Hatrack River Forum: Where did Orson get the idea for the name of Ender?

This is topic Where did Orson get the idea for the name of Ender? in forum Discussions About Orson Scott Card at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Stand Watie (Member # 12895) on :

Does anybody here know if he's ever commented on it? I ask out of mere curiousity (That is like 'Mere Christianity' but not written by a theologian), because I know a couple or three andrew wiggin's.

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

IIRC, 'Ender' is how Valentine pronounced Andrew when she was very young.

Posted by DustinDopps (Member # 12640) on :

Actually, he said in a video interview that when he started writing the story he thought of the term "End Game" from chess and wrote that down at the top of his paper.

The video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cs1Mhu7Fx9w and on the main hatrack page. The part I'm referring to is around :57.

Posted by bCurt (Member # 5476) on :

I believe both answers are correct. He got Ender from "End Game" but used Valentine's pronunciation of Andrew as the reason in the fictional 'verse.

Posted by Josh Cooper (Member # 11533) on :

I always thought that was suggested in Ender's conversation with Mick.

"I'm Mick."
"Ender."
"That's a name?"
"Since I was little. It's what my sister called me."
"Not a bad name here. Ender. Finisher. Hey."

In the story, it's from his sister, but it also suggests that he is the one who will end the war.