An alert reader pointed out an issue with a character name in my story Aztlan Portal.
In my notes the character was Verkun-Voll. I took inspiration from a character from a graphic novel I read decades ago. The name just "sounded right" to me. Unfortunately, among the stories on my computer is an uncompleted Fan Fiction story based upon the H. Beam Piper story "Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen" and there is a character named Verkan-Vall; that name is saved in my Spellchecker. I didn't notice the error because there was no red underline of the name. I am changing the name to: Nicodèmes.
In my story I am loosely basing my Aliens/Imperials upon the Byzantine Empire (w/ aspects of ancient China, Persia, and some fantasy realms). I keep numerous lists of names for use in my writing (and gaming). For my Aliens I have been using various Byzantine/Greek names, some Latin names or variants commonly used in Byzantium. Some names have come from Plutarch's Lives. Other names have Armenian, Assyrian Christian, and other origins. Some names in particular for the non-humans are from various fantasy sources or made up.
Names for me are Important. For me, and I hope at least some readers, the names have meanings that partially define the character. I am sure that some of the names I use have been used in other stories, because they are Common Names; but not copies of any trademarked character.
Some common names I am using in my story include Christopher Cooper, Coleen O'Grady, John Johnson, Manuel Martinez, Miguel Diaz, Tomas Fernandez, etc.
Martinez is a common family name, a major character is named Edgar Martinez; in the story it is mentioned that the character's father admired the baseball player of the same name, although he claims to have named him after an uncle. Another character is named Clarence Thomas, in story it is mentioned that his mother named him after the Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court. Another character is Quincy Adams, it is mentioned that he is a distant relation to the former POTUS of some 200 years ago.
I believe that I am on "solid ground" as many authors, including published authors use common names. Having a character that in story is named after a famous person has also been done, such as Benjamin Franklin Gates from National Treasure, or Edward "Duke Ellington, a fighter pilot in Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising. Or having Wynonna Earp as a fictional descendant of Wyatt Earp.
If I ever publish this story for sale, I will first submit my list(s) of character names for vetting by a lawyer who is knowledgeable about copyright matters.
Why then my concern about Verkun-Voll/Verkan-Vall? Because in H. Beam Piper's writing VV is a covert agent. The PM to me was asking: "Is my story a crossover from Otherwhen or any of H. Beam Piper's Crosstime series?" That was not at all my intent. But because the H. Beam Piper character is capable of ultra-tach disguise or even body/face alteration, use of that name could cause confusion.
It is not plausible that a reasonable person will confuse a USMC Corporal for a sitting SCOTUS Associate Justice; nor an Army LTC for a famous retired MLB player. I read a story with a "Randy Johnson" character who is a PI (Private Eye) {who in story states, "No. Not That Randy Johnson."}
I am working on some other necessary corrections and checking other chapters for use of the VV name. I should have the name change re-loaded by this weekend. I very much appreciate Constructive Criticism. I don't make all recommended changes. I do consider them.
By the way there are two very good Fan Fiction stories set in "Otherwhen" Tangent, and a sequel; here on SOL.
https://storiesonline.net/s/50382/tangent?ind=1