Character names
One of the things I actually enjoy about writing is deciding on a character’s name, nickname, and even terms of endearment. It’s a fun way to learn about a character, their background and life, and it helps me connect with them, as well as understand their relationships with other characters. But now that I’ve been writing a while, the process is getting trickier so I’m having to work through some things.
For instance, have I used this name before? If so, when and in what context? If it’s a common name like Dave or Sara and I used it for a secondary character, I don’t mind pulling the name again in a new context for a more prominent character. However, with an increasing catalog of material, both novels and screenplays, remembering what names have been used — and in what combination– is getting tougher.
I don’t like this.
A project I plan to begin this summer before my naming problem gets out in front of me any further, is to create a spreadsheet or other document to easily search what names have been used, in what context, in what specific work, and when it was written. I’m hoping this will head off any weird, awkward issues in future works.
So, that’s one side of naming characters. What other things do I deal with?
Another area of naming that can be a challenge is simply deciding on the name itself. Does it fit the economic and social situation of the character? Is it too close to what I’ve named another character? And based on a recent debate I’ve had with myself about the name Louis (Lou-ie? Lou-is?), reader pronunciation might be an issue because I feel the name should be pronounced one way, but the reader will assume it to be something else. (Sidenote- I changed the name altogether because I started questioning myself. I wanted Louis to be Lou-ie but feared readers would favor Lou-is)
A silly debate? Perhaps. But reality, folks.
Personally, I name characters fully– first, middle, last, and nicknames too. I also consider what they prefer to be called, what others call them, and how they feel about it. Once I get going into the story, I’m usually fine. I believe those are the character names and, like children, they grow into them in a way that often surprises me. Rarely do I need to change a name once the story is being developed, though I have been encouraged by an editor or two to change a name because it started with the same letter as another character’s name and so could be confusing to a reader.
I get it. Still, changing names is never fun if you already feel comfortable with the way the names are used.
When I named Robby Grant (Picking Daisy), his name came to me immediately as just that– Robby Grant. But when I started thinking about the propriety of his full name, a deeper picture was revealed- Robert (a name I envisioned that came from his straight-laced military father), and his middle name, River (a name I envisioned came from his creative, free-spirited fashion-designing mother).
I believe Robby is fine with being seen as Robby- fun, maybe at times immature (or at least forever young in some ways), but he’d never think of himself as ‘Robert’ because it reminds him of all he and his father struggle over– decorum, rules, and maturity.
I could go on for days about why I named characters as I did. Often the answer is simple, I liked that name and it worked for the character. Boom. Done.
Here are some final thoughts:
I use names I personally like. Why should I name a character something I’m not fond of? Meh. No way.
Characters become like real people to me, so I try to use names for films that ‘sound’ great coming out of other characters’ mouths, and in novels, ones that ‘look’ pretty and appropriate on the page.
Finally, I do consider nicknames and shortened forms of names. While there is much to be said for a character named ‘Reginald’ being called such all the time and by everyone, there is also something in how he will respond to a new person in his life referring to him as ‘Reggie’.
What do you think about character names? Any favorites from my books that you’d like to hear more about? Drop a comment below!
