Character naming - Page 2 - Writers Forum

Gruush · 04-27-2005, 11:43 AM

I agree with leaving it.

I think the other criteria has to do with the rarity of the name. I mean, "Jim Cameron" isn't quite "Bob Smith," but it's not as if it's a tremendously rare name, like "Brittany Spears" or something like that.

If the other character similarities aren't notable then you're fine. (For example, if the character is in the movie industry, then you should probably change it.)

Also, I think a lot depends on the nature of the namesake. I mean, some people know of James Cameron, but how many people associate the name with certain personality traits? If you named him "Brad Pitt," then most people wouldn't be able to get the actor's looks out of their minds. But with James Cameron, I've heard of him, but I have no idea what he looks like, or what his personality is, so it wouldn't influence my perception of "Jim Cameron."

Just my 2 cents.

crystalized-breath · 04-27-2005, 11:45 AM

yeah - i didn't make the connection, though there must be countless books out there that have the same name as, say, the reader, or a famous person at the time...its just a big coincy-dink [coincidence]

Thekherham · 04-28-2005, 10:52 PM

Once I give my character a name, that's it. It stays. So if his name should be, let's say, Tom Brown, and there are a million Tom Brown's out there, so what?

Hodge · 04-29-2005, 12:37 AM

You could always incorporate into your story how your character's name is the same as a famous director's.

Peter Thomas · 04-29-2005, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarkos

...except Jim is a well known shortening of James, so...

For sure, but what I meant was that James Cameron isn't known as Jim, so I don't think many people would make the connectiong just stucking with 'jim'.

Harlequin · 04-29-2005, 07:24 AM

My fiance once wrote a story where the main character's name was Eowyn, but she made a point of saying the character's favorite book was Lord of the Rings.