How do we come up with names for fictional characters?
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Re: How do we come up with names for fictional characters?
- biggsrv
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I found that I've had to be carful though. The pet dog was called Sally originally but I work with someone called Sally so changed it. A young female character called Kelly also had to have a name change for the same reason. I didn't want people at work thinking I was picturing a work colleague getting up to what my character does!!
- BanginBookBreakdown
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I spend a lot of time thinking about the names of the characters I'm writing about. It does take me a really long time to decide the perfect name. One method I have found that works well for me, at least during the beginning phases, is to take a vacation! Seriously, the long drive gives me ample time to think these things through AND I have continuous exposure to some quite excellent names as I pass the different streets, cities, and bodies of water.
I can't tell you how many times my husband has had to frantically scribble names down as I rattle them off on the road. He hates it, but I end up with some pretty good material!
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- moderntimes
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- Ssirren39
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If I find names that I find interesting,I will start to make a list and keep them for future reference in case I happen to develop a character that one of the names will fit with. So I think I use a few different techniques when it comes to character names.
― Laurell K. Hamilton, A Stroke of Midnight
- moderntimes
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- quill_begotten
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- Gravy
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At least I'm not alonequill_begotten wrote:I've always been a "name nerd"
I think it can work in many different ways. Sometimes the name comes first, sometimes the character has to build a bit, and sometimes the name and character are just there, in your head, pounding at the door to get out.
I collect baby name books.
You can find them specialized by just about any criteria and, if nothing more than a jumping off point to make up your own names, they're handy things to have around.
I like the trend of making one name by combining two or more others.
I've had names just pop into my head and when I look them up they don't "exist".
Names really can be magical things.
I also love what Stephen King had to say about naming characters in On Writing.
What is grief, if not love persevering?
Grief is just love with no place to go.
- dirtsmithy11
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I do a Google search for names that mean certain things (like I once had a reddish Cocker Spaniel so I searched for words that meant red and he also thought he was the king of my world so I researched names that meant king, he ended up with the name Rory Adonis: which means handsome red king a very appropriate name for him)
If I can't find an appropriate name for characters in this manner, again I will do what I always do and just make something up sometimes off the top of my head and sometimes by creating variations of names that are closely related to what I'm looking for.
It's funny because I've never had to explain my process before but I like having to describe it because it helps to solidify the process in my mind so thanks for the great question.