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Click hereWhat’s in a name?
More than you might think, actually. Can you imagine if the hero in Raiders of the Lost Ark was named Kenny Miller instead of Indiana Jones? Or if Dorothy Gale had been Libby Lieberman?
Whether you’re writing an erotic, intergenerational saga, or just a simple description of a sexual encounter, character names are important. They imbue your characters with a certain flavor all their own and can enhance all the personality traits you develop in the course of your story. If you choose a name that grates against the character’s disposition, your readers will feel a vague annoyance each and every time that name comes up.
Hypothetical question for ya’--what if I’m writing a true story about my significant other and me?
That’s great. Many people write stories for Literotica based on fantasies they’ve had since high school, or to mentally live out a recurring daydream they have about a co-worker. If you want to keep your real names for that extra thrill that you, and maybe your sweetie, will get every time you read it, go for it.
But take into consideration that someday the truth might come out. Whomever you’re writing about might not appreciate the fact that you’ve been fantasizing about doing her in the X-rated theater, so you might want to "change the names to protect the innocent."
I’ve heard that some people just assign a name at random, intending to change it later. Anything wrong with that?
Not at all. If that method works for you, then you should keep using it. Writing is completely individual, and you may find unique routines that are successful for you. However, I think you should take the time to find a character’s name right off the bat.
For me, naming a character is much like choosing a name for a baby, except that I get to choose the baby’s personality. (In fact, I’ll get into baby name books later.) When I start a story, I find it helpful knowing what my main characters’ names are. It helps clarify their natures for me, which makes it easier to write about them and to decide what their courses of action will be in the plot.
Baby name books??
Yes, baby name books. Although they’re meant for expectant parents, they’re also excellent resources for writers with nameless characters. I picked upBaby Names from the Bible, a pocket baby name book by the check-out at the grocery store because it had some unusual names in it. But if you’re going to be writing a lot, I’d suggest splurging on a more comprehensive list. The one I use most isThe Best Baby Name Book in the Whole Wide Worldby Bruce Lansky. It doesn’t quite live up to its name, but it’s not bad.
I have another interesting name source called,The Writer’s Digest Character Naming Sourcebook, in which the names are listed according to their ethnic origin. So, if you have your heart set on a certain nationality, you instantly have a large list from which to choose.
So, what do I do? Just close my eyes and point?
Good heavens, no. And I wouldn’t suggest picking your favorite name either. Here are some suggestions on what to do.
Good luck with your writing. I’m off to write about Mary, the Slutty Cocksucker!
First off All of your Points are Valid I'm Not Disputing that by any stretch of the the imagination but some times to me Names are just Names they don't really mean anything aside from Identifying your Characters to your Audiences, in real life I know a lot few people with the same name, but with vastly deferent interests and personalities. some times just like in Batman Begins "It's Not Who I Am Is Important It's What I Do Is Important." Some times to me Names are Just Names to Identify your Characters as I Have Said.
You said authors might 'want to "change the names to protect the innocent."' to prevent someone you write a fantasy about from finding out. But if you take the discovery into mind you might want to say 'want to "change the names to protect the [indecent]."'
and the less common Malvina, were invented by c18 Scots author James McPherson. They featured in his Ossian sagas, widely held to be one of the most convincing frauds in Literary history.
Authors can also invent brand new names for their characters. This is most commonly done in fantasy and sci fi, but it can happen in any genre. The name Pamela was originally the invention of an author for a novel.
When basing a character loosely or directly on a person that you know or have seen, choose a name with a similar meaning (if it has a meaning). For example if the real life person is named Jennifer you could consider Mina. I have also used the equivalence of a name from English to Spanish although my favorite is Croation. Another great way to choose a name would be to pick a distinguishing feature of the character and look it up in various languages. I was surprised when a friend of mine complimented me on naming a warrior character Mohel.
I like to take my time naming characters, but I now have some new things to consider when I do so.
Holy crap, this never even crossed my mind. I'm very glad I found it though.
I, too, use baby name books and websites to find character names. However, these resources should be used with caution. Names that are common or popular now may not have been widely used at the time your character was born. A name that has become popular in the last 5-10 years would not fit well with a character who is 50 years old. In the end, I often choose a name based upon what I imagine that character's parents would have given him/her, rather than the traits he/she now possesses.
not that i mind... just asking. Love the article tho, as Guy Fieri would say... "On Point."
If you do a search for baby names on google you will find dozens of websites. That's how I name my characters-- just clicking through related names or names with a specific meaning until I find one I like.
This was very helpful because I am new to this, but I have been writing these kinds of stories for my friends and they love them. What if you don't want to use names, but make sure the readers knows who's the male and females are?
I agree with your basic FAQ, but it doesn't really address the underlying concept of how names are used symbolically. I mean, everything you've said is true, but the only reason it's true is because of the cumulative past knowledge of readers. There is no real reason to assume that people named Bertha are fat. The only reason someone has to think that names with hard sounds indicate a hard personality, is that that's what they've learned from other stories that they've read. In this way, this method of selecting names perpetuates stereotypes, and racist ideologies, which might be effective for erotica, but hardly contribute to good characters.
Nice article. Although a little bit simplistic in examples. What should a person do when one is writing a historical fantasy? Any tips on inventing medieval/viking names? Or making up variations of some common name like George?
I am working on a story in which a married couple cooperate in the seduction of an eighteen year old virgin they have known all of her life. For ironic effect I am giving the married couple names appropriate for a conventional, decent, and somewhat boring middle aged couple. I hope it works.
is a great source of names. Find an appropriate movie for your genre. For example, if you are writing a horror story, take a look at Boris Karloff's name in "The Raven," Dr. Scarabus ... hey, a great name.
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For one of my stories with a Christmas Theme, "The First ... Noel," all the characters except for the title one are named after characters in the movie, "It's A Wonderful Life." I was surprised no one picked up on this. Noel was the choice for the male character since I used the song "The First Noel" in the story. The title was a play on words: it is a First Time story and her first was named ... Noel.
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Or take a look at "Red River," one of my all time favorite westerns. If you are writing in that genre, how about these great names: Buster McGee, Cherry Valence, Teeler Yacey, Matt Garth and Thomas Dunson. Oh, yeah, and Old Leather and Laredo.
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I also spend a bit of times on names - the right names make the story easier to write.
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Regards, Jack