I’m currently faced with the challenge of naming a new character. This is harder than non-writers realize. You can’t just slap any name down and declare the job done — the name must match the character, match the story, and match the reader’s imagination.
Here are five things to think about when picking a character name.
- Get the time period right. Names go in and out of fashion just like clothing. Do a bit of research to find which names were popular in which eras. A reader happily immersed in Victorian England is going to be jarred right out of the story if they come across a flower girl named Courtney or Kaylee.
- Say them out loud. If you can’t pronounce them easily, your readers surely can’t. And while a name might look perfectly fine on paper, if read aloud (think audio-books), it might create a different impression than you imagined.
- Check the meaning. One great way to create memorable characters is to use a name that indicates their personality. You don’t have to actually name your character Stone to show that he’s inflexible – the name Peter would work just as well. If your readers don’t already know that’s what the name means, they’ll get a little thrill out of looking up the name and discovering that fact.
- Keep the cast separate. Avoid having more than one character with the same initials, or with names that sound alike. It’s just too confusing to the readers, and eventually, to you as well.
- Research the origin. There’s little more embarrassing than being caught doing faulty research by your readers. One easy way to trip yourself up is by using ethnic names. Always research carefully to be sure your character has an appropriate name — or a convincing reason to have an unusual one.
There are plenty of other tips and tricks for naming characters, but this will get you started on the right foot. What advice do you have for naming your characters?