While writing a story, how does one come up with character names?

Question

There are plenty of characters in a story, and one has to be creative to come up with unused character names in past stories...

Obi_San I love the generator! Thanks!

Answer 1

Many different ways. I keep an Anne Geddes Baby Names book beside my computer. I like to choose names that have a meaning that suits my characters. I know an author who reads the credits at the end of movies for interesting names. I know others who use obits. Anyplace you see names. There are many online baby site names - just type baby names boy or girl - you can even get foreign names by typing things like Baby names Japanese. You can get surnames by going to the US Census Bureau list of most common surnames. Or you can type Surname French or whatever nationality you want. Try combining two names for unusual variations. The more character studies and analysis you have done, the easier it is to pick names because you truly know your characters inside and out. So do your character studies first. And don't be surprised when a character's name changes during a book. I once changed the name of a main character after the whole book was done - just by using find and replace. In two seconds, she had whole new name because the original one didnt suit her in the end. Good luck. Pax - C.

Answer 2

yah the baby name generator is something I've used too. Also, a phone book. one time, i needed some indian names so I looked on the internet for a list of people in the indian parliament and just picked a name that looked good.

another piece of advice i heard is to avoid having two or more characters with names that start with the same letter, because the reader can sometimes get them confused.

Answer 3

Make the names fit who the characters are. Spend some time figuring out what kind of people they are, and what kind of community they are a part of. Where do they live? What are their family's cultures? What are their personalities like? Then, take a browse through an online directory of baby names until something catches your eye. Here's two to start with:
http://www.babynamesworld.com/
http://www.babynames.com/

There are also some great internet name generators, which can be helpful if you are looking for more unusual names or writing fantasy. Here's one that I like:
http://www.geocities.com/phillipriley/ngmain.html

Answer 4

I first try to think of names that could have a backstory, or names that could be connected to something eles - after all, the character's parents had to get their child's name from somewhere. If that doesn't work, and sometimes it doesn't, babynames.com is a good resource - you can find names based on origin, meaning, etc.

Answer 5

Actually as a writer your imagination is your best source of names. Think of the person you are creating and you can eventually put a name with the way you see that person. It will help you bring that person to life.and that is an important part of writing.

Answer 6

The Dreaded

Answer 7

well I use good friend names mostly