Curious on the Protagonist's possible canon name?

[Claus]

Unsure on what to name the Protagonist?
Would you rather name him by his canon name?

Well, for anyone wondering, the protagonist of Metaphor: ReFantazio is canonically known as Will in some versions of the game. Though it may not be officially official yet, it is the name the game gives the Traveling Boy by default. So if you're pondering on a name to set, maybe try one of these "canon" names listed below?

From the Megami Tensei Wiki:

While the protagonist is referred to default as "Will" when changing the game's language in English, Japanese, Korean and both Chinese versions, the remainder of the languages have different names for the protagonist:
• Both Italian and Spanish versions name him "Victor."
• In French, he's referred to as "Éric."
• In German, he's called "Wilheim."
• In Portuguese, he's "Pedro."
• In Russian, he's "Александр," or "Alexander."

-----
Each name's meaning seems to bare similarities to one another, except for one.
To conquer, to rule, to protect

• The name Victor is Latin in origin meaning "winner" or "conqueror", and the word “victor” still means this in Modern English.
• The name Éric originates from Old Norse and means "one ruler" or "eternal ruler". It's derived from the Old Norse name Eiríkr, which is made up of two parts: ei, meaning "always or everlasting," and ríks, meaning "ruler".
• The name Will is a shortened version of William, which is related to the German given name Wilhelm, meaning "resolute protector". Both ultimately descend from Proto-Germanic Wiljahelmaz, with a direct cognate also in the Old Norse name Vilhjalmr[, and is a compound of wiljô, meaning "will, wish, desire", and helmaz, meaning "helm, helmet".
• The name Pedro is the Spanish, Portuguese, and Galician name for Peter, which are both derived directly from Greek Petros (an invented, masculine form of Greek petra) meaning... rock.
• The name Alexander is derived from the Greek name Aléxandros, which is a combination of the words aléxein, meaning "to ward off, to defend", and anḗr, meaning "man". The name's meaning is "defender of men" or "protector of men".

[armati]

There's a default name in the game? When I have started the game in Japanese I had both name input boxes blank.

[Eggen]

I just called him Will

[Claus]

Originally posted by armati:

There's a default name in the game? When I have started the game in Japanese I had both name input boxes blank.

Apparently, when switching from one language to another the system will notify you that his name is now (default name). For example, this is what it states when switching to English:

"The protagonist's name is now Will. To use the name you originally entered, please select the language you named him in."

Here's an image.[static.wikia.nocookie.net]

[armati]

Nice, thanks. Will go with that, then.

[Sur_GalaHad]

I just names him after his voice actor hahah

[Chaser324]

Originally posted by armati:

There's a default name in the game? When I have started the game in Japanese I had both name input boxes blank.

They are releasing a manga adaptation soon, so I'm sure we'll get some sort of canonical name from there as well.

[Claus]

Originally posted by Chaser324:

Originally posted by armati:

There's a default name in the game? When I have started the game in Japanese I had both name input boxes blank.

They are releasing a manga adaptation soon, so I'm sure we'll get some sort of canonical name from there as well.

Unfortunately, the manga might not be very reliable. As an example, the manga declared Joker's name to be Akira Kurusu, only for every subsequent piece of media to decide it was Ren Amamiya instead.

For now, if anyone wants to go by a canonical name, choosing one given by the game itself wouldn't be a bad choice.

[Outpost Omega 5]

As a JRPG veteran, I have to ask this question to anyone else who is also a JRPG veteran. This does not apply to new comers to the genre.

How many games have you played through and you still don't have your own preferred name for the protagonist? I have a name I've been using for over a decade! I even have an alternate name for games with a female protagonist! (I'm not revealing them here, privacy concern issues.)

[Linkcity]

Originally posted by Outpost Omega 5:

As a JRPG veteran, I have to ask this question to anyone else who is also a JRPG veteran. This does not apply to new comers to the genre.

How many games have you played through and you still don't have your own preferred name for the protagonist? I have a name I've been using for over a decade! I even have an alternate name for games with a female protagonist! (I'm not revealing them here, privacy concern issues.)

Vet here, i always want to go with with the story intended.

[Outpost Omega 5]

Originally posted by Linkcity:

Vet here, i always want to go with with the story intended.

Unless the game has a voiced default name in the dialogue (I don't know about this title yet, still downloading the demo), I thought the intent was to give the character your chosen name, the better to insert yourself into the story. The "RP" in "RPG" does stand for "Role Playing" last time I checked.

[Mist]

Originally posted by Outpost Omega 5:

Originally posted by Linkcity:

Vet here, i always want to go with with the story intended.

Unless the game has a voiced default name in the dialogue (I don't know about this title yet, still downloading the demo), I thought the intent was to give the character your chosen name, the better to insert yourself into the story. The "RP" in "RPG" does stand for "Role Playing" last time I checked.

And last time I checked, "role playing" is .. playing a role, not inserting YOURSELF.

[Claus]

Originally posted by Outpost Omega 5:

As a JRPG veteran, I have to ask this question to anyone else who is also a JRPG veteran. This does not apply to new comers to the genre.

How many games have you played through and you still don't have your own preferred name for the protagonist? I have a name I've been using for over a decade! I even have an alternate name for games with a female protagonist! (I'm not revealing them here, privacy concern issues.)

It depends.

If a game has a character creator, then I'm definitely creating one of my usual characters whom I have names for. For example, in games like Baldur's Gate 3, Dragon's Dogma, or Final Fantasy 14, I'll create my usual main character and name him what I always do: Claus. If I'm able to to create another character, then it'll be one of my other characters whom I also have preferred names for.

But, if a game has its own main character and allows you to name them, games like Granblue Fantasy Relink, Golden Sun, or the Persona series, then I'd much prefer to name them their own canonical name as I feel like it's more immersive and truer to the story.

Now, if a game has its own main character with no known canonical name whatsoever, then I'll usually try to search up a fitting, meaningful name for the character.

Unless the game has a voiced default name in the dialogue (I don't know about this title yet, still downloading the demo), I thought the intent was to give the character your chosen name, the better to insert yourself into the story. The "RP" in "RPG" does stand for "Role Playing" last time I checked.

I don't believe you have to insert yourself into the story in order to role play.
Making choices, journeying, and enjoying the story as the main character themselves can also count as a role playing experience.

[MILF & Cookies]

Player: Big Daddy
Protagonist: Yaes Daedy

[Electric Gigolo]

His name is Will Weakling the forever mage. Because no other archetype suits his girly frame.