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Names are important. We give names to things/people/pets to somehow imbue them with an identity. I mean, I call my purple Impala the Phantum because…well, that kind of car just really needs a name. Picking names can take a lot of time, or not a lot of time. There are thousands of books with names in them to help people out when they’re having kids. Websites, too!
Authors have to name their characters. I mean, you can’t just refer to them as The Man and The Boy (unless you’re Cormac Fucking McCarthy, amirite?). Mostly, you have to give your characters actual names. And authors should spend enough time picking the names of their characters as they do on everything else, because let’s face it, names have power.
When picking names for your characters, personally, I think it’s best to be realistic. Practical. And pay attention to trends. If your hero’s in his thirties, in contemporary times, you need to give him a name that would’ve been in use or popular when he was BORN. Not names that are trendy and popular NOW. Same for the heroine. You might just love the name Neveah but let’s face it, that name didn’t come into use thirty years ago. You can check websites for the top popular names by year. Do it. Of course, this doesn’t mean you *have* to give your characters names that were popular and trendy the year they were born. You could have a reason for naming your heroine Gertie or something considered “old-fashioned” — but if you’re aware, for example, that a name like Emma that’s fairly popular now was considered a grandma name when the heroine was born, you can use that to show how she felt about growing up in the 70s with a grandma name.
For example, my name wasn’t very popular when I was a kid. I was pretty much the only Megan in my classes. Um, in my entire school, actually, for a long time, until one other came along and she pronounced it differently. Being the one kid in school with a certain name has its effects, you know? You stand out. That can be good or bad, depending on how you feel about it. So if you give your hero or heroine a name that nobody else has, you really have to consider how that’s going to affect them. Let me tell you, not being able to find your name on those imprinted keychains at the beach can seriously scar a kid.
It’s easy to pick really wild, crazy names that are fun. But if you’re going to have your characters with names that aren’t the norm, make sure they still make sense. And chances are, both your hero AND heroine aren’t going to have really off the wall names. If you’re looking at trendy names, make sure they fit their ages, their personalities, etc. Take a look at what names are cropping up in books, too…sure, you might love the name Logan (I like it myself!) but if you see ten books with heroes named Logan…maybe give it a rest. You know?
Pay attention to ethnicity. Yes, of course you can give your characters ethnic names that don’t match their ethnicity, people do it all the time. But if you name your American hero Alejandro, you should probably have a reason why his parents named him that. Spanish descent? Love Lady Gaga? (there, see? If he’s older than a year old, that’s not going to work as an explanation unless you’re writing a futuristic or something.)
Pay attention to spelling. I know you might looooooove the name Mykhayela. But how do you say it? Remember, people are READING this. Not hearing it. Think about how long it took you to figure out how to pronounce Hermione until she put it out there in the dialogue. Or you saw the movie. Or heard people talking about it.
The bottom line is this: your characters need good names that fit their personalities and suit the story. If you want to color outside the lines, you should be prepared to have a reason for it. Names are important, they will affect your characters. Use that.
And with saying all that, here is a list of names I will never use for a hero (or never use again)
1. Alex — Before writing Tempted, I’d used the name Alex about three times (that I can recall, maybe more in works that haven’t been published.) Alex was sort of my “go-to” name for a certain type of character. Frankly, I think Alex is a kick-ass name for a hero. However. Now that I’ve written Alex Kennedy, I’ll never use it for any other hero. I just can’t. In fact, I had intended to totally retire it from use but then I wrote Everything Changes and Naked. So there.
2. David — let’s just say I can’t use this name for a hero because it’s too personally involved with my life.
3. Brad — my high school boyfriend’s name. He can be a villain or the annoying secondary character, but I’ll never see him as a hero. (Sorry, Brad.)
4. Edward — I don’t know why I keep using this name. It has nothing to do with Twilight. But I’ve used it a bunch of times and it’s got to stop! I like the name, but really. Too many times!
5. Eugene — I think this one’s obvious.
6. Jensen — here’s where I’m talking about trendy useage. Jensen isn’t that common of a first name — but with Jensen Ackles’ popularity, I’m guessing lots of little Jensens are probably being born now. To use it as a hero’s name right now would be too obviously an homage to Ackles (who I loooove) but you know, sometimes it’s just too obvious. On the other hand, Jared’s common enough that I’d use that for a hero, no problem.
7. Keanu — of course, lots of little Keanus exist now, most of them named after Keanu Reeves. But if you name a dude Keanu, the comparisons can’t be avoided. He is THE ONE, after all. Maybe in another 10 years when all the little Keanus are grown up, you could start using it. But…no. Probably not.
I’m sure there are others on the list, I can’t think of them right now.
Annnd…I’m off to write some more!
bye!
M
July 8th, 2010 at 2:37 pm · Link
I agree with Alex bec everytime I’m hearing or reading that name again I have to think of sexy ass hell hero Alex Kennedy.
Edward: I don’t like the Twilight Edward… but Johnny Depp
Jensen, I love the name and not to think about Keanu… It only can be HIM!!!! Ah he’s is so yummy.
But you’re right, some names which are in right now weren’t used 30 years ago and it wouldnt be realistigc if you would use them now for a hero of your books.
July 8th, 2010 at 10:50 pm · Link
@Sabine: if you did use them, you’d have to have a reason for it, I think.
July 8th, 2010 at 2:39 pm · Link
I completely agree with you on the importance of names. I’m not a writer but when I named my children I gave each of them real thought. Oh and I feel your pain on not having anything printed with your name growing up. You can, I’m sure, understand the absolute delight and sheer joy I experienced when I found a pack of pens with my name on them. The ink dried up and I still kept them because I have never found anything else!
July 8th, 2010 at 10:50 pm · Link
@Vanessa DeJesus: haha, awwww! I know. I had a unicorn eraser I cherished because it was the only thing I ever found! Now I have no problem, but I sort of outgrew erasers with my name on them.
July 8th, 2010 at 3:19 pm · Link
I so hear you. I never got why my mother thought it was a good idea to name me Susann. She says it was cuz Susanne didn’t sound right with our last name so here I was with a name no one else has. We have Susi, Susan or Susanne here in Germany but never a stupid mug with Susann. Drove me crazy when someone bought one of those and my name was all wrong on them. Yep, I agree it totally effects you when your name is not very common.
And I hate when I don’t know how to pronounce a name in a book. Drives me crazy.
July 8th, 2010 at 10:49 pm · Link
@SusiSunshine: urggg! If there’s one thing worse than not finding the mug with your name on it, it’s getting one with your name spelled wrong!
July 8th, 2010 at 3:33 pm · Link
I agree with you. I think when it comes to naming characters, there’s a tendency among a lot of writers to go really wild with names. I try to stick to more common ones, but at the same time, not get stuck in a naming rut.
Alex I’ll never use, just because it’s my ex-husband’s name and that’s WAY too big a can of worms to mess with, without a whopping can off whoop-ass to balance it out.
And Edward , just for the fact that everyone acutomatically connects it to Twilight now, just… no. I won’t disparage Stephenie Meyer, after all, she’s accomplished something that’s only in the realm of my wildest dreams so far.. but I will say that I apparently am not in the target audience – as it just did not enrapture me as it did so many other women and girls.
When it comes to ethnic names, I tend to avoid them. It’s probably dumb, but I’m always worried that, if I give a character an ethnic name, then the character does something people don’t like, people will assume I’m racist or have some kind of “agenda” or ax to grind.
I named my car, Mocha. She’s the color of a frothy coffee/chocolate concoction, she has “pep” and driving her makes me happy.
As for kids, I named one of mine after a mythological hero. He’s always the only one in his class, and even at his larger middle school, when I say his first name, EVERYONE knows who I mean. I’m seeing now that the name is actually starting to become a little popular, although the other people I see with it are usually toddlers.
But he likes it. He says it suits him and it makes him feel connected to me (my name means “fiery spirit” and his means “son of fire”) and if anything, I can tease him about being ahead of the curve!
July 8th, 2010 at 10:47 pm · Link
@Gemini: Your kid has a very cool name, if it’s what I think I know what it is!
July 8th, 2010 at 9:30 pm · Link
I think we can label this post “ironic” given your kids’ names, which are awesome but sooooooo much less common than Megan (which was very much not uncommon where I grew up at the very same time you grew up).
I agree with every single one of your points, but I have to admit…I’ll never have a hero named Bob. Or John. I’ve used some common names, like Nick and Jake and Sam, but I only ever pick names because I like them and they fit my character. There are extremes I won’t go to (ref. Makheyala), but for the most part, I don’t care if my hero was the only XYZ on the planet when he was born–it’s his name.
July 8th, 2010 at 10:46 pm · Link
@Natalie J. Damschroder: You’re right, but they’re not at all uncommon in the country of their origin. (And my name became VERY popular a few years after I came along, but not in my age group. Lots of younger Megans, just none in my age range.) Now I have no trouble finding things with my name on them!
I really like unusual names, too, but I see them being used to excess and really…sometimes the name is SO extreme that I can’t concentrate on the book because of it. I like unique names enough to have given my children unique names, so I’m not against it, and I don’t think it’s unbelievable, but if you have a unique name for your character, or a name that’s not age-normal, etc. then it should have a reason and a story (just like your own children’s unique names have…) — doesn’t have to be in the book, but there should be a reason that makes sense.
July 8th, 2010 at 10:54 pm · Link
You’re right, but they’re not at all uncommon in the country of their origin.
No, but that doesn’t help them find pencils with their names on them HERE.
And that’s actually my point–that it’s as much regional as it is time. You didn’t know other Megans your age, but I did. There were a couple in each of my high school classes (I went to a different HS in a different state my senior year).
really…sometimes the name is SO extreme that I can’t concentrate on the book because of it.
I totally agree.
July 13th, 2010 at 9:30 am · Link
Neveah – in my head it sounded like Nivea, cheap greasy face cream very good for removing theatrical slap but the tag for a heroine – no, not really.
There were some Jensens in the UK in the 60s and 70s because of the Jensen Interceptor, a seriously sexy car. But if you used it now everyone would think of Mr Ackles. Likewise Jared, which is quite a nice name to use for the right type of person.
This is really useful advice. thanks.
July 19th, 2010 at 3:19 pm · Link
Karen is one of the most common names I can think of but, my hippie parents changed the “K” to a “C”. Somehow that small change turned me in to Carmen. I like Carmen but its not my name. I’ve never found my name on a cup or a pen but I think Ill live.
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:57 pm · Link
@Caren:
But you could order one online now, I bet.