Can you give me some tips on making up good names for characters in my novel?

Question

I always come up with lousy names to call my characters. Any idea on how to make up an ideal name for a character?

Answer 1

http://www.babynamesworld.com is a great site. It has names from every culture you can think of and the meaning behind the names. :)

Answer 2

Dear Alon: It depends on what you want to achieve. Don't expect to create interest in a character with a name nobody can pronounce, spell, or comprehend. Some great authors collected bizarre and strange-sounding names (notably, Charles Dickens, and the comedian, WC Fields. But don't expect to create a novel and memorable name like either.of them.) Common names with three syllables or less are easier to use and remember. Ethnic names (African, Asian, Arab or Hispanic) are fine, if you give them to a character they fit. Otherwise, they are confusing to the reader. Biblical first names have fashions that come and go. Contemporary characters can have nicknames that fit them; otherwise, they can become dated very quickly.

There is a website from the US Bureau of the Census that has a listing of the Most Common Family Surnames in America. They also have a listing for the most popular first names . That can give you a start in choosing the name of a major character that is believable. Good luck. John B.
Here is their website; http://www.census.gov/genealogy/names/names_files.html

Answer 3

I'd suggest that you be more specific about the genre of your novel. Historical, what epoch & locale, contemporary romance, humor, coming-of-age, adventure, noir, nostralgia, love etc. Of course, people want names with which not only they related to but which are beleivable in the context of the story. Check your peers for the trends and you own imagination to give names which fit the character development and context.

Answer 4

There is a book called the new age baby name book that has a lot of very cool names, origins and meanings from all over the world, that sound fictional.

Answer 5

I name characters after places... close my eyes and point to the map. Sometimes I steal names from other books, too.

Answer 6

if it's a fictional book like fantasy or somthing take parts of exotic names and places and combine them to make kool original names.

Answer 7

go get a baby name book it gives national origin and its meaning, so that helps place people as well, my daughter had a huge list of them crossrefferenced

Answer 8

name them after plants, herbs, animals, medieval names, take parts of names of these and combine them.... if its a mystical book
Or maybe biblical things like angel, devil. Not specific names like Mary, Joseph, Timothy, etc...

Answer 9

incorporate the names of people, places, or even products that inspire you...ernesto, martin, malcom, marley, blackjack, tiffany...

Answer 10

telephone book?