What’s in a Name?
Most of us are familiar with the line from Romeo and Juliet “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”. I can’t argue this Shakespearean logic, but would you want to smell a rose if it were named “skunk blossom” or “death dagger”? Those names might make you want to keep your distance.
Contrary to the popular cliche, people do tend to judge a book by its cover. At least to some extent. It’s no different for your story’s characters, particularly its protagonist. So, you want to choose your character names carefully.
Sometimes your character’s name may pop into your mind right away. Other times you might need a bit of help. Here are some tips that I’ve found helpful:
1. Don’t use too many names that begin with the same letter or sound, as this can muddle your characters and make it hard for readers to distinguish them from one another.
2. Keep in mind the era of your setting, especially if you’re writing historical fiction. You will usually want the characters’ names to fit the period.
3. Try to avoid character names that are too long or too hard to pronounce.
4. This is more of a preference, but steer clear of overused names. If you must use a commonly overused name, make sure your character has some distinguishing characteristics to help them stand out in the crowd.
5. Choose a name that embodies your character’s personality. It may help to make a character sketch. Compile a list of physical traits, mannerisms, strengths, weaknesses, etc. A character sketch will help you visualize your character in your mind’s eye. Naming characters and creating character sketches can be fun. It often helps me when I’m experiencing writer’s block to take a moment to focus on a character or two.
If you’re looking for that perfect fit for your character, but haven’t quite found it yet, don’t despair. There are lots of resources out there. Here are a few to get you started:
Baby name books. These are nice since they usually include name meanings and origins.
Online name generators. There are lots out there. Hit up Google to find the right one for you. I’ve encountered specific ones such as wizard and elf name generators. Some have fields for gender, personality traits, ethnicity, etc.
Combine names. Take the first three letters of your mother’s name and the last three of your name. What did you get? It may not be so great, or it may be kind of cool. My character name would be Shasta. I bet you know a lot of people with names. The possibilities are endless!
Your family tree. I recently began researching my family tree. I was delighted by the number of unique names I came across. Of course, I grabbed my writer’s notebook and made lists! I organized my lists by gender and era for easy access.
The Newspaper. Birth announcements, obituaries, articles, maybe even the crossword puzzle might give you that much-needed inspiration.
Old tv-shows and movies. My name came from one of my mother’s favorite soap operas of the time. I have come across a few gems this way.
Always carry a notebook with you to jot down interesting names you come across from day-to-day. You never know when you might flip back through your lists and find the perfect name for your current project.
What’s in a name? Potentially the power to make or break your story. I hope these tips and tricks will help you overcome obstacles and find fantastical character names. What are some ways you have discovered character names?
