Comments on: The Name Game: Tips for Naming Your Characters

By: 🖋 Writing Links Round Up 6/10 – B. Shaun Smith

🖋 Writing Links Round Up 6/10 – B. Shaun Smith — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 19:28:58 +0000

[…] The Name Game: Tips for Naming Your Characters […]

By: Eldred Bird

Eldred Bird — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:18:46 +0000

In reply to Denise. Time frame and location are both important when naming characters. Even within the same country different names will be popular in different regions.

By: Eldred Bird

Eldred Bird — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:08:29 +0000

In reply to Jenny Hansen. I also like the main character's names to have some meaning. Like James McCarthy in my series, if the character starts out as an ordinary person, I like it and ordinary name to reflect that fact.

By: Eldred Bird

Eldred Bird — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 18:59:43 +0000

In reply to Kris. Thanks, Kris.

By: Carolyn Toms-Neary

Carolyn Toms-Neary — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 16:40:22 +0000

In reply to Eldred Bird. Thank you!

By: Kathleen Saunders

Kathleen Saunders — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:17:35 +0000

I would add, for the reader's benefit, don't use the same first initial for main characters. It becomes difficult to remember who is Sheila and who is Sylvia. Also, try not to introduce too many characters in the first chapter (or two). In some books, I realize I have to go back at page 36 and make a list of who's who.

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 03:36:20 +0000

To me, while reading or writing, the character's name is unimportant. What is critical is what that person is like. Creating a backstory that supports some key character traits is important. Then what other traits do I want to assign to that character that will help me accomplish the challenges that the character will face. Even the character's appearance is of secondary importance unless it helps develop a particular personality trait. Sometimes the year that the action takes place will dictate the character's name. I check baby names for that year.

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 01:28:27 +0000

I also think it's important to pick a name consistent with the age of the character and decade of the story. It's good to look at the top 100 names of the year or decade, because some names will be out of place, depending on the generation of the character.

By: Jenny Hansen

Jenny Hansen — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:35:23 +0000

I am having to name characters right now for a short story anthology and it took me a while. Most often a name comes to me, but sometimes I want it to be symbolic of something in their personality. Or, like some here, I'll use a name generator and keep generating until I get one that feels right.

By: Kris

Kris — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:15:14 +0000

Bob,
I love your suggestions for getting to know your characters!
Kris