Full Version: Our planet needs a better name.
Seriously "Earth"? How exactly are we going to explain our planets name when the intergalactic community comes knocking? "It means, Dirt...umm...ground?" *stomps foot*
I have thought of this often. Why not Zimbolara or Trontor or something like that. Earth is so basic. Why can't earth have a cool name like Neptune of Venus?
Who on Earth would have the power and authority to change the name of the planet?
Who gave our planet the name Earth anyways?
Who on Earth would have the power and authority to change the name of the planet?
Who gave our planet the name Earth anyways?
What nonsense.
The name is basic (and beautiful) and I think reaffirms our connection with this abstract thing called a planet by reminding us of the simple fact that it is dirt: a giant ball of dirt. But whats wrong with dirt? Why do quick to hate on the source of all our nutrition and life? Dirt is a wonderful thing! I for one appreciate the connection it evokes between man and the source of everything.
Other names may sound very pretty but Neptune...Jupiter...Mercury...mear capricious sky phantoms forced to walk the face of this glorious transpersonal all-ness we call earth. What good is their pomp without the setting, that thing so much more beyong them?
Besides, you could always just call it Terra is you wanted...
The name is basic (and beautiful) and I think reaffirms our connection with this abstract thing called a planet by reminding us of the simple fact that it is dirt: a giant ball of dirt. But whats wrong with dirt? Why do quick to hate on the source of all our nutrition and life? Dirt is a wonderful thing! I for one appreciate the connection it evokes between man and the source of everything.
Other names may sound very pretty but Neptune...Jupiter...Mercury...mear capricious sky phantoms forced to walk the face of this glorious transpersonal all-ness we call earth. What good is their pomp without the setting, that thing so much more beyong them?
Besides, you could always just call it Terra is you wanted...
It only sounds plain because we're been living here all our lives and we hear it all the time. Who knows, aliens might find the name truly poetic.
QUOTE (Cradle of Fish @ Mar 29 2008, 04:11 AM) 
It only sounds plain because we're been living here all our lives and we hear it all the time. Who knows, aliens might find the name truly poetic.
I agree totally. To me, Kent, England and Great Britain do not sound exotic, it is far away places that sound exotic, Dar Es Salaam, Tierra Del Fuego, Sri Lanka and so on. They sound exotic precisely BECAUSE they are far away places.
Remember also that Earth is only this planet's name in English, it has many names.
QUOTE (BabelPlatz @ Mar 29 2008, 02:00 PM)
Besides, you could always just call it Terra is you wanted...
Terra...I like that.
Besides, who did name Earth Earth?
Me too. wondering who would actually changed the name of our planet.
QUOTE (Mad Manfred @ Mar 29 2008, 11:41 AM)
Besides, who did name Earth Earth?
Well, moving along this line of thought; who named anything anything?
We could always give Earth a nickname...like "Bob", or something?
QUOTE (Lilly @ Mar 29 2008, 11:07 AM)
We could always give Earth a nickname...like "Bob", or something?
My father would have been delighted that you renamed the planet in his honour.
Planet Einstein
Planet Amazonia
Planet Marmite occupied by Vegemites
Planet Amazonia
Planet Marmite occupied by Vegemites
QUOTE (Waspie_Dwarf @ Mar 29 2008, 12:13 PM)
My father would have been delighted that you renamed the planet in his honour.
Oooh...that's wonderful! I like this idea even more now.
QUOTE (REBEL @ Mar 29 2008, 12:19 PM)
Planet Einstein
Planet Amazonia
Planet Marmite occupied by Vegemites
Planet Amazonia
Planet Marmite occupied by Vegemites
Oh my! REBEL, I really like those options as well (perhaps we could take turns among the various nicknames?). I'm especially fond of "Planet Amazonia" myself!
QUOTE (Mad Manfred @ Mar 29 2008, 10:41 AM)
Terra...I like that.
Besides, who did name Earth Earth?
Besides, who did name Earth Earth?
Ummm... the Romans ?
"Terra" is latin for.. well... earth. (or 'ground').
Meow Purr.
Most planets in our solar system and beyond are named after the Roman Gods, which are basically the same as the Greek Gods but with diferent names, for example, Jupiter(Roman) = Zeus, Mars=Ares, Neptune= Poseidon, the planets were named, if Im not mistaken by the roman, greek and chinese astromomers taking reference from these gods.
Earth is one of the four Greek classical elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire) and one of the five elements in Chinese Taoism (metal, wood, water, fire, earth).
Earth (English) = Tierra (Spanish) = Terra (Latin)
Spanish, along with French, is very associated with Latin, one of the most commonly spoken languages in the past Europe.
Wont be planet Amazonia if things keep up, ehem..... but thats another topic.
Earth is one of the four Greek classical elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire) and one of the five elements in Chinese Taoism (metal, wood, water, fire, earth).
QUOTE
Terra...I like that.
Besides, who did name Earth Earth?
Besides, who did name Earth Earth?
Earth (English) = Tierra (Spanish) = Terra (Latin)
Spanish, along with French, is very associated with Latin, one of the most commonly spoken languages in the past Europe.
QUOTE
I'm especially fond of "Planet Amazonia" myself!
Wont be planet Amazonia if things keep up, ehem..... but thats another topic.
As a huge fan of the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy I would have to go with the name that the survivors of the "B" Ark gave this planet when they crashed here 2 million years ago and became the first humans. In honour of Douglas Adams I name this planet Fintlewoodlewix.
I'm going for it, thought of it when the Borg where heading for Sector 001.
Third obulation from Star-(whatever Science classification you prefer). Not third rock from the sun, which is also an indicative location. And, pretty funny show...
Like this,
+++*__<HERE> leading from mathematical transport methods:CARRIER SIG based. I like it, it's pure&simplistic. Just location, so if we contact, get contacted. Then they say where are you, Relative to US.
We don't get one of them comic routines of how guys don't want to ask for directions when lost, and women get lied to so people can watch them drive around. Shows more intelligence...
Third obulation from Star-(whatever Science classification you prefer). Not third rock from the sun, which is also an indicative location. And, pretty funny show...
Like this,
+++*__<HERE> leading from mathematical transport methods:CARRIER SIG based. I like it, it's pure&simplistic. Just location, so if we contact, get contacted. Then they say where are you, Relative to US.
We don't get one of them comic routines of how guys don't want to ask for directions when lost, and women get lied to so people can watch them drive around. Shows more intelligence...
Whats the latin word for life? Bio? I think it should be the latin name for life.
QUOTE (Godzillaaaa @ Mar 29 2008, 04:00 PM)
Whats the latin word for life? Bio? I think it should be the latin name for life.
Bio comes for the Greek word βίος which means life.
Life in latin is "vita".
Terra or Gaia, is what I have come to think is it's proper name. Earth means 'sod' like in the soil. In space, it looks like a blue marble. It is beautiful and I can see where you say it needs to have a new name to reflect it's beauty.
Turbatio would be a more appropriate name for our planet 
QUOTE (rachelkleypassparrow @ Mar 29 2008, 04:14 PM)
Terra or Gaia, is what I have come to think is it's proper name. Earth means 'sod' like in the soil. In space, it looks like a blue marble. It is beautiful and I can see where you say it needs to have a new name to reflect it's beauty.
What I've been trying to say here with all the traductions and history is...... the planet's name is already "Terra" which is in latin language, but the traduction in English is "Earth", and so the english speaking countries call it "Earth", but the planet's name is already Terra, but in another language.
QUOTE (Alex01 @ Mar 29 2008, 03:08 PM)
Bio comes for the Greek word βίος which means life.
Biock is pretty (bee'-ock). But I think Terra is so universally accepted you'd have a hard time promoting the Biock idea.
QUOTE (Alex01 @ Mar 29 2008, 03:08 PM)
Life in latin is "vita".
How about "Vitalis", like the hair stuff?
QUOTE (Waspie_Dwarf @ Mar 29 2008, 11:36 AM)
As a huge fan of the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy I would have to go with the name that the survivors of the "B" Ark gave this planet when they crashed here 2 million years ago and became the first humans. In honour of Douglas Adams I name this planet Fintlewoodlewix.
QUOTE (rachelkleypassparrow @ Mar 29 2008, 03:14 PM)
Terra or Gaia, is what I have come to think is it's proper name. Earth means 'sod' like in the soil. In space, it looks like a blue marble. It is beautiful and I can see where you say it needs to have a new name to reflect it's beauty.
But that's just the thing, if we change it to Gaia, in a few generations people will be bored with it, and they'll want to change it again. Personally I'm not bored by Planet Earth, it has a warm and welcoming feel to me, no matter where I go in the universe I know that i'll always feel at home on tiny blue and green Earth.
For Latin derivation, a play at Terra Firma might be at hand. Including the now accepted theory the world is of a spherical shape. Orb, more indicative, rather than flat.
Let us see:
Terra Firma+Lt.++orb++vitality==~ Via Terrum Firmae Perniium
or roughly viable form, pearl among.
Let us see:
Terra Firma+Lt.++orb++vitality==~ Via Terrum Firmae Perniium
or roughly viable form, pearl among.
I quite like the Spanish name Tierra, as pointed out by Alex01 (cheers). Maybe it's because I consider Spanish a very poetical language, I don't know - it just sounds more interesting than Terra, to me. Which is weird, because the only difference between the two is a single letter.
Since the Earth is mostly covered with water, maybe Aquarius or Nautica might be better... just a thought
Blue heaven?
QUOTE (Pax Unum @ Mar 30 2008, 04:30 PM)
Since the Earth is mostly covered with water, maybe Aquarius or Nautica might be better... just a thought
Aquatica? Jesus, I'm lame XD
I like Zenobia. But that's just me.
Earth does sound boring..
How about... welcome to Zionsphere!
QUOTE (Godzillaaaa @ Mar 29 2008, 08:00 PM)
Whats the latin word for life? Bio? I think it should be the latin name for life.
Bio in the finnish language is the food scraps you throw out. food to be recycled, compost etc etc.
QUOTE (louie @ Apr 3 2008, 01:16 PM)
Bio in the finnish language is the food scraps you throw out. food to be recycled, compost etc etc.
Well then, it has two etymologies that both make sense. It IS the food scraps you throw out. food to be recycled, compost etc etc.
How about "Bob"?
Sol III?
or how about Germany, in my honor? XD
or how about Germany, in my honor? XD
QUOTE (Fixer Of The Sky @ Apr 3 2008, 09:11 PM)
How about "Bob"?
Lilly has already suggested that.
We should call it umm Terra
I think we should call our planet, Saprolite. Think about it. It has a nice ring to it.
Instead or Mars, Venus, Earth, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Pluto
it would be...Mars, Venus, Saprolite....
Saprolite means, a deposit of clay and disintegrating rock that is found in its original place. It should be permanently named this.
Terra Prime? Sol Prime? Humania Prime? Wait, forget the last one.
Why not rubbish dump? The things we throw away everyday? Seriously.
How bout 'Google'...err as in Googley Googley Googley Google Earth.
I go for Britney.
How about Mr. E? get it, mystery? 
earth equals dirt and earth is mostly water, but neptune is the roman god of the sea(I believe). Maybe "Fauna" the goddess of the earth, but Fauna does not sound interesting enough. I just dont know!!!
I have often thought the same thing. How dull our planet name is.
I think we are focusing on the wrong celestial body here. Whilst Earth may seem a dull name to many it is at least reasonably appropriate and unique. It is our natural satellite we should feel sorry for. The other planets get moons which have dramatic names (Mars' moons are pathetic little rocks and yet they have names meaning fear (Phobos) and terror (Deimos)).
Our satellite is the largest in relation to it's planet that we know of. It lights the dark nights for us. It provides us with the tides and gives us the most beautiful natural specacle you can imagine.. a total solar eclipse.
Despite that we just call it the moon.
Our satellite is the largest in relation to it's planet that we know of. It lights the dark nights for us. It provides us with the tides and gives us the most beautiful natural specacle you can imagine.. a total solar eclipse.
Despite that we just call it the moon.
As someone already noted, Earth, is only the planet's name in English. In Spanish though the name for Earth is El Mundo which means 'the world' and not tierra which simply means 'dirt'. If we are to change the name in English perhaps we should do so to honor water which is the element of life and roughly 70% of the world and our bodies. We can also name it after the number three somehow since we are the third planet from the Sun.
etymology
QUOTE
The name Earth originates from the 8th century Anglo-Saxon word erda, which means ground or soil. In Old English the word became eorthe, then erthe in Middle English.[109] Earth was first used as the name of the planet around 1400.[110] It is the only planet whose name in English is not derived from Greco-Roman mythology.
...
To the Aztec, Earth was called Tonantzin—"our mother". The Chinese Earth goddess Hou-T'u[112] is similar to Gaia, the Greek goddess personifying the Earth. To Hindus it is called Bhuma Devi, the Goddess of Earth. In Norse mythology, the Earth goddess Jord was the mother of Thor and the daughter of Annar. Ancient Egyptian mythology is different from that of other cultures because Earth is male, Geb, and sky is female, Nut.
...
To the Aztec, Earth was called Tonantzin—"our mother". The Chinese Earth goddess Hou-T'u[112] is similar to Gaia, the Greek goddess personifying the Earth. To Hindus it is called Bhuma Devi, the Goddess of Earth. In Norse mythology, the Earth goddess Jord was the mother of Thor and the daughter of Annar. Ancient Egyptian mythology is different from that of other cultures because Earth is male, Geb, and sky is female, Nut.
etymology
QUOTE (Waspie_Dwarf @ Apr 8 2008, 02:19 PM)
I think we are focusing on the wrong celestial body here. Whilst Earth may seem a dull name to many it is at least reasonably appropriate and unique. It is our natural satellite we should feel sorry for. The other planets get moons which have dramatic names (Mars' moons are pathetic little rocks and yet they have names meaning fear (Phobos) and terror (Deimos)).
Our satellite is the largest in relation to it's planet that we know of. It lights the dark nights for us. It provides us with the tides and gives us the most beautiful natural specacle you can imagine.. a total solar eclipse.
Despite that we just call it the moon.
Our satellite is the largest in relation to it's planet that we know of. It lights the dark nights for us. It provides us with the tides and gives us the most beautiful natural specacle you can imagine.. a total solar eclipse.
Despite that we just call it the moon.
I think maybe you have a point Waspie!
I don't think the Earth needs another name. "Earth" is rather dignified...rather all inclusive and lovely in and of itself.
I remember Apollo 8 transmitting in December of 1968, "... God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth."
That probably would've sounded funny if they called the Earth another name....
And as to the Moon...well, you're right, we have all sorts of moons in our solar system that have the coolest names (Io, Europy, Thethys, Titan, Enceladus, Iapetus...man, that's too cool!).
I prefer to think of our Moon as not just "the Moon, but , "THE Moon".
It's all a matter of emphasis!
QUOTE (MID @ Apr 9 2008, 12:49 AM)
I prefer to think of our Moon as not just "the Moon, but , "THE Moon".
It's all a matter of emphasis!
It's all a matter of emphasis!
Yes, it's the emphasis that counts! I often think of the moon as "our moon" (special to we Earthlings).
If it's a matter of being all inclusive then why don't we just call it something like Muddyball or Soggystone?
"Greetings visitors, and welcome to the planet Crawlyrock."
"Unite, people of Carbondroppings!"
"After all my time in space, it's good to back on Wallyworld."
On second thought, why not just call it Home?
"Greetings visitors, and welcome to the planet Crawlyrock."
"Unite, people of Carbondroppings!"
"After all my time in space, it's good to back on Wallyworld."
On second thought, why not just call it Home?
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