names we encounter in these sagas and see what can be uncovered.

Arden Forest

Perhaps this is a derivation of Eden. An area in which life began and through which a mighty river flows. A primeval setting. This seems a likely choice. Also, the word ardens in latin means blazing, burning, hot and fiery.  Since part of the battle from Corwin's initial siege of Amber took place in Arden and much of it was burned in the process, this also seems a possibility.

Obviously taken from the Arthurian legend this is an island where Arthur's sword, Caliburnus (Excalibur) was made and the land to which he was conveyed after his battle with Mordred. This relates Corwin somehow to the personage of Arthur. Also, it should be noted that Avalon itself is derived from pagan Celtic concepts of an island of fairy women, of which Old Irish voyage sagas preserve a record. Perhaps the gunpowder of Avalon was Corwin's Excalibur.

Named after a lake near Naples Italy, which is still called Lago D'Averno. Rumored by the Romans to be an entrance to the Underworld. Since this place is associated with Bleys it could be a reference linking Hades with Bleys. Even in the Chronicles, Corwin says of Bleys, "the devil himself danced behind his eyes".

This name is quite popular in history and tracking down an exact reason for its usage is difficult. Perhaps it is a culmination of many of these. It is highly associated with religion and was the name of 14 Popes from the years 575-1914. It is also the name of a religious order of monks known for their strictness. The Rule of St. Benedict became THE handbook for ancient monk behavior. Given Benedict's austere nature this would seem a likely choice.

Although on the surface this would seem to only refer to the color of his hair, the character Blaise was a confident to Merlin in the famous poem by Robert de Boron, around the year 1200. The second series tends to support the later, though both seem quite likely.

This could refer to the color of his hair, the ancient practice of branding criminals, or be part of the Celtic legend of Bran. Supposedly there were two dogs owned by Fionn mac Cumail which were named Bran and Sceolan. Famous for the wonderful intelligence Bran was especially loved by Fionn. Fionn later killed Bran to save a fawn who was either his own mother or Oisin's. Another meaning of Brand is that of the flaming sword, and as was seen in the Merlin Series Brand once wielded Weirwindle, which was indeed a flaming sword (or a smoking one at least).

Probably from the biblical Cain, the first murderer. Caine was the first Amberite to slay a sibling. Note that the biblical Cain was marked with a brand by God for his sins and that Caine killed Brand.

Possibly taken from the ancient sight of a battle in Irish myth. Gabra was near the sea and was the place where the mighty Fianna (great warriors of Fionn mac Cumail) fell in battle.

The obvious would be its literal meaning or from the Latin "From the sea".  Being a daughter of Oberon from across the waters in the Golden Circle, hidden from view (not known to be an Amberite) and now finally come to surface.

Literal meaning is "Heart Friend". Corwin is possibly related to Cormac Connlonges who was the son of Conchobar, King of Ulster. He went into voluntary exile while protesting the killings of the sons of Usnech. His father, on his deathbed, sent for Cormac to come and take the throne. Cormac started the journey but was killed by a raiding party on the way. This seems to draw certain parallels with Corwin's story. He was exiled (though not of his own will),
Oberon told Corwin to take the throne, and though he did succeed didn't keep it for long.

This may be derived from the common name, Clymene, used for the mother's of such beings as Atalanta, Prometheus, and Mnemosyne. Also, another possibility is that it is taken from Cyrene, who was a powerful princess of early Greece. She entertained herself by wrestling with lions. She was also said to be excellent with the javelin and sword and hated to "pace to and fro before the loom" as Pindar put it. Being the mother of Benedict this would seem fitting.

Perhaps a derivation of the word dolt. The word dolt suggests a lack of flair, imagination, or perception that results from cloddish conventionality. In the Merlin series he is seen going against the realm of Amber and constantly being beaten or outmatched. He is clearly out of his league in dealing with the major elders and spends his life as a renegade.

Perhaps derived from Darago, the volcano goddess of the Philippines. A warrior woman who lived in fiery mountains and demanded human sacrifice once per year to calm her angry eruptions. Dara was seen to have a flaming avatar form.  Also, she was seen as a great warrior (offspring of Benedict) in the Corwin Chronicles. In hebrew, Dara means "House of Wisdom" and this might make allusion to her "House" of Chaos and the side they took in the Patternfall war.

Obviously taken from the tragic heroine of Irish legend, she bore the curse that only sorrow would come from her great beauty. She committed suicide rather than submitting to an evil king's desires. In some versions she leapt from a speeding chariot, in others a cliff is mentioned.

Means Bright, Proud or Godly Friend.

Could be a jumble of the word dispel or a variant of despoil (though nothing in the books bears this out). Since it seemed Despil's job was to break up fights between Merlin and Jurt perhaps dispel is the best choice here.

Seems that a derivative of Dwarf is most likely, given the old man's appearance and his ability as a craftsman.

Perhaps derived from Cybele. She was an Earth Mother of the Near East who was worshipped in Rome several centuries into the Christian era. Her story is that she was disguised as a rock when a young Zeus (read Oberon) attempted to rape her. Unable to penetrate her, but still excited, he ejaculated upon the ground. The ground, being a part of her as well, caused her to become pregnant with the hermaphrodite Agdistis. Dionysus drugged Agdistis and tied his 'male parts' to a tree so they would be torn off when he woke up. This happened and Agdistis died of the wound but a beautiful almond (or pomegranate) tree grew from the blood. Dybele was the mother of Flora and she is said to have died in childbirth.

Probably from Norse legend its literal meaning is Ever Powerful; Ever Ruler.  Taken from the famous Eric the Red. Note that Eric's colors are black and red and that he sought to be King and became such for a short period of time.

Perhaps Fai (as in Fairy) Ella. Myth is strewn with fairy or fay queens and this might be a valid interpretation. Ella itself could be drawn from Elle, the spirit of the elder tree in Danish folk belief, the elder mother. Corwin's Pattern being drawn in the shadow of a branch of Ygg might make allusion's towards this heritage.

Perhaps from Finn, meaning "Fair Haired". Also, the Finn Cycle which describes the Fianna, speaks of them being great warriors and being killed at the battle of Gabra (Cabra).

Perhaps derived from Fiongalla, the "fair-cheeked one" lived in the far southwestern corner of Ireland where legend has it she was held in an enchantment by the Druid Amerach until later saved by the hero Feargal. Fiona was said to have a complexion like mother-of-pearl and also she was said to dwell in the far southern islands of Amber.

Probably drawn from the Roman Flora who was the patron of prostitutes and was worshipped in public orgies from April 28 to May 3. She was the embodiment of the flowering of all nature, including human sexuality. Flora (which means Flower) was celebrated at the Floralia, the festival of nude women until the 3rd century when Rome grew too prudish for such things. Since Flora is seen as the beautiful, amorous woman of both sets of books, this would seem a likely source.

Meaning Spear Brave, Strong.

Perhaps from harlot, originally meaning an abandoned woman. As this was once the wife of Oberon with no known children, and later said to no longer be his wife (with no record of divorce ever made), this seems likely.

Possibly named after Julian the Apostate (331-363). He was raised a christian but converted to pagan beliefs in his youth. He became Emperor of Rome in 361 and began reviving pagan worship, especially that of Mithra. He was slain in battle during an expedition in Persia.

In old Irish mythology Lir was the personification of the sea. This name is used in the saying, "Lir knows where his bones may lie".

Seems to be a female version of Llewellyn which means Light or Lightning.

Perhaps derived from the greek word, Logos, which literally means "word" or "thought". This is used in Gnostic terminology to mean a deity manifested in the Universe. It also has ties with that which is most ancient, in the Book Of John (1:1) it is written, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..." As the Logrus is seen as one of the most ancient manifestations of deific power, this would seem appropriate. It could also be derived from the latin Locus, which refers to a place or site. Perhaps by combining the two, locus and logos, we arrive at Logrus; most ancient site of the manifestation of deific Chaos.

Perhaps from the latin mandare, which means to entrust. Indeed, Mandor is the relative Merlin places the most amount of trust in, at least until the end.

Possibly named after St. Martin. In Ireland the blood of animals is always shed on Martinmas. The blood of this animal is sprinkled in the four corners of the house and upon each family member to ward versus evil. Perhaps this is an allusion to Martin's blood being upon the Pattern by Brand's hand.

Merlin

Of Arthurian legend. Early in the myths of Merlin he is said to be the a king of South Wales. Later, in the writings of the Burgundian poet, Robert de Boron, he was noted as being the offspring of a demon and having a confident called Blaise who recorded all his prophesies. Note that Bleys played a integral part of the visions which Merlin had near the end of "Prince Of Chaos".

Moire (Queen of Rebma)

Past participle of the French word, moirer which means 'to water'. In Homeric times there was only one "Fate" and this was Moirae or Moira (meaning Strong One). She held sway such that even great Zeus could not countermand her. Since Moire was Queen of Rebma, a country supposedly independent from the rule of Amber, and she was the one who decided both Corwin and Random's fates in the Chronicles this seems fitting as well. Also, the word moire refers to a fabric, like silk, having a watered appearance.

Perhaps associated with Morgan le Fay, who constantly made assaults on the virtues and fidelity of Lancelot and the other knights. This is also associated with the Irish Morrigan and Welsh Modron and Celtic Matrona and all of these are associated with charming water nymphs and alluring, enticing fairy queens. Morganthe was the daughter of Moire and bore the child of Random (Martin) but committed suicide when the Prince left her.

From Shakespeare's "Mid Summer Night's Dream" Oberon is said to be King of  the Fairies.

In old Irish legend, Oisin is the son of Fionn Mac-Cumail and Sadb in her deer form. Referred to often as a poet of Fianna. He was the father of Oscar, who was killed at the battle of Gabra (Cabra) when the Fianna themselves fell. Oisin fell in love with a woman named Niam, who rode over the sea upon a white horse. She begged him to come to Tir na n'Og. He went with her and returned many, many years later without having aged for in Tir na n'Og he "did not fell the time passing".

This man, who appears in the Merlin books, is said to actually be Grim Jack.  In the books he was a mercenary soldier and emissary for Random to Kashfa.

Name of one of the Courtier's in Shakespeare's Hamlet, in Old English the name means Divine Ruler.

The word random refers to something arrived at through accident or lack of intent. Perhaps Random becoming King of Amber at the end of the Corwin Chronicles is testament to this well chosen name.

Called Luke Raynard, the name Reynard is the trickster hero of the great medieval beast epic Roman de Renart. Reynard is depicted as the fox, clever and cunning, an immoral rebel against authority. This makes a strong tie-in with the character portrayed in the Merlin books.

This guard in the dungeons of Amber near the Pattern Room is said to be a writer. Perhaps his name could be Zelazny?

Probably has to do with her hair color or the clothes she favors.

From the Arthurian legend.

This was derived from the Celtic Tir na n'Og, the Land of Youth, that marvelous Otherworld of honey and wine, where time passes but no one ages, and there is no death. In Tir na n'Og years seem as days. Likewise, Tir-na Nog'th was a city where one's sense of time fled and which vanished with the coming day, an immaterial other-worldly place.

Obviously taken from the Scandinavian myth of Yggdrasil, a sacred ash tree which overshadowed the entire universe. Its roots, branches and trunk united heaven, Earth and the nether regions. As the marker between Amber and Chaos, this fits well with the ancient description.

Acknowledgments to-

Ben Goodwin orionsci!goodwin@uunet.UU.NET
Charles Fu <ccwf@cns.caltech.edu>
Jason Langlois <jason@london.myra.com>