MeghanJH
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Names
Oct 30, 2010 10:57:20 GMT -8
Post by MeghanJH on Oct 30, 2010 10:57:20 GMT -8
1. Babynames.com is my best friend when it comes to finding names for my characters, but sometimes I just do a google search for names from specific groups of people or cultures (I do this a lot to find Gaelic or Celtic names).
2. I tend to use names that are pretty common for the area or time that my story is set, rather than names that are symbolic of the characters.
3. Lemme see...There is Rhoswen, Tynan, and Aprika for one story, and for the other there is Randolph, Iolanthe, Cameron, and Brianna.
4. Except for Randolph (which means shield-wolf) I really can't think of any of my characters that their names define their personality or how they act during the story. Randolph's name defines him because he is really protective of other people, especially Brianna (who is his cousin) and Iolanthe (who is his girlfriend).
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Oct 31, 2010 19:29:31 GMT -8
Post by GrandpaHades on Oct 31, 2010 19:29:31 GMT -8
1. I tend to use 20000names.com to find any name for my characters.
2. Names that would fit the settings and characters family. Sometimes I use mythological names depending on if it would fit the character.
3. Lilith, Leonardo, Anzia, Damien, Louise, Kasai, Ancel, Cian.
4. Not really....that I can think of that is.
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Deleted
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Names
Oct 31, 2010 20:19:40 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2010 20:19:40 GMT -8
I design a character and their name pops into my head. I do sometimes have trouble with last names though.
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Names
Nov 1, 2010 16:18:40 GMT -8
Post by Lord Lovrina on Nov 1, 2010 16:18:40 GMT -8
1. I use a baby name book when naming my characters. If I need more outside research, I'll go to the internet and history books.
2. I use common names. I only have one character named after a goddess. I have two made up names in the story, but the characters are aliens.
3. Jane, Alexander, Lillian, Lillybeth, Angeni, Engi, Lance, Henry, Jakob, Adam, Mr. Lorence, Lei, Roza, Elizabeth, David, Grandmother Lilly, Derick, Carolyn, Madison, Maria, Sarah, Laura
4. Not all the time. Basically if I like the names, I'll use them. And I didn't realize that I have a fixation with the letter 'L.'
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Names
Nov 2, 2010 16:45:20 GMT -8
Post by Maldeus on Nov 2, 2010 16:45:20 GMT -8
I typically take existing names from the real world culture closest to the one in my story and then change just a few letters (or sometimes not). Ashen, for example, is the Hebrew name Asher with the last letter changed, and has been stock main character name for a few years now. Connect is kind of weird, though, in that almost all of the characters have weird theme names (the members of Metal Grid, for example, are all named after metals).
Things that a parent would actually name their child. I avoid giving them symbolic meaning that relate to what the character actually is or becomes, but I enjoy coming up with symbolic names that relate to what the parents wanted from him at birth.
In Dark Wood Circus: Ashen, Jenna, Byelbog, Scea, Lorelei, Jaromil, Jared, Lynn, Damaskenos, Vanagandr, Nikolas, Ceslav, and Wilder.
In Connect: Sing, Speak, Whisper, Command, Chime, and Cutter.
Typically not their real names, no, however more intelligent characters typically go by their full names and sometimes use titles like doctor or even just mister, while simpler characters will go by nicknames that shorten their full names to just one or two syllables (if they had more than that in the first place). Evil characters often make up new names for themselves, with their original names being nothing particularly remarkable. Occasionally, good characters do this as well, either to establish a general rejection of societal expectations and norms (a common trait amongst my protagonists) or else because they're wanted by the law (also a common trait amongst my protagonists). Sometimes the real reason behind the reason they change their names is that I want them to have a weird name and need an excuse to give it to them.
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Catalpa
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Names
Nov 2, 2010 17:32:11 GMT -8
Post by Catalpa on Nov 2, 2010 17:32:11 GMT -8
1. Baby name sites, sometimes. Usually the baby name sites of whatever culture I'm writing in. Other times I pick the names at random, or because they just seem to fit.
2. Sometimes I go for symbolism. Other times because I like the sound. I usually tend to go for two syllable names.
3. Mira, Dayan, Rishbar, Tsuri, Aroct, Khadni.
4. Some of the time. For example, if someone is know for being a good friend, his name has an original meaning like 'light' or 'lamp'. Other times, the name has a connotation to it that's not the original meaning, but fits the character anyway.
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Deleted
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Names
Nov 3, 2010 20:51:13 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2010 20:51:13 GMT -8
1. Usually I'll do some research on behindthename.com or something, looking at theme/cultural names specifically, and then I'll go from there. Sometimes names just pop into my head all on their own - John Gallows was one of those.
2. Depends. Symbolism is fun to play with and mythological/literary references can be fun too. Mostly I just go by sound, though. I try not to make up too many of my names.
3. Zeke, Jun, Harriet, Alex, Dmitri, and Caleb. In the other one I have John Gallows, Eden Aisling, and Mama Frey Lia. Names names names names names.
4. Not usually, but it does show up now and then. John Gallows, for example, is a pirate, while Mama Frey Lia is a goddess. They kinda seem to fit, don't they? Haha. But for the most part I don't think I do that, consciously anyways.
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Names
Nov 3, 2010 22:10:08 GMT -8
Post by Penny Royals on Nov 3, 2010 22:10:08 GMT -8
1. I go to websites, actually, for a lot of characters. Unless a name just really clicks in my little head.
2. I actually tend to lean towards German names...
3. Well... It's been a group project. My own characters names are Johanna, Julian, Lucy, Louise, and Andrew. XD
In another story I might attempt to write in the future, I've goooot... Chloe, Joel, Abla, Haruko, Amancio, Danika, and Alastar.
4. Eh... kinda. I mean, the names kinda fit them in different ways.
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Names
Nov 4, 2010 12:08:47 GMT -8
Post by nchaos on Nov 4, 2010 12:08:47 GMT -8
1. I google baby names or sometimes look up specific heritages.
2. I hate, hate HATE ridiculous sounding fantasy names so I like to use uncommon but normal names. Like Lucas, or Amelia. Shit like that. Once in a great while I'll use something symbolic, usually in the last name, but usually I just start writing a character and find a name that fits.
3. The main characters from my book-in-progress are Alex, Dante, Adrian, Matt and Vincent. Pretty normal names.
4. Definitely not. I actually find that kind of thing irritating, so I just try and find names that feel right to me. Occasionally though, I mightuse a name I dislike on a character that I either dislike or use as an antagonist.
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Demeter
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You know what you are in the dark...[Mo0:8]
Posts: 4,114
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Names
Nov 4, 2010 17:01:21 GMT -8
Post by Demeter on Nov 4, 2010 17:01:21 GMT -8
1. I use Behind the Name. Or sometimes I just look through a yearbook. There's this great list of people at my school who've ordered yearbooks, and it's right up on the wall by the library...
2. I use normal names, but sometimes I look at the meaning. Usually, I try to find names that fit the characters (for example, "Bill" makes me think of a tall and thin young man).
3. Lillian, Raze (which I should change), Bill, Adolf Max, Nora, Dominique.
4. I try not to decide on names based on their meaning, but I do go on what I see. "Dudley" would probably be a thug, not a thief.
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PoisonClaw
Member
With blood and rage of crimson red...[Mo0:0]
Posts: 640
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Names
Nov 6, 2010 6:46:22 GMT -8
Post by PoisonClaw on Nov 6, 2010 6:46:22 GMT -8
1. I suck at coming up with good names, so websites like babynames.com are a life savor for me.
2. Most of the names I use have somekind of symbolic property, usually because I search for good names by their meanings. Though a few I use just because I think they sound perfect for my character.
3. Leo, Micheal, Victor, Armon, Youka
4. Sometimes. I may give my villian an evil sounding name once in a while, but not always.
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blenderbender
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Names
Nov 10, 2010 17:42:29 GMT -8
Post by blenderbender on Nov 10, 2010 17:42:29 GMT -8
1) I use four sources: Behindthename.com, babynamewizard.com, name wikia, and my name encyclopedia. Why so many? Tons of characters, and I'm writing my own name book for authors and I'm gathering as much info as possible.
2) I like plenty of names. Most of them are rather obscure. For instance, Kameli is a favourite of mine. I don't remember what culture it is but it means "honey"
3)....I have so many characters that if I were to list them, it'd take up the whole page even if I used the smallest size.
4)It does occaisionally. For instance, in my story where the evil queen wins her name is Victoria. It depends on the character and the name.
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Deleted
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Names
Nov 13, 2010 3:53:24 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2010 3:53:24 GMT -8
1. I just search around, really. I go for baby name sites, loads of them too because there is a lot more variety. Mythology and religion I go for too, depending on the story.
2. I do use symbolic names, the main character is called Asgard because it's the place of Heaven for Norse gods, I chose it because it meant Heaven. Another character called Cairo was named that because she was a Gypsy (if I'm correct, gypsies came from Egypt) and she has blonde hair.
3. Asgard Bane, Shini Bane, Amaterasu Omikmai, Cairo De Centa, Benzaiten Ameno, Cascadia May, Deray Allen, Raijin, Ryujin, Lucasta, The Ultimate Age, Lime and Honey to name a few.
4. Yes! All of the characters have names from mythology or to represent them. Lime, a latter female general, is given the name because she's bitter. Lucasta because she's light, Asgard because he'll inherit Heaven, and Amaterasu is a gag. She's evil, she's twisted, and her name means Bright Star that Shines in the Heavens.
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Names
Nov 14, 2010 20:26:34 GMT -8
Post by Rumbleroar! on Nov 14, 2010 20:26:34 GMT -8
1. I rely heavily on 20000-names.com if I don't already have a name in mind, which isn't very often.
2. I name my characters based on their roles or states in the story. I hardly ever use "normal" or common names for my characters. I always name characters according to the time period the story is in. Ex: Beatrix Salvatore - Voyager (through life) Savior, because she's supposed to help save the living world that she's currently coasting through.
3. Cassandra Sforza, Antigone Cathers, Fate Barsett, Tyra Naomh, Aurelia Quinn, Akiha Butsu, Shiki Watanabe, Rory Raize, Alucard, Aedish Leviant, Lucrezia Borgia.
4. Yes and no. All characters are named to represent their roles. Personality was never really a factor. Antigone was named for her love for her brother like in the play. Cassandra was named for her telekinetic powers in the story, but she's not clairvoyant. Lucrezia was named for the famous Lucrezia Borgia of Renaissance times and did come from a mobster/crime family.
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Nov 14, 2010 20:51:58 GMT -8
Post by readerwritergirl on Nov 14, 2010 20:51:58 GMT -8
1. How do you choose a name? Usually, I choose a normal name or try to make something up. (When I make something up, I do a google search to make sure it's original)
2. What kind of names do you like to use? Symbolic names? Mythological ones? Common ones? Make them up? I...don't give two shits about symbolic names or such. I just choose a name that I think fits them and stick with it. (Making up names only for fantasy cases) >_>
3. What are the character names in your most recent or major work? Light, Clement, Dark, Dusk, Frost, Illarion, Nisha, Yami, Kwang-Sun, and Tenebres. (@_@)
4. Does your character's personality change the kind/sound/meaning of the name for your character?? A bit. Some of my characters break that, though (I think).
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Deleted
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Names
Nov 20, 2010 15:58:54 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2010 15:58:54 GMT -8
Oh, Gosh, this is so fun! I love names!
1. How do you choose a name? Do you go onto a website like babynames.com or behindthename.com, or do you just create them? Use Wikipedia? Mythology? I use Babynames.com if I need to see the nationality or pronounciation of a name.
2. What kind of names do you like to use? Symbolic names? Mythological ones? Common ones? Make them up? In my novels, where immigrants are EVERYWHERE, and one's place in the story is greatly influenced by his or her nationality, I work really hard to find him or her a proper name defining said nationality. I would use "Helmuth" or "Hilda" for a German character, "Uri" or "Zipporah" for a Jewish character, and so on.
3. What are the character names in your most recent or major work? Most recent: Eva, Casimir, Tobiasz, Eliel, Eliska, Ferka, Hugo, Gizela (Polish origin) Major: James, Cary, Marvie, Leonardo (Irish, Scottish, Irish, Italian, respectively)
4. Does your character's personality change the kind/sound/meaning of the name for your character? No. If anything, their names will only state their background.
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Names
Nov 21, 2010 18:49:35 GMT -8
Post by La Dame Du Lac on Nov 21, 2010 18:49:35 GMT -8
If you want elvish or original names, use elvish name generators.
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limelightqueen
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You know how to whistle, don't you?[Mo0:0]
Posts: 2,741
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Names
Nov 21, 2010 22:07:58 GMT -8
Post by limelightqueen on Nov 21, 2010 22:07:58 GMT -8
1) Generally the name just kinda comes to me out of the blue. I'll be sketching out a character, adding traits and stories and a name will just form that makes sense. Since I'm a self-professed name nerd I like the names to be historically as well as socially accurate. If my character is in her sixties I will not be naming her Madison. If my character is a wealthy Caucasian then Shakira wouldn't exactly work.
2) As I said before, I like to use names that make sense in context. Also, I despise "yuneek" and "kre8tiv" spellings as well as boys names on girls. I've put books back on the shelf after seeing that there's a main character named Camryn or McKenzie in them.
3) Well my current major work is my nano which has a massive cast. The protagonist is Anna Beth (who will have her name changed to Annabeth in December). There's also Cecilia, William Thorne II (called Thorne), their son William Thorne III (called Tripp) their daughter (well, actually Cecilia's daughter with Julian) is Elise, called Ellie. Ellie's daughter is Isabel, Isabel's dad is Leo. There's also Alex (Julian's son with his wife Peg) and Meredith (Thorne's mistress) and Cecilia's siblings Edmund (Ned) and Victoria (Vikki who is Anna Beth's mom, but Anna Beth doesn't know that Vikki is Cecilia's sister yet).
4) This is more complicated. In my mind different names have different vibes. To me, Cecilia sounded kind cold so it was perfect while Anna Beth and Ellie had a certain innocence that I found appealing. Edmund had a powerful ring that fit Ned's character to a tee. Meredith also has a cold ring plus I liked the idea of the ironic nickname Merry. If a character is supposed to be sexy I'll give her a name I think sounds sexy, for instance, a character I once had called Adriana.
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Brandon Skyblade
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He hid himself while he tried to repair himself. ^_^[Mo0:0]
Posts: 2,712
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Names
Nov 22, 2010 5:09:08 GMT -8
Post by Brandon Skyblade on Nov 22, 2010 5:09:08 GMT -8
1. I just make them. Then it astounds me how popular some of the names are on places like babynames. XD
2. More common names. I am not a symbolic-naming person in the slightest. That, and I made the Skyblade part up by combining Skywalker and the Keyblade...crappy, I know, but it sounds alright.
3. Here we go...Brandon (>_>), Brianna (don't ask, but Opposite Sex Clone), Jordan/Twili (Eventual girlfriend). Also had planned characters named Ken, Ray, Rock and Sonia (totally random names that sounded alright).
4. Only now did I just realize that Twili could signify a balance, specifically between Brandon and Brianna in terms of personality. Kinda sucks now since I can't even take credit for the name, since it's based off another OC from a Zelda fic I can't find any more. ._.
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PRINCESS TROLLESTIA
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YER A WIZARD PONY HARRY
AND THEN I SAID, "OATMEAL?? ARE YOU CRAZY??"[Mo0:15]
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Names
Dec 7, 2010 8:30:36 GMT -8
Post by PRINCESS TROLLESTIA on Dec 7, 2010 8:30:36 GMT -8
I'd usually use a baby name database if I'm trying to find names from across the globe to use in my works, but I'm currently writing fantasy, so I know I can afford to come up with wacky names or fudge already existing ones for my purpose.
I have groups of people that have psuedo-Japanese names, Chinese names, names relating to fire, gems, and metals, people whose names all come from plant names. I like getting creative with fantasy names.
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Saeran
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I swear to God I am going to throw you off the nearest cliff >:C[Mo0:0]
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Names
Dec 12, 2010 21:03:59 GMT -8
Post by Saeran on Dec 12, 2010 21:03:59 GMT -8
For some reason when naming characters I either go with names that fit their personality or punny names.
Like for The Two Brothers, I've named the two brothers Angelo and Angeal both sort of a pun on angel due to the fact that they both have wings
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Deleted
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Names
Dec 31, 2010 2:08:32 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2010 2:08:32 GMT -8
1. Sometimes I just have a name in my head, sometimes I just browse until I find one I like.
2. A combination. I rarely use symbolic names, although I do like to pull some of them from mythology. I generally try to make the names fairly "realistic" for the setting/time period/whatever.
3. Markus, Daciana, Christine, Peter, Kiara, David, Sabas, Dunstan
4. I do like to have names that sort of fit the "feel" of the character.
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Quickster
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Yeah, yeah, yeah.[Mo0:1][mu:http://tinyurl.com/4kau5zt]
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Names
Jan 1, 2011 3:28:40 GMT -8
Post by Quickster on Jan 1, 2011 3:28:40 GMT -8
Lately, I've been trying to avoid naming my characters or describing them. When they need to be named, I'll go with a unisex name. Though with my latest main character, when I discuss him he's got the nickname "Tyler".
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Lynsey
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Names
Jan 1, 2011 7:20:06 GMT -8
Post by Lynsey on Jan 1, 2011 7:20:06 GMT -8
1. I always like to use regular, normal names for my characters. I have a ton of favourite names, so I usually just use one of them. As for last names, I will probably look through the phonebook. That's how I always found my last names for Sims when I was a kid.
2. Common. I love common names for some unknown reason. I hate supah speshul dark names like EMOFANG of BLACKDEATH WHOOO.
3. Seth Elliot, Theo Henderson (he's my step-brother in imaginary land), Kai Hamilton, Tobey Taylor, Rosie Jennings, Max and Zoe (they have no last names yet. Max is also female, not male).
4. My names are just names. They don't reflect the character's personality. The name Seth is sometimes described as an evil God who was a ruler of destruction. My character is a total coward who has a talent for singing, but not much else. He's definitely not evil, even if he is a bit arrogant. Kai is definitely a lot more evil than he is.
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Jan 4, 2011 16:33:30 GMT -8
Post by Lady of Himring on Jan 4, 2011 16:33:30 GMT -8
1. I do use babynames.com, behindthename.com and 20000names. I do use mythology here and there.
2. Depends on the character and story.
3. Alexandra, Hector, Sarah and Baphomet
4. They don't change, really. Unless I have a specific plan for that character, the name is just a name.
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J.Day
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Posts: 523
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Names
Jan 10, 2011 14:56:37 GMT -8
Post by J.Day on Jan 10, 2011 14:56:37 GMT -8
I use the site www.behindthename.com to look up some name meanings or to find some other interesting names. It depends on the kind of story I'm working on. If I can, I try to use symbolic names subtly, and the same thing goes with mythological names. I tend to use common names more often if it's set in a contemporary setting. If it's a period piece, I look up the names that are commonly used during those eras. - Danica, Seth, Natalia, Robby, Caleb, Phoebe, Nicholas... to name a few. Not really. I just name them with whatever name I happen to come up with, not so much if it "fits" their character because then that would probably sound like I'm trying too hard.
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Feb 6, 2011 19:48:42 GMT -8
Post by daringdani on Feb 6, 2011 19:48:42 GMT -8
I go to my friends or babynames.com, usually.
I just pick names I like that have a nice ring to them and are fairly common.
Crush (Working Title) Daryl, Derek, Julie, Victor, Rose, Sammi Fingers Crossed (Working Title) Mason, Destiny, Madelyn, Kyle
No. A name is just that: A name.
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Deleted
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Names
Feb 6, 2011 20:45:14 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2011 20:45:14 GMT -8
1. I tend to look up names with specific meaning to my character. So, google, kind of.
2. Common next to unusual- mostly older names that maybe at one period in time were popular. I enjoy symbolic names as well.
3. Daveth, Lelabelle, Olive, Nat- just a few.
4. No. I only pick names that I feel connect with my character most. If I had a 'big dumb guy', I would name him something related to where he grew up, or his heritage. Of course normally the reader will not know that, but I like a touch of realism in my works of literature. If I had a saint of a character, I would not name him/her something biblical or special.
Ah, but names are just that. Pretty, but meaningless.
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Deleted
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Names
Feb 7, 2011 12:49:07 GMT -8
Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2011 12:49:07 GMT -8
1) I usually go onto behindthename.com or another name site, or if it requires more fantasy-style names, I'll make them up. I once took inspiration from the periodic table. I'm weird. 2) I'll either make them up, or I'll look up meanings that fit the characters. Of course, I have to like the name as well. XD 3) Well, I've got plans for next year's NaNoWriMo, and I've only done some of the girls so far. Anyway: Mariana, Freda, Flora, Cecilia, Telrax. 4) Most of the time, the name meaning fits the character, unless I've made up the name myself.
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Story Keeper
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There's a wild wind blowin', down the corner of my street[Mo0:1]
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Names
Feb 7, 2011 23:47:11 GMT -8
Post by Story Keeper on Feb 7, 2011 23:47:11 GMT -8
1. I use thinkbabynames.com, because it gives you perodical names as well as abbreviations.
2. Any names; mostly European ones. I only really use different names for locations, e.g. Askandaron and Terra Mira.
3. James, Hannah, Earnest, Annika, etc.
4. If that's true then it's a coincidence. I just use whatever name fits and don't overthink.
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