Chosing the name of your characters

[Nikhar]

One of the constant dilemmas i find myself in whenever I write short stories is choosing the name of the characters. Whenever possible , I go for something that would provide shades of irony to the story. That however, is not always possible. What things, then, in such cases, should I keep in mind while choosing name of the characters for my stories?

Any help will be deeply appreciated. Thanks.

[Lokasenna]

Well, I suppose it has to fit the context of the story. You don't want a silly name in serious story, or visa-versa.

Someone told me once that they forumulated names by combining the first and last names of various friends. That way, you get something naturalistic.

[MystyrMystyry]

I tend to put a reverse sound form to them, that is if the name John was used then Noj, Peter Eturp, or Jane Naij, Peta Tepa

Last names are just something that may seem real but not in the phonebook - Andrewson, fitzKerry etc

[Joe and Karen]

Names are hard but are mostly pointless, I think. If you spend too much time thinking about names (like I have, anyways), then that just leaves you with less time for important things.

Of course, it can be important (call me Ishmael), but for the most part, who cares if its the Brother Karamazov or the Brothers Smith.

[Lokasenna]

Names are hard but are mostly pointless, I think. If you spend too much time thinking about names (like I have, anyways), then that just leaves you with less time for important things.

Of course, it can be important (call me Ishmael), but for the most part, who cares if its the Brother Karamazov or the Brothers Smith.

Unless you're using a name for a specific purpose, either to evoke the ancient etymological root of the name, or to make an allusion to a notable historical/fictional person.

[Bluehound]

I find the best way is to write the story without names at first, eventually as I am starting to hear the voice of the character and get a feel of who they are the names seem to pop up naturally. Sometimes the story is finished before the name comes but it always comes in the end.
It might help that I don't worry about having both names in short stories, they are either Christian name only or Mrs So and so.
In real life you tend to know people as one or the other.
Your best friend is Jack and the butcher is Mr Sidebottom.

[chipper]

as a writer, i like imagining my characters as an actual person. I sometimes use friends and family members, celebrities, tv or movie characters. when i do that, i use the names of the person in my mind and i just tweak it a bit.

in some cases, the names serve a purpose in the story like if there is a back story to the names.

another thing i do is research certain words in other languages. like if my character is specifically honest, then i just research what is "truth" or "honest" is in latin, greek, etc.

hope that helps.

[Delta40]

I have to name my character. It is the foundation for their character development. I choose a name I like and start from there. As the character emerges, I sometimes change the name because it becomes alien to who I am writing about.

[libernaut]

on the website called "language is a virus" there is character name generator. it's pretty cool.

[hillwalker]

on the website called "language is a virus" there is character name generator. it's pretty cool.

If any so-called writer actually need to resort to something like this I despair. Whatever happened to using your imagination? It's as bad as these computer programmes that supposedly 'help' a writer come up with a plot. The devil's work if ever I saw it.

H

[Lokasenna]

I've just clicked on the name-generator a few times, and got:

Delora Adonica Art
Xaria Bat Roxy
Pink Carlynda Kory
Ryo Idalee Lynsey
Brasen Maylin Maylin
Ethanael Obedience Olencia

These are really not suitable names, no? Unless the context of your story is highly specifc and rather artificial, these names are going to stick out a mile, particularly if surrounded by Kevin Smiths and Sarah Browns.

[libernaut]

"language is a virus" website has a character name generator, and a names database on it. its pretty helpful. also pet names too.

[Panglossian]

(To be specific) - I tend use common-ish names for first names, and for surnames I use personal place-names or curious words which I feel captures the essence of the character in question. For example: Let's say I have a character who is a dreamy old Morris dancer, I'd call him something like Ken Daisyfield, or Barry Moony, or Walt Whitsun, or George Saint, or ... you catch my drift!

[Venerable Bede]

Seeing as I like to write historical fiction set in medieval times, modern names do not generally apply. Usually, I look at lists of common names for that country, and then either pick one that fits with the character or mix parts of the names to create my own.

[deck34567]

It definatley depends on the context of the story. Take the screenplay for the film "Saved." I read an article that stated the fact that the lead character's name is "Mary" is no accident.

I love decoding the hidden messages in all peices of writing. Usually a name seems like just a form of identification for the character, however many great writers know how to pick a name, with all of it's social and cultural meanings, to reveal something about the character.

I always go on baby names websites. It's a great resource! Then I think of a last name to go with the first name.

[Steven Hunley]

I believe the name should reflect the character. And it should be pronouncable. You don't have to name all your overweight characters "Fatty" or your skinny characters "Slim" but some name equally resonant of their physical characteristics, or characters traits will do.

That way they're easy to associate and remember. I always had trouble with Russian novels because after so many characters, I couldn't remember who was who, or who was a man or woman, due to the unfamiliarity of their names!

[Shea]

The book I'm in the process of publishing is a highly personal one. Though it is a fictional story there is A LOT of my self and family in it. So I mostly used our names and tweaked them. But the hero of the story, little did I know, came out of my subconsious. His name is Cailitin O'Keefe. I picked Cailitin (Cal), I think, because it was the name of a Druid leader and Cal assumes the leadership of his family after his father's death. I picked O'Keefe because he's from Kinvara Ireland and I looked at a map of surnames for that area. I didn't remember that Calvin O'Keefe is a major character in "A Wrinkle in Time" which I refrenced in my own plot! lol I think I may have to change it however, because I don't think I can reference it as it's probably not public domain. I'm a bit saddened by that because I like the fact that Calvin is a protector character as is Cailitin. Anyway, I'm rambling now...

[jmanu86]

Well I'm writing a kind of novel. My characters are inspired in people I know or have had influence on my life. I tend to chose the names also, by the way it sounds and in context with my story; like, names that give the idea of the personality, sometimes taken from other books (as a tribute) or authors. For example; a sailor/captain/marine or traveler, could be called Julius (for Verne). That's my experience, i know, may sound elementary but i guess it works. But I have seen all the opinions, and they're right; names are pointless.

You can see this in books like THE FIGHT CLUB; where the main character has no name; and it doesn't affect the story, 'cause its well constructed character.
I do tend also, to emphasize the thinking and the particular ways of act of each character; letting the reader to relate the name and the aspect in the way they feel more comfortable.

[xtianfriborg13]

Great advice! It is also my struggle naming the characters of my compositions but sometimes I just use my friends' names.