What should I name my HEROINE?

Question

My story is set in 1835 England (would this be an alright period to set a gothic romance???)

My heroine is a young 15-ish year old girl who is rebellious, free-spirited, rather peevish and passionate. She has long black frizzy hair that is untamable as her spirit, her skin is pale, emphaizing the blacknes of her eyes...... She goes to live under the gaurdianship of her distant cousin, Mr. Hawthorne, and falls in love with him.... but she is too young. He leaves on business and returns years later to finds her a lady--but society has tamed her, made her miserable and all...but yah, this is the basic flow of the story. What name do you think would best suit a girl situated in a dismal village and dwelling in a dismal manor?

Her last name is to be Wilmott (unless anyone has a better sugggestion)

Isobel Wilmott
Heather Wilmott
Evelyn Wilmott
Courtney Wilmott
Kathleen Wilmott
Rebecca Wilmott
Cadence Wilmott
Ralphina Wilmott
Wenonah Wilmott
Dorathea Wilmott
Ruth Wilmott

Answer 1

From your list I would go for Ruth (after all her parents named her, and the Bible was a huge influence) which actually goes very nicely with Wilmott.

Personally I like Heather, but that was not known as a girls name in the 1800s. You want to try for some authenticity - which is why I think Ruth is a good choice.

If you want a more modern name, I would choose Catherine - a typical name for that era - and which also goes very nicely with Wilmott.

It also happens to be my all-time favourite girls name.

Answer 2

Two things about your heroine.....she is fifteen.....and of rebellious, free-spirit kind....so the soft names like Jane, Mary, Helen, Lucy, Susan, Liza, Julie are out. Even Isobel Heather Evelyn Kathleen Ruth are seemingly inappropriate. "Rebecca" and "Cadence" could be quite winner.....but don't go for Cadence as Mr.William Faulkner has already used it for his "The Sound and the Fury". Personaly I would go for name like "Kiara" "Tracy" "Molly"......but my fingers are still eager to lift "Rebecca".....as it clearly reflects the nature of your heroine.
Do make it possible to inform me when the novel flashes the windows of book-mart....Best Luck.

Answer 3

i would say, you need to use a name searcher & come up with something a little more unique, perhaps, since you are dealing with a unique person. usually, that helps the reader visualize a unique person.

a gothic romance.... no
Early Gothic 1200- 1350 AD
Late Gothic 1350 - 1450

and then you need to consider that i a name... WHERE are your characters from & where do they live? that will influence the name you choose....

try the links below & do your research before writing. it will help you & make your book more successful.

Answer 4

I would advise against Isobel (new movie=cliche) and Cadence(cool name but not suited to 1800s)
I like Katharine and Lara and Laurie

Answer 5

Evelyn

Answer 6

All good choices, but I wouldn't be surprised if the first one is first for a reason, though it might have been subconcious. Great! The unusual spelling will be made something of in the tale...

Answer 7

I like Isobel from your list. I also like the name Guinevere. Genevieve is nice too. But from your list, I only liked Isobel - sorry, I don't mean to be onoxious or anything......

Good luck with your story.

Answer 8

Jane

Answer 9

i believe a name for a rebellious 19th century girl for a gothic romance could be Julietta?

Answer 10

Cadence sounds unique and intriguing.