A core name was a shortened form of a Chiss name, which were usually long and hard for Humans to pronounce. Core names were traditionally used with close friends, with full names required for strangers, social inferiors, and so on. However, the core name developed a new function when, to help associate with outsiders, the Chiss shortened their names to more pronounceable versions. An example was Mitth'raw'nuruodo, who went by the better known core name "Thrawn". Another would be Chaf'orm'bintrano becoming "Formbi".