Okay, so some of my friends sometimes get into discussions about what makes a good superhero name. We have an informal system for grading names--understanding, of course, that most of us don't agree much of the time. It's qualitative, not quantitative.

But even though we might disagree on the examples, we use the same set of general categories.

A-quality names: These are memorable, easy to pronounce, easy to spell, often creative, and always well-suited for the character. Like Green Arrow, the Scarlet Witch, and Silver Surfer, and probably someone who doesn't have a color in their name. Here's one: Kid-Flash! 

B-quality names: These are catchy and workable--but potentially generic. They really need the right character to dress them up! Like Robin. Or Storm. Or Cyclops (and many other characters with mythological names). 

C-quality names: These are either too bland or too complicated to deserve much attention. No wonder the Martian Manhunter and Dazzler rarely get a fair shake. 

D-quality names: Some of these names we've gotten used to over the years, but someone really should have thought of something better. That means you Elongated Man. And you too, Hulk. 

F-names: The names are sub-par. I'm sorry Sub-Mariner. But as Prince Namor you move up to a B! 

Z-quality names: Here we have names that sound like A-B quality names, but were so badly misapplied that they need they're own out-of-bounds grade. Take Karma of the New Mutants. Her possession powers have nothing to do with karma. Are we supposed to think that the name works because she was from Asia and maybe is Buddhist? Even then it still doesn't work. Make like Gary Shepherd and give that young woman a Z. (Not to mention Speedy.) 

John wrote on Jan 9^th, 2010 at 1:36am:

There was a time in the mid-1980s when creators seemed to compete to come up with bad names.

John wrote on Jan 9^th, 2010 at 2:29am:


I give him a C.

But the Fantastic Four is such a great group name that his own name sounds better as a result.

Doctor Foom wrote on Jan 11^th, 2010 at 3:41pm:


Grasshopper. You will find the answer to your question at the beginning of this thread.

Hint: Look somewhere between the Scarlet Witch and Kid-Flash. 

Troy wrote on Jan 11^th, 2010 at 11:54pm:



Wise sensi master,
Forgive me.

John wrote on Jan 26^th, 2010 at 10:37pm:


I'm not familiar with those characters. Adam X is the only one who might be a C. The others sound like failing names to me. There were a lot of bad mistakes in the nineties. A lot.

But feel free to grade heroes as you like. I just started the thread. But I'm not the only one with an opinion, I'm sure.