Talk:Av-Matoran

The remaining (light-based?) name inspirations

It is known that the names of Av-Matoran are derived from real world words relating to light. Three of them, Radiak, Photok and Solek, are fairly obvious, but Gavla, Tanma and Kirop are more difficult. The best I could find up to now is Greek κύρος (kýros) meaning "status", "authority" or "supreme power"- a fitting name for the Av-Matoran leader. But I am not sure. Does anybody know what the name origins for these are?--ToaKebaka (talk) 14:53, 16 March 2024 (UTC)

Kirop's and Chirox's name is most likely based on the "Chiroptera," just like Vamprah being from "Vampire," Antroz from "Antrozous pallidus."--SurelNuva (Talk) 15:36, 16 March 2024 (UTC)

I'm still not convinced that Chirox and Kirop share the same origin. Kirop's should be light-based like the other three, maybe chiroptic? For Tanma, my guess would be tanmatra. Gavla I've heard the guess of galvanize for but that's also not light related. Also, isn't Photok from 'Photon'? ~ Wolk (talk) 15:43, 16 March 2024 (UTC)

I am aware of Makuta names being bat-related and insect-related, but I too am not convinced of Kirop sharing in this, though I can't rule it out either. Photok and photon, well yes, but photon has the same root as the one I put on the page. Same can be said for Radiak and radiation. Could you elaborate a bit on tanmatra for Tanma?--ToaKebaka (talk) 16:06, 16 March 2024 (UTC)

Per the wikipedia article on light, light was one of the five Indian elements or tanmatra. The word "tanmatra" in itself of course doesn't have a direct relation with light though. This is also the only place I've found which calls light a tanmatra, though. I assume they are referring to ether but neither it or the tanmatra article make any mention of light. ~ Wolk (talk) 18:05, 21 March 2024 (UTC)

I have to agree, at least four of the Av-Matoran names were clearly inspired by light- or energy-related English words. To have Kirop be named after a bat would break that pattern. It would make more sense to me to give the corrupted Av-Matoran "light" names to highlight the fact that they used to be good. Conversely, Vultraz has a dark-sounding name because he was always evil. - Toa Jala ^Converse 14:08, 21 March 2024 (UTC)