Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today, I am delving into the topic of character names. I’ll explore the importance of choosing the correct name for your character and offer ideas of places to find inspiration.

Naming Your Characters

As writers, we all know that a well-crafted story requires careful attention to even the tiniest details, including the names of our characters.

A character’s name should be chosen purposefully, with thought for the story’s theme, tone, and setting. Because names can shape what our readers think of a character, it’s worth taking the time to consider some of the factors that go into choosing the right one.

When coming up with character names, it is essential to consider the time period, geographical location, and culture in your story. For example, a character named “Madison” might be out of place in medieval Europe or ancient Rome. Also, it’s good to refrain from using names that are too similar or cause alliteration because it may be too confronting for the reader.

Another critical aspect of choosing a name for your characters is the connotation and association that their name carries. For example, “Lucas” will have a different connotation than “Lucifer.” Names carry associations that can influence a reader’s perception of a character’s personality, backstory, and motivations. Therefore, a relevant name can help a writer communicate quite a bit about their character to their audience without resorting to extensive exposition.

It is also a good idea to consider your character’s personality traits when naming them. For instance, a strong, confident character might need a name that reflects that, such as “Maximus” or “Eleanor.” A shy, reserved character might have a more timid name, such as “Trixie” or “Timmy.”

It is advisable to avoid using overused and clichéd names such as “John” or “Mary”, too. While these names can work well if given depth and originality, ideally, your character’s names should be memorable and unique.

Finding Inspiration
One of the best starting points to find inspiration for naming characters is in literature. Look no further than your favourite books! Also, baby name books are a brilliant resource for finding unique names that have meaning. Online name generators can be a good place to go, too, but be sure to research the meanings of names and ensure they fit your character. Also, check out historical records for inspiration, especially if you’re writing historical fiction.

Overall, the names we give our characters are far from arbitrary. Taking the time to research and choosing names that fit the characters’ backstories, settings, and personalities can only be beneficial, and with the abundance of resources available to us today, there’s no shortage of inspiration.

Thanks very much, as ever, for reading my words. I really appreciate it.

Until next time,

George

© 2024 GLT

Categories: Characters, Writing Tips

Tags: character, Characters, moniker, names, tips, Writer, writing