Not sure about the morphing of Perseverance to Percy. For me the rovers, like ships, have all been female and Perseverance's role is a gatherer, traditionally a female role.

I think Percy could be short for Persephone as well, so female. Alternatively Persie or Posey.

Well since the rover isn't named Persephone I would run with Persie although Vera fits.

It was Adam Steltzner himself who referred to her as Percy.

"The name Percy is a girl's name of French origin."

I spell it P-e-r-s- [autocomplete suggests the entire correct spelling] [I click OK].

Or could go with "Vera."

Percy works. I like Percie.

Can't think of a prominent Percie in general life or literature. Percy reminds of the Weasleys.

Vera Rubin is hanging around with Curiosity.

Then call it Perseverance.

Problem solved.

FWIW - The name ‘Percy’ was adopted by almost everyone I know on the project pretty much immediately after it was announced.

You’re gonna HATE what everyone calls the Helicopter.....so you should probably start getting used to Ginny now.

[quote name='djellison' date='Mar 7 2021, 09:13 AM' post='250674']
Then call it Perseverance.



FWIW - The name ‘Percy’ was adopted by almost everyone I know on the project pretty much immediately after it was announced.That was my firwt thoguht


That was among my first thoughts when I heard Perseverance. And it was the nickname of Percival Lowell.

There’s no girl in France called Percy. The only word I can think about that could be pronounced this way in French is persil (L not pronounced) which means parsley.

[quote name='djellison' date='Mar 7 2021, 09:13 AM' post='250674']


"FWIW - The name ‘Percy’ was adopted by almost everyone I know on the project pretty much immediately after it was announced."


That was among my first thoughts when I heard Perseverance. And it was the nickname of Percival Lowell.

I still call it M2020 and probably always will, just like I still call the earlier mission MSL.

That's just the name people have adopted because no one wants to have to type out Perseverance EVERY time.

I have quite a few male tarantulas with female names because they were named when they were just small spiderlings, before I knew what they were. They don't care what they are named and I doubt Percy cares what nickname people give it: it is a non-sentient kinda-robot not even on this planet.

Well yeah - M20 and MSL to differentiate between charge codes, and then 'the rover'

I wouldn't worry trying to make the nickname look feminine if a Samantha can be nicknamed Sam. I googled Percy as girl's name. Lot's of discussions on this. In one pole, "I like it for someone else's baby" won with 34%.

just be thankful the helicopter wasn't named Choppy McChoppyface

Go PERCY!
Go GINNY!

The Royal Navy has had many 'platitudinous noble quality' ships, but I'm not finding much info on nicknames.

It's interesting that two notable USN ships in this vein -- Enterprise and Intrepid, got the nicknames 'Big E' and 'Fighting I.'

'Nuclear P' would be a fun one.

Over on the M20 Reddit sub, I voted for Vera, but Percy seemed to win the popular vote.. (