What's in a name.

Choosing Names

I have recently been asked how on earth I choose names for all of my characters.  I don't think the person who asked that question realized how complicated the ensuing answer would be.  (Partly because most of my names are not on Earth anyway.)   The common perception is that choosing names for characters is something akin to parents choosing names for their children; they deliberate over it for months, lose sleep, toss and turn, repeat them aloud in the mirror, or even get downright fanatical.  In actuality, it has nothing to do with any of that.

Good writers like to pick original names for their characters.  Better writers recognize that there are different classes, or sounds, in names, and maintain this distinction amongst their characters to perpetuate a real and complex feel to the world they have created.  (All the characters from Country A have soft, flowing names, while all the characters from Country B have harsh names you can’t say without spitting.)

The other thing to take into account is appearance.  Since people will read the book, they will be looking at the name.  Especially when you’re making up names, it’s important that the name be aesthetically pleasing as well as pleasing to the ear.

Does that sound complicating?  If you answered yes, then you're probably not one of the lucky few who can perpetually generate original, striking, and endearing names.  Since that leaves the "like me" category, you might find some of the following methods useful. 

The language trick:

It has always been said that speaking another language has its advantages.  For example, Spanish speakers probably get a big kick out of calling people names in Spanish while on their vacation in Germany.  If you do know another language, or if you have access to Google Translator, then your life just became much simpler.  Think of a character, and then think of a word that fits him.  Find the translation of the word.  Maybe all of it, or a part of it will give you an idea or a sound.

The last step is to shake it up a little.  Once, when thinking of a name for a city built into a cliff, I got the Portuguese word pedra.  From this came the city Pedralia. 

The insert random letter into random spot trick:

This one was J.R.R. Tolken's favorite.  Contemplate, if you will, Sauron and Sarumon.  Or maybe Eowyn and Arwyn. Taking the liberty to "mess around" often proves that good names do come by happenstance.

The miss-spelling trick:

Sometimes you can get a classic name for a main character by preserving the sound of a common name, but by murdering the spelling.  It has often been said that good names should break at least three grammatical rules.  Cade could become Kaed.  Of the two, which would you put as the tuff guy? 

The mumble incoherently trick:

When all else fails, it is sometimes necessary to resort to muttering random variations of vowels and consonants under one’s breath.  Caution:  Do not do where other people can hear you.  This practice led many early writers to be burned at the stake for witchcraft when they weren't careful to isolate themselves.  One might say, "Orannor.  Thorannor.  Thoranic.  Oraneal.  Uranus…no, that's a planet.  Uriald.  Uru Ladron, the shopkeeper!  Excellent!"

The type unintelligibly trick:

This method consists of simply typing the biggest load of nonsense this side of Washington, DC.  (Make sure to use lots of vowels.)  Note:  This technique should only be used for heavy fantasy or sci-fi.

Slkkwidenelenaldidkneidnaleidkenidnelttaleentlshthantoraliegigneelddneedonien

Now, take it apart bit by bit.  The average person would see gibberish, but the open mind will see so much more of the same!

 Slkkwidenelenaldidkneidnaleidkenidnelttaleentlshthantoraliegigneeld

Skiden, Widen, Nelena, Denel, etc.

ldidkneidnaleidkenidnelttaleentlshthantoraliegigneelddneedoniendoeit

Aleen, Hthan, Shaleen, Leig, Donien, Toralie, etc.

The connotation trick:

The idea is to pick names that will remind people of similar words, this hotwiring their own emotions and personal associations.  Darth Vader, to me, reminds me of Dark, and Invader.  Luke Skywalker, on the other hand, makes me think of happy people dancing in the clouds.  Beyond that, it's just a cool sounding name!

The point of all this is that good characters need good names.  The right combination of the two will stick in people's minds and endear the characters to them throughout the ages; Harry Potter, Edward and Bella….

(Scratch the last two!  Harry Potter was good though.)  You know what I mean!