The many names of Asterix

Actually, Asterix only has one name and the same is true for Obelix. Well, in French the e is written with an accent, é and there are a few translations in with the x is written as ks, making is Asteriks and Obeliks. Most other characters however see their names change from translation to translation. Here is a table with some of the more well-known characters and their names.

Overview

Original French Name	British English Name	American English Name	German Name	Spanish Name	Italian Name	Portuguese Name	Dutch Name
Astérix	Asterix	Asterix	Asterix	Astérix	Asterix	Astérix	Asterix
Obélix	Obelix	Obelix	Obelix	Obélix	Obelix	Obélix	Obelix
Idéfix	Dogmatix	Dogmatix	Idefix	Ideafix	Idefix	Ideiafix	Idefix
Panoramix	Getafix	Getafix	Miraculix	Panorámix	Panoramix	Panoramix	Panoramix
Assurancetourix	Cacofonix	Malacoustix	Troubadix	Asurancetúrix	Assurancetourix	Cacofonix	Kakofonix
Abraracourcix	Vitalstatistix	Macroeconomix	Majestix	Abraracúrcix	Abraracourcix	Matasétix	Heroïx
Bonemine	Impedimenta	Belladonna	Gutemine	Karabella	Beniamina	Boapinta	Bellefleur
Ordralfabétix	Unhygienix	Unhygienix	Verleihnix	Ordenalfabétix	Ordinalfabetix	Ordemalfabétix	Kostunrix
Cétautomatix	Fulliautomatix	Fulliautomatix	Automatix	Esautomatix	Automatix	Éautomatix	Hoefnix
Agecanonix	Geriatrix	Arthritix	Methusalix	Edadepiédrix	Matusalemix	Decanonix	Nestorix

French Names Explained

Astérix: The protagonist’s name is derived from “astérisque,” meaning “asterisk.”
Obélix: His name comes from “obélisque” (obelisk) and also refers to the typographical symbol “obelus” (†).
Idéfix: A pun on “idée fixe,” meaning a fixed idea or obsession.
Panoramix: The village druid; his name suggests a wide view or “panorama.”
Assurancetourix: The bard; his name plays on “assurance tous risques,” meaning “comprehensive insurance.”
Abraracourcix: The chief; his name is a play on “à bras raccourcis,” meaning to attack fiercely.
Bonemine: The chief’s wife; her name means “good face” or “cheerful expression.”
Ordralfabétix: The fishmonger; his name plays on “ordre alphabétique” (alphabetical order).
Cétautomatix: The blacksmith; his name suggests “c’est automatique” (it’s automatic).
Agecanonix: The oldest villager; his name derives from “âge canonique” (canonical age).