Ann aka Iftcan asked Gail Carriger:

Where do you get your ideas for the names of your characters? Having followed you faithfully since the first edition of your first book (and having gotten it and book 2 autographed by you at an event you attended) I will readily admit to loving all of the names that you've come up with. My current favourite is Mrs. Barnaclegoose from the 3 Finishing School novels.

Gail Carriger On a very few occasion the character will choose his/her own name (Soap, Dimity), but most of the time my names are cookies, that is: a reward for the careful reader. The name either tells readers something about the character, where he came from, her real identity, his true purpose, or relate to someone historical (Tarabotti), or are some kind of hint or foreshadow (Akeldama). I love names so I always play with them if possible. Some just have a great "mouth feel" like Barnaclegoose. Some are real, actual names of British aristocrats!

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