Oryx and Crake

There is a foreshadowing of the events to come in the use of extinct animals as nicknames for two of the three main characters. Oryx and Crake both received their nicknames from a list of extinct creatures. The names of those working inside of the Paradice project were also drawn from the same list. Jimmy also had a similar nickname, Thickney, but it didn't stick. Jimmy is also the only one of the three that survives the fallout of the pandemic.

Oryx's name stands alone. She does not have a "real" name. This ambiguous naming, i.e. the using of only a nickname, reflects her character. She is a wispy, undefined character. She speaks vaguely and reveals little about herself. Most of what is learned by the reader is through Jimmy's speculations.