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The Astromech Naming Conundrum

Discussion in 'General Movie Discussion' started by Jordan Of Alderaan, May 7, 2015.

?

What do you think?

  1. There is only a set number of each model (<521)

    2 vote(s)
    33.3%
  2. There is only a set number of each model (>520)

    2 vote(s)
    33.3%
  3. There are multiple uses of each name

    2 vote(s)
    33.3%
  1. Jordan Of Alderaan

    Jordan Of Alderaan Rebelscum

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    I was just thinking about our new friend, BB8, when it occurred to me that there are only three characters in the name. With regard to the previous astromechs we've come across, the first two characters usually denote the model (R2, R4, etc.), so if this is the case with BB8, that only leaves the one character for the personal identification. If we assume that this character could be a number or a letter, this still only leaves 36 possible droids in this model, which seems absurd, especially as one of them ends up with a scavenger.

    Then I got thinking about astromechs in general and it occurred to me that there would only be 520 possible combinations (26 letters, 10 numbers (I'm including 0) and the reverse of each possibility) which also seems strange to me considering the abundance of systems and thus peoples that each use astromechs in abundance.

    Does this mean there are only 520 of each model, or do you reckon they recycle the names (in which case, are there multiple R2D2s)?
     
  2. Jordan Of Alderaan

    Jordan Of Alderaan Rebelscum

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    I realise (with regard to the poll) that options 2 and 3 could potentially cross over, but equally, they could bring in a new naming system using symbols or additional characters (e.g. R2 D24).

    Let me know of any additional options you would like me to add!
     
  3. John Crichton

    John Crichton Rebel Official

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    I voted multiple uses, but at the same time I'm a bit on the fence.

    I'd say it's difficult for us to tell anything solid. As far as we can see from canon sources, there is only one droid named R2-D2, as well as only one droid with the same white with blue color scheme as him. In terms of a galaxy-wide commercial operation, that seems highly unfeasible. Realistically speaking, I'd say the names seem unique purely for the fact they wanted to identify these unique characters with easy-to-remember names, hence the shortness of them.

    However, going "in universe" (which I'm sure was your intention), I could see these as being just the model numbers, meaning there are multiple R2-D2s around the galaxy. Simply with the number of planets and locales being in the thousands, we could have only ever seen one of this particular unit matching the name/number by chance, making it seem unique. The same could be said for the other named/numbered droids we've seen. A separate serial number would thus be needed to designate a specific unit.


    Still unsure about all that though. And there are two things that further complicate this:
    1) the fact that C-3PO was supposedly built from scrap parts by a kid, yet has a specific number and not some name (face it, it's canon)
    2) this little tidbit I found on the wookieepedia (listed in the "canon" portion):
    I haven't gone through the sources listed, but it files R5-D4 as an R2 unit in canon, whereas the R5 series is relegated to the "Legends" continuity.

    According to that convention, R2-D2 would be a unique number, but at the same time the R2 portion of the number is not designating him has an R2 unit, as one beginning with R5 is also apparently an R2 unit. Thus you have a larger pool of numbers to pull from, meaning you could have an R2 unit designated as A1-D2 or any other combo. I can't be bothered to do the math to figure out how many possibilities that yields though. ;)
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
  4. Jordan Of Alderaan

    Jordan Of Alderaan Rebelscum

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    You raise many good points! I'd not picked up on R5s being R2s, so this brings in a new platform for discussion entirely. Assuming one could have any combination of four letters or numbers, this opens up the potential for a hell of a lot more variety in naming, which would solve the issue at least partially if not entirely.

    This, however, raises the question of why we almost exclusively see astromechs with R2/R2/R4/R5 etc. in the canon. What a crazy world we live in!
     
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