What's in a name (need a new name)

[bicyclebuilder]

Being new here on this forum and also in the wonderfull world of Steampunk, I've noticed all kinds of beautiful steampunk names. When I first logged in, all I could think of was "Bicyclebuilder". When I think of it, Bicyclebuilder is not a name but a trade.
I'm looking for some help on my new identity. I'm thinking about a Victorian name (English) or a Dutch name that can be pronounced by all languages and be recognised as "a tipically Dutch name".
Suggestions anyone?

[MechanicalMouse]

Well a lot of surnames were based on their job, Cartwright, Baker and so on.

Do you build Bicycles?

You could try and build a name based around Bicycle building

Spokewright,  Mr Ordinary, Baron Von Cycle, Walter Cycle...

[Lothar Erfinder]

A stereotypically Dutch name will be something along the lines of Somebody van Something, like Christaan van Huygens. Huygens didn't have a van, but it gives you an idea. And MechanicalMouse has a good idea. Why not use the Dutch word for bicycle, or just cycle, as your first or last name?

[Capt. Dirigible]

How about 'Lief Cycle' (geddit?)  

'Abraham Van Peddling'

'Raleigh Van Schwinn'

'Vincent Van (der) Gears'

If you were female you could call yourself 'Penny (van der) Farthing'  

Well a lot of surnames were based on their job, Cartwright, Baker and so on.

"Fletcher if you made arrows...Cooper if you made barrels...Thatcher if you made people sick!"*


*Copyright Alexei Sayle 1984

[Just call me Rob]

Fiets is Dutch for Bicycle (according to the internet)

How about;
Yourname Van Fiets


I always try and include my real name in a forum name, it makes it so much easier when you meet someone face to face

[Aleister Crow]

Don't know about a first name, but how about a last name of "Wright"?

The Wright Brothers built bikes before they flew.

[Z-Dan]

Being half-dutch, my in-character name (different from my screenname, and my real name which is van Vliet which is quite disappointing for steampunk) is van Valkenburg... to get it I just looked through a list of dutch surnames until I found one that felt right in a steampunk setting.  This is the list I used http://genealogy.familyeducation.com/browse/origin/dutch and it provides descriptions of the origins of the names as well.

[bicyclebuilder]

thanks for the inspiration.
My real name is Steven Langewouters.
If an English speaking person would have to pronounce my first name, he would have to say: Stay v'n. (read outloud to understand what I'm saying.  )
I won't bother you with my last name, but the origin is probably something to do with a man who's name was Wouter. Who was tall (in Dutch: lang). And he had a son. The son's name would be "tall Wouters son". Shortened to Tallwouters or Langewouters.
That said, I've thought up these names:
Steven Longwaters. The pronouciation of my last name, resembles the name Longwaters, but it sounds a bit to wild west.
Stay Van Locomotive. (Locomotief was a bike-brand in Holland)
Stay Van der Plumber. (I'm an engineer in plumbing for houses and other buildings)
I think I'm going to think about these names and maybe think of a different, more catchy one.

[Mnemoria]

There is an English surname Langson, which is the first thing that sprang to mind reading your post.
There's also Waters and Watters.
There is a composer Van Der Watt (which would allow the same play you used in Stay Van Locomotive, or the first name James in tribute to a certain Scot)

Plumbers are so called because they worked with lead, any Dutch surnames based around the word lood?

Random late night thoughts, hope they may be of some use.

[Lady Amelia Atkins]

you could use the steampunk name generator.

[bicyclebuilder]

I think I'm going for Steven Longwaters, the bicyclebuilder.
Very close to my real name, but easier to remember and listen to.

[Wolvic Neostis]

My surname "Wolvic" comes from an earlier nickname. It comes from "wolf", the animal. (Not from Wolvereen, of X-men)
The backname Neostis, comes from NEOSTeampunk, but as Neostis, it jus sounds good.

The steamname generator gave me for my real name "Gabriel Claringbold". I liked it, so I added it in my signature.
http://brassgoggles.co.uk/blog/steampunk-resources/steampunk-name-generator