How do you come up with names for your characters?

complimentarymatters · Post by **complimentarymatters** » 08 Nov 2007, 21:56

Linda · Post by **Linda** » 09 Nov 2007, 10:54

first names are usually pretty easy, i usually just pick names that i like. if i hear a really original name i usually write it down so i can use it later.

i HATE coming up with last names for characters tho. I never want it to sound like a totally fake made up name, and then i also don't want it being a common name alot of people have.

Sometimes a read a book and I say to myself no one would ever have that name. But thanks to celebrities who name their babies Coco, Apple and Pilot Inspektor Riesgraf Lee....i'm pretty comfortable saying you can name your characters just about anything.

Syrcco44 · Post by **Syrcco44** » 29 Mar 2008, 10:21

I have a variety of ways... I make up a name - by morphing words together or splicing names or typing random letters to see what I come up with - the possibilities are endless here. I have also gone to name websites like http://www.behindthename.com<<this one is my favorite because you can search a name according to lineage, meaning, letter, and gender. Here is a website with a list of links for name generators: http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/names/generators.htm and a list of unique surnames: http://members.iinet.net.au/~reginald/surnames.html
Sometimes knowing the character's personality helps when you name them - there should be some thought into naming the character - make it memorable, meaningful, etc. You can always look in a phone book or a yearbook for names. Always be listening when you are out in the world for interesting names - make sure you write them down. There are baby naming websites out there but I haven't had too much luck with those - actually I haven't really tried - perhaps I will.

But anyway, I hope this helps

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » 12 May 2008, 12:48

I use baby name books for first names. And last names tend to just come to me although sometimes I just pick random words from things that around my desk, but I tend to change those later when sometimes comes to me. Unfornautely a chacater of mine had the last name Pentab for awhile.

Shaybo · Post by **Shaybo** » 16 May 2008, 17:36

I usually come up with them on the top of my head.

AstonWest · Post by **AstonWest** » 20 May 2008, 19:30

I have no problem coming up with the names...it's only when I screen them against other names in my series' universe that I run into issues. Trying to make sure readers don't confuse characters can be a real pain in the butt.

friend1 · Post by **friend1** » 22 May 2008, 05:32

I name the character by fantasy modes only.

hutch · Post by **hutch** » 23 Jun 2008, 23:07

When I'm driving around town I'll remember certain names of streets to use for places or people. For instance, there's a street named "Sandy Hallow" and at some point, I intend to use it.

I will sometimes go through an old yearbook and pick the first name of some random kid, and the last name of another.

Original Cyn · Post by **Original Cyn** » 26 Jun 2008, 17:23

Coming up with names is one of my favorite parts! Its like naming your baby almost!!
Mine usually come fairly easy, they're either a mix of names I've heard and liked or its something from my subconscious that just 'pops' out.
I've changed my character names three or four times before I've finished just because I felt another name suited the character better.

I'd like to ask: How do you name your novel? I find that to be a toughy because a good title alone can grab a perspective reader.

CassieXO · Post by **CassieXO** » 26 Jun 2008, 20:59

hutch wrote:When I'm driving around town I'll remember certain names of streets to use for places or people.

I was totally going to say this! I usually use street names for last names and find first names through baby books.

Some last names I have used from streets are: Giles, Harris, Farnam, Leaven, and Glasgow

I also have a list of names that I liked and wrote down when I heard them. I have them in two categories: 'Names I might possibly name a child one day' and 'Names that I could use for characters'.

bluehannah · Post by **bluehannah** » 18 Aug 2008, 00:00

I usually based it on the story itself. Sometimes I used names from those famous persons in my country or maybe from our history pages. Also sometimes in pocketbooks, those unique, long and unheard names.

chicklit · Post by **chicklit** » 20 Aug 2008, 00:06

Sheila wrote:I use baby name books for first names. And last names tend to just come to me although sometimes I just pick random words from things that around my desk, but I tend to change those later when sometimes comes to me. Unfornautely a chacater of mine had the last name Pentab for awhile.

I too use baby name books for the first names. I try to use a name that I think matches the personality of the character (and perhaps add some dimension to the characterization). Like you, last names are something I just come up with, though when I'm stumped for last names, sometimes I'll pick up the phone book and see what interesting names I could come up with.

kardel · Post by **kardel** » 20 Aug 2008, 07:19

When you are writing for some time you learn to develop an ear for interesting names you might hear in your day to day life . Could be from TV , acquaintances , books and even computer games

.

kaytie · Post by **kaytie** » 20 Aug 2008, 20:07

I'm terrible at finding names!

Usually I have to write the story for a while and see what name fits, and some characters take several tries to find the right name.

Baby name sites can be really helpful, and I also like using the Popular name census information if I need names popular in certain historical eras.

RichardG · Post by **RichardG** » 10 Oct 2008, 23:14

I use baby books for the first name and for the second name it usually will be creative. Sometimes there will a lot of new names you hear around you. Can make a note of it and use it.