When I choose names for the characters in my novels, I want to use names that suit the image I have of them in my mind. I’m not talking about physical characteristics, although they’re important too. I’m talking about personality traits, including the little idiosyncrasies that make each character a unique person.
The process is interesting. Lots of times, I’ll use a name that I associate with someone I’ve known. That can be a positive or a negative thing. For example, when I chose the name for the main character in my Malone mystery series, I decided on “Ann” because the personality and qualities of that character reminded me of my Aunt Ann, a kind and gracious woman. On the other hand, when I decided to name Ann’s mother-in-law “Louise,” I did so because someone from my past had that name and, let’s just say, she was “difficult” to deal with.
Sometimes, I want to use a name simply because I like it. I have a third cousin named “Marnie.” I liked the name the minute I heard it. Although I’ve known her mother all my life, I didn’t meet Marnie until a few years ago, long after I decided to use her name. In my series, Marnie is Ann’s older sister, an attorney who lives in South Carolina. Here’s an excerpt about her from Mixed Messages: “Marnie said that the ocean gave her something nothing else could: a sense of peace and serenity; that she felt closer to God there than anywhere else.”
I often look up names in my “Name Your Baby” book to see if the meaning of the name accurately describes the character. I'm not sure what I'd do if the name didn’t “fit” but, fortunately, the names I chose for my series have worked out so far. Here are some of the names I used in Mixed Messages and Unfinished Business. (Check out the definitions for Ann, Louise and Marnie in particular.)
Ann
– Graceful one or Gracious one
David
– Beloved one or Friend
Marnie
– From the sea
Olivia
– Olive tree or olive branch; symbolic of peace
Lawrence
- Laurel-crowned
Bernard
(Bernie) – Bold as a bear
Louise
– Famous warrior-maid; famous in battle
See
what I mean? How do you decide on names for your characters?
I'm constantly jotting down names I see and hear. I save them until a character pops up that would fit that name. I also use an alphabet grid so I don't end up with all the guys' names starting with M. I try not to have all the names one syllable, or all with 3 or 4 letters. Those are too hard for the reader to keep straight. Good post, thanks!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good system, Kaye!
DeleteI use the same technique you use, Pat. I associate likes and dislikes with certain first names, based on personal associations. When it comes to last names, I often dredge up interesting last names from kids I went to school with when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, John, because I do the exact same thing you do with last names.
DeleteClassical meanings of names -- well, I know people who bear those names and I associate characteristics more with my friends than with classical derivations.
ReplyDeleteI use the phone book.
Great idea, Dac. I've never used the phone book for names but I'll remember it for the future.
DeleteMof of my female protagonists and sleuths' names end in an "a." Believe it or not, that's probably because I was a Spanish teacher and many female Spanish names end in a. I do this, even if so many have nicknames: Gabriela in Giving Up the Ghost is Gabbie, and Cassandra in No Boys Allowed is called Cassie. When choosing names, I think: does the "sound" of the name fit my character? I make sure not to have two names that are similar, like "Dan" and "Don." It confuses readers.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn,
DeleteLike you, I love the Spanish language. And, I agree that the name has to "sound" right for the character too.
The phone book is a good source of names and you can rearrange them to suit your need. Like Kaye, I also collect unusual names and utilize an alphabet grid to avoid too many sound alikes.
ReplyDeleteJohn,
DeleteI like that - an alphabet grid. Probably something I need to start doing.
I always look up a first name to find its meaning before I use it, Pat! I find this is particularly important when writing fantasy, by the way.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, there are those people you hated that just HAVE to be villains in one's books...especially victims, wink!
Melodie,
DeleteMaking people we don't like the bad guys is SO much fun! I guess we could call it "a writer's revenge."
Your post reminded me of the process I went through finding names for my Japanese characters of 980 AD.in my current novel. I did look them up online and chose the name by sounds I liked and meanings of those names combined. A very satisfying way to do it. Internet easy.
ReplyDeleteYou have my deepest admiration, Cora! I have enough trouble deciding on present day names in English!
DeleteI'm posting this for author, Jim Callan, who wasn't able to comment on my blog today due to technical problems. Jim wrote:
ReplyDeleteIn my book on character development (Character: The Heartbeat of the Novel - OTP, 2013) I devote a chapter to the naming of characters. But - good post. Thanks for reminding us of the importance of choosing good names.
I enjoyed reading about your process. My own process is pretty simple. For the most part I try to use names that are relatively common so the reader can relate to them. Of course, age makes a difference, too. I have an older character I named Prudy (Prudence) because it fit her age bracket. Interesting how we all have different ideas.
ReplyDeleteMarja McGraw
Marja,
DeleteSpeaking of Prudy, tonight I'll start reading the only book by you that I haven't read yet: Prudy's Back! I love your Sandi Webster series!
I have one particular list I use to choose character names. Sometimes I use t=both first and last names from the list. Sometimes one or the the other.
ReplyDeleteWell, you must be doing something right. I love the name "Mallory."
DeleteI also forgot to mention earlier that, for last names, I take the character's heritage into consideration. For example, Ann's maiden name was "Malone"; her father was Irish.
My series is set in a rural university town originally settled by German immigrants. For established families in the town, I use a lot of German surnames, some from my own family, but most found on old tombstones in cemeteries. Three brothers -- triplets -- run the university security department. Because they're triplets, I named them Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. Folks at the university call them "The Archangels". Their wives are also triplets. I named them Faith, Hope, and Charity. Other characters are named after NFL players. I usually combine the names of two players to come up with character names, but in the case of the university president, I just changed a few letters in the name. Bruck U. President Garrison Hurst was named for the 49ers star running back Garrison Hearst. You can find some unique names on NFL rosters.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, Mary.
DeleteBecause my series is set in Cincinnati, I use a lot of German and Irish names because those were the two largest groups of immigrants to our city.
Most of the time the name comes first -- either I've heard it, or read it, or scanned it from movie credits (one person's first name paired with another person's last name).
ReplyDeleteTHEN the character begins to grow a personality and background, and in a couple cases, a whole book grew around them. I give each an actual birthdate and then pay attention to historical events that might have shaped them. And it gives them a horoscope position that helps distinguish their personality even more (don't have to believe in horoscopes, just let the differences affect the fictional characters).
LLoni,
DeleteI give my characters actual birth dates too and, even though I'm not really into astrology, I try to match up my characters' characteristics with those attributed to their astrological signs. It's just fun!
I write mostly memoir, with real names that I often have to change. For my new book, Only You, I compiled a list of friends from my teenage years: The Name Game (after the song title) to keep track of the real and invented names. As I decided to use real names, I indicated that on the list. I have the list nearby; it's a mess.
ReplyDeleteIn one of my novels, I mixed up the first and last names of all the medical personnel in California and New York who literally saved my daughter's life one year -- as a tribute to all of them.
Eileen,
DeleteUsing the names of friends from your teenage years sounds like fun. I still have my high school yearbooks and, once in awhile, I flip through them to come up with names.