The Naming Policy is a basic guideline and set of rules used when naming articles on the wiki in order to keep the Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki organized due to its large amount of articles and images.

This policy attempts to cover the vast majority of situations, though exceptions may arise. As with every other policy, following it is not optional since often unseen aspects of the site's inner workings depend heavily on consistency.

If any special circumstances arise within the franchise in the future that are not explicitly covered within these current rules, use the talk page to inform us and we will review them.

General Conventions

Page Names

• Page names should always begin with a capital letter: Unless the page being named specifically requires a lowercase first letter (ex. von Darrellman Cupcake Van) page names should always begin with a capital letter. If a page needs to be created specifically with a lowercase letter, this can be achieved using {{DISPLAYTITLE}}.

• Prepositions, conjunctions and articles should not be capitalized in a page name unless they are the first word (see above). Exceptions may be granted by Staff for SEO purposes, should the need arise.

• Capitalize EVERY word in the title (except as above): When creating a page, pagename should have every word capitalized (e.g. Clearance Level, not Clearance level). Exceptions can be made at Staff discretion if the page name requires anything to be uncapitalized.

• Do not use a pound symbol (#) in page names: The # symbol is reserved in html code to signify links to a specific area of a page. For more information on this subject, please refer to our help file on how to edit. (This is a technological restriction.)

• Do not begin a top-level page name with a slash (/ or \): Using the / symbol at the beginning of a page name can cause unexpected behaviour. (This is a software requirement.) Using a slash inside a page name is acceptable. If a page called 'foo' already exists, you can use a forward slash to create sub-pages of 'foo'. (e.g. 'foo/bar') In this case, the forward slash symbol (/) is reserved in our software code to signify a separation between sub-pages. If 'foo' does not yet exist, the page will be called 'foo/bar' and no sub-page will be created.

• Avoid using a period (aka full-stop) (.) at the end of a page name: In certain cases having a period at the end of your page name can cause some very unexpected and unwanted results. This is not a requirement as this only occurs when the page is viewed with certain web-browsers.

Articles

Characters

• Character articles are perhaps the most notable in-universe articles of the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki. In order to maximize that notability and improve awareness through internal and external search engines, a codename is the preferred way for the name of an article.
• Character Entries: Character entries, with an exceptions for Hubs, should be listed by their codename if it is used for the character either as a codename (e.g. Iron Man) or used as an alias for the character within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (e.g. Absorbing Man), in case they are the latest or current user of the codename. This includes the official credits for a movie or TV episode.
  Codenames that are exclusive for the Marvel Cinematic Universe used with the same value follow the same rule.
  If the codename is not used, or the character does not have a codename in the prime reality, their real name should be the name of the article.
  Other casual aliases or familiar names should never be the name for an article unless there is no other option.
  • If codename is given:
    • Codename should be written using the general naming conventions
    • Codenames should never begin with The (e.g. Punisher, not The Punisher; Collector, not The Collector)
    • Latest (current) codename is better when it has been equally used through the franchise (e.g. War Machine, not Iron Patriot)
    • Any titles that appear within the proper codename will be written completely (e.g. Doctor, Mister, Captain, instead of Dr., Mr., Cptn.) unless said abbreviation is part of the comics codename (e.g. using Mr. Knight instead of Mister Knight.)
    • The character will not be named using their codename in case it has been explicitly discarded or replaced by a new codename (e.g. Iron Patriot discarded in favor of using War Machine again), the codename has been given to another person (e.g. Hank Pym handling the Ant-Man's mantle to Scott Lang), or the alternate persona associated with the codename has been discarded by the character.
    • If a pre-existing character who did not initially embrace their codename in-universe has been announced to undergo by said codename in future appearances, it should only be added on pages and/or be given a rename if the announcement came from Marvel themselves. This excludes any trade reporting as well. For example, Benjamin Poindexter, who operated in the comics under the name Bullseye, did not use this name when he appeared in Daredevil; as a result, his page name is merely "Benjamin Poindexter" while Bullseye serves as a redirect. The Hollywood Reporter indicated that he would be going by the codename Bullseye in Daredevil: Born Again; however, since this information is not coming from Marvel, the page name of "Benjamin Poindexter" is retained and any inclusion of "Bullseye" in the Infobox's Aliases section is not included until the name is officially confirmed. However, in the case of Samuel Sterns, who appeared by his civilian identity in The Incredible Hulk, Marvel themselves announced that he would be going by his comics codename of "Leader" in Captain America: Brave New World. As such, his page name was eligible to be moved to the codename, along with the codename being added to the character's Aliases section in the Infobox, prior to the film's release.
  • If codename is not given, but real name is given:
    • Real Name consists of: "First name" "Surname", and "Jr." (if applicable). The full name should be used only in the "Real name" section of the Character template (e.g. Bruce Banner, not Robert Bruce Banner)
    • User name or alias takes preference only when the "First name" is hardly ever used (e.g. Phil Coulson, not Phillip Coulson; but Isabelle Hartley instead of Izzy Hartley).
    • No degrees or titles, such as General, Agent or Doctor, must be used before the real name in a page name. This does not apply in case the title is part of a codename, such as Doctor Strange, as detailed above.
  • If codename and real name are not given:
    • Name consists of the most well known alias given in dialogue (e.g. Englishman) or the name given in the credits for the character (e.g. German Old Man).
  • Alternate Universe Characters/Variants: If an alternate universe character/Variant possesses a codename in-universe, a codename that applies to its source comics versions but is not primarily used by the main universe version, the codename becomes a redirect link for the main reality version while the Variants gets [codename/differentiative]. If the codename is not a name used in the source comics for this character, then the codename is used as the page name for the Variant. In the event that a codename is used by multiple Variants but not the original version, then the codename is redirected to a Hub page while the Variants get [codename/differentiative]. For instance, neither Peggy Carter nor Happy Hogan went by "Captain Carter" or "Freak" in the main reality, but multiple Captain Carter and Freak Variants exist. As such, Captain Carter redirects to Hub:Peggy Carter and Freak redirects to Hub:Happy Hogan while the Variants receive the codename with the differentiative, such as Captain Carter/Super Soldier Peggy Carter and Captain Carter/Illuminati Assembled and Freak/Forerunner Steve Rogers and Freak/Gamma Enhanced Happy Hogan. If a Variant's codename belongs to someone else in the main reality, then they get a civilian name with a differentiative, while a {{DISPLAYTITLE}} magic word function can be used to detone the codename. As an example, Darren Cross is M.O.D.O.K. in the prime reality, but in an alternate timeline, Aldrich Killian/Killian Resurrected is M.O.D.O.K. Because having the Killian Variant's page listed as "M.O.D.O.K./Killian Resurrected" would denote him as a Variant of prime M.O.D.O.K., in these instances civilian names are to be used as the page name, therefore correctly denoting that this is a Variant of Aldrich Killian.
  • Hubs: Unlike character page names, Hubs primarily use civilian names, due to the abundance of Variants of people with mantle transference. For instance, Sam Wilson being Captain America while a Variant of Steve Rogers who is Captain America appears, Ivan Vanko having been Whiplash in the main reality while Marc Scarlotti held the mantle in the video game timelines, or how Darren Cross was both Yellowjacket and M.O.D.O.K. in the main reality, but a page named Hub:Yellowjacket would also include the Hank Pym Variant with the same codename (Yellowjacket/Avengers Assassinated) while Hub:M.O.D.O.K. would include the Aldrich Killian Variant who was M.O.D.O.K, (M.O.D.O.K./Killian Resurrected). To ease confusion, using civilian names for hubs is preferable, since Hub:Sam Wilson lists just the Sam Wilson Variants. If Variants have different civilian names, the Hub would be named after the civilian name of the primary version. (e.g. Fiona Thomas and Manning sharing Hub:Fiona Thomas.)
    • However, characters whose given names are also their codenames (e.g. Thor, Elektra, Shang-Chi, Yondu) as well as characters whose codenames are based on their given names (Blackagar Boltagon → Black Bolt) retain their codenames for their Hub: links. Characters whose given names have not been stated in the MCU and thus have their full names listed on the Conjectural template fall under an administrative case-by-case basis. While most characters would possess their given names in Hub: links, exceptions can be made at Staff discretion, as is the case with Howard the Duck, who retains Hub:Howard the Duck instead of Hub:Howard Duckson.
  • Historical Characters: Real-world historical characters that do not follow a regular "first name, last name" pattern, primarily historical monarchs and royalty members, use the same name that their main Wikipedia article uses, in order to establish a correlation between the real person and the fictional character.

• Multiple Articles of the same name
  • Articles receive a parenthesis to specify the difference between two or more articles with the same name, usually referring to their job or affiliation. (e.g. Gary (Cameraman) and Gary (Supervisor).) When using parentheticals, the word should begin with a capital letter for in-universe designations while lowercase is used for real world/out of universe. (e.g. George Stephanopoulos (actor) gets the lower case "actor" because the page is referring to the actor who portrayed himself, while Iron Man (Actor) gets "Actor" because that page is referring to an in-universe character who portrayed Tony Stark/Iron Man in an in-universe fictional media.)
  • Alternate versions of established characters: Alternate versions of established characters are named as sub-pages of the main version of the character, adding the chosen name of the reality they hail from, or the nature of their alternativiness, as a differentiative. (e.g. Grant Ward/Framework as counterpart to Grant Ward.)
    • If an alternate version of an established character is given a codename unique to said version, that codename is used following the general rules for naming character articles, while the name chosen according to the rule for alternate characters is used as a redirect.
    • If an alternate version of an established character is given a codename that usually belongs to another character from the main reality, the article is named according to the rule for alternate characters nevertheless, and the differences are highlighted through the "See Also" sections on both character hubs.
    • Exceptions: Exceptionally, some of these alternate characters can be named without following the system if, and only if, they are given a very unique designation to differentiate them that, while not technically a codename, it is both widespread and unique enough to differentiate the characters. So far, this exception is applied only by Marvel themselves, and we merely follow suit while naming the articles. (e.g. Loki Variants seen in Loki and Spider-Man Variants seen in Spider-Man: No Way Home).
  • Actors portraying themselves: If an actor/actress portrays themselves, the character page should be named according to the general naming conventions, and the actor/actress page should be named adding the word actor/actress in parenthesis following the title, and not capitalized, as it is out-of universe information. (e.g. Megan Henderson vs. Megan Henderson (actress).)

Disambiguation Pages

• Disambiguation pages will be created for names used by more than one character or concept. The naming format is the exact name they try to disambiguate, followed by the parenthesis (disambiguation).

Items/Vehicles/Locations/Races

Page Names

• Items, vehicles, races and locations should utilize a single, standard page, for all information about their various appearances within the universe.
• Page names should never begin with The (e.g. Index, not The Index)
• When sharing a name with anything else, the item should have (Item) after its name, the vehicle should have (Vehicle) after its name, and so on.
• When the name of an item is not given, the item should be referred by a conjectural name that matches the description given in dialogue (e.g. Backscatter X-Ray Eye Implant; Theta Brain-Wave Frequency Machine; Atmospheric Moisture Freezing Device)

Events

Prepositions

• at is used when an event happens inside or in the imediate vicinity of a specific facility.
• for is used when an event is caused by a fight to take control of something other than the facility where it is fought.
• of is used when an event happens in an open area, such as a borough, city, country or even planet.
• on is used when an event happens on a specific type of vehicle, such as larger ships.

Types

• Ambush: An event centered around a conflict caused by a concealed enemy at a specific location.
• Arrest: An event centered around the capture of an individual or group of individuals made by legal authorities.
• Assassination: An event centered around the premeditated, often political, killing of a specific prominent individual or a group of prominent individuals.
• Attack: An event centered around the offensive against an individual or a specific location, that may or may not be able to retaliate.
• Battle: An event centered around the fight between two different factions, being at least one of them a group rather than an individual.
• Bombing: An event centered around the destruction of a specific or different locations through a series of explosions.
• Capture: An event centered around the legitimate capture of a certain person.
• Chase: An event centered around the pursuit with or without capture of a specific individual or group of individuals.
• Coup: An event centered around the military or dictatorial overthrowing of a government, or kingdom within a specific location.
• Defense: An event centered around the protection of a specific location.
• Destruction: An event centered around the complete destruction of a specific location.
• Duel: An event centered around the fight between two individuals.
• Escape: An event centered around the escape or breakout of a specific location.
• Evacuation: An event centered around the organized abandonment of a specific location.
• Execution: An event centered around the planned killing of a specific individual as punishment for their actions.
• Hijacking and Retaking: An event centered around the capture and subsequent reclaim of a vehicle by its rightful owner.
• Infiltration: An event centered around the discreet entrance inside a specific location.
• Invasion: An event centered around the attack and conquest of a specific territory.
• Kidnapping: An event centered around the seizure of an individual. It may include his rescue and/or escape.
• Liberation: An event centered around the rescue of an individual or group of individuals in a specific location.
• Massacre: An event centered around the massive killing of as many people as possible in a specific location.
• Murder: An event centered around the killing of a specific individual or group of individuals.
• Outbreak: An event centered around the sudden appearance of violence or disease.
• Raid: An event centered around the obtention of a particular item or group of items from a specific location.
• Rescue: An event centered around the liberation of a person or group deprived of freedom.
• Retaking: An event centered around the reclaim of a previosly captured location or vehicle by its rightful owner.
• Robbery: An event centered around the acquisition of a property by means of force or fear.
• Sacking: An event centered around the destruction and massive killings in a specific location.
• Search: An event centered around the exploration and examination ir order to find a specific person, item or location.
• Siege: An event centered around the intent of conquering by attrition or assault of a specific location.
• Skirmish: An event centered around a brief conflict in a specific location.
• Theft: An event centered around the unlawful acquisition of a particular item.
• Uprising: An event centered around the revolution and overthrowing of a government, or kingdom within a specific location.

Potential Types

Exceptions

Exceptionally, an event receives a name outside of the regular classification system due to one of the following circumstances. However, these circumstances should not be the norm, and must be applied carefully and accordingly.

• Events that receive a specific name in-universe can be named using that name (e.g. Cambridge Incident, Da Jue Zhan, Operation Spotlight, Renewal)
• Events based in a well-known concept from the comics that are not explicitly named in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (e.g. Rite of Blood, Trial of Shou-Lao)
• Events that span over different non-consecutive episodes of a television series, through different locations, or that may encompass different "sub-events" may receive a broader name to describe them. Always seek administrative advice for this kind of events. (e.g. Blackout Attack, Colleen Wing's Cage Fights, Inhuman Trial Ceremony, South Ridge Penitentiary Riot)
• Events, usually appearing in a specific movie, that deserve a name outstanding of the rest in order to highlight their uniqueness. Always seek administrative advice for this kind of events. (e.g. Clash of the Avengers, Incoronation of Erik Killmonger, Incoronation of T'Challa, Sacrifice of Gamora)

Wars

Articles in the Wars category must have a unique name that makes each article outstanding and non-repetitive. Therefore, their names cannot be patterned after an already existing article.

Explicitly, articles called "Character name's Campaign" are strictly discouraged and, ultimately, not allowed. This also applies to other articles whose names have been uniquely chosen (Aldrich Killian's War, Schultz Conspiracy), and cannot be copied elsewhere.

There are a series of cases where a war article's name does not need to be uniquely designed, as it can be chosen from these particular sources:

• Names from real world conflicts integrated in the fictional story of the franchise: World War II, Cold War
• Names given in an in-universe source: Chitauri Invasion, Ultron Offensive, Inhuman Outbreak, Time Heist, Westview Anomaly
• Names chosen from the standard way of naming conflicts between two different nations or societies: Asgard-Jotunheim War, Kree-Skrull War, American-Wakandan War.

Nations

Nations, countries, and geographical locations in general should be named according to the common English given name of that territory, rather than what the official name of a territory may be in its original language. For example, instead of calling the United States the "United States of America," it should instead be referred to in the article name as simply the "United States." Similarly, the United Mexican States should be referred to as "Mexico."

Alternate Universes

Names for Alternate Universes are necessary for their individual pages, along as differentiatives for alternate characters, events and timeline articles.

• If an universe receives an explicit name in media, it should be used as differentiative. Main example of this is the Framework.
• If an universe does not receive an explicit name, one must be chosen for it. Three minimum requisites must be met for the name
  • Name must be concise, not an over-elaborate sentence.
  • Name must be unique, as it should not be able to be applied to two different universes.
  • Name should ideally refer to the main characteristic of the universe as its history diverges from the history of the main MCU reality.
• In some particular and explicit cases chosen by administrators, a temporary name or placeholder can be chosen for the reality based on the media it appears, or for a specific character using a specific name not based on the reality they hail from, in order to help with the creation of articles and the eventual changes of the links. This temporary name has to be changed as soon as possible for one that meets the criteria above, and cannot be used to create a Universe Page.

Movie Section

Page Names

• Page names should be the movie's full release title, including The at the beginning of the article if it is used.
• If no release title is yet known, or it shares its name with an existing character, the word film should be added in parenthesis following the title, and not capitalized, as it is out-of universe information. (e.g. Iron Man (film).)
• If the movie shares its name with an existing page, but the movie includes The in its full release title, the movie page should use the full name, and the character page should use the name without The (e.g. The Avengers vs. Avengers).

Television Series Section

Page Names

• Naming TV series
  • If no release title is yet known, or it shares its name with an existing character, the words TV series should be added in parenthesis following the title, and not capitalized, as it is out-of universe information. For example, Daredevil (TV series).
  • If the TV series shares its name with an existing page, but the series includes The in its full release title, the series page should use the full name, and the character page should use the name without The. For example, The Defenders vs. Defenders.
• Naming Episodes
  • All episodes should be named using its full title instead of the Episode number.
  • When an episode shares its name with an existing page, the word episode should be added in parenthesis following the title, and not capitalized, as it is out-of universe information. For example, 0-8-4 (episode).
  • When an episode shares its name with an episode from another series, the name of the TV series should be added in parenthesis following the title. For example, Past Life (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Past Life (Runaways).
  • When an episode shares its name with an episode from the same series but from a different season, the name of the season should be added in parenthesis following the title. For example, Glorious Purpose (Loki Season One) and Glorious Purpose (Loki Season Two).

Sub-Pages

• In order to keep related pages grouped together, sub-pages are often utilized. Sub-pages exist in the same namespace as their parent page and can usually be found from automatically generated links in corresponding article templates.
• Some subpage examples include:
  • Character/Gallery
  • Character/Quote
  • Film/Credits
  • Film/Trivia
  • Film/Awards
  • TV Series/Season One

Cast & Crew

• Articles about cast & crew for all Marvel Cinematic Universe products should ideally use the actual credited name of their appearance as a general rule. However, a few exceptions may arise:
  • If a member of the cast & crew has professionally changed their working/stage name.
  • If a member of the cast & crew changes their stage name in-between their appearances within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the most recent one is preferred.
  • If the credits present an obvious typo in the credited name, it has to be corrected in the name of the article.
  • If a member of the cast & crew comes out as transgender following their appearance, the credited name/deadname becomes a redirect, and the article is renamed to their chosen name.
  • If a member of the cast & crew has legally changed their name, in most cases they will retain their previous name that they were credited with, on the wiki. However, exceptions can be made if they have clearly dissociated themselves with this past name, at which point it may be treated akin to a deadname, at which point the prior name becomes a redirect and the article is renamed to their chosen name.