A quarter-century after Final Fantasy 9 debuted on the original PlayStation, fans have finally learned the intriguing origin story behind beloved Black Mage Vivi's name. The game introduced players to numerous unforgettable characters, with Vivi Ornitier standing out as one of the most endearing - a young wizard who joins protagonist Zidane Tribal early in the adventure and quickly becomes an invaluable member of the party through his formidable magical prowess.

Vivi's personal journey throughout Final Fantasy 9 revolves around uncovering his mysterious past while developing inner strength to confront the unsettling truths about his origins. His adorable appearance, gentle nature, and unexpectedly poignant backstory have made him a fan favorite, leading to appearances in various spin-off titles like Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts 2, and World of Final Fantasy.

Square Enix recently unveiled a new prequel picture book titled "Vivi and Grandpa On the Day of Departure," set before the events of the game. Created by Final Fantasy 9 event designer Kazuhiko Aoki with illustrations by original character artist Toshiyuki Itahana, this publication explores Vivi's early days with his adoptive grandfather Quan prior to his journey to Alexandria.

The book reveals a charming detail about Vivi's naming: when Quan first discovered the young Black Mage, he was nameless. While some fans speculated the name derived from Vivienne (meaning "alive" in Latin), the actual origin is more literal. While measuring his height, Quan noted Vivi stood at VI'VI (6'6) in Roman numerals when accounting for his hat and tiptoes - thus inspiring the name "Vivi."