Everyone knows the names of popular Game of Thrones characters but do they know what they mean? Have you any idea where they came from and why they were chosen? Drawing upon historical meanings and mythological figures, the names of the characters have significantly deeper roots.
Based on George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones gave us some of the most iconic characters that changed the face of the fantasy television genre. Its impact in the pop culture world has produced a massive effect on the general audience.
Arya Stark
The name Arya is very common in India and has Sanskrit and Persian roots. Based on the latter origin, Arya means ‘noble one’ which is a very fitting name for the character. Her exceptional fighting skills and courage give justice to it. The surname Stark also stays true to Arya’s nature because it has a Middle English origin which means valiant.
Sansa Stark
Another Sanskrit-based name is Sansa, which is of old Indian origin. It translates to “charm” which is absolutely a fair description of Sansa’s regal and courtly manner. She is not interested in warfare and always resorts to diplomatic dealings. Throughout the show, fans have seen the Lady of Winterfell grow into the noblewoman she is destined to be.
Bran Stark
His full name Brandon Stark is of Welsh origin, attributed to the god Bran the Blessed. He is known as the giant king of Britain in the Welsh Triads, which is a collection of medieval folktale texts. In this sense, Martin followed this narrative in Game of Thrones and made Bran the king of Westeros.
Jon Snow
Jon’s name is of Hebrew etymology and is based on the Biblical name John, which simply means ‘gift of Jehovah’. His last name, Snow, is usually given to children of illegitimate birth, which, in the world of Game of Thrones, is a common tradition.
Daenerys Targaryen
Daenerys is a very uncommon name and it can be attributed to a mix of different cultural names. The word ‘Nerys’ is a Welsh name for a girl. If we’re looking into Greek mythology origin, the goddess Eris represents discord and strife. There’s a reason why Daenerys is the Mad Queen.
Jaime Lannister
Jaime is a pretty common name that translates to ‘supplanter’ in Hebrew. It is another form of the name James that is based on its Biblical roots, and it is someone who replaces something or someone by force or strategy. One great portrayal of this is the murder of the Mad King.
Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion may have been based on Tirion, which is another name of Welsh origin meaning ‘gentle’. This is a great contrast to his character in the show in the first few seasons. Towards the finale, we have seen Tyrion transform into a more empathetic man.
Cersei Lannister
Cersei’s name is reminiscent of the Greek goddess Circe. She is a powerful deity who can also transform humans into animals. Both characters are manipulative and cunning, making them fit for the role of villains.
