Why The Names In “Frieren” Sound Hilarious To A German (And How It Could Easily Be Fixed)

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There are plenty of reasons to appreciate ‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.’ For instance, it has a soothing atmosphere and delves into deep philosophical ideas.

If you’re German, you might find a fresh viewpoint on characters and storylines. Occasionally, watching the anime could even bring a chuckle.

Let’s talk about the names.

Okay, so first off:

This article may reveal key plot points from Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. I’ve made every effort to keep spoilers to a minimum, but occasionally it’s essential to provide some context to understand certain character names.

If you haven’t watched the anime or read the manga yet, continue reading at your own risk.

The Names That Actually Work Really Well

Let’s kick things off by discussing some favorable instances, as there are many. We’ll examine their significance and reasons for effectiveness, even for our German-speaking audience.

Certainly some names seem thoughtfully chosen and carry a touch of poetry. Often, these are the ones that maintain a sense of mystery about a character or possess an antiquated or abstract quality.

  • Frieren – This one honestly works. It means “to freeze, to feel cold”, and it fits her emotionally distant outward image perfectly. It’s not too on-the-nose, and it has that slight mystical ring to it. A win!
  • Himmel – Meaning sky or heaven. Given Frieren’s journey is ultimately toward “Heaven” (the character and the place), this is a lovely bit of thematic layering.
  • Heiter – It can mean cheerful, or even tipsy. A well chosen word that describes both his personality and his unfortunate drinking habit. A double meaning that fits!
  • Richter – This means judge, but also stems from “richten”, which can mean “to fix” or “to set right.” If this is intentional, it’s low-key brilliant.

The German Is German-ing

As a German speaker, watching Frieren hits a bit differently.

Instead of focusing on the plot itself, it’s important to note that occasionally, the names of characters or places can inadvertently reveal key details, potentially ruining the surprise and enjoyment of a story.

Character Name: Deceiver – “Deceitful One”

This new name maintains the idea of the character being untrustworthy while adding a touch of elegance and subtlety to their identity, thereby preserving an element of mystery and intrigue. This could make the character more engaging and interesting for readers or audience members as they attempt to uncover the truth about this enigmatic figure.

But then there are names like Stark. That means “strong.”

In the German version of the anime, they also call him “Stark” immediately afterward, which is similar to someone named “Strong” being addressed as “You are quite strong, Strong.

These are terms typically used as nouns or verbs, but have been redefined as personal or place names, in a manner somewhat unusual for native speakers. While they’re not technically incorrect, they might seem a bit unconventional.

Like naming a character “Running” or “Anguish” and expecting it to sound elegant.

Sure thing!

* Kanne can be translated as “pot” or “jug.”
* Länge is simply “length.”
* Methode refers to “method.”
* Denken means “thinking.”
* Blei translates to “lead,” the metal.
* Lawine signifies “avalanche,” and Dünste means “steam.”

Hope this helps! Let me know if you need more assistance.

It’s as if you’re struggling to connect emotionally with a character named “Sneezing” or “Driving”. It just doesn’t feel right.

To put it simply, it was strikingly similar to instances where Western media incorporates Japanese characters or words, often for aesthetics, leading individuals to get tattoos reading “water bottle” or t-shirts with the phrase “rice.

It makes me laugh, but I also get it.

As a devoted gamer, I must clarify that the naming convention in games like Splatoon 3 isn’t a recent development. Characters such as “Shiver” and “Fry” are among the main cast, and these names might strike you as unusual if you ponder them.

Anime frequently borrows elements from Germanic, Latin, or Nordic cultures to create a unique, fantastical European aesthetic. Even without understanding these languages, the words can sound intriguing and somewhat enigmatic.

For quite some time now, German language has held a special fascination – consider shows like “Attack on Titan” or “The Pale Rider,” which is the translation of “Blassreiter.

The show isn’t spoiled at all, but there’s an unexpected humorous element that arises from the dialogue, which might be hard to convey to non-German-speaking friends without seeming overly critical.

Once more, I wish to avoid appearing overly critical. I fully grasp the challenges involved in naming items in a different language.

Weirdly enough, I actually kind of dig it. I just think it could be improved upon.

A Missed Opportunity (But an Easy Fix)

In truth, if there had been a tad more cohesion or uniformity in the world-creation process, the naming convention could have been truly inspired. Let me share a few suggestions that might provide an alternative perspective or enhance the existing world-building.

In German, giving someone a name like Stark (strong) or Kraft (power) doesn’t evoke a sense of power; instead, it seems strangely functional. However, if these were titles, they would seem more fitting.

In a similar manner as historical figures’ names evolved over time to reflect their status or prominent characteristics, such as “Henry the Great,” “Ivan the Terrible,” and so forth.

If the world-building emphasized this aspect more, it could have resulted in an intriguing naming system: characters receiving new names upon achieving milestones or earning a notable reputation.

As a gamer, I’m really feeling the depth of this world you’ve created! It’s fascinating to see characters with past identities they’ve outgrown, like a warrior who was once known as “Silent” but now goes by “Strong” after demonstrating his strength. That kind of character evolution is truly captivating!

A more harmonious and immersive world feel could be achieved by introducing a more consistent naming system in the realm of Frieren. Currently, there seems to be no discernible pattern in how names are assigned across races or regions, as all characters, including demons, elves, dwarves, and humans, are given German names without regard for cultural logic or phonetic structure.

Failing to seize this chance, we might have created a more engaging global experience had we adopted distinct naming conventions based on cultural or racial backgrounds.

Perhaps humans acquire titles reflecting traits they’ve developed throughout their lives, whereas elves preserve their original birth names as symbols of their enduring ancestry. In contrast, dwarves often choose names that represent their profession or family background.

As a lover of immersive worlds, I can’t help but appreciate the richness that unique naming conventions bring. For instance, having consistent syllable patterns, meaningful names, or roots exclusive to each culture adds an extra layer of depth, making the setting feel more harmonious and well-thought-out.

In the context of anime, this concept is particularly suitable for demons. Although it may not be shown explicitly that they do so, these creatures could potentially have distinct names to set them apart.

It would align perfectly with how demon society appears to value strength and intimidation.

In this hypothetical scenario, if individuals were given names reflective of their status or fearsome reputation, such as being known as “Geizig” for those with lower ranks due to their stinginess, and “Grauen” for those feared due to their horror-inducing nature, it would not only sound intriguing but also create a distinctly hierarchical society.

If you’re cool with sticking to the old setup, swapping out a few things might do the trick without much hassle! (As a gamer speaking)

* Method could be Wisdom (method/way)
* Instead of Harsh, perhaps something more antiquated like Steadfast (valiant)
* Liar could be swapped for a similarly negative word without revealing the plot – like Agitator or Boaster (show-off)

Funny Names To A German, But Still A Great Show

Yes, some names in Frieren are questionable. Some are funny.

What seems “exotic” or “fantasy-like” to some people might appear quite ordinary to others, and this is an interesting topic to explore, particularly as anime gains popularity worldwide and it’s essential to cater to diverse international audiences beyond just a secondary consideration.

I’m not intending to criticize the author, as language differences can be challenging, especially when it comes to creative writing in a foreign tongue. However, I believe constructive language suggestions could potentially transform familiar concepts into something truly captivating and unique.

Despite its peculiar names, the show manages to maintain its appeal and even enhances it with an endearing quirkiness. In fact, it sometimes provides subtle humor, but Frieren delivers powerfully when it counts.

Still watching. Still loving it.

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2025-07-07 21:10