Tips for Naming Characters

Part of the fun, and sometimes the struggle, of starting a new book is naming your characters. You should avoid names that are already famous, such as Harry Potter, Hieronymus Bosch, and Katniss Everdeen. It is best to choose something "original," though nearly impossible to find names that haven't been used before. The best you can do is choose names that haven't been "overused."

Naming your characters is similar to naming a baby. You quickly realize how many names have negative connotations, such as people you've known along the way that you didn't like, annoying relatives, ex-lovers. Luckily, there are many helpful resources for creating character names.

You can turn to baby naming sites, such as Baby Wizard.

You can find suggestions for most countries across the globe if you write about a specific place or names popular at a specific time in history.

Old Norse Names

Popular Names by Decade

British Baby Names

Behind the Name

Mom Junction

You may want something with thematic resonance and can choose names based on meaning.

Bable.com

NameBerry

Behind The Name

You may wish to use gender neutral names. 

There are many online name generators.

Character Name Generator 

Name Generator UK

Character Name Generator Fun

Name Generator Biz

Fantasy Character Names

Fantasy Name Generator 

300 Fantasy Names

FantasyNameGen

Create a Fantasy Character Name 

Things to consider when naming your cast:

Golden Rule: Do not confuse the reader.

1. Avoid too many names that start with the same letter. That doesn't mean you can't repeat a letter, just don't make them all Donna, Diana, Denise, Dinah, Dora, Don, Dan. Like many a mother who has adopted this method, you sometimes mix up the names.

2. Avoid names for main characters that sound too much alike or are confusing: Ike and Mike, Charley and Carly, Nick and Rick.

3. If possible, pick names that roll off the tongue easily: Sherlock Holmes, Elizabeth Bennett, Bruce Wayne. Avoid Engelbert Humperdinck, Gwyndoline Wymondham, etc. unless you are writing comedy or satire.

4. Avoid rhyming names unless it is for comedic effect like Nancy Clancy, Joan Jonas.

5. We've all heard a character names spoken and realize we've been mispronouncing them all along, like Siobhan (shiv + awn). If foreign names are correct for the place and time, or your fantasy world is rife with unique names, don't shy away from using them. Consider putting a page in the front or back matter to explain the pronunciation of unusual names and meanings of foreign or made-up words.

6. Unless you are writing satire, avoid on-the-nose names like Mr. Fixit for a carpenter.

7. Be careful when assigning nicknames or multiple names for the same character. While we have a tendency to call people by shortened and pet names, in fiction it is best to limit this tendency to avoid confusing the reader. If you employ nicknames and pet names or alternate names, make sure your critique group or beta readers can follow the switches and references easily. If not, cut them, no matter how much you love them. In the same category, limit the number of times characters call your characters by their names. When in real life do you start a sentence with "Sally, let's go to the mall." "Dick, you know we can't do that." etc. I've read a few books lately where they do this is every other line of dialogue. It's a small irritant, but an irritant nevertheless.

Writers love helping other writers. You can always ask online groups or forums for advice on names and titles. Be prepared for conflicting opinions.

If your book becomes a viral success, picture the title and protagonist name plastered on posters, marketing materials, and ads. The names you choose could be immortalized and forever associated with yours.

For more about how to craft characters, pick up a copy of Story Building Blocks II: Crafting Believable Conflict, available in paperback and E-book and Story Building Blocks: Build A Cast Workbook, available in paperback and E-book.