The Roller Derby Debate: Real names vs. Pseudo names

In the world of Roller Derby, a storm is brewing. The whole 'to name or no to name' is the big question. Should skaters make pseudo names (made up) or use their own when skating? Some people argue that using pseudo names adds to Roller Derby being fun and quirky, like no other sport! Others say that some pseudo names ruin it for the rest of the roller derby community because of their vulgar/obscene content which can hinder its chances media coverage.



I for one am stuck on the fence with this one for so many reasons. Ive got a lot of for and against's but ultimately I dont know which to choose....

Let the battle commence ... *ding' ding,ding*

Round 1) 'The pseudo names represent the skater's alto ego which can boost their self-esteem'

Pusodo names can be empowering! You can be boring old Betty Brown from accounts by day and then Dee Stroy'her the badass blocker by night. (example). And vise versa, your pseudo name adds to your whole roller derby persona.

Round 2) 'The names skaters choose are sometimes rude and disgusting.'

 Some names are vulgar, explicit or obscene. Some reference female/male genitalia that I can't share with you here. It's the same for the Merby guys too.

The name registering site twoevils.org doesn't really have rules about what type of name is OK and what isn't. There's only the rule of not copying others.

 I mean just a short rule about not being too rude or 'would you say that to your mother?' should work but where and how do you draw the line?


Round 3) 'Cool, imaginative names really are just another awesome aspect of Roller Derby'

Yes, yes they are. Creative play on names, pun and celebrity mash ups are some of the thing that make roller derby AWESOME! Here are some of my favourites:

- Dora the Destroyer
- Katniss EverMean
 - Bear Thug and Fu-Man Drew from Wolverhamoton Honour Rollers
- My lil' Pwny from CCR (Friday Voni!)
- Smashlee Simpson and Babe Ruthless from Whip-It
- Battle E. Portman from FoCo Girls Gone Derby
 - To infinity and Yvonne from from Denver Roller Dolls (Toy Story)
 - Luna-Tic Lovegod from Slaughterhouse Derby Girls (Harry Potter)
- BootyVicious (I wanted this one sooo bad but it's taken :/ ! 
- Dee Stroy'her

...And the list goes on!

Generate your own Derby name at Mia Psycho's Roller Derby Name Generator. 

Let us all see your derby name in the comments below!

Round 4) 'If I was a TV channel or Network, I wouldn't air Roller Derby matches with names including swear words, references to sexual acts of violence, drugs etc. I'd be fired instantly! 

Ideally the roller derby community will continue to grow and improve regardless of name choice through word of mouth but the quicker way to expand would be through the media.This can't happen with obsenities and vulgar words. Think about the bigger picture is all im trying to say.

" Think of the roller derby community as a whole not just at your own level. "

Can you imagine at the olympics....'And the gold medal goes to 'INSERT VULGAR/OBSCENE NAME HERE'

As Sonicthetrackhog said

'Don’t be douchebags, derby nation. Lead by example. Take responsibility for your sport, your audience and yourselves. No matter who the sport is for – our current derby family or a bigger, future sporting incarnation, you make the rest of us look bad with your icky names.'

At the end of the day I would love to see Roller Derby loved by all with lots of fun, witty pseudo names. Maybe then we will get more coverage in the media which will help our sport expand worldwide....and then THE OLYMPICS! 

Wolverhampton Honour Rollers! Look at the happy bunch! :D

Links!

Check out the Roller Derby names rooster at twoevils.org. Have a look and see the best and worst names...some are pure genius! 

See Ginger Snap's opinion here

Generate your own Derby name at Mia Psycho's Roller Derby Name Generator. Let us all see your derby name in the comments below!

What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear them!