Jump to content

Draft:Altiera

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  • Comment: This is AI slop. qcne (talk) 18:57, 24 June 2025 (UTC)

Altiera (given name)

[edit]

Altiera is a feminine given name of Italian origin. Though rare, it carries connotations of nobility and elevated spirit, deriving from both Latin and Germanic linguistic roots. The name has appeared in historical records and is most widely recognized through the fictional character Altiera "Alt" Cunningham in the Cyberpunk science fiction franchise.

Etymology and Origins

[edit]

The name Altiera is believed to be a feminine form of the Italian adjective altiero, meaning "proud," "noble," or "high-spirited," which in turn comes from the Latin word altus meaning "high" or "lofty."[1]

Another possible origin relates to the Italian surname Altieri, which is believed to be derived from Germanic components such as ald (meaning “old” or “wise”) and harja (“army”), possibly introduced into Italy during the Norman period.[2] The surname Altieri is also associated with a historically significant Roman noble family.

Although Altiera is not widely used in modern Italian naming conventions, it is occasionally found in historical documents and literary references, such as the 14th-century Florentine noblewoman Altiera degli Alberti.

[edit]

Altiera "Alt" Cunningham

[edit]

One of the most notable fictional uses of the name is Altiera "Alt" Cunningham, a central character in the Cyberpunk series of tabletop games and the video game Cyberpunk 2077.

Alt is portrayed as one of the most skilled netrunners (elite hackers) of her era, and she is the original creator of the controversial Soulkiller program—a digital weapon capable of transferring a person’s consciousness into cyberspace while destroying their biological brain.[3]

Biography

[edit]

Alt Cunningham worked as a software engineer for the ITS Corporation before being abducted in 2013 by the Arasaka Corporation, who sought to weaponize her program. Although her physical body was killed during the experiment, Alt had created a failsafe that allowed her digital consciousness to survive in the Net. She would later become a rogue artificial intelligence, dwelling beyond the Blackwall—a digital barrier separating sentient AIs from the human internet.

In the events of the video game Cyberpunk 2077, Alt plays a pivotal role in guiding both the protagonist (V) and her former lover, Johnny Silverhand, through the moral and metaphysical complexities of consciousness transfer and digital immortality.[4][5]

Character Symbolism

[edit]

Alt Cunningham represents themes of human identity, AI ethics, and the posthuman condition in the Cyberpunk universe. Her digital existence, disembodied intelligence, and fractured morality position her as a figure of both guidance and ambiguity. Her visual design often features a distinctive gold cybernetic arm, emphasizing her uniqueness in both aesthetic and narrative terms.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

[edit]

Though uncommon, the name Altiera continues to evoke themes of strength, individuality, and transcendence. Its use in the Cyberpunk series has given it recognition among fans of speculative fiction and cyberculture.

See Also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ De Felice, Emidio (1986). Dizionario dei nomi italiani (in Italian). Arnoldo Mondadori Editore. ISBN 9788804334750.
  2. ^ Fucilla, Joseph G. (1987). Our Italian Surnames. Genealogical Publishing Co. ISBN 9780806308835. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  3. ^ "Alt Cunningham". Cyberpunk Wiki. Fandom. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  4. ^ Zogbi, Emily (2020-12-18). "Cyberpunk 2077: Who Is Alt Cunningham". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  5. ^ McAllister, Cameron (2021-01-03). "Alt Cunningham's Role, Explained". Game Rant. Retrieved 2025-06-24.