Name That Heroine
One of the dumber articles I’ve read recently was called “Fifteen Female Names We’ll Never See Again.” For the record, they were Blanche, Myrtle, Ethel, Barbara, Mildred, Agatha, Phyllis, Beatrice, Marge, Ruth, Gretchen, Gertrude, Martha, Opal, and Rose. (Rose? Really?) Setting aside the inanity of anybody saying “never” about anything, this particular subject is especially dumb because parents are going the extra mile these days to give their children names nobody else will have, which means all of these names are up for grabs. I would use any of these names for a heroine, and in fact I’ve already named one Gertrude (“Hot Toy”). Another list began with the name Jezebel, and now I really want to write a heroine named Jezebel. Now that I think of it, some of my favorite heroines that I’ve written had names that would hit a longer list: Matilda, Zelda, Agnes, Minerva, Maybelle, Prudence, not to mention Mariposa, Sharrat, and Andromeda. I LOVE odd names.
But some readers don’t. (I had a complaint about “Andromeda.”) What’s your take on names in books? (Don’t feel you have to stick to heroine names, not that you would.)
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Love odd names. Always give my cats odd names. Characters with odd names are cool and different!
I did not know you had written a book with a heroine named Andromeda. I'm going to have to do some catching up, apparently. C; I really liked Agnes and Minerva, no matter what their names were. They were unique and fun and courageous. If you consider it, their names could be described the exact same way. Bring on more odd names! :P
My friend just had a baby in December and named her Beatrice, and my eye doctor named his new baby Martha. And I know at least two little girls named Rose...Frivolous article!
When my younger sister was born, my dad suggested Francina for her name. My mother told him that was an old lady's name. My dad replied "Well how else does an old lady get that name?"
Well, I guess it depends on HOW odd we are talking about. Sometimes the names of heroines are just ludicrous. For example, I read a story where the heroine was called Seven. Now, that was just too much for me. Unusual and unique names are fine, but when it becomes obvious the author was trying to choose something really weird for no apparent reason, I find it quite jarring.
I think odd names are easy to remember and special. It distinguishes the person from all the other more common names. However not all odd names are really "fit" for people. Not if parents want them to grow up unbullied and untraumatized. I feel that parents-trying to go the extra mile- sometimes forget that some made-up names were not meant for a young, innocent child.
Ok, I feel the need to comment, again. I know a used car dealer, who just last week had twin girls. They named them Mercedes and Lexus. UGH!
I love the odd names for characters, sure makes them memorable, I don't have to wonder if I have read the book before, I remember the names and know I have!
