First off, read the Atem vs. Atemu essay as to why I use Atem instead of Atemu. Secondly, in chapter 14 of Lethally Hot I explain my version of Yami's full name. This applies to all of my fanfics, unless otherwise stated.
Heru Athelas, Nebti Ammon, Heru en Nebu Tehuti, Nesew Beet Yami-Ra, Sa Ra Atem
This is the full royal name of the Pharaoh; the royal titulary. By the 5th dynasty, Pharaohs had five names. The Horus Name, the Nebti (Two Ladies) name, the golden Horus name, the prenomen (throne name), and the nomen (birth name). Therefore, the above titulary can be translated to:
Horus Athelas, Two Ladies Ammon, Horus of Gold Tehuti, King of Upper and Lower Egypt Yami-Ra, Son of Ra Atem
Each name has religious and cultural significance. Three of them are the most emphasized, however: the Horus name was the first royal name. The prenomen, which almost always had the name "Ra" in it (early dynasties did not) is the name predominantly used in most affairs of Egypt. The nomen is the "unique" birth name and thus the ones used by Egyptologists.
Now, for the name's actual translation:
- Horus Athelas -- "The Healer"
- Made-up meaning and is not an Egyptian word. It is from Lord of the Rings (don't own). Yep, the language last chapter was Quenya Elvish, and this name is a direct correlation to the healing powers of the king. Note: seven letters. XD
- Two Ladies Ammon -- "The Hidden"
- Comes from the god Amun, with variations of Amon, Amen, Amoun.
- Horus of Gold Tehuti -- "God of earth; sky; air and sea"
- According to a baby name site, it means 'God of earth; sky; air and sea.' In Egyptian web sites, it is supposed to be the Egyptian form of 'Thoth,' (or Tathuti) god of wisdom and knowledge; also god of the moon, time, magic, and writing. Titles given to Thoth are Lord of Time, Lord of Sacred Words, Counter of Stars, etc.
- King of Upper and Lower Egypt Yami-Ra -- "Darkness of Ra"
- Made-up combo of Japanese and Egyptian. As I have referred to him as "Pharaoh Yami," and the fact that it is the prenomen that is chiefly used, I just "egyptized" it. In "real" Egyptian this would most likely be "kekewy-Ra", transliteration kkw(y)-r9.
- Son of Ra Atem -- Reference to the god Atum/Tum/Tem/etc. XD
- Controversial name given by Takahashi. Other possibilities are Aten, Aton (the sun-disk) or Atum, Atemu, Tem, Temu (primordial creator god).
...And yes, I purposely tried picking names that began with "A." XD
Now, a basic listing of everything I've ever named/titled/described Yami as.
- King of Games
- ...Well, duh. XD
- Pharaoh of the Shadows, Given Death, Restored in Pieces
- "Given Death" is a play on the traditional addition of "Given Life." "Restored in Pieces" refers to Osiris' "restoration" by Isis.
- Morning and Evening Star
- Traditional ancient Egyptian title for their king
- Shadow King
- Alright, so there's a thing with the shadow stuff
- Horus on Earth
- Another traditional Egyptian title
- The falcon
- Variation of Horus on Earth
- Invisible as the wind
- Reference to his name Ammon, the Hidden.
- Pharaoh of the Past and Future
- ...Um...based on King Arthur, the once and future king...
- He Who Commands the Wind
- Whooe. Now this is a biggie. Is slightly based on a reference in the novel Wizard's First Rule. Remember how I'd associated each of his priests with an element -- Seto as Darkness, Atem as Light, Karim as Fire -- well, Mahado's was the Wind. So since Atem (Yami) commands the Dark Magician -- he also commands the Wind.
