Census

A regular census is conducted twice every decade by the Grand Synod on Celestial Nomenclature, on years ending 1 and 8. Each planet submits data including an estimate of their population by city (within tolerances determined by the planet's class), as well as aggregate data about common names, careers, incomes and so on. The Synod first uses these to determine whether the planet requires a change in its class, and the data is also passed to other church bodies to help plan chapel construction, temple ship timetables and other vital services.

Popular Names

Among the further-aggregated data which is then sold to independent companies (including encyclopaedia publishers, who further mangle the information for public use) are lists of the most common names. Some samples are presented here, for use when generating characters. These are presented in approximate order of popularity as of 848. Some names have a number of variations or alternate spellings, which are listed together (most popular first).

Top Male Forenames

1. Geralled
2. Ennery (Enery/Eneri)
3. Wallis (Wallace)
4. Galgor
5. Jon (Jonn/Joone)
6. Jefry
7. Daibi
8. Charlton (Chorlton/Chorton/Charlten)
9. Jak (Jax/Jacks/Jeck/Jarques)
10. Geil
11. Jefrin (Jeffrey)
12. Jent
13. Warder
14. Ryan
15. Virrid
16. Stiiv (Stee/Stie/Steef)
17. Carthion
18. Lincoln
19. Fransis
20. Morian (Morion)
21. Blake
22. Conway
23. Leroy (Leeroy/Leroi)
24. Bartrad (Bart/Burt/Burten)
25. Giorg (Giorgio)
26. Arkady
27. Dalmasian (Dalmatian)
28. Jonathan (Jonothon/Jonenathan)
29. Walther (Waltur)
30. Amoss

Top Female Forenames

1. Conwyn
2. Davis
3. Dalmatia (Dalomite)
4. Avalyn (Evayle/Eville/Avellen)
5. Shoggoth (Shoggothina)
6. Morienne (Morion)
7. Bethsheba
8. Caramel (Carmal)
9. Guen (Guenn/Gwen/Guent)
10. Kristansin (Cristian/Kristy)
11. Eneri (Enneri)
12. Antonia
13. Steller
14. Agent

Family Names

1. Gradius
2. Schweng
3. Blank
4. Mecinni
5. Gordmannheim
6. Vestibal
7. Arclite
8. Skyler
9. Fielding
10. Corbie
11. Kurrodo
12. Mizanin
13. Evans
14. Cain/Kain
15. Hawthorn
16. Struthers
17. Smyth (Smith)

Vermen Name Fragments

(It should probably be noted that Vermen names are composed from a large number of fragments, and Vermen people often attempt to make their names as unique as possible. Therefore the census lists common fragments, of which 4-10 can be joined together to make either a given or family name)

Name	Meaning
Misc	Strong
Fild	Tall
Gof	Observant
Wand	Advantaged
Berr	Blonde
Geri	Gay
Fall	Good at fighting
Fell	Skilled at his job
Berge	Long-haired
Er / Ur	Looks like his father
Col	Talented
Fahr	Quick learner
Star	Heavily built
Wenk	Light-footed