The Art Of Naming (How To Name Your Characters) - Writers Forum

Kye · 11-20-2007, 03:50 PM

You have just come up with the most perfect plot you have ever come up with. You immediately open a writing program, and jot down your plot. Great! After some preparations, you’re ready to start writing. Smiling, you open a fresh page, and get started. And just when it’s getting good, you realize one important detail. Your character doesn’t have a name.

With a sigh, you think. And think. You stare at the screen for over half an hour, before getting so fustrated you forget all about your amazing plot, and leave the first paragraph with a ‘humph’. You still can’t come up with a name after days, and you feel you are forgetting how wonderful your plot is. You’re devastated.

Yes, there are ways to avoid this. Many ways, in fact, that you will laugh about how hard you thought it was to come up with a name after you read this. I bet your thinking, ‘well, that’s impossible!’ But let me tell you, it’s one hundred percent not. And I can prove it to you.

I’d like to start by saying naming isn’t your top priority. A name can be anything, from John to Zigwag, and it doesn’t really matter. However, some people find naming your characters a very important thing on your writing to-do list. I am writing here for those of you who have it near the top.

Normally, names can just come to you. Write a brief paragraph, or fill in a list about your character’s appearance and personality, and a name just pops into your brain. Sometimes, however, you aren’t so lucky. The stupid name just won’t come, no matter how hard you try. It’s all right, you’ll find a name eventually – but you might have to do some digging to do it.

Here are a few places you can look for names. Some will be of no use to you, but hopefully, a few will become helpful. I have written a paragraph about each, including when they might be used for, and what I think of them.

People you know –
A common choice. Use the name of someone you know! This can often help you find normal, yet names that are special to you. However, I often don’t use my best friend’s name, as it would simply be to weird creating a whole different personality for them. Try someone you don’t know as well, or maybe even someone you met at the store. Peek at nametags of workers once and while – maybe you’ll come up with a great name!

Baby Name Sites
Baby name sites are also a popular choice. Type ‘Baby names’ in google, and you’ll get hundreds of easily used sites. They are also helpful, as you can find the meaning of a name. That way, you won’t name a rich and powerful character Abdul, meaning ‘servant’.

A few baby name sites:
Babynamesworld.com
Thinkbabynames.com
Babyhold.com
Babycenter.com/babyname
wecantthinkofaname.com/name_finder_frameset.htm

Hobbit/Elvish Name Generators
Pretty specific, I know, but useful just the same. Often used for fantasy books, or at least, for me. I just type in a random, yet common name and last name, though I ignore the last name part. For example, in the elvish generator, I typed ‘Sue Smith’. I got ‘Luthian’ for my first name. I can use that, or maybe just Thian, or Uthi.

The Generators:
chriswetherell.com/elf/
chriswetherell.com/hobbit/

Pet Name Sites
Surprisingly, they really do work. Maxwell is a very popular dog’s name, yet can also be used for people to. Same with dog name’s such as Fido, or Charley. However, it is often harder to find a name this way – please be sure not to choose a name to dog-like (or just plain bad), like Princess. Be careful when using this one.

Some pet name sites:
lowchensaustralia.com/names.htm
wecantthinkofaname.com/catnames.htm
wecantthinkofaname.com/Horsenames.htm

Boat Names
Also rather surprising, but helpful just the same. You can use names from a boat you know, or find some on the internet. Changing a few letters, or even moving around some sounds can help you make your perfect name. Even just taking the full name can work once in awhile.

Some boat name sites:
wecantthinkofaname.com/boatnames.htm
yachtsee.com/boatnames.htm

Just Random
Search up Colorado News, and you’ll find thousands of hits. Want to know the best part? Ninety percent of those hits will include names. Lucky you! So, try it out. Search news, inventers, or something along those lines for tons of ideas.

I hope this has helped you find names for your character. Please remember, that if times are hard, you still have Writing Forums to give you a hand. So long, and good luck with your stories!

Ilasir Maroa · 11-20-2007, 09:39 PM

There are so many older threads about this... couldn't you have dug one of those up?

Adamboy · 11-21-2007, 05:00 AM

I prefer to just put two words together and form another one.

Video + cup = Vidcupeo

Sky + sausages = Skysauges

Camping + onions = Companions (Oh wait, thats already a word.)

JohnN · 11-21-2007, 08:31 AM

adamboy - that made me laugh

Well the sites you mentioned are good enough to find names. Why not try morphing famous people names, that suit your characters. That could work
e.g.

Bill Gates

William Tates

Kane · 11-21-2007, 09:05 AM

Or even Gill Bates...

I pull names from lots of different places... movies, books, myths, history, real life, my mind... I have a list of names: several for each letter of the alphabet, so when I am introducing a new character, I don't have to stop writing to try and come up with one.

Jeff Colburn · 11-21-2007, 07:39 PM

Thanks for the links Kye.

I also use "Character Naming Sourcebook" by Writer's Digest Books.

Have Fun,
Jeff

JohnN · 11-22-2007, 04:24 AM

This site is also quite useful....
Behind the Name - the Etymology and History of First Names

informs you of what your names actually mean

WTFtat · 11-23-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnN

This site is also quite useful....
Behind the Name - the Etymology and History of First Names

informs you of what your names actually mean

I like this site. They have names that are very hard to come by. Though, what sucks is that they don't have a pronunciation key so some of the names just look retarded.

And my name's not there.... what a kill.

By the way, I highly recommend looking at name sites and picking names from other cultures (especially if you're into fantasy and you're looking for something unique).