I need a word to replace the 'biological' in the term biological father.

[Maiah]

I am writing a story in a fantasy setting when there came a point where I had to have my lead character explaining that the father who had raised him is actually his foster father while another renowned man is actually his biological father.

After I typed the words 'biological father', I felt some kind of jarring effect.

I tried 'blood father'. It didn't sit well.

Then, I opted for 'birth father'. It din't sound as natural as birth mother.

So, can anybody suggest another word or even a whole new term altogether?

Thanks in advance.

[alleycat]

I suppose "natural father" might work, but if I were you I'd stick with "biological father".

[Priene]

Biological father is the standard term, so I doubt many others would find it jarring. You could use genetic father, I suppose. Or real father, though the adoptive father probably wouldn't like the term.

[scarletpeaches]

Sire? Very animal-kingdom-sounding, though. But I've seen it used in some books.

[Lisa Cox]

I like 'blood father'. Sounds fantasy-like. (You know, like mudbloods, halfbloods, etc. It's starting to seem as though everything comes back to HP for me, lol.)

[Manix]

"We share a blood tie, for we are true kin. He is my father by blood."

[IceCreamEmpress]

"Natural father," "father by blood," and "father by birth" all work, I think.

"Natural father" was very commonly used in the 17th-early 20th centuries to denote the father of a child born out of wedlock.

[Haggis]

The term "sperm donor" works well too, especially if said somewhat sarcastically.

[Cuppa]

I would definitely get rid of 'biological father'. As a fantasy reader, I loath it when modern terms are used. And since you found it jarring, you probably do too.

'father by blood'
'blood father'

Both of those are good.

Be careful with the word 'natural' as it means 'out of wedlock' as said above.

[the addster]

Just a thought, but would your character have a hard time finding a word too, maybe?

Could he use something like "the man I was born of" or "the man that fathered me"? Or some such thing avoiding having to put a label on daddy-o?

[ideagirl]

I like 'blood father'. Sounds fantasy-like. (You know, like mudbloods, halfbloods, etc. It's starting to seem as though everything comes back to HP for me, lol.)

I agree. In fantasy or, say, fiction with a medieval or earlier setting, that sounds much more natural to me than "biological father."

[SJAB]

"Natural father" was very commonly used in the 17th-early 20th centuries to denote the father of a child born out of wedlock.

Still in common use here, for the above and when referring to the children whose mother has divorced their father and re-married (but rural parts of UK have always been behind the times ;) )

[Wayne K]

After the character tells that the man who raised him is his foster father, can't you go ahead and have him say "My real father is..."

[RJK]

If the characters are pointing out the difference between the biological father and a step father, he could be introduced as "This is George, my sire father."

[Bartholomew]

I am writing a story in a fantasy setting when there came a point where I had to have my lead character explaining that the father who had raised him is actually his foster father while another renowned man is actually his biological father.

After I typed the words 'biological father', I felt some kind of jarring effect.

I tried 'blood father'. It didn't sit well.

Then, I opted for 'birth father'. It din't sound as natural as birth mother.

So, can anybody suggest another word or even a whole new term altogether?

Thanks in advance.

Original Father
Root Father
Birth Father
Seed Father
True Father
And, " The Sack of Shit that Abandoned Me :( "

Also, consider coming up with a term for the step-father instead of the father. If the step father has some unique name, say, "Step Father," or, "Saere," (taking a page from RA Salvatore and bastardizing a real word), then you don't need to explain anything when you simply have the other man called, "Father."

[Wayne K]

What he said.


Birth father is a keeper.

[Maiah]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I suppose I would actually go with blood father for the moment, at least until I decide to change my mind about it.

It fits the fantasy setting. And, it doesn't sound overly grandiose.