Naming Fictional Characters
Finding the Best First Name and Surname for your Characters
Much thought must go into finding just the right name for a fictional character. Naming a character is like naming the new baby.
Names are more important than one might think. An ideal name will fit a character like a shoe fits a foot, a wrong name is like an off-note on the music scale. What if Scarlet O’Hara had been called Myrtle O’Hara, or Huckleberry Finn had been called Strawberry Jones? Names carry with them a specific history and connotations about a character’s personality.
Choosing a First Name
A character’s first name, nickname, or how he (or she) will be called throughout the book is the most important naming decision. Unless the character is habitually called by a last name, the surname is less important because it is not used as much. Choose a catchy name that fits the character, and rises out of his specific environment.
Unusual Names and Nicknames
Unusual names and nicknames can add color and flavor to the character. A unique name can make a character unforgettable. Sometimes it is effective to give a character a nickname. A red-haired guy nicknamed “Red” will probably be carefree and easygoing. A politician named “Bud” will no doubt be friendly, maybe a little phony. However, use nicknames sparingly, as introducing yet another name can be confusing if it serves no purpose.
Using Opposites
Sometimes names that are out of character can work, such as a tall man named “Shorty”. A gangster named “Pretty Boy Fred” can be even more scary than one named “Scarface Sam.”
Avoiding Cutesy Names
On the downside, a nickname or unusual name that doesn’t work will only serve as an annoyance to the reader. For example, calling a man by what is traditionally a woman’s name, or vice verse can create unnecessary confusion. Don’t do this as a whim, only if there is a real need for it in the characterization of the person you need to portray. For example, if the heroine is a tomboy, she might be referred to by what is traditionally boy’s name, such as Sam.
Cutesy names work well only in cutesy books. If you have a serious book, don’t name your character a facetious name or they will not be taken seriously.
Choosing a Last Name
Because of different cultures and blends of ethnic groups, people raised in the South will have distinctly different names from those who live in the North or the Southwest. It is good to pay attention to the region your character comes from. For example, people of Swedish origin often have names ending in “son”. Little details such as choosing appropriate surnames can make your character seem more real and grounded in their setting, as if they arose from the roots of a real background instead of a ficticious one.
Where to look for Names
The phone book is as good a source as any. The bigger the phone book, the better. Please, mix and match. Be creative and respectful, don’t just pirate someone’s full name.
Good lists of first and last names can also be found on the Internet. These can be found by typing in keywords such as baby names, names-girl, names-boy, surnames, etc. Usually a large list will come up, including some of the most popular names. Some of these can even be searched by popular names according to specific decades. This is helpful in making the name age-appropriate for the character. For example, Betty was a popular name a few decades ago. Names such as Nicole and Heather were popular in the 1980s. Therefore most Bettys will be older than Nicoles and Heathers. This, however, is just a general concept, as parents do not always name their children what is popular at the time of their birth. Some opt for familiy names or unique names, and your can choose that same option for your fictional characters.
What if you’re writing a historical? It is important that you name your character a name that is in keeping with the time era you are writing about. Where do you find such names? Look for old lists. The reference section of the library had lists of many things, including lists of passengers on ships. This is a good place to look for historical names as they are names that were actually used in that particular time era.
Additional Tips for Naming Characters
- Don’t overuse unusual names or spellings. If your main character is Horatio, name his sidekick Bill or Bob, not Michaelangelo.
- Try to avoid overly long names unless there is a specific reason for their use. They are more difficult for the reader to read, and for the writer to type.
- Avoid making a simple substitute name for the first draft. If you start calling a character Harry, it is very hard to later think of him by any other name.
- Ideally, a name should arise from the character’s unique family and regional history and background.
Clilck here To find Top Baby Names
Click this link to search for Last Names and their meanings
Click here to search for Popular Names by Decades (from 1880 on up)
