So I was wondering about Kurt’s surname, Trevelyan and emailed Karen Traviss
“Hello, I first wanted to say that I loved the Kilo 5 trilogy, they’re probably my favorite Halo books, but I was wondering something. Was the name Trevelyan (in regards to Kurt-051’s surname, and the ONI Research Facility named after him) a reference to Alec Trevelyan from Goldeneye (the installation number of 006 fits with his agent number in the film), or was it a reference to Sir Charles Trevelyan, 1st Baronet (or both even)? One of the halo wikis lists the Goldeney reference as intentional (though I couldn’t find any direct confirmation from you), but I thought the reference to Charles made more sense considering ONI used the base to develop a special version of the grain irukan to cause a famine. Thanks a lot for your time.”
Karen Traviss’ Response:
“I’m not sure if this answer is going to help. It may well just muddy the waters.
The only thing I can be sure of is that if I named the character – and I don’t recall right now if I did or not – I wouldn’t have named him after either the movie character or the Baronet, because I hadn’t even heard of them until now. I put plenty of Easter egg references in my books, but that’s not one of them.
For “regular” names (i.e. non-Easter egg ones) I draw them pretty well at random from a big database that I’ve built up over the years of first names and surnames collected from directories, signage, credits, and all kinds of sources that show names.
My memory is hazy because I wrote the books years ago, but I think he was part of the original Blue Team. So that name might have been in existence already, because the Halo continuity guys keep a lot of records that include stuff that hasn’t appeared in public. I would have asked them at some point for background on Blue Team. Not all the background detail is filled in (which is how I was able to create new characters like Osman and Naomi) but I honestly can’t recall if Alec Trevelyan was one of the characters who already had a more fleshed-out background or not.
Sorry that I can’t be more help. The best I can suggest is to ask on the 343i offciial Halo forum in case one of the 343i team pops up and says, “This is how it happened.” I’ve searched my archives (nearly 20 years’ worth of mail) but I can’t find the original e-mails where I discussed names. I would have had a discussion with 343i about it, just to check if what I was doing conflicted with anything else I wasn’t aware of, and as Kurt was an existing character, I would have consulted them before attempting to add any detail that might already have existed in their files. As to what that conversation was, I can’t recall.
Like I said, that’s not much help. Sorry. It just tells you that I can’t recall if I named the character or not, but if I did, I wouldn’t have named him after either of the two people you mentioned. If I ever find those e-mails and they shed any light on the process, I’ll let you know.
Best
KT”
So questions are:
Who came up with the name Trevelyan, was it Traviss randomly and she just can’t remember, or someone at 343 (and if so who)?
If it was someone at 343, did they intend it as a reference to either of these things?
Or was Trevelyan already chosen and the bioweapon grain subplot a reference to the name even?
lol Traviss doesn’t even remember what she was doing.
Explains a lot.
> but I honestly can’t recall if Alec Trevelyan was one of the characters who already had a more fleshed-out background or not.
LMAO!
She doesn’t even know the name of the character!
I’m pretty sure trevelyan was chosen by Nylund in Ghosts of Oynx.
> 2533274800656155;3:
> I’m pretty sure trevelyan was chosen by Nylund in Ghosts of Oynx.
Kurt’s surname was revealed in Dr. Halsey’s journal, which shipped with the Limited and Legendary Editions of Reach.
> 2533274800656155;2:
> lol Traviss doesn’t even remember what she was doing.
> Explains a lot.
>
>
>
>
> > but I honestly can’t recall if Alec Trevelyan was one of the characters who already had a more fleshed-out background or not.
>
>
> LMAO!
> She doesn’t even know the name of the character!
Hey, no need to be rude. She has had a lot on her plate over the years, and everyone forgets things, especially when they aren’t involved with them anymore. She’s human and makes mistakes.
> 2533274800656155;3:
> I’m pretty sure trevelyan was chosen by Nylund in Ghosts of Oynx.
I don’t think his last name was revealed in Ghosts of Onyx. He was given a last name Ambrose by James Ackerson though to cover up his real last name, as Kurt had forgotten his last name due to the Spartan-II program.
Kurt’s last name was not revealed in Halo Glasslands though. It was revealed in 2010 in Dr. Halsey’s Personal Journal that came with the Halo Reach Limited and Legendary Editions in one of the Candidate Records, along with Carris-137 (or Carris R. Pernault) and Caleb-095 (or Caleb F. Aagard). So in regards to Karen Traviss, she didn’t choose Kurt’s last name, rather took the already established information. And it reveals that is was Bungie, or at least Eric Nylund, the author of Halsey’s Journal, who chose Kurt’s surname.
I hope this helps OP!
Sincerely,
p1ay4OURFUN
> 2533274800656155;2:
> lol Traviss doesn’t even remember what she was doing.
> Explains a lot.
>
>
>
>
> > but I honestly can’t recall if Alec Trevelyan was one of the characters who already had a more fleshed-out background or not.
>
>
> LMAO!
> She doesn’t even know the name of the character!
Lol not to be mean but this is a pretty funny post. She does come off as a bit scatterbrained irl if I’m to be honest.
> 2533274919463107;5:
> > 2533274800656155;2:
> > lol Traviss doesn’t even remember what she was doing.
> > Explains a lot.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > but I honestly can’t recall if Alec Trevelyan was one of the characters who already had a more fleshed-out background or not.
> >
> >
> > LMAO!
> > She doesn’t even know the name of the character!
>
>
> Hey, no need to be rude. She has had a lot on her plate over the years, and everyone forgets things, especially when they aren’t involved with them anymore. She’s human and makes mistakes.
>
>
> > 2533274800656155;3:
> > I’m pretty sure trevelyan was chosen by Nylund in Ghosts of Oynx.
>
>
> I don’t think his last name was revealed in Ghosts of Onyx. He was given a last name Ambrose by James Ackerson though to cover up his real last name, as Kurt had forgotten his last name due to the Spartan-II program.
>
> Kurt’s last name was not revealed in Halo Glasslands though. It was revealed in 2010 in Dr. Halsey’s Personal Journal that came with the Halo Reach Limited and Legendary Editions in one of the Candidate Records, along with Carris-137 (or Carris R. Pernault) and Caleb-095 (or Caleb F. Aagard). So in regards to Karen Traviss, she didn’t choose Kurt’s last name, rather took the already established information. And it reveals that is was Bungie, or at least Eric Nylund, the author of Halsey’s Journal, who chose Kurt’s surname.
> I hope this helps OP!
>
> Sincerely,
> p1ay4OURFUN
Yea, they give Kurt the fake last name Ambrose in Onyx, and the first time I remember Trevelyan was in Kilo-5, I’ve got Halsey journal and just checked and you’re right. So I’m guessing Nylund came up with the name (and possibly the bioweapon/famine plot is a reference to the name). Guess I’ll try emailing Nylund to see what he says. Thanks.