George R. R. Martin on how he comes up with his characters' names.

George R. R. Martin gives an insight into his methods for coming up with interesting character names in his A Song of Ice and Fire series.
George was speaking alongside Robin Hobb at a world exclusive event which blinkbox Books were proud to sponsor.

[@DreamgirlJae]

*slowly closes online name generator tab in browser*

[@drippinwet774]

Jae Bunny *slowly closes PornHub tab, but changes mind and cl*

[@RealSupaHotFireVEVO]

+drippin wet cl? What does that mean?

[@drippinwet774]

RealSupaHotFireVEVO I'm not a writer.

[@nefelibata4190]

What?

[@nirad8026]

Jae Bunny ahahahahah

[@oopopp]

WAIT A FUCKIN MINUTE!!!! He has no Heir!??!?! This is dreadful news!! So George R. R. Martin will be the last of his House. The Grace of his Blood will end with him.

[@DrJMcShredly]

oopopp x I'm really hoping that we have some GRRM DNA in some volt somewhere, so that in the event of his tragic, early demise, future generations can use advanced technologies to regenerate him so his clone can finish the series.

[@alec6583]

oopopp x Unless he fathers a bastard.

[@Traquan]

+Alec A writer's bastard would probably have "Book" as a surname. xD "The Continued Song of Ice and Fire", by George Book.

[@Adzy1k296]

+oopopp x be greatful,if he had a kid we would probably be waiting on a feast for crows by now

[@K4inan]

+oopopp x He's like 99% virgin lol

[@MrTomm3k]

Wonder how he came up with Hodor...*cries in corner*

[@SlayerDUDE1993]

HOld the DoOR

[@zach3955]

HOLD THE DOOR HOLD THE DOOR HOLD THE DOOR HOLD THE DOOR HOLD THE DOOR HOLD THE DOOR HOLD THE DOOR HOLDTHE DOOR HOLDTHE DOOR HOLDTHEDOOR HOLDTHEDOOR HOLDTHEDOOR HOLDOOR HOOLDOOR HOLDOOR HOLDOOR HODOR HODOR HODOR HOdor

[@renadalh]

Mosasaurier HOOODDDAAADDOOORRRRR

[@user-qh5zq1jn2h]

Hodor is how we call Hodorkovski in Russia

[@superblyrandom9630]

Mosasaurier Hodor could have come from Hodr, the old Norse God of Coldness.

[@thepumking365]

danielle-Daenerys Edward-Eddard Brianna-Brienne Martin names people like nintendo names pokemon

[@Dragontamer348]

Hodor

[@thepumking365]

Dragontamer348 his original name was Waldore so Walden - Waldore

[@fabo36]

***** it's not that simple haha

[@thepumking365]

FabyBaby 36 he pretty much admited it in this video

[@fabo36]

well maybe what I meant is that it isnt that simple to me because Im semi retarded :D

[@JUSTM3777]

this is probably why there isnt a new book, hes probably just been stuck on a name for the last few years... :p

[@queenthoria7483]

JUSTM3777 that's what I was thinking too

[@theolav12]

Daeny Devitos

[@jordanf9257]

Balzsack Mcdouchwad

[@DavidCelaya]

Bliz Blazz. There you go.

[@YouCheekyMinx69]

Riverus...no Danassicus...no Buttfuckicus...no Fuck it I'll try naming the azor ahai tomorrow

[@diabl2master]

The names are brilliant. They sound otherworldly but also realistic at the same time, like if our own world had turned out just a little different, we might have those names in real life.

[@Yooncelebtarot]

Well due to the success of the show and of the series... We just might. I know arya has been quite popular and daenarys as well

[@undarkwin]

There are some stupid people naming their girls "Khaleesi" ffs... smh

[@aleksandarperovic8769]

+Darwin Hernández Can't wait for "Kingslayer" lol

[@undarkwin]

IKR!! I can see some newborns being named Dothraki or Andal 😆

[@bronyatheistfedora]

xept for Hizdahr No Loraq

[@94blondebimbo]

Sand The Door. SaaandTheeeeeDooorrrr. SaaaannnnDooorrrr. Sandor.

[@SirGeeSantos]

lmao good one

[@trianontagadotibi]

Sandor (Sándor) is actually a common and pretty old hungarian name, so it could've been mentioned in one of his baby name books

[@luchadorito]

Babywilko Sándor is a common Hungarian name, the Hungarian version of Alexander.

[@lohto3]

You could've gone with Stand the Door. Would've made more sense.

[@freddiespringer8075]

Babywilko o

[@BoBnfishy]

"how did you come up with these beautiful names? it intrigues me." "uh... names are hard."

[@breeeegs9704]

BoB n fishy How did you develop the plot for A Dance with Dragons? It was so intricate and complex. I LIKE BUTTERSCOTCH!

[@factbeaglesarebest]

Names are actually incredibly fucking hard when writing fantasy. Are you mocking him? Ever written a short story let alone a multi national heat selling 5-so far book fantasy series with so much depth?

[@DoubleO88]

I'm writing my script for my comic book/manga i intend on drawing, names are unbelievably hard, I'm still debating on my main protagonists name. and its not even a fantasy story

[@DoubleO88]

Onyx Fire lol his name atm is Orlando “Lando” Chan

[@yojishinkawa378]

@@factbeaglesarebest Relax Beagle, everything's alright. For the record, I've been writing fantasy and yeah, names are definitely hard. It's like the thing that takes me longer than anything.

[@tsxtina2919]

Cersei is a absolutely BEAUTIFUL name, I love saying it. Sansa too BTW.

[@orwellsghost5867]

Even the guy names can be beautiful. Daario Naharis They can also sound bad ass, even the side characters Hizdahr zo Loraq Jaqen H'ghar Khal Drogo Then of course there is Hodor. What a great idea on a name origin. One of the greatest set up and reveals of all time!

[@WhiteDudeWithAnAfro]

I agree very much. They are beautiful names. Cersei and Sansa sound like names of female royalty. Daenerys sounds like the name of a queen. So, to me it makes a ton of sense that he needs to give a character a name first before he can create their characteristics and mannerisms.

[@madelyntoday7093]

So, true. At first I didn't like either of those names then they grew on me.

[@Skepsikyma]

The name probably came from Circe, a beautiful witch in Greek mythology who was banished to a solitary island after she murdered her husband. In Homer's Odyssey, she attempts to seduce Odysseus, and transforms his men into animals in order to prevent him from leaving her island prison, and in Ovid's Metamorphoses she is spurned in favor of the beautiful Scylla, whom Circe transforms into a hideous monster. Waterhouse did a series of beautiful paintings of her.

[@JeffWithAnF]

+Coldwine Funny you should mention that. In the books Ned Stark gave Cersei the chance to escape with her children to the summer islands. I wouldn't be surprised if Georgie has an old draft of Cersei living in the isles where the act of lovemaking is a holy skill.

[@ChrisSmith-bb1dq]

Can't wait for Grizznuckle's books after ASOIAF

[@darthbricksempire3606]

Griznuckle and griznuckle started figting each others (Describing the fight) And then grizznuckle pulled his sword through grizznuckle, killing him...

[@ElectroIsMyReligion]

Or maybe a slightly more erotic approuch like "The Adventures of Jizznuckle"

[@wintershiny4888]

ElectroIsMyReligion Best comment.

[@CharterForGaming]

Proffesor Grizznuckle

[@absentehhh8263]

Griizknuckle is a g

[@TimeTravelingFetus]

"Never give 2 characters names that start with the same letter" Proceeds to make Jon, Jon, Jon and Jon

[@LinusKarlssonMusic]

And in elden ring: Melina, Malenia, Marika, Ranni, Renna, Radagon, Roderika, Godfrey, Godrick, Godwyn

[@JimmyHimself]

Kind of irrelevant but I really like it that you put A.B.A from guilty gear as a pfp

[@faisalkamal4319]

Aegon

[@JunoCat1890]

*kid named Hirohiko Araki*

[@RW77777777]

you forgot Big Jon

[@rl1800]

Rhaegar Targaryen. With a name like that, of course he was bad ass.

[@chickennuggets9784]

I like Tywin Lannister, it sounds so cool to me whenever someone says his name

[@watch3r1]

black paper moon Can't say Tywin without "win". 😀

[@kamuelalee]

Robert "the Usurper" Baratheon -- Great name

[@faisalkamal4319]

Bobby b - are you sure about that

[@faisalkamal4319]

@@kamuelalee nah he took it by right

[@roadsidedeer]

"What's been useless to me is-you know, I thought it would be a cool tool at first, but it's the online fantasy name generators things." *Slowly closes Blood Elf Name Generator tab*

[@jalle88]

After pressing "generate" for the 32th time, I whisper to myself "one more try and the right name will come".

[@Sultaanash]

I use the name generator to get inspiration on a name for example I wanted a name for a dwarf the name thekohm showed up and I just took inspiration from that and made it into thokhem and I try my best to original when it comes to names I dont want hard to pronounce but at the same time I want them to be unique

[@Sultaanash]

And memorable

[@basboosa2812]

LOOOL so he gave Rhaegar a name different from other prev kings of Westeros and BOOOM the guy is dead.. its the name that jinxed him :P

[@felixshengyang]

This man is a genius.

[@MrSzeklerdude]

+霍聲揚 Felix Huo you should read up on his idol.

[@jackparker8602]

Yes, one of the biggest in are life time

[@daenerystargaryen1473]

felixshengyang Pure geniusness comes to Tolkien.

[@turnerjensen2620]

felixshengyang his books aren't ground breaking in the genre nor is he isn't saying anything groundbreaking. He's not a genius, he's smart yes, but you will hear all writers tell you the same thing he just said

[@sauldownbadman876]

Daenerys Targaryen How?

[@alessandroborsellino5872]

I've met a guy named Danerys (not Daenerys) and he was in 30s and from Mexico...

[@educationalaussie3737]

Was it pronounced the same way

[@Max-ux8ny]

+Life of a legend Probably not: Da-ne-ris Da-I-ne-ris

[@raultorresgomez9337]

did he have any dragons?

[@umkemesic]

No Dragons, but a hammer and a lawn mower.

[@bluetextonwhitebg]

i used to have a hispanic boss named jaime, but it was pronounce hai-meh

[@Skylardietsche]

Uhg. I so agree with his last bit saying he doesn't know the character if they don't have the right name yet. I spend sooo many hours looking up the "right" name for a character.

[@okaymckay]

what do you do?

[@Skylardietsche]

I'm an amateur writer... :)

[@okaymckay]

cool... I'm thinking of writing myself... do you have anything uploaded on the internet?

[@Skylardietsche]

Not anything good atm ☺

[@okaymckay]

hmm :( would you check out my stuff? some of it is in english

[@EdwardSimbanegavi]

WHAT TO NAME YOUR BABY IF YOU INTEND TO KILL IT OFF a book by George R R Martin

[@boomshizzIe]

Theon Greyjoy has to be one of the best and most fitting names for a character ever.

[@rogerfederer9523]

Why is it fitting? He has no joy in his life.

[@mikeoxsmal8022]

@@rogerfederer9523 it was stolen by a filthy basterd

[@austentrue7807]

That’s, honestly, the one name in ASOIAF that bothers the crap out of me. Which, when you think about it, is rather befitting, because he’s so easily dislikable, so the name works.

[@luckiller019]

Stannis sounds like czech Stanislav, which mean"gaining fame by perseverance"

[@chilliard120]

Which is kinda Stannis' thing, if you think about it...

[@Tacoz4Evry1]

***** A lot of Martin's names do come from literal translations. Bran is an old Welsh word for raven and Lysa comes from Lyssa which in Greek means mad or rabid. There's a good list of a lot of names here: www.reddit.com/r/asoiaf/comments/1l0t26/spoilers_all_the_meaning_of_names_part_ii/

[@Caladras]

***** Vidíš, tohle mi nikdy nedošlo. Ale taky to může bejt shoda okolností...

[@luckiller019]

I dig deeper. And I think, that GRRM used a name of Polish scifi writer Stanislaw Lem, author of Solaris. (as you can see: STAN-IS-LAW/STANIS-LAW)

[@oopopp]

Stanislav, which mean"gaining fame by perseverance" Stannis = "gaining fame by burning people"

[@DavidBrocekArt]

Oh my god, I actually got inspired by fantasy name generators for few names for my story and I was thinking to myself "I am such a loser, using this tool. I cannot come up with something myself."... Now I don't feel ashamed anymore, haha.

[@bartoszn1609]

OldTimeGamerChannel I always look at the name genrator, then structure my names around that

[@christoferguson]

No shame in whatever works for you. Every creative process is different. If name generators help you, great. If not, cool.

[@3lit3gn0m3]

Targaryen is such a powerful sounding name...

[@Kareragirl]

And it sounds so exotic, too. He really did a great job with the names.

[@nicholasrue7397]

It does kind of sound like “dragon.”

[@faisalkamal4319]

BARATHEON

[@Dani_1012]

Valyrian names are the most badass names I've heard

[@bad_writer]

I always throught that he based the name Targaryen on "Tugarin", which is one of the two most famous evil dragons in Slavic folklore, especially since the other most famous one is Zmei Gorynich - a three-headed dragon, which is the family crest of Targaryens.

[@razie]

It just occurred to me that Renly sounds like Henry lol

[@sansastark1497]

Gendry sounds like Henry

[@chap0syoutuification]

+Razie Ahmad Willem is William too.

[@natalialupo4050]

He's right. You could built the most amazing backstory, choose the name with the coolest etymology, but in the end it just has to sound right. You have to feel that the name completely suits the character

[@andyfoster8011]

Grizznuckle isn't a bad name for a wildling I think?

[@xhylianx8121]

Andy Foster A bit better than Bump or Lump I'd say

[@nuriel1825]

Sounds like a tutorial level boss fight.

[@harrydrake4173]

Edric Storm is still the most badass name of all time.

[@artos607]

I think Cortnay Penrose is so ironically feminine considering how savage Penrose actually is

[@theblackdahlia88]

Are we forgetting Dagmer Cleftjaw

[@JeffWithAnF]

See Illyn Payne. I read that in Robert Halfords voice when he's singing Painkiller.

[@tomkiely4093]

And Arthur Pendragon? His name is such a weird hybrid: pen (NERD) and dragon (AW YEAH!). Still, Pendragon sounds like an actual pen-name for a writer. Yet, Arthur is such a heroic badass.

[@brahminsoup]

I came up with the name Cedric Pryce that I've used for character names in Skyrim. Kind of proud of that I guess lol.

[@thedarkestfateful]

I love the name Alysanne, never heard it before and the combination of Alyssa and Anne is pretty creative. Velaryon and Targaryen sound like very strong and noble last names.

[@AltijdHard_403]

don't we already have Alysson?

[@thedarkestfateful]

@@AltijdHard_403 It's the pronunciation for me - Alee-san. To add to my previous comment, it could even be like a combination of Alys and Anne. Alysson is a common name, but Alysanne is something different and unique.

[@AltijdHard_403]

@@thedarkestfateful hmm now it sounds more like a combination of Islamic and Japanese to me XD. Might work for certain fiction characters but not sure if it works as an English name🧐

[@GarrisonHat]

I love how he points out that there wasn't a lot of naming variety of the English kings at a certain point. Pre-Norman conquest had names like Egbert and Aethelred, and then all the Henrys and Edwards in the early modern era. Furthermore, not a single James or Charles until the Stuart Dynasty, and not a single George until the Hanover Dynasty.

[@AithlynC]

There were pre-conquests Edwards though. (Which, I know, is in no way opposed to what you said.)

[@sarge019l4]

We did get four Georges in a row at one point though.

[@MrKamakiri55]

Beric Dondarrion must be my all time favourite name of all this awesome saga. Such a badass name.

[@AltijdHard_403]

IDK sounds to me like the name of a main character in a comedy who randomly loses his footing as a handicap lol

[@catelyntully9494]

4:00 there is a Lady Stoneheart i loved it i wish i could see the whole costume 10/10

[@MrSandro1994]

That's creepy lol

[@catelyntully9494]

King OneNineNineFour Just like Lady Stoneheart :)

[@MrSandro1994]

Catelyn Tully Indeed

[@Blood0cean]

Catelyn Tully shes dead like those eyes

[@catelyntully9494]

Blood0cean And full hate and pain, looking for vengance

[@TheNuncFluens]

I really like Pycelle for some weird reason.

[@bobdonda]

yeah, that and a couple of others are so unique even among fantasy character names, some of them are too good not to name people with. besides, it's not like we don't have enough Aidens and Bradens and Cadens and Jadens already. why not have a Pycelle or a Sansa or a Missandei? maybe no Grey Worms though...

[@TheNuncFluens]

Haha exactly. Missandei is my other favorite btw.

[@daiveedino]

I think Sir Davos is so fun to say.

[@ciuffoZanetti4]

in italian it's close to the word for dick, it could be that

[@TheNuncFluens]

ciuffoZanetti4 Nah, you're projecting your penile fascination on me.

[@LevelUpLifting]

I've always thought Rhaegar was such a badass name, such a shame that someone with a cool name like that was beat in battle by someone named Robert lol

[@HisameArtwork]

well it was a fight, and Big Bob had bigger muscles and better coordination than Rhaegar Targarya of the Blood of Old Valerya, prince of Dragonstone yada yada...

[@mothwizard3095]

At least we have Rhaegal now

[@IamPatrickStar]

And then evolves into a ridiculous name for one of the wyverns called Rhaegal

[@dobson.]

@@IamPatrickStar Dragon, not Wyvern. Wyverns are in ASOIAF aswell

[@IamPatrickStar]

@@dobson. no they’re wyverns. Dragons have four legs

[@Lexyvil]

He's my Idol in terms of fiction writers.

[@levvl11]

4:10 "Aegons and danaeryses"

[@tadpole3159]

A man has no name

[@VladtheInhaler]

+tadpole3159 Heres comes the flood of show fans catching up gawd

[@sealrk19]

are the books worth reading?

[@VladtheInhaler]

sealrk19 Very worth reading. Some of the best literature I have read.

[@josephsua7246]

When you run out of names so you make a character without a name.

[@ubelmensch]

For you

[@BloodBat3041]

Did anybody else realize that he said: "occasionally a Richard sneaks in?" I'll let myself out.

[@breeeegs9704]

BloodBat3041 You g-gotta w*BURP*atch out for those sneaky r*burp*ichards, Morty. Always tryin'a, sneak up on you.

[@HisameArtwork]

@lonely snowflake Hi, from the future, it's 2020 today and life is sad. (^_^) /

[@jamesgeorge7579]

"Occasionally a Richard sneaks in", I'm just imagining Richard the Fifth hiding behind the drapes, peering into the crowd of Henrys and Edwards.

[@Hi-xd5ox]

GRRM you have such a beautiful mind. I envy the depths of thought and imagination, that fill the pages of your books. I am constantly left in a state of awe and admiration when I think of the complexities of your worlds and how effortless and reflective they are to me, a reader and aspiring writer. You, sir, are a legend!

[@cedricgist7614]

Alexa Mua - you know it appears effortless to us, but a lot of emotional exertion went into it. Any birthing process is hard. Stick with it, kid: we can always use one more good writer....

[@Azrael442]

"I AM DOLPH, SON OF SHAGGER" "ohh uhm.. i am Tyrion of house Lanister" "HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIE TYRION OF HOUSE LANISTER?"

[@artos607]

Shagga, Son of Dolf?

[@Beowulf-eg2li]

In my own bed? At the age of 80? With my belly full of wine and a girl's mouth around my cock?

[@Borat69able]

In my own bed? At the age of 80? With my belly full of wine and a girl's cock around my mouth?

[@Beowulf-eg2li]

Borat69able Apparently, Peter Dinklage said that during one of the rehearsals and the whole team couldn't stop laughing XD

[@christianroy2612]

Did anyone else catch that guy cosplaying as robert baratheon?

[@ajinkyakamat2856]

How did you name that Hodor fella ?!

[@lewiswhite9810]

😭

[@Hydorior]

Too soon :3

[@mutantkitten7765]

HOLD THE DOOR! HOLD THE DOOR!

[@Nutmegp]

like dis if u cry everytime

[@theblackdahlia88]

Apparently GRRM said he had the name Hodor and the Hold the Door storyline 2-3 years prior to even writing the first book.

[@pineforest1442]

“Readers will get confused if you name two characters with the same letter.” I am sad that these writers do not give me, a reader, the confidence in being able to tell the difference between the name John and the name Jack and distinguish their personalities.

[@happytobehere200]

This is one of the most burning questions I've had about the story. If I have a daughter I will names her Lyana or Elia. I love those names so much

[@leonardomule2060]

There is a lady in the audience that truly scare me... look at 3:56, down in the middle...

[@MasterAdamonia]

You made my day...

[@leonardomule2060]

***** Terrifying! o.o

[@leonardomule2060]

I think we found LS! ;)

[@zegrasisinnocent]

Totally thinking the same thing.

[@ladywoodelf]

Supposed to be Lady Stoneheart- a character they plan on cutting out of the show. No book spoilers.

[@corsicanlulu]

i just wanna ask george rr martin...have u ever been to dominican republic? cuz some of ur valyrian, exotic names are common in that island...my uncle's name is "danerys", and its a common name for a man, also jahaira which sounds like jaeherys is a very common female name too...my aunt's name is xiomara...sounds perfect for one of ur characters i would say...are those names greek?

[@Yooncelebtarot]

Well he did say he looks at names from other countries. Those names sound beautiful btw

[@TheSoldadoDan]

yeah I've noticed that. my parents are dominican and as you can tell by my username a bunch of names from the D.R. sound like Game of thrones names.

[@StefanoFierros]

Xiomara is a very common mexican name, apparently it comes from arab and means "the beautiful star of the unvierse", I didnt know it was common in other parts of latin america

[@GalionSilevion13]

3:26 There's Lady Stoneheart lol

[@kneerunjun]

Freaked me out the first time I saw her.

[@spacewiz163]

Man I admire authors who can instantly come up with unique and interesting names, for me I can picture a character or ability but find it hard to give it a catchy name.

[@tarvoc746]

"People didn't know how to spell their own names." - It's actually more accurate to say that there simply was no standardization in medieval times. People simply wrote how they thought it sounded right, and there was no institution that could have given out universal norms. The Church had norms for Latin, obviously, but even those were only binding to the clergy, and pretty much only internally. You could say that all languages originally worked like jargons. Our understanding of spelling and grammar that we have today is a modern invention.

[@TheIrishsheep123]

Lady Stoneheard in fucking character the whole time... Didn't even do an awkward giggle when someone I assume she is startstruck by makes shite joke, well played random lady, well played.

[@glazed6098]

hold the fridge

[@adamromero]

Hofridge

[@neggan]

Hodge

[@Jagonath]

We need a scene where Hot Pie and Cold Hands meet each other.

[@TheDJGrandPa]

+Jago Sevetar That's the real song of ice and fire

[@yubia5216]

Holfridge the Shield

[@yoching1466]

This man is amazing, incredibly creative. It amazes me how he came up with such a living fantasy universe. The names, the bastard names, the house's and the storyline

[@franzbonaparta7274]

"Aegons and Deanerys..."

[@Vanalovan]

Did I see the Burger King in that crowd?

[@Beast80001]

Vanalovan it was king robert

[@Robert399]

He's not kidding about the English kings. The entire line from William the Conquerer to the end of the Tudors is: William, William, Henry, Henry, Richard, John, Henry, Edward, Edward, Edward, Richard, Henry, Henry, Henry, Edward, Edward, Richard, Henry, Henry, Edward, Mary, Elizabeth

[@HisameArtwork]

wow, that John seems like an accident XD was he a secret prince or law of surprise thing?

[@Robert399]

@@HisameArtwork He was a younger brother. But he was so unpopular that royals have avoided the name since.

[@joshuabrough2409]

Think you forgot about Stephen there.

[@kentandreas6001]

Martin be like: Sometimes I just use the daily expressions you face in life like: Oh, could you close the window and that becomes Closindow or: visit the loo: visiloo and I don't know, "close the door"? Clodor.

[@MrMonne84]

This guys an absolute genius. It amazes me is the imagination he has to create a world and people out of nothing. Authors are extremely gifted.

[@rodrigopacheco12]

i demand more!!!!!

[@bambinosto]

All hail King Eustace Targaryen First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm

[@HisameArtwork]

Yustas to you, pleb.

[@geoDB.]

There is a prince in the books named "Duncan Targaryen". I will let you guess if he will ascend to King or not.

[@tikikcila]

The way he talks and explains things just seems so natural and effortless to him. A natural storyteller for sure. I could sit and listen to him talk through the histories of Westeros all day

[@snakepliskin23]

Names are so tough to think of especially original other worldly cool names.

[@nostromo2871]

04:04 that girls warging in the audience haha i need those contacts

[@angelwhispers2060]

The Great Cornholio I applaud your obsessive fan gazing skills I would have never caught that. very cool thanks

[@PokeMasterKelly]

The Great Cornholio not warging. That's Lady Stoneheart. It's Cat Stark after she was brought back to life in the books, but horribly deformed and ghoulish looking. You can even see the gash on her throat from having her neck slit open. It was also written she had scratch marks on her face.

[@tomkiely4093]

I don't know why, but I always pictured George as a bit of a loner/awkward guy. Hell, maybe South Park put that image in my head. But now that I listen to all his stuff, he's actually really genuine and hilarious!

[@gojiralives3698]

I love his answers he always answers properly and goes on with detail

[@sylvesterspjut7513]

He gives so excellent answers to such small questions, he is so amazing

[@frank-bj7nc]

I keep staring at his head thinking "where's his damn hat?"

[@Mr.BobGray]

Someone finally said it

[@agirlhasn0name]

I'm also very interested in names! Since I was a little kid, I I've loved reading books of names and making lists of them and using them for toys, pets, characters. There really are a lot of beautiful and awesome "made-up" names in GoT, whether they're like variants or combinations of "real" names or something wholly new...

[@daneoman1000]

Agreed George R R Martin, creates brilliant names from his characters, Sandor Clegane, Beric Dondarian, Quaran halfhand, Mance Rayder

[@user-ov1ue2bx5x]

I love how he speak, he inspire me, I really really like him and his books

[@fabo36]

I only want the books to come out if GRRM wants them to come out, if he dies and they dont come out then they weren't destined to come out...I dont think that will happen but Im making a point...Gdo bless this man

[@myspacebarbrokenevermindif9892]

Fabian Ahmad Gdo is my favourite greek god.

[@renadalh]

And it take 2 months to name my cat...

[@hinarutoaouled133]

this made me howl. XD

[@muradtedoradze2000]

Jaenara Belaerys, or house Qoherys, or even Vhagar & Meraxes, These names are Just astonishing 😭. Love Them

[@brandondl1995]

I really felt the last thing he said. “If I don’t find a right name for a character, it’s like I don’t know who he is and I can’t proceed on him”

[@jude.m5564]

"I can make mine all Aegons" ... oh boy ! This is why Jon Snow new name is Aegon !

[@marius7028]

pretty suspicious example "I can make mine all Aegon and Daeneryses" for those who watched 7x07.

[@iantsmyth]

The person who asked the question was very exotic and beautiful.

[@sarabegay6339]

I'm glad you said you get hung up when you can't get the name right. I thought I was doing that just because I'm dumb. Now I can relax and go with the flow. Who cares if it takes a week or two. The rest of the cast can just hang out and relax. Thanks.

[@nickprezzo]

Bend the knee Ben da knee Be da knee Da knee Danee Dany

[@cynicalfilms5734]

Lannister is just a mix of Lenister an Lancaster

[@lindythistleton7127]

2 great writers on 1 stage omg 💜

[@bigalmou2261]

"We're never gonna see King Eustace." *That's it, I'm gettin me mallet!*

[@joshuabrough2409]

We nearly did have one though, King Stephen's son, Prince Eustace was supposed to be Stephen's heir but Stephen's reign ended in 1154 and Eustace died in 1153

[@Sinbad.1]

I always see my name getting used alot in these things- Sam. It’s always that loveable character you can count on just to help out. we never gunna be the best in the game but we there anyways for a laugh 😂😂😂 shout out sams

[@Unlucky_Tracker]

I feel u LOL

[@Jagonath]

3:57 White Walker sighted!

[@bluetextonwhitebg]

nah, she's lady stoneheart. 3:26 notice the gash across her neck and facial scars.

[@AnindyaMitraDigitalStoryteller]

"Something always happens to the guy name Eustace before he can uh climb to the throne!" 😂😂

[@HaHa-uo6kp]

The girl who asked the question has such a soothing nice voice omg

[@Char10tti3]

Targaryen is a great name, reminded me of Trevelyan too. I don’t know if there is a set way to pronounce Arya, I would say “Ar-ya” rather than “Ar-ee-ah”. I think reading the first book I thought it was “Ar-ee-ah” for a short time, but thought that it didn’t make sense in the way other names were written. I have seen a few clips from the show and the Maisie Williams seemed to be able to pronounce it almost in between the two versions sometimes.

[@xDrikenx]

he came with the name jaime cause jaime is a spaniard, thats a spanish name. And lannisters are based on the Borgias.

[@donnyohakam]

Greatness takes time. People need to be patient with him when it comes to his new books.

[@IamPatrickStar]

Bruh, he chooses not to only focus on the books in order to finish them because he’s so scared of people’s criticism after watching the hbo show. Like does it really take like over 11 years to write a book the size of the typical asoiaf books?

[@donnyohakam]

@@IamPatrickStar have you ever written a book? No, you haven’t. Don’t speak on what you don’t know

[@tomh5990]

"For the right character, any name will do" - Love that!

[@kazyn6]

When I listen to George R. R. Martin without watching him talk, I can't help but picture Peter Griffin. :)

[@timlam6269]

I've always wondered, did Final Fantasy borrow "onion knights" from asoiaf or vice versa, or just sheer coincidence?

[@KingJaredoftheLand]

Would've love to have been there for that! Hobb & Martin, my favourite post-Tolkien authors!

[@CESSKAR]

Cool-sounding names, that is his criteria. Very nice.

[@jayzsyn]

A name has no name.

[@Bizz004]

I wonder what's the origin of Hodor's name.

[@N3rdFurys]

That's actually explained in the most recent episode s6 e5. I won't spoil it for you.

[@nalyDmI]

Pretty sure he knows that..

[@diliff]

You need a crash course in Detecting Trolls 101. :)

[@CrusaderZade]

Hold the Door

[@amber2372]

Obviously, he stole it from the legendary French conqueror of Asia, Empress Hodora, and made it a guy's name. :p

[@RareCandeh]

Peter - Petyr Oliver - Olyvar Edward - Eddard Stanley - Stannis

[@Athena908]

Saying "Durrandon" is so satisfying for me, rolls off the tongue so well.

[@jasperhalsey2549]

I'm dead ass going to name my son Tyrion.

[@williamsrhyn]

It's from the Welsh name; Tirion

[@jasperhalsey2549]

@williamsrhyn interesting, thanks!

[@prosimian]

Django Jas I'm naming mine Tywin

[@williamsrhyn]

Turtle God It's from the Welsh name: Tywyn

[@prosimian]

Rwilliams thanks

[@aewewd]

it's such a shame he doesn't have any kids.... he is brilliant :)

[@ckaz007]

There's two ways to immortality, have children or write a novel.

[@angelwhispers2060]

ckaz007 writing is easier biological children rarely come out as you intend them to be. protegees on the other hand much more manageable.

[@metaloper]

The dragons names are amazing too, Meraxes, Balerion...

[@DoesWhatItLikes]

its just now i realized she was sitting with Robin Hobbs. Excellent! XD