Heroes Names: Some are real names, some are nick names, why?

[geraldvincentt]

So I'm still kinda new in Dota 2 universe. Currently, there are 107 heroes with different names, abilities, models, etc. And I noticed that some of the names (on the heroes selection) are real names like:
- Lina (nick name: the Slayer)
- Sven (nick name: the Rogue Knight)
- Riki (nick name: the Stealth Assassin)

And some of them are nick names like:
- Axe (real name: Mogul Khan)
- Sniper (real name: Kardel Sharpeye)
- Bounty Hunter (real name: Gondar)

So how come? Why the displayed names between each heroes are mixed between nick names and real names? Why didn't use nick names on all the heroes and vice versa? Share your thoughts below like usual.

[The Giant Rat]

Because dota 1.

[Chilli Dog Dave]

because saying "someone pick the stealth assassin" or "mogul khan go solo lane" also some names are for legal reasons

[geraldvincentt]

Originally posted by Giggles (Mr.Mark™):

Because dota 1.

Any idea of why they named them that way in the first place?

[76561198140316019]

sniper because she has the only one can shot on a long range

[76561198140822120]

Originally posted by Virtual Gee:

Originally posted by Giggles (Mr.Mark™):

Because dota 1.

Any idea of why they named them that way in the first place?

Because originally they were based off of Warcraft 3?

[geraldvincentt]

Originally posted by Chilli Dog Dave:

because saying "someone pick the stealth assassin" or "mogul khan go solo lane" also some names are for legal reasons

Doesn't stop them from giving names like "legion commander" (real name: tresdin), "night stalker" (real name: balanar), etc. But yeah i guess legal reasons make sense. Is there any link that can shows me which heroes names are changed for legal reasons though? I'd like to read that.

[Z3]

it was warcraft 3 system to give a hero a name and title

[geraldvincentt]

Originally posted by VisT.F:

it was warcraft 3 system to give a hero a name and title

Indeed, but why don't they go all real names or all nick names on the heroes displayed names?

[Dank_Trainer]

Originally posted by Virtual Gee:

Originally posted by Chilli Dog Dave:

because saying "someone pick the stealth assassin" or "mogul khan go solo lane" also some names are for legal reasons

Doesn't stop them from giving names like "legion commander" (real name: tresdin), "night stalker" (real name: balanar), etc. But yeah i guess legal reasons make sense. Is there any link that can shows me which heroes names are changed for legal reasons though? I'd like to read that.

Nope, there's no such thing. But I can tell you some:
-Alleria, the Windrunner > Lyralei, the Windranger
-Obsidian Destroyer >Outworld Destroyer > Outworld Devourer
-Tauren Chieftain > Elder Titan
-Leoric, the Skeleton King > Ostarion, the Skeleton King > Ostarion the Wraith King
-Nerubian Assassin > Nyx Assassin
-Nerubian Weaver > Weaver

[geraldvincentt]

Originally posted by RGC Dark #September2014:

Nope, there's no such thing. But I can tell you some:
-Alleria, the Windrunner > Lyralei, the Windranger
-Obsidian Destroyer > Outworld Devourer
-Tauren Chieftain
-Leoric, the Skeleton King > Ostarion, the Skeleton King > Ostarion the Wraith King
-Nerubian Assassin > Nyx Assassin
-Nerubian Weaver > Weaver

Thanks, that's some cool facts from a veteran player. I appreciate it

Anyways, got any clue on why they named them like that? (displayed names are mixed between real and nick names).

[BipedalBob]

People use names if they are short and easy to remember. Rotund'jere and Rattletrap are really hard to remember so people don't use their names. Instead, players abbreviate heroes' names with easier letters like Necro and CG.

[Nickfighter]

I always figure it's just what the hero goes by. Same way people go by nick names in real life.

[geraldvincentt]

Originally posted by bonbb:

People use names if they are short and easy to remember. Rotund'jere and Rattletrap are really hard to remember so people don't use their names. Instead, players abbreviate heroes' names with easier letters like Necro and CG.

Yes, this reminds me that some people still called nature's prophet as furion and anti-mage as magina even though valve already changed them. I know that people tend to use easier names but I still don't understand why valve give some of them real names and some of them nick names.

[geraldvincentt]

Originally posted by Nickfighter:

I always figure it's just what the hero goes by. Same way people go by nick names in real life.

Ah this is an interesting theory, it makes sense and I love it. But still, any canon explanation from the devs would be appreciated, devs? No? Okay.

[Tap Chan]

Its even funnier couse some of old dota heroes name were the nickname of players known by playing them well. You had for example Burning AM, Yaphets SF, Jumong Mirana, 420 Venge and many other whitch i not remember now.
Also do you know kunkka? His name is Admiral and nickname Daelin Proudmoore, WTF is he Kunkka then? He is called Kunkka to honor the guy who was creating loading screens for old dota, and this guy was using Kunkka as his artist nickname, just wonder why this hero has his name in d2?
Dont even try to understand it, its probably chosen to be easier to learn by newcomers. Dont waste your time, as would Nigel say "you're just going to have to accept this and move on".

Here you have full list of wc3 dota heroes with their nicknames: http://www.playdota.com/heroes