Did you know that many of The 100’s characters are named after classic science fiction authors? The author of The 100 book series, Kass Morgan, is (unsurprisingly) a huge sci-fi fan and drew inspiration from some of her favorite authors when naming her characters. She told Alloy Entertainment:

The main characters are all named after science fiction writers, like Arthur C. Clarke, H.G. Wells, and Octavia Butler. The supporting characters’ names come from lots of different places, although I did sneak my best friend’s last name in . . . I hope she doesn’t mind that I used it for a really creepy character.

In celebration of this classic sci-fi connection, here’s an outline of these characters’ nomenclature, as well as some gif art inspired by these amazing authors and this amazing TV series.

Octavia Blake — Octavia Butler

Octavia Butler (1947-2006), best known for Kindred and her Parable of the Sower series, is considered one of the best science fiction authors of all time. Known for her integration of social justice issues into the thematic fabric and, more overtly, the plot of her works, she is celebrated by many as an activist for women and people of color.

Clarke Griffin — Arthur C. Clarke

Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008) lived a varied and full life. In addition to his prolific writerly contributions — including co-writing the screenplay for 2001: A Space Odyssey — the Brit was a television host, inventor, and undersea explorer. You’ve probably heard quoted his: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” (one of Clarke’s three laws).

Bellamy Blake — Edward Bellamy

Edward Bellamy (1850-1898) was an author and socialist who most famous work, Looking Backward, was set in the (at the time) distant future of 2000.

Wells Jaha — H.G. Wells

Herbert George Wells (1866-1946) was a prolific English writer of science fiction that remains celebrated today. His works include: The Time Machine, The Island of Dr. Moreau, and The War of the Worlds.

(Miss you, Wells!)

Carrying on the science fiction tradition

Confession time: I haven’t actually read The 100 book series, but the TV show is one of my absolute favorites. I also happen to think that it is the best science fiction show currently on television, asking complex ethical questions about who we are as people and societies. This is a fancy way of saying that The 100 does the science fiction tradition proud. For me, television is an extremely powerful medium that not only reflects our society’s values, but also has the power to shape and challenge the status quo. Genre television — and, in particular sci-fi — does this especially well.

I’ll leave you with one more classic sci-fi author/The 100 gif mashup. This last quotation comes from Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Talents…

“Choose your leaders with wisdom and forethought.

To be led by a coward is to be controlled by all that the coward fears.

To be led by a fool is to be led by the opportunists who control the fool.

To be led by a liar is to ask to be told lies.

To be led by a tyrant is to sell yourself and those you love into slavery.”

(Quotation amended to exclude: “To be led by a thief is to offer up your most precious treasures to be stolen.” Do you have any suggestions for The 100-relevant applications?)

Did you know realize many of the characters from The 100 have names inspired by classic science fiction authors? Sound off in the comments below! Feel free to add some of your favorite classic science fiction quotations that seem particularly relevant to The 100.