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I've looking for some methods and resources (book, websites etc.) that would help me come with completely original names for places in my writings. Does anybody have a good system for creating original names for fictional settings?

P.S. I have no luck with random name generating sites.

2007-09-04 08:01:42 · 7 answers · asked by Yahoo Sucks 5 in Arts & Humanities Books & Authors

My stories are more based in the real-world and not fantasy.

2007-09-04 08:08:48 · update #1

7 answers

In the real world?

You'll find a surprising amount of cities either based on a geographic feature or a person's name, depending on where this city is either look up names or the area's language to come up with words for various features. Seriously, some russian towns and cities are named things like "Valley over Trees" and stuff like that. It's not too difficult.

If you want, you can always borrow actual names, but if you're making a larger city try and go for a smaller town's name, there are often multiple towns with such a name and none of them could claim you "took" their name.

2007-09-05 00:49:29 · answer #1 · answered by Dan A 4 · 0 1

For names, the method I absolutely HATE is taking a letter and throwing a few more letters and vowels after it, therefore creating something you think is cool. No. If you're going to do that, at least make it really simple. For example, one of the only times I've ever used that method was when I created the name Aerilist, a long time ago. Keep it simple if you're going to use that method; no one wants to sit there and try and sound something more complicated out. Not fun stuff.

For names, I usually end up taking them from the medieval times, and the site I really like for that is: http://www.gaminggeeks.org/Resources/KateMonk/
If you don't find any names in this site, you could type in 'medieval names' or wherever you want the names to come from.

For the name of a place(s), I take something that would fit in the world and twist it a bit. For example, if the place was something like hell, the name could be Firen. You see the fire in there? All I did was type 'fire' and look at the letters on the keyboard, trying to judge which one would sound best with it. If you need to, you can pick a different word if the first word you try doesn't help you.

If you want original names, you could do the same thing, I suppose. As long as it doesn't become too complicated. Remember Aerilist? That one came from the word 'aero' which has something to do with wind or air.

Whatever you do, don't go crazy with the names. Not only will it look stupid, it'll make it seem as if you were trying too hard to make it look good, and in turn will make you look stupid. Good luck.

2007-09-04 08:20:57 · answer #2 · answered by Lyra [and the Future] 7 · 1 1

I've had this problem, and it's hard to come up with a name that sounds real, but is fake. Which is why I just look at maps for my inspiration. I ended up picking a town in CT for my fictional town in PA. It's just whatever sounds right, you know? And maps are a great help, because those names are already made up for you, so you don't have that arduous process of trying to make it sound right. I really think you can do a lot by just looking at a map, or maybe even just goofing off on Google Earth.

I hope this helps,
H.

2007-09-04 08:14:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

How approximately Merveries city (pronounce as Merr- ve- riis) that is particularly a fancy yet unique call for a city. Or.. Hullmern city, Auburngale city? Cheers, Ren i'm 13 and in my 2nd 300 and sixty 5 days of highschool:)

2016-10-03 23:32:39 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

I think very deep about the thing that needs a name, if it is a city, I walk through it's streets, I look. and then a name will come. Mostly it's a useless bunch of letters, then a lot of names I don't really like. After that my mind will subconsciously keep looking(like when you try to remember a name) and will eventually find a name to my liking. Good luck!

2007-09-04 08:19:39 · answer #5 · answered by saskia r 4 · 0 0

Research the history of the place. Find out why it was named what it was and what others names it might just as easily have gotten.

Then use one of those for your fictionalized version of the location.

For examples, see Ed McBain's 87th Precinct series, set in a sort of alternate New York called Ionia.

2007-09-04 10:04:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Seventhsanctum.com

I usually will come up with sounds that fit together, or depending on the people/creatures in story's language, I'll jumble together letters that sound like they'd be real. That and inspiration from real places, like the phonetics, or combining of names/parts of names. G' luck on your story!

2007-09-04 08:09:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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