Namingway (ネミングウェイ, Neminguwei?) is a recurring non-player character in the Final Fantasy series. An odd creature with rabbit-like features, he often lets the player change the name of something.
Namingway is a Hummingway, and he appears in various towns around the world, often in the training rooms, and in the end even on the Red Moon in a cave full of Hummingways, which is where he originally came from. His purpose is to offer to change the names of party members. Characters can have their names changed multiple times.
Namingway is the only non-playable character besides Golbez to have a portrait when speaking in the Complete Collection version of Final Fantasy IV.
In the 3D remake, because of the voice acting, Namingway can no longer change the characters' names. Unable to deal with this, Namingway embarks on a world tour, seeking new meaning to his life. In each town he is encountered in, Namingway gives the player an item or asks a request of them. At one point, he even battles them himself. The full story of Namingway involves him becoming a cartographer, a musician, and an outdoorsman. He begins courting two women, and when he finally chooses one of them to be with, he discovers she is cheating on him. Namingway thus abandons her and meets another woman, whom he marries.
Namingway is friends with the Fat Chocobo, who takes over the various devices that Namingway gives the player access to. Namingway appears in the following locations. Namingway will not appear in the next location until met in the preceding location and the subquest for that location completed.
In the Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection, he retains his appearance from the original release of Final Fantasy IV wherein he wears a turban over his head. He also retains his original purpose as the name changer.
Trials of a King[]
Namingway introducing the Dancing Dagger to Cecil and Cid at the Troian pub
Namingway was first seen as Cecil and Cid arrived at Troia for the former's 21st birthday! He rode on a Black Chocobo and greeted the duo. He was also heading to the same pub as they were, as he knew the woman there who his first date was, the Dancing Dagger; he described her as a knife that'll leave people's hearts bleeding, and he regretted for falling for her out of infatuation despite dating another woman. He led them to it, and sure enough that dancer was there showing off to Cecil. He and Cid noticed the Paladin swooning as well as getting lightheaded from the drunkenness. After Cid saved him from drowning at the lake, Namingway regretted giving him the alcoholic beverage he usually took. He was forgiven.
Later on, he followed the commotion to Tenebre and he knew the Injukhal. He noticed Cecil being mesmerized by Dragon Rose and the exotic drums. So, as soon as the Paladin was about to kiss her, he threw in a pair of smoke grenades separating the pair and stopping the ceremony. He also covered himself in leaves as he pulled Cecil away without the Injukhal noticing. He decided to name hinself Redeemingway as proof to redeem himself and to give Cecil the same chance with Rosa. Upon his Black Chocobo, Cecil made it back to Baron since Rosa already took the Enterprise with Dameon.
Trivia[]
- Namingway was chosen as one of Ikran's Favorite Rodents in Video Games.
Gallery[]
