So we’ve gone through a couple of pitfalls to avoid when coming up with character names. Now you know what not to do. But how do you come up with the perfect handle for your hero—or the shopkeeper on the corner?
Here are a few ways I do it.
Dust off the phone book
Or at least, open the phone book app. I’ve spent yours flipping through lists of names with a notepad at my side, jotting down what appeals to me. I speak them out loud and decide if I like the way they sound.
I search like this for both first and last names, sometimes opening the book at random, sometimes making my way through a whole letter. One caveat: never take both a first name and a last name from one person. That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Throw a baby shower
Or at least visit a baby naming site or invest in a baby naming book. The advantage of this tactic is that you can also check out the ethnic origin and meanings of the name. Does it suit your character? If it’s a foreign name, how would someone from that culture react to it? And just as with naming a real life baby, make sure the name can’t be twisted into something obscene or insulting. A mean or crappy nickname is a hard thing to shake, even if you’re fictional.
Make stuff up
Because why not? It’s your book. Come up with something that sounds good and appeals to the eye. Read it out loud and see if it sounds right. It’s an especially good trick if you write fantasy or sci-fi. I seriously doubt a three-armed sub-lieutenant from beyond the Crab Nebula would have an Earthy sounding name.
Have a laugh
Amuse yourself with a whacky and entertaining name, especially for a walk-on character who won’t be around long enough to be annoying. Let it be your little joke. Because writing should be fun.
Use an online name generator
A good name generator will ask questions about your character’s gender, religion, ethnicity/origins and personality and then attempt to come up with a list of names you can use. It’s not only useful; it’s addictive.
I just tried to find a name for my Jewish female Afgan zombie of Trinidadian parentage (born in my birth year), and it came back with some gems, including Yuk Lozano and Yulia Lawrie. How could you not love that?
Use anagrams
Some people love finding Easter eggs in their books; hidden treasures that bring them a gasp of pleasure when they’re uncovered. Wouldn’t you love your reader to discover that your character’s name contains a hidden meaning?
Give them just one name
Hey, Cher and Elvis didn’t invent it, and you have to admit that having just one name makes your character look cool as hell. Or sinister. Or commanding. Or godlike. Make them feel like a legend!
Forget names entirely
Hot skater dude. Pink Mini-Skirt. The Bread Lady. Anything that brings a vivid image to your reader’s eye and remains in their mind after they’ve read your story.
Slip a notable characteristic in there
Yeah, yeah, in my last post, How Not to Name Your Characters, I may have suggested this wasn’t a good idea. But it’s too irresistible not to try at least once. Pick one characteristic and play with it; you’d be surprised how appealing your reader will find it, especially if the nickname is bestowed upon them by another character.
Bug-eyes Malone. Legs Maraj. Twitch.
Oh, just have fun. If you do, we will too. I promise.
