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Choosing character names
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There's usually a "feel" that I want. I like http://www.thinkbabynames.com/ because you can start with one name that isn't quite right, and link through other names with similar meanings or sounds to eventually land on the one that works. If I know I want it to start with a certain sound, I might start with the name generator in Scrivener.
If it needs to be a certain time/place/nationality, I may start with a Google for popular names of that time/place/nationality.
Sometimes I might start with a picture, character, or actor that portrays the right type, feeling, or mannerism for me, and I may start playing with variations on that actor's or character's name.
I often have characters in settings where nicknames are common (gangs, teams, prison, etc.) and sometimes give a minor character a random nickname (Chips, Fizz, Squints, etc.) and leave it to the reader to puzzle out where they might have gotten the name. Or maybe the reader doesn't care, but it is a unique name that they won't forget about anytime soon. Sometimes the nickname does end up getting explained later in the book, sometimes not.
I like names that are easy for my readers to phonetically pronounce. Jara, Daysee, Talmaiz, Swiftcar, Zuzy, Magesty, for example.
Basically I just use a random name generator and keep going until I find one that fits what I have in mind.
Stan wrote: "I like names that are easy for my readers to phonetically pronounce. Jara, Daysee, Talmaiz, Swiftcar, Zuzy, Magesty, for example."Easy to pronounce phonetically is important.
Stan, I see you lean toward two-syllable names, which is fine. But if you have six characters and all six have two-syllable names, I'd suggest changing that.
For main characters, I'd also caution against choosing names that start with an identical letter. You don't want a Swiftcar and a Stanley dialoguing for hundreds of pages because readers will likely have to think too hard about which is which since they're both two-syllable, "S" names.
I also think it's wise to avoid names that start with "s" because it can be very annoying to read "Swiftcar said" 300 times.
Heather wrote: "Stan wrote: "I like names that are easy for my readers to phonetically pronounce. Jara, Daysee, Talmaiz, Swiftcar, Zuzy, Magesty, for example."
Easy to pronounce phonetically is important.
Stan..."
Good advice. I try to have a variety so I have no need of counting syllables. The one name I thought people may find rather strange is the name Red which I used for my eccentric sea captain. It kept coming to mind whenever I thought of his character. "No, no." I told myself. "That's not a name that's a color." But then I thought, "So what? How many violets have people met?" Besides, later it turned out not to be his real name. Win, win for me!! :)
Easy to pronounce phonetically is important.
Stan..."
Good advice. I try to have a variety so I have no need of counting syllables. The one name I thought people may find rather strange is the name Red which I used for my eccentric sea captain. It kept coming to mind whenever I thought of his character. "No, no." I told myself. "That's not a name that's a color." But then I thought, "So what? How many violets have people met?" Besides, later it turned out not to be his real name. Win, win for me!! :)
I don't think counting syllables was Heather's point. Her point is to vary name length, just as an author would vary sentence length. I think that's a valid suggestion.Names and their annoyance is very personal. I love different names that aren't too common but not too odd; however, that is also opinion. Then again that's what this thread is all about! :)
Heather wrote: "Stan wrote: "I like names that are easy for my readers to phonetically pronounce. Jara, Daysee, Talmaiz, Swiftcar, Zuzy, Magesty, for example."Easy to pronounce phonetically is important.
Stan..."
"Swiftcar said this very swiftly," said Sawyer.
I look up the popular names for certain years to match my character's age--for instance, a guy who's in his early 30's, I might look up popular names for 1982 or 83. And I look up the meanings of names. I also think about a character's heritage and look up names for that nationality. But names always have to feel right and evoke a certain type of personality.
A.V. wrote: "I Like Red. It's masculine and actually used in Westerns, but then, they're obsolete. ;) (I've probably offended every Zane Grey wannabe on GR)"
Don't worry. Never read Zane Gray ;). Westerns don't really attract my attention for some reason.
Don't worry. Never read Zane Gray ;). Westerns don't really attract my attention for some reason.
Vicki wrote: "I don't think counting syllables was Heather's point. Her point is to vary name length, just as an author would vary sentence length. I think that's a valid suggestion.
Names and their annoyance i..."
As I said I try to have a variety. Many of them for me are medium or short and not too extravagant. The most extravagant are the one name I later replaced and the names of mer-people which are all variations of the word aqua.
Names and their annoyance i..."
As I said I try to have a variety. Many of them for me are medium or short and not too extravagant. The most extravagant are the one name I later replaced and the names of mer-people which are all variations of the word aqua.
I'll be honest my character's names have nothing to do with time period in which the story takes place or the ease of pronunciation.... there have been many moments in my life where I meet someone or I see someone and I think to myself "Hmmm, he looks like his name should be Andy, or she looks like a Bianca" and often times I am wrong but I take this same approach when naming my characters. I have to figure out what they look like first, sometimes even drawing them out, and then just like a baby being born, I name them. I haven't exactly pinned down which attributes push me towards certain names but that's what Ive been doing.
I like to read my sentences and call the characters names out loud when I'm writing...bizarre, I know, but it works for me ;-) As a result, I tend to select names that I like the sound of, names that I can imagine real faces for. I selected the name of my main character, for my debut novel this way..(its with editors right now Btw), and then was advised by agent to change it as there was 'another character' in 'another book' with a 'similar' name! Bummer.
*** Warning: Long post! But helpful, I hope. :) ***Names are crucially important because of the ancient implication that if you can name a thing, you possess power over that thing. Hence the biblical implication of stewardship over the animal kingdom when God gave Adam the power to name all the animals -- and why God never reveals His name to us mere mortals but goes most commonly by a word that translates as "I am." (end of Name Theology 101 :)
The meaning of a name is also crucially important to the person or fictional character because -- like it or not, folks! -- it defines that person. This is why you very rarely see, for example, a research scientist named Bunny or a stripper named Gertrude.
Much of my fiction is based in early medieval (used to be known as "Dark Ages") Scotland & northern Britain, so my characters have Scottish Gaelic, Brythonic Welsh, or sometimes Latin names. I needed to know what they meant, and decades ago I stumbled across a very interesting web site called Kabalarian Philosophy. Among other things, they offer name analysis -- and if the name you need isn't in their database, you can still request that it be added.
The primary character in my Arthurian Legends series is Gyanhumara (Guinevere), and her Kabalarian name analysis goes like this:
-- Begin Kabalarian "Gyanhumara" name analysis --
Your name of Gyanhumara has created a practical, responsible, stable nature, and you desire to direct the efforts of others rather than to take order or ask permission.
You have a determined, self-reliant, capable nature and resent any interference, although in your desire to help you are inclined to become involved in the lives and decisions of other people.
You like to make your own decisions and to be the master of your domain.
You feel a limitation in your own expression when it is necessary to reach another through tact and understanding.
Although you are honest and fair, a directness in speech is a source of much consternation to you, and you often regret what you say.
You also have a tendency to worry.
It causes you to be too serious, and interferes with happiness and relaxation that comes with naturalness of expression.
Health weaknesses centre in the head appearing as headaches, head colds, and eye, teeth, ear, or sinus problems.
-- end report --
Compare this with "Guinevere" (I would have been including links for brevity, but that's not how their system works these days) and you can see why I needed to invent a new name for my kick-@ss character! (Which I had done in =1988=, long before that web site was a gleam in anyone's eye, btw.)
-- Begin Kabalarian "Guinevere" name analysis --
Your name of Guinevere creates a very sensitive, inspirational, and idealistic nature.
You have an appreciation for all the fine and beautiful things in life, and could excel in music, art, drama, or literary undertakings, where you could find an expression for your deeper feelings that you would not find otherwise.
As a result of your love of the out-of-doors, you would experience the most peace and harmony out in the quiet of nature.
Your sensitive nature causes you to lack self-confidence, and to withdraw from arguments or turmoil, as any discord reflects quickly through your nervous system.
You cannot stand pressure and desire to work where there is no confusion.
This name restricts proper verbal expression; as a result, you are often lonely, craving understanding of others.
Yours is a very deep, reflective nature, but others would never know it as you keep your deeper feelings within.
Tension resulting from the use of this name would affect the heart, lungs, and respiratory organs, or the nervous system.
-- end report --
You can see what a great resource this is for writers! The other tool I use to help define my characters is their Western Zodiac sun-sign. The late Linda Goodman wrote two excellent books titled Sun Signs (goes into the characteristics common to the various signs) and Love Signs (goes over all the various Zodiac pairings and how their relationships benefit & suffer as a result). For example, the most powerful combination is the Scorpio-Scorpio -- when their relationship is hitting on all cylinders, they have the potential to conquer the world together. My Gyanhumara was already a Scorpio (Oct 31), but reading Love Signs convinced me that my Arthur also needed to be a Scorpio (Nov 14 and the feast day of Saint Dubric, who corresponds to my Merlin character). And so forth.
Happy naming! :)
A.V. wrote: "Terry just added an interesting topic about "Opening Paragraph". I'd like to start a discussion about how you pick character names. I've had some difficulty finding the right name.In my novel, [b..."
In my novella 'Call me a Taxi' about two friends whose hobby is pretending they are Laurel & Hardy I named all the other characters after black and white comedy greats, Langton, Keaton, Chase etc. Bit of an in joke I know but it seemed to suit the sort of book I was writing. Most of the time I simply pluck a name out of the air and it seems to work. In one of my books I wanted a name for a sleazy journalist and came up with the name Martin Sneed. There is no such word as Sneed but married to Martin it certainly sounded sleazy to me. In the same story I had a twat of a police superintendent who I named Screwer. It fitted him perfectly. Anyway, what's in a name? A rose by etc.....as Shakespeare wrote.
In Sarah's Spaceship Adventure there is a game called Ruffgrean. Some of the players are Sam Nede, Ben Hoge, and Arne Hanler. Golf fans should pick up on those.
A.V. wrote: "E.J. wrote: "A.V. wrote: "I Like Red. It's masculine and actually used in Westerns, but then, they're obsolete. ;) (I've probably offended every Zane Grey wannabe on GR)"
Don't worry. Never read Za..."
I never claim perfection. No matter your age, it is an unobtainable goal. Personally, I think it would be far worse if I boasted that I had nothing to learn and then fell flat on my face. I'm sure all the cowboys and cowgirls out there can somehow find it in their showdown loving hearts to forgive me. ;)
Don't worry. Never read Za..."
I never claim perfection. No matter your age, it is an unobtainable goal. Personally, I think it would be far worse if I boasted that I had nothing to learn and then fell flat on my face. I'm sure all the cowboys and cowgirls out there can somehow find it in their showdown loving hearts to forgive me. ;)
E.J. wrote: "A.V. wrote: "E.J. wrote: "A.V. wrote: "I Like Red. It's masculine and actually used in Westerns, but then, they're obsolete. ;) (I've probably offended every Zane Grey wannabe on GR)"
Don't worry. ..."
The name Red Adair rings a bell now that you just mentioned it. But I can't put a face to it. Oh well, not important. The point is, Red is a name so all worries regarding my adventurous seafarer are gone. Thanks for telling me about that. :)
Don't worry. ..."
The name Red Adair rings a bell now that you just mentioned it. But I can't put a face to it. Oh well, not important. The point is, Red is a name so all worries regarding my adventurous seafarer are gone. Thanks for telling me about that. :)
Oh. Thank you for informing me.
I always tend to look for names I can shorten into nicknames (Mateo shortens to 'Teo).
I guess for me, I try to use names that are subtley allegorical. You have to be careful with it though because it's really easy to take it too far. (I'm not a big fan of "Bonnie Goodwife" for example). The other thing I like to do is to go on Baby Name websites by nationality. They usually post the name meaning too and that way I still get a meaning that I feel is significnt to the story I'm telling, but also get names that come across as more natural sounding and authentic.
Davidm wrote: "I guess for me, I try to use names that are subtley allegorical. You have to be careful with it though because it's really easy to take it too far. (I'm not a big fan of "Bonnie Goodwife" for examp..."There's no hope for my character Ivor Big'un in my erotic tale about a New York gigolo then?
I have two ways in which I pick out names for characters, football encyclopedias and just thinking of some off the top of my head. I'm usually really good at coming up with some good quality names but when I get stuck I go to football encyclopedia's, why? Well I find that football players tend to have some really interesting names. I've made a list over the years of names and if I never need a name I just look to it or think of one on the spot.
Davidm wrote: "I guess for me, I try to use names that are subtley allegorical. You have to be careful with it though because it's really easy to take it too far. (I'm not a big fan of "Bonnie Goodwife" for examp..."I've definitely done baby name sites with a young adult novel I'm working on and the mother has four children all bearing Egyptian names, I definitely find that it helped to define my character's traits and personalities
Terry wrote: "Davidm wrote: "I guess for me, I try to use names that are subtley allegorical. You have to be careful with it though because it's really easy to take it too far. (I'm not a big fan of "Bonnie Good..."Big'UN? At least add an 'S" and it might stand a chance :)
I chose the name for one my main characters by opening a baby name book and picking a random name (eyes closed).Another way that I like to pick names is to find the top 100 list for any year before 1950 and scroll down to the bottom. I love old-fashioned names.
The main character in my most recent book, Bristol's Big Wish, is named after a street I lived on as a kid. Bristol Court.
I guess you could say my character naming style is random.
Teddy wrote: "I chose the name for one my main characters by opening a baby name book and picking a random name (eyes closed).
Another way that I like to pick names is to find the top 100 list for any year befo..."
That's a great method! Some of the best names ever come just from walking down a street or flipping through some random book or magazine. :)
Another way that I like to pick names is to find the top 100 list for any year befo..."
That's a great method! Some of the best names ever come just from walking down a street or flipping through some random book or magazine. :)
E.J. wrote: "Teddy wrote: "I chose the name for one my main characters by opening a baby name book and picking a random name (eyes closed).Another way that I like to pick names is to find the top 100 list for..."
:) I love random name inspiration. If it pops into your head and it sounds perfect, why not use it?
Teddy wrote: "E.J. wrote: "Teddy wrote: "I chose the name for one my main characters by opening a baby name book and picking a random name (eyes closed).
Another way that I like to pick names is to find the top..."
Precisely. :) :) :) If it fits it fits. :)
Another way that I like to pick names is to find the top..."
Precisely. :) :) :) If it fits it fits. :)
One of the things I do is consider the age and nationality of the character to be named, and from there I search online for baby name lists according to year of birth. So an older character would get a name that's consistent with her age; it's more likely that a woman in her fifties would be named Mary than Destinee, for example.
Not that there's anything wrong with Destinee!
When thinking of character names, always think of the parents, if there were parents.
In my novel, [b..."
I'd love to share. I don't necessarily have a specific, concrete method. Usually I'll just juggle letters around helter-skelter until I come up with something cool or I'll tweak a name I heard or read somewhere. One thing is for sure though, when I know a name fits I really know it fits.