Finding the Perfect Character Name
Use Baby Name Resources to Find the Perfect Moniker
A multitude of baby name resources exist on the Web. Why not use them to help you in creating great characters?
Do all of your characters end up being named Mike and Matt, Amy and Emily? Do you want to be more creative with names, but continually hit a brick wall?
Creating a character is like giving birth – with just as little control over what happens with them once they leave your nest.
So the next time you’re having trouble giving them the perfect name, or if the name they have just doesn’t seem to fit who they have become, try doing what new parents do. Tap into the vast array of baby name resources.
If you are simply looking to browse through potential names, origins and meanings, pick up a baby name book at your local book store, or visit Baby Names World, a simple and straight-forward site that will give you a clean format and thousands upon thousands of names to browse. The multitude of names available makes this a simple way to find new ideas.
If you want something a little more interactive and fun, or if you want a little more direction, there are as many baby name Web sites available as there are people looking to name babies. As with most things in life, though, some of these sites are better than others!
The Baby Name Finder is interesting because you can give it the tidbits of information you have come up with say a first letter, a number of syllables or origin and the finder will generate ideas for you. The site also provides information on the most popular names in countries around the world, so if you’re adding an Australian or Italian character to the mix, their name will be a perfect fit.
The Name Voyager is a fun place to just point your mouse and click randomly for a name. It’s an interactive graph of popular names throughout the past decades, and if you’re really searching for a name, any name, it may be just the place.
But what if you really want something with some meat, some meaning?
For example, say you’re writing about a deaf woman, and you want her name to reflect her differences. Parenthood has a baby naming function that is unique because not only can you put in the name and get the meaning, you can do it in reverse.
Kabalarian Philosophy will analyze the name you've already given your character, and point you toward the name that would be a perfect fit for the person you've created. In addition, there are message boards for discussion of ill-fitting names and more.
If nothing else, these Web sites are interesting places to distract yourself from the real business of writing for a while! Good luck getting to know your characters, and finding the perfect names.
