What to name my characters for a novel I am writing??

Question

Okay, I'm writing a murder mystery novel. It's about this serial murderer who is a hot-dog vendor in NYC. He kills people and uses the meat. (YES I know, it's gross)
Should I come up with a name for him and use it (like Jeffery Dahmer) or should I come up with a fancy name like what the police came up with for the Vampire Killer or the Zodiac Killer?

Help please! I did come up with main charcter's name:

Amilyn Nicole Hotchner-Wade, age thirteen

Also give ideas for the name of the killer...I need serious help
Thanks!

Answer 1

Hunter Grossman for the killer...
(just think about it for a sec.)

the first names Bailey and Rae are also excellent, perhapes for more minor characters.

Answer 2

Depending on your main character's background you should decide on what to name the murder.

If Amilyn is from an eccentric background, go with a simpler name for the vendor.

Damon Theis.
Derek Weston.
Wayne Heten.

If Amilyn is just another name in your story then go all out with the murder's name.

I have no suggestions here. Names of ancient Gods perhaps?

Jeffery Dahmer is an excellent name, by the way.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I'll tell ya what I did when confronted with this problem- for I am a writer. It's hard to come up with fresh solid names for all characters.... like having 40 children to name -once you're done.
I went to the library and picked up a book on baby names. It gives the origin and meaning so you can name a character by their qualities! If you write international characters you might have to go on an internet search. I'm not sure how to go about it then.

It looks like you're doing great so far. Good luck!

Answer 4

Haus Abattoir

It could be a play on names.

Here is how I came up with it.
Kills people, grinds up the meat to make hot dogs = meat grinder or disambiguation. Normally a slaughterhouse would preform the grinding of meat. A slaughterhouse, also called an abattoir (French, ultimately from the verb abattre which means "to strike down) Haus is German for, house.
He strikes down his victims and turns them all to hot dog meat.

Kind of reminds me of a song my grandma taught me..

Mr. Mr. Johnny Berbeck, how could you be so mean..
I told you'd be sorry for inventing that machine.
Now all the neighbours cats and dogs will never more be seen.
They all have been ground to sausage meat,
In Mr. Johnny Berbecks machine.

Ah, good times.

But, Haus Abattior, sounds good.

Answer 5

i believe that giving the killer a title such as the butcher or the ripper gives the killer an ego, do you want your character to be portrayed as egotistical or do you want to aim away from killer propagander and let the killer be known by his actual name, maybe you should flick through a phone book and see which name you like best, pick one at random maybe?

Answer 6

Hey.i dont have a name but id really like to say that i think you should give him a normal name(like jeffery dahmer) coz its creepier than some dramatic name like one the cops would give him.its creepy coz he could be any ordinary guy tryna get by in life.....but he has this huge horrid secret.it makes him truly psychotic.

Answer 7

Choose a fancy name.
But If you choose to give him a name I would suggest a nickname. Let him be called "Cotton" because of the color of his hair and his alabaster color skin which explains the reason he only kills and consumes dark skin, dark hair people .

Answer 8

Josh Cambell.

Answer 9

Cara Arlene

Answer 10

ooooooo boy! I know I'm tired now! LOL The first thing I thought of was "Weenie Whacker" . Maybe you can use it somewhere? Or maybe I'll just take a nap and fogetaboutit! LOL Good luck with the book.