Character Names

[Madison]

What do you do when characters don't have names? I've tried finding these two characters names for well over a month, but they won't have it. It's like every time I think of a suggestion they disapprove and refuse to give me ideas when I write with that name. They just won't take to a name. It's so frustrating haha. Any ideas?

[Madison]

Angel wrote: "Are your characters' personalities well developed in your story, if they are that's where the names will speak to you."

They are developed, but it's in second person and they just will not accept any other name. They just call each other babe. I've looked online at names but none seem to make them satisfied haha.

[Arel]

That's a hard one! I've never had that happen to me before. Are you taking all the variables into account? Timeframe, language, ethnicity... all these are important when choosing a name. I wrote a post in my blog about it that might help you: 
https://riddrumrhy.wordpress.com/2015...

Let me know how it turns out and good luck!

[Marianne]

My stories are inspired by solving family mysteries so I look at old records (birth, death, etc) specific to time period or ancestry for ideas. Best of luck.

[Ezra]

try babynames.com or something similar in the ethnicity you are looking at. Works for me, I usually find a fit.
I do agree that names sometimes don't fit but I work my way through the lot. Try surnames as first names as well (with a tweak, an extra letter)
All the best

[Julie]

This post has been interesting for me as a reader. I've always wondered how authors select character names. It makes me smile to hear that you guys sometimes struggle with the right name, just like naming a baby. I believe that an author who cares that much about getting the name right will care about getting the story right as well. I'll be sure to check out some of your books. Good luck!

[Madison]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone! I FINALLY found a name for the guy character, and we're working on the girl still. I think she'll give in pretty soon, as I thought I would have more troubled with the guy.
You've all been extremely helpful. It's so lovely to have a community like this to help you.
And Julie, that's very kind! I do care quite a bit about making sure everything is as it should be.
Thank you again! I'll let you know when the girl stops acting sullen and joins the name party. ^_^

[Sara]

This is my favorite site: http://babynames.allparenting.com/

[Martin]

Madison, when your characters start to talk back, even give you a load of s**t you're making real people. Have you invited the girl out to lunch? A nice lunch, maybe a bottle of wine and she might tell you what she wants to be called.

[Madison]

Martin wrote: "Madison, when your characters start to talk back, even give you a load of s**t you're making real people. Have you invited the girl out to lunch? A nice lunch, maybe a bottle of wine and she might ..."
Haha, that might work. I think she has the idea that because it's in second person(the horror I know), that she doesn't need to tell me. YOU DO GIRL YOU DO. Stop it.
She likes cuddles and mint chocolate chip ice cream though so maybe I'll convince her boyfriend to give her a hug while I feed her some ice cream and she'll tell me.