Writing Tips for Creating Character Names

Consider the following tips when choosing names for characters in your teen paranormal or dystopian novel:

1. Choose names consistent with the time and place of your character’s birth.

Eric is a suitable name for a thousand year old Viking vampire, just as Bill (i.e. William) is a suitable name for a vampire who was a Confederate soldier in the America Civil War.  In contrast, a vampire sired in the Roman Empire would not be named Dillon (unless this is an alias).  Do your homework, or your character and even your entire story may lose credibility.  

2. Choose names that are consistent with the character’s lineage.

Remember, parents choose their child’s name (unless she was replaced with a changeling at birth).  It comes as no surprise that the title character in Heather Brewer’s “The Chronicles of Vladimir Todd” series was born half vampire (try googling  “Vlad the Impaler” if it does).   However, had Vlad been born fully human but was turned into a vampire, the coincidence would be difficult to believe without a plausible explanation. 

Even where the main character is born fully human, lineage can be important.  For example, a child born to a family of sorcerers likely has a different sort of name than someone born in an ordinary family.  If your main character is named after an ancestor, make sure there is some significance to this, or mentioning this in your story serves no purpose.    

3. Choose names that suit the character.

In fiction, names make the man (or woman, or werewolf etc.).  When choosing a name, try reading it aloud.  Is the image it conjures up consistent with your character’s personality?   For example, Katniss Everdeen from Suzanne Collin’s “The Hunger Games” is brave, resourceful and resilient, and her strong-sounding name reflects this.   In contrast, her younger sister Prim, who has no survival skills, is aptly given a soft name.    

4. Avoid names that are already taken.

Unless you are writing fan fiction, avoid first names already used for main characters in popular books of the same genre.  Otherwise you risk being viewed as ripping off the well-known character.  That doesn’t mean common names like Jacob and Edward are necessarily off limits.   But using an unusual name like Katniss, Sookie or Lestat is a definite no-no.   And don’t even think of using the name Damon, Damien, Damian or any other variation thereof.

Regarding last names, try doing internet searches of your characters’ full names to make sure you have not inadvertently chosen the name of a famous person, or somebody else’s fictitious person.  

5. Use your judgment when using historical or mythical names.    

Names with cultural significance should not be used without a reason.  For example, if you insist on giving most of your characters names like Gabrielle, Michael, Raphael and Seraphiel, make sure the story ties into angel mythology or the reader will be left feeling cheated.   

     

Also, make sure you are clear whether the character is merely named after someone, or is that person.  For example, in Lesley Livingston’s “Wondrous Strange”, Queen TItania and King Auberon are not merely named after fairies in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dreams”, but they are the actual fairies that inspired Shakespeare.  

6. Use rare or unique names sparingly.

Too many unusual names or names that are difficult to pronounce can make it difficult for the reader to remember them.   For example, if your characters are based on Norse myths, use names like Wayland, Freya and Sigmund in favour of esoteric names like Hjordis, Brynhild and Hogni.

7. Avoid using names of significant people you know. 

Even ignoring the possibility of being sued for libel, it is never a good idea to name your evil witch after that girl who bullied you in high school, or to name your sexy vampire hunter after the first boy you had a crush on.  Remember, the name will not have the same significance to readers as it does with you.  Furthermore, your judgment when it comes to the character may be clouded by the emotional baggage you carry.         

8. Don’t try to be clever.  Trust me, you won’t be.

Don’t name your characters Adam and Eve or some “clever” variation thereof (e.g. Aiden and Edie).  Any potential agent or publisher will instantly know you are an amateur.       

Similarly, if you want to be taken seriously, don’t try to be cute when naming siblings no matter how “perfect” you think the names are (e.g. calling your triplets Edgar, Allan and Poe).

9. Don’t use names that are too similar or all start with the same letter.

Maybe you can have a Melissa, Alyssa and Marissa in your novel and keep them straight, but your reader is guaranteed to be confused.   

   

10. Symbolism isn’t everything.

So you’ve found the perfect name for a main character, but it means “farmer” and he is supposed to be a rich playboy.  So what?  Sometime character names do have hidden meanings (e.g. Morgan, Ondine and Nix in Tara Bray Smith’s “Betwixt”), but in most cases, the reader is unaware of them anyway.