~The Buffy Underworld:KISSING DAYLIGHT~

Ever wonder why Joss Whedon used the names he did? Or what's behind the name anyways? Here's some information about the names that explain it all:

  • Alexander(Xander)- (Greek) Meaning Defender of mankind. Nuff Said!

  • Angel- (Latin) Meaning Messenger. Which he basically was in the starting the first episode he appeared in and on.
    Also, one of the bloodiest and goriest movies ever(and one of Joss Whedon's faves), was The Wild Bunch a 1969 Sam Peckinpah movie. It was set in mexico about a group of violent men, they are pushed to far and invite an all out massacre on a Mexican town. One of the characters in the movie was called "Angel", who, being Mexican himself, ends up caught between his gang and his people. No Coincidence.(NOTE: Another character was PIKE, who was used in the BtVS movie.)

  • Anya (Anyanka)-(Russian) Anya is a form of Anna, this is also the name of the main character in Tolstoy's 'Anna Karenina', a woman forced to chose between two loves, family and her lover. Much like Anya had to chose between her demonism and Xander.

  • Buffy- A feminine form for buff or strong. Nuff said! or pretty much the complete opposite, meaning weak and dumb (very vallery girlish) which Buffy was, in the movie.

  • Cordelia- (Latin)Meaning warm hearted. This is more than likely what Joss was looking for, for that irony.

  • Darla- (English) Meaning little darling. How ironic, eh?!

  • Drusilla- (Latin) Meaning the strong one.

  • Faith- (English) Meaning faithful, or of fate. A Slayers Fate is to defend the world...NUFF SAID!

  • Oz- (Hebrew) Meaning strength or of God's power. I'm seeing a pattern here...

  • Rupert- (English) Meaning brilliance.

  • Tara- (Indian, Hindu Mythology) Means "star" in Sanskrit. In Hindu and Buddhist mythology Tara was an astral goddess. Make your own connections here (mainly, because I'm not sure if there is one!). Another take on the name is that the high kings of Ireland resided in a place called Tara in Meath, and it was a safe haven. Margaret Mitchell probably had this in mind when she named the fictional home of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind.

  • William-(English) It has belonged to several rulers of England, including William the Conqueror, the first Norman king of England. It is speculated it was used by Joss just to give more reason to believe Spike is English, much like Rupert was used.

  • Willow- (English) Meaning Willow Tree, thats the obvious one.
    Also meaning shyness and insecurity. That was the best description of Willow in her PRE-BUFFY days.

    If you think I forgot some important names, email me.


    Email the Underworld

    [MAIN|Cast|Webrings|RoW Ring|Under Fire]
    [Links|Gallery|Banners|Awards]
    [Vamp Story|Full Of Grace|Myth Of Hades]
    [Pollyanna Flower|Slay Speak|Names]