The Last Archide

The Names of The Last Archide

Oryan: Pronounced just like the constellation.

Oryan is probably the most interesting of names in the book, not because it is the main character but for how it came to be the name of the main character.

When I began writing, I had no idea what to call the lead role, so he literally appeared in the text as (Hero). That name lasted for nearly 100 pages.

I was looking for a name that was strong, that was not commonplace in fiction and one that could represent a character that will eventually take on a lot of facets. I needed a warrior, a conqueror, a villain, a lover, a father, a hunter and a legend. Ironically, I never thought of Orion the constellation at all.

At the risk of sounding cliché, I quite literally plucked that name from the sky. I have a son whose name is Lucas Ryan. When he was 6 months old, we began a series of life-threatening trips to the hospital that lasted until he was 2 years old. There was a long stretch where we were in the hospital for 2 or 3 weeks, home for a few days and then back in the hospital. Several doctors told my wife and me that Luke had only a 20% chance of coming home.

During one of those stays, I was feeling more than a little overwhelmed. My son had been in my arms for nearly three straight days. The incessant beeping of the monitoring machines combined with the numerous leads attached to him and the hourly check-ups, blood draws, etc. had afforded the pair of us little rest to say nothing of sleep.

My wife had come to relieve me for a time late one night and (after a very discouraging report from the doctor) I decided I needed a break. I left the hospital and went for a walk down the lonely streets of St. Louis after midnight in the cold. To get my mind off the condition of my son, I turned my thoughts to The Last Archide.

After a few blocks of frustration, I decided to dedicate the main character to my son. However, the name Luke is not exactly an unknown name in the realm of science-fiction. However, despite that glaring conflict, I wanted this critical role to be in honor of my son, especially if the worst happened. Finally surrendering to fatigue and stress, I looked up as if to find answers from the heavens…and so I did. There, staring at me was the only constellation I could make out past the harsh glow of the street lights: Orion.

It became very obvious! Simply change the –ion to –yan and I have accomplished every goal I set out to do. My son, Lucas Ryan would be immortalized in Oryan. Orion is known in the night sky as the hunter. His name is legend.

The name also brought on a new trait for the character that I had never thought of before. It seemed only logical that the character inspired by the stars should look to them to center himself. I then used that same motif to name many other characters. And so (Hero) became Oryan and the rest is history.

On a side note, my son grew out of his condition and is a very happy and healthy 6 year old now.

Elesya Celeste: el-ee-seya celeste.

This name has two origins. I needed a name that fit the thread I was trying to follow of giving the positive things around Oryan astronomical names. I also really enjoy putting the names of loved ones in my work because it makes the characters more personal to me.

So, (with Lucas covered) I turned to my daughter, Melissa Celeste. One part is obvious, in that Celeste fits both categories. It has the same root word as celestial and it also makes my daughter a part of the tale.

Elesya sounds similar to Melissa but it also shares the same root as Elysium, the Roman heaven. In addition, the prefix El in Hebrew references God. For example, the Biblical name Elijah translates roughly into “My God is the Lord.” Elisha means “God is my salvation,” Beth-el is “The House of God,” and so on.

Just for fun…

Ethanis Thomas=Ethan Thomas (my youngest son)
Colonel Alexander=Brandon Alexander (my oldest son and Luke’s twin)
Kathrine, wife of Armay=Kathrine (my wife)
Lucius Kovac= another reference to my son Luke
Rednaxela Pass=Alexander spelled backward