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. Cordan
14. Warder
15. Ryan
16. Thayne
17. Virrid
18. Stiiv (Stee/Stie/Steef)
19. Carthion
20. Lincoln
21. Fransis
22. Morian (Morion)
23. Blake
24. Conway
25. Jaysen (Jaisen)
26. Leroy (Leeroy/Leroi)
27. Bartrad (Bart/Burt/Burten)
28. Trevithic
29. Giorg (Giorgio)
30. Arkady
31. Dalmasian (Dalmatian)
32. Jonathan (Jonothon/Jonenathan)
33. Walther (Waltur)
34. 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. Siri
14. Steller
15. Agent

Family Names

1. Gradius
2. Schweng
3. Blank
4. Mecinni
5. Gordmannheim
6. Vestibal
7. Arclite
8. Kosmos
9. Skyler
10. Fielding
11. Corbie
12. Kurrodo
13. Mizanin
14. Evans
15. Cain/Kain
16. Hawthorn
17. Struthers
18. 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