How to name a nation?

[Next Frontier]

I don't know how to make a good name for a nation. Do you know how?

[Turelisa-]

You might find inspirationfrom Latin and Ancient Greek nouns. The etymologies of most major nations in the western world originate in these languages.

[The Blaatschapen]

I don't know how to make a good name for a nation. Do you know how?

Cannot Think Of A Name can help, after being here for way more than a decade, he surely has thought of something by now.

[-Ocelot-]

You might find inspirationfrom Latin and Ancient Greek nouns. The etymologies of most major nations in the western world originate in these languages.

This. Go for a Greco-Roman name.

[Resilient Acceleration]

I'd suggest giving somekind of background story or theme before picking a name, actually. A lot of places stemmed from the name of a monarch, or region, etc. My other nation, Dwipantara, meaning "between islands", is actually a real term describing the dream of a real 13th century Javanese kingdom in their pursuit to unite the Malay archipelago, which became the theme of that NS nation.

Also that brings me to the second point, culture, since Greek-based names will obviously not work in a China-based country and vice versa. (Or if you do, then it'll suggest somekind of European presence there, which can lead to an interesting story in itself).

[Purpelia]

Pick a word or concept you like and than give it a suffix or prefix that sounds nationi. In my case its Purple + ia = Purpelia but I could also have gone with something like Purple-stan or just Purple. So basically just pick a word and than look at how real nation names sound and adjust.

[Sappharya]

Here's how I did my name:

I thought of a descriptor that might set this nation apart from others - like dark blue eyes (which are rare).

Then I thought: that is a bit (only a bit) aryan.

There is also a gem called sapphire

Sapphire + aryan = Sappharya

Then I did a flag with a sapphire-eyed wolf in it, and called it a day.

[Minskiev]

How I came into existence:

Saw cool Ruthenian flag

My brain just forced me to do Ruthenian nation

Minsk + Kiev (although I probably should’ve used Kyiv)

Ta-da.

[Disgraces]

Choose a word related to your nation and add something that would make it look as if it was the name of a nation

[Vellandorra]

This should be in Got Issues forum.

[Atheris]

This should be in Got Issues forum.

...No, it shouldn't.

[Vellandorra]

This should be in Got Issues forum.

...No, it shouldn't.

It is gameplay-related so yes.

[Atheris]

...No, it shouldn't.

It is gameplay-related so yes.

No. Got Issues? is for the issues your nation gets in the Issues tab.

[Vellandorra]

It is gameplay-related so yes.

No. Got Issues? is for the issues your nation gets in the Issues tab.

Then in Gameplay. General is not for game-related queries.

[Noahs Second Country]

Whatever you think of, it will likely be more creatively named than any of my nations

...No, it shouldn't.

It is gameplay-related so yes.

(There is a forum called "gameplay")

[Samicana]

I just extended my name because I made this in like 8th grade

[Megistos]

First, think of what your nation is going to be like? Is it going to be a tropical paradise? Might want to search around common words used in tropical places, or cultures

Second, think of what your nation's lore is going to be. Is it going to be a breakaway state, or a nation once powerful but now in the ashes?

Third and finally, create a name you think is best. My nation is Greek, it is meant to be very big (space empire) and I like the name.

[Turelisa-]

Snip

[Kowani]

Use sounds.

[Mathuvan Union]

Whatever you think of, it will likely be more creatively named than any of my nations

It is gameplay-related so yes.

(There is a forum called "gameplay")

you still have a cool flag, though.
NS has a random name generator at the create a nation page, too.

[Eight Hippopotamuses]

I find "adjective noun" to be a popular naming style. Examples:

Delicious Kittens
Cold Juice
Conquered Spiders
Nice Old Ladies
Hiccuping Dingoes
Ferocious Klingons
Giant Geese

But most importantly: have fun!

[Vetelo]

I create all my fantasy names from just smashing my hands on the keyboard and seeing what comes up. Then I pick apart a name from that. It's also how I write speeches