How do you come up with names for your characters?

[VictoriaTwead]

All my characters are real people, so I found it hard to change their names to fake ones. But I had to, I don't want to be sued!

Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools

[kennyg]

Usually I just pick up a random name from actors or actresses or someone new that I just met. Nothing special in this.

[shubh]

According to me the names of the characters should be:
Easy and familiar
Not very similar to each other
Must suit to their role
Related to each other

[andr70]

I don't know why, but my head is always full of strange and funny names, and I agree that it's easier to give name to a character while observing how it develops

[The Mythwriter]

If I'm writing fantasy, it makes it very simple... something that sounds good and fits with the fictional culture, if that makes sense. Other times I'll nab a latin and/or greek dictionary, find words that are significant to the character (personality, role, purpose, etc) and modify and/or blend one or more words. For more contemporary names... usually whatever seems to "fit" the character, or maybe I'll choose something with historical significance that fits the character.

In short, I try to choose names that fit in one way or another.