The question of a proper noun’s validity in word games often arises. Proper nouns, like personal names, are generally excluded from gameplay in Scrabble and similar games. These games typically rely on dictionaries that focus on common words and their definitions, omitting proper nouns. For example, while “joy” or “jump” would be acceptable, a name would not be permitted.
This rule is crucial for maintaining balanced and fair gameplay. Allowing proper nouns would open the door to an almost limitless number of playable words, making the game unpredictable and potentially favoring players with specialized knowledge. Historically, word games have emphasized vocabulary and strategic letter placement, not the memorization of names. This focus contributes to their enduring popularity as tests of skill and language proficiency.
