Klingon nomenclature

This article describes the process of naming of persons, places and things in languages spoken by Klingons.
 * See also: Klingon language

Honorifics
In Klingonaase variations of language, honorific titles were usually placed between the first and last name, and were used ahead of the last name without the personal name when being addressed formally. For example, Margon sutai-Demma was a member of the family line Demma whose personal name was Margon, and his honorific title was "sutai".


 * honorifics: (lowest to highest):
 * tai
 * sutai
 * vestai
 * zantai
 * epetai

Personal names
Klingon individuals are usually given a common personal name, many of which are known to have specific meanings describing the person in question, such as "Korg", which means "fierce one". 

Klingon personal names are frequently passed down through families in honor of earlier members of the line. For example, Duras, son of Ja'rod and Toral, son of Duras in the 24th century were named for other members of the House of Duras, 23rd century Councillor Duras and 22nd century Duras, whose father was Toral. Worf, son of Mogh also shared a name with his grandfather, General Worf. 

In some cases, the advancement of a name may be marked by a numeral, such as was for Kahless IV.

As Klingons pass the varous tests of life, including the Age of Ascension and other promotions and advancements, they sometimes choose or are assigned changes to their personal names. A Klingon ensign in the 2260s, Vasak gained rank in the Klingon fleet and was eventually known as Kasak when had become a commanding officer, due to a tradition of naval officers changing their personal name to begin with some variation of the sound made by the English letter "K". Many Klingon soldiers, such as marines and security troops, were given names beginning with the letter "M". 


 * common personal names : Duras • Kahless • Klag • Kodol • Koth • Kelrok • Korok • Krell • Kur • Larg • Toq • Toral • Torg • Worf

Surnames
Klingon surnames were usually the official name of the Great House to which the individual owed loyalty, although many Klingons introduce themselves with the name of a parent, to establish their direct lineage, although for the sons of the House's namesake this will be the same name. For example, Kurn of the House of Mogh could also have introduced himself as "Kurn, son of Mogh", but any sons he might have had would have identified themselves as being of House Mogh, but as being "sons of Kurn".

Klingons sometimes forego the lineage statement and form their names with personal names immediately followed by surnames, especially with those who are orphaned and adopted into a non-familial group, or those that lack and honorific. Vrenn was known as "Vrenn Khemara" after being adopted into line Khemara.

When a Klingon House is dissolved or a Klingon is orphaned through other means, an individual who retains honorable status may choose to be included into another lines, through marriage or adoption, or they may choose to begin a new line by choosing a new name. The orphan Vrenn was initially adopted into line Khemara, but when the Khemara were dissolved through the legal assassination of the line leader, Kethas, many of Kethas's servants and family members were also put to death, but Vrenn (then known as Krenn) was allowed to begin a new line, adopting the name Rustazh, the name of a dissolved line which Krenn had reason to believe had belonged to his father, although he publicly stated that all the previous Rustazh had died out to avoid challenging those who had conspired to kill them. 

Places
Klingon place names may sometimes be taken from historic events that occurred at them, or to honor those who had lived in or fought in those places.

Klingon star systems are often translated into normal conventions of stellar nomenclature, with greek language letters in front of star group names.

Starships and vehicles
Klingon starships may be named for places, people, or simply definitive characteristics or Klingon language terms, phrases or poetic verses.

Ships of the Klingon Empire's Klingon Defense Force are often registered with a prefix, most often translated as the generalized "IKS", "Imperial Klingon Ship", with more specific terms being used interchangeably, such as "IKC" ("cruiser"), "IKF" (possibly "fighter" or "frigate") or "IKV" ("vessel").