by Kristen Crowley Held
I am really, really, really good at obsessing over character
names. So good, in fact, that I've assembled quite a collection of books and
websites that I use to seek out the PERFECT name. The name has to sound right both out loud and inside my head, has to fit the character without being too
obvious and, if I'm really on my game, should have an extra layer of meaning known only to me (and readers well versed in name origins).
Occasionally, if it's not my protagonist who remains nameless, I can get away with writing things like [insert
perfect name here] but usually I spend hours/days/weeks searching through my
favorite character naming resources before I can move on.
Since I'm big on hidden meanings, one of my favorite
resources is a book called Baby Names Made Easy: The Complete Reverse Dictionary of Baby Names by Amanda Elizabeth Barden.
"Baby Names Made Easy offers selections organized into
categories of meaning, making it easier than ever to choose a name that is
significant to you."
Some sample categories: Animals & Insects, Hardworking,
Magic, and Protector. Have a character trait in mind? Pick a category and you'll
find a list of associated names.
Does your character have siblings? The Baby Name Wizard by
Laura Wattenberg includes potential names for sisters and brothers with each
listing. The Baby Name Wizard also has an awesome website that lets you track
the popularity of a name over time and figure out in which part of the country
your name is most often used. For a small fee you can also sign up for the Baby
Name Wizard Expert Edition which uses Flash tools like the Name MatchMaker to
find a name based on "your unique tastes and style."
Need a surname?
The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook by Sherrilyn
Kenyon has names and surnames from more than 45 countries.
Some of my favorite online character naming resources include:
Nameberry.com which lists names by every conceivable category. Looking for a Hipster name? Or
maybe an Old Lady name? They've got you covered.
ParentsConnect.com allows you to search for names by meaning. Enter a word and
they'll provide a list of names.
Nymbler.com helps you find the perfect name by having you
choose names you like, but that aren't quite right, and extrapolates from there.
Looking for a cool nickname?
Check out:
Or maybe you just want a randomly generated name?
If you use Scrivener you've got a name generator built
right in.
If not, here are a couple of online name generators to check out:
That ought to keep you busy for a few hours/days/weeks!
And now that I've shown you some places to look for them, how
do YOU choose the perfect name for your character?
Awesome! I love researching names too, and am always on the lookout for new resources. An old one I wish they'd update is the Baby Name Personality Survey (1991), in which the authors did surveys looking at how certain names are perceived and what associations most have with a name. It's now too dated to be much use, but was hugely helpful decades ago.
ReplyDeleteHi Laurel! They did update the Baby Name Personality Survey, they just changed the name! I think the latest iteration (2007?) is called The New Baby Name Survey Book. I have a copy from 1998 (entitled The Baby Name Survey Book) and you're right, it's a great resource!
DeleteSome of the online baby name sites include users' ratings in their listings (babynamewizard.com is one) so it's possible to get more up to date survey results that way but they're not as extensive. It would be lovely if they published The New New Baby Name Survey Book :).
This is GREAT, KCH! I normally just use names from people I went to elementary school with, but your suggestions are much better -- not to mention, less fraught with potential litigation!
ReplyDeleteI'm always happy to save you from potential litigation :).
DeleteI need to check out all these sources. Too many times my character's have names that sound too similar. Great job, Kristen!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellen! I'm sure there's an ancient Roman name page out there, too!
DeleteExcellent info! I spend a lot of time researching meanings behind names,except the villain. They are named after people who have done me wrong...NO Kristen's as of yet. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe Kristens are all tremendously heroic and wickedly smart, right?
DeleteWonderful post, Kristen! I like to use unusual names and keep my ears open. I keep a list and then see if any of them fit a character I'm working with. Like you, the name has to fit the character's personality, and it's nice when there's meaning behind the name.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marilyn! I'm always finding random post-its with names on them. In fact there's one stuck to my laptop right now that reads, "Despina Butterbaugh." :)
DeleteI wonder what she's like...
There is so much to be said about a name. I never start a story without a name and its meaning. And the "No one she be called a 'what's his face'" haha! Cute post :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Naomi! You have such a great name and are indeed, "delightful." :)
DeleteCheezers, Kristen! Talk about thorough--and neat-o! Here I felt all cool because I knew about Nymbler. :)
ReplyDeleteYou ARE cool, Julie!
DeleteThis is very helpful! Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Thanks for stopping by, Roberta. :)
DeleteExcellent post! Thanks for sharing these great resources. I will definitely look into them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Romelle! And you have such a cool name!
DeleteI am so glad that I found this post!!
ReplyDeleteHi Deanna! I hope you find some great names. Thanks for coming by!
ReplyDelete