Comments on: Naming your characters

By: kacey

kacey — Mon, 10 Oct 2005 12:50:25 +0000

Olga brought up a good point. I like to pick a name that has a nickname to go with it. Then usually the best friends, hero, family…someone….calls her by the nickname of her name.

By: Olga

Olga — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 21:02:48 +0000

I love naming my characters! Especially heroines! Heroes give me more trouble usually. Actally, I had changed the heroine’s name several time while re-writing the book. And in one of the books I use different variations of my heroine’s names – depending on who is talking to her.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 18:52:53 +0000

I use the Character Naming Sourcebook a lot. Since I write historicals, I usually page through the country of origin (Ireland/Gaelic in my case) and find a meaning that suits my character.

For contemporaries, you might check the phone book, too. :bath:

By: Emma S

Emma S — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 18:16:35 +0000

Kacey – I wanted to say Thanks because I stole the name Noah for the story I’m just about to start. You can try my way of character naming which is “borrowing” from others.

By: Steph T.

Steph T. — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 15:39:24 +0000

I’ve got to have a name first. Usually, my name somehow ties into my story (ie the name’s meaning), and even if I’m the only one who knows it, it anchors me in the book.

Sometimes, all I have are the names. Names, and no plot.:rofl:

By: Margery

Margery — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 11:14:40 +0000

GMTA. The hero in my current proposal is Noah, too. I have a terrible time naming my h/h, but they have to have names before I start. Only once have I changed the name part way through. I thought the heroine’s name was the right one, but the story wasn’t working until I changed it. It’s very strange.

By: Kelly C.

Kelly C. — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 03:12:10 +0000

I usually have a name before I begin to write, and there have been times I had to change the entire character and name. I don’t think I can begin without a name! :grin:

By: Gina

Gina — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 22:43:34 +0000

Names seems to come fairly easy to me. I usually use a baby name book I have, and it works. Without the right name though, you do get a bit stuck.

By: Le Ellis

Le Ellis — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 20:12:56 +0000

I often change characters’ names. I can start the book with a tentative name for my protagonist but I cannot start the book without the right title. Stops me everytime. Why don’t you name your new car Isabelle?

By: Emma S

Emma S — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 17:59:54 +0000

I can’t write without names and don’t get very far at all if I have the wrong name.

I like babynames.com. Checking out the message boards there makes me want to poke my eyes out (yet I do it at the start of every book), so I usually end up picking a name fairly quickly.