Sci-Fi Worldbuilding: Naming Conventions
Scientific vs Mythological
In science fiction, you find two primary ways to name a planet. Scientific Nomenclature usually pairs a constellation or star name with an alphanumeric suffix designating its orbit (e.g., Kepler-186f, LV-426). This implies the planet was discovered by a distant, cold bureaucracy. Mythological Paternalism uses ancient earth gods (like Mars, Jupiter) or alien god-concepts (e.g., Arrakis, Coruscant), implying the planet has deep history or native inhabitants.
Suffix Engineering
The AI engine uses suffix sounds to imply atmospheric traits. Suffixes ending in "-ia" or "-a" (like Pandora, Arcadia) generally sound lush, fertile, and terrestrial. Suffixes ending in harsh consonants like "-ox", "-ix", or "-ar" (like Ragnar, Mygeeto) imply hostile, rocky, or dead environments. Use the Atmospheric Viability dropdown to guide the algorithm.