In building a character, how important is the name? Can a fictional character named Brad Pitt do things that a fictional character named Billy Bob Thornton could NOT do - or vice versa. (they could not possibly, for example, marry the same fictonal woman, could they?) The question applies both male and female - don't want to discuss all the possibilities of other genders.
Can a fictional character named Brad Pitt do things that a fictional character named Billy Bob Thornton could NOT do - or vice versa.
That depends on how tightly your fictional Brad Pitt is based on the real Brad Pitt. Names are important where they are an expression of the character's identity (Doctor Doctor anyone), but it's hardly necessary to tightly couple the character's identity with their name.
Most of the time I would say names are not that important, but then most of the time I am dealing with people not of Earth.
In my latest story however I am at least attempting to have a Chicago-area Latina and her name as well as the names of close family members reflect that.
In building a character, how important is the name?
Somewhat important. The character's ethnicity should be taken into account. Also the time period. I remember googling common Old West names in the 1880s for some characters.
I used to google a character's name to make sure no one in real life had that name. Unless I made up the last name, someone had it. And even when I made up the last name sometimes someone had it. I was once asked by a reader if one of my stories was true. When I asked why, he said one of the characters was his boss (by name).
I was once asked by a reader if one of my stories was true. When I asked why, he said one of the characters was his boss (by name).
Hmm, as a reader, unless (name) was a celebrity in real life, I wouldn't jump to that conclusion unless there was a lot more in common between the character and the real person than just a name. And even then, there has to be some basis for thinking the author knows or at least knows of the real person.
Switch Blayde
I was once asked by a reader if one of my stories was true. When I asked why, he said one of the characters was his boss (by name).
I got a complaint once that was invading the privacy of a couple. I had used their names (first only, IIRC), and they had the problem that fictional couple did. I persuaded them that
1) I didn't know them at all
2) That I wrote lots of stories about fictional couples with fictional -- but realistic -- problems.
3) That changing the names of the characters would only raise questions.
I got a complaint once that was invading the privacy of a couple. I had used their names (first only, IIRC), and they had the problem that fictional couple did.
You had two Karens in one story?
I tend to pick names of people in real life as the basis of my character names. Not their "real names", but characters like Holly, Linda, Chris, they all came from people I know. Same with their last names, all based on a real person.
That is mostly because I give them at least some of the appearance or characteristics of that real person, and it helps me to remember as I am writing.
I also very rarely ever use an actual "Real Name". I think I have only done it twice. The first was just because in the real world a specific actress actually was living in the area where they story took place, so I lifted her name and physical characteristics into a fictionalized version of her (in fact the main character never meets her, her interactions are entirely "off screen").
The other was more of an "easter egg", that only geeks would get as the person is a well known game designer. But that is a cameo only put there for "game fanbois", and could just have easily been done by somebody entirely fictional.
It is generally seen by most as "lazy" to throw in real people. And their are other dangers. Most 20 years ago would have thought nothing of throwing in a fictional loving father who cares about the friends of his teen daughter named "Bill Cosby". But if that story was re-read today, a great "Ewwwww" factor would set in.
Not to mention the fact that there is a possibility of getting sued. Most stories fall easily into the "satire" aspect and are largely safe. But if you move from a single one-shot short story into something else, the risk of that starts to go up drastically.
I consider names to be important. More than a Google search is required if you wish to nail details down as well. For instance, a Nepali region surname would not normally be found on Sri Lanka. Then you get to religious and other influences.
That holds true around the world, but no where more so than the country of China. In the not too distant past, you could damn near pin down the village they were from simply by their specific combination of names.
Spanish/Hispanic/South American names tend to be a bit more ubiquitous, but even then, are heavily influenced. Especially where they crossed over into a Portuguese background or Native South American tribes.
So yes, names should be important to an author trying to nail down a specific background.
I had a different interpretation of the question, sorry if it's mistaken:
Would "Laverne and Shirley" have been as funny if they had been named Antoinette and Octavia? Probably not, we all have preconceived notions about names.
Your dusty, tobacco-spitting gunfighter might be less believable if he's named Percival. But he would certainly have a good reason for being a mean SOB.
Would "Laverne and Shirley" have been as funny if they had been named Antoinette and Octavia? Probably not, we all have preconceived notions about names.
Chicken or Egg? Would the names Laverne and Shirley be associated with funny if it weren't for the sit com?
I say there's no way to be sure.
we all have preconceived notions about names.
This is true, but we aren't born with those preconceived notions. We learn them.
This is true, but we aren't born with those preconceived notions. We learn them.
We weren't born with anything but the ability to observe. And it doesn't take too many years of experience to figure out that two Milwaukee girls working in a brewery aren't likely to be named Antoinette and Octavia.
That's the sort of thing that kids learn in public school. The teachers call it "acquiring social skills", the kids call it being made fun of and getting beaten up.
And it doesn't take too many years of experience to figure out that two Milwaukee girls working in a brewery aren't likely to be named Antoinette and Octavia.
Milwaukee doesn't have big French or Italian populations.
Now Gisela and Ingrid would be real possibilities.
In building a character, how important is the name?
I would say it is important to the story. Most readers will accept something like Tom if the character is a 6-foot humanoid lizard. but some find it odd. Many names are commonly associated with people in a passive profession and aren't expected when used as a macho man personality; when I see Bernard with no context, I think of an accountant.
No matter what name you use, unless it is a made-up word, there is a high probability that someone uses the name.
So, I wouldn't worry about the name being used by an actual person; unless the person is a well-know celebrity. For celebrities' names, there is only minimal risk of a lawsuit if the character is totally different from the real life person.
Personally, I wouldn't intentionally use a celebrity's name in one of my stories. Although, it was pointed out to me that one of my characters had the same name as a current celebrity. I had never heard of the man, but I don't pay attention to celebrities unless they are rubbed into my face by the media.
I found a list of common last names, and two lists of male and female first names. I randomized and combined the 3 lists, so now I have a list of over 2000 first-last names. When I need a new character name, I pick one that seems appropriate for the character I am creating.
Generally, I work on not repeating -- which I tend to do.
While a Bev might do something a Beverly would not, generally, I don't think names have much influence on personality.
It seems incredibly unlikely that personality has any influence on names.
Occasionally, I write stories with a huge cast of minor characters. I depart from reality in insisting that they all have different names. That takes an internal-use file to keep those names straight.
That takes an internal-use file to keep those names straight.
What is an internal-use file? is it some sort of database you can check?
What is an internal-use file? is it some sort of database you can check?
Effectively simply a cast of characters, with their names and other important information. My character list for 'A True History' is 6 pages long, with everyone's name and relevant information on it, so if I don't reference someone for a while, I can pull up their important information.
Now, what is important information is relative to how important the person is to the story. For my main characters, I have their dates of birth, where they were born, and for those who can, their approximate menstrual cycle dates - simply because that can be important.
For other characters, I have family connections, or why they're important as an extra note. This person is married to this other person's sister, or that person's father is a police officer.
Effectively simply a cast of characters, with their names and other important information. My character list for 'A True History' is 6 pages long
I use open office and I built a database, I can track worlds, stories characters, important places, families, organizations.
What is an internal-use file? is it some sort of database you can check?
I've done that once or twice when I wanted more information. Mostly, I just use a text file. It's "internal-use" inn that I use it, but the reader doesn't see it.
It seems incredibly unlikely that personality has any influence on names.
It is kinda hard trying to imagine a sexy stud with a 9" schlong named "Irving" or "Maynard".
Ir a super smart and sexy gal with a doctorate in Astrophysics named "Barbie" or "Trixie".
Or even a sexy stripper named "Bertha" or "Ethel". Or a super-horny girl you meet at a party and wants to bang named "Mildred" or "Maggie".
I have found that names really can impart a lot of personality onto a character. Which is one reason why I tend to pick rather bland names for the most part.
And I also have to work to keep them straight. Thankfully, most times in the past I did that by writing short stories. But in my longer ones, I frequently have to reference beck to see what I actually named somebody.
Ir a super smart and sexy gal with a doctorate in Astrophysics named "Barbie" or "Trixie".
Those are nick names, or diminutives, they are unlikely to be someone's legal first name. Personality/career will play a bigger role there.
Or even a sexy stripper named "Bertha" or "Ethel".
Strippers like a lot of people in the entertainment industries use stage names.
Marilyn Monroe's real(legal) name was Norma Jeane Mortenson.
Or a super-horny girl you meet at a party and wants to bang named "Mildred" or "Maggie".
I have to disagree on Maggie.
Those are nick names, or diminutives, they are unlikely to be someone's legal first name. Personality/career will play a bigger role there.
Not always. I knew a girl in school who's birth name was "Trixie". And actress Barbie Wilde is her actual name. I knew several with that name later on also. It got some popularity in the 1960's after the doll came out.
A lot of the kids of the 1960's got some really weird names like that. I knew 2 sisters like that. "Moon" (short for Moonlight), and her sister "Star" (short for Starshine). But those were their actual birth names.
Do not forget the names of Frank Zappa's kids. The hospital refused to name his son "Dweezil", so he picked 4 names at random. Dweezil did not learn until much later his birth name was not what he was called. And his other kids were Moon Unit, Diva Muffin, and Ahmet Emuukha Rodan (yes, his second middle name came from a Japanese movie monster).
Strippers like a lot of people in the entertainment industries use stage names.
Mostly yes, but I am talking real name not stage name. I worked in that industry for several years, and got to know both. "Mary Jane" for example, who was Sophie. And "Jade", who was Nancy. But also a "Danielle", who did not know better and used her real name.
I have to disagree on Maggie.
I am married to a "Maggie", but the mental image the name normally brings up is that of a spinster schoolteacher.
I am married to a "Maggie", but the mental image the name normally brings up is that of a spinster schoolteacher.
For you maybe, not for me.
It seems incredibly unlikely that personality has any influence on names.
It is kinda hard trying to imagine a sexy stud with a 9" schlong named "Irving" or "Maynard".
Well, you find it hard to imagine that; I find it had t imagine the parents waiting to name their kid until they find out whether he grows a 9-inch schlong.
Well, you find it hard to imagine that; I find it had t imagine the parents waiting to name their kid until they find out whether he grows a 9-inch schlong.
Actually, that was also a reference to the web comic "Better Days", by Jay Naylor. One of the characters was named "Irving", and had a package that was almost impossible to believe. As in it hung almost to his knee.
Irving
More than you need to know. "Irving Origin and Meaning
The name Irving is a boy's name of Scottish origin meaning "green river, sea friend". It might be surprising to know that this name originated as a Scottish place and surname name, as in Washington Irving."
The prefix, "Per" is often silent, so when you say the name, you don't hear Perving.
The prefix, "Per" is often silent, so when you say the name, you don't hear Perving.
EPIC FAIL!
If you'd said the prefix 'P' is often silent (as in P G Wodehouse's 'Psmith'), it might have been marginally humorous. But 'Irving' with a prefix of 'Per' makes perirving.
AJ
a super-horny girl you meet at a party and wants to bang named "Mildred" or "Maggie".
Milly Morris and Maggie Green are both porn stars.
a super-horny girl you meet at a party and wants to bang named "Maggie".
That one I could see, actually.
But If you have a guy named Sue, he's probably gonna be a badass. Because he survived constant abuse as a kid, as a teen, etc.
But If you have a guy named Sue, he's probably gonna be a badass. Because he survived constant abuse as a kid, as a teen, etc.
The characters in my story are named John and Sue. If asked, I will say they are both named after Johnny Cash.
It seems incredibly unlikely that personality has any influence on names.
It might if someone legally has their name changed as an adult.
Parents name their kids too early to take personality into account.
Parents name their kids too early to take personality into account.
Yes, but the names they give the kids certainly DO affect the kid for at least the first 18 years of life. Thanks to their peers. That has to mould or mold personalities!
Thats why you give your kid two first names. When they grow up they can swap them if they can't stand the given name. Worked for me, I did have to punch out three bullies in junior year to enforce the change.
Thats why you give your kid two first names. When they grow up they can swap them if they can't stand the given name.
I worked with a woman whose first and middle names were Randy Ellen. She was a VP with a corner office and private conference room. She got transferred to England. All of a sudden Randy was now Ellen for obvious reasons.
I worked with a woman whose first and middle names were Randy Ellen. She was a VP with a corner office and private conference room. She got transferred to England. All of a sudden Randy was now Ellen for obvious reasons.
I blame all the sex-drive suppressing halides in our tap water ;-)
Was 'Randy' short for anything?
AJ
Thats why you give your kid two first names. When they grow up they can swap them if they can't stand the given name. Worked for me, I did have to punch out three bullies in junior year to enforce the change.
Or name him Wayne DeWayne - that way, he will never have to fight in high school - he'll be doing life plus twenty before the sixth grade.
For me names aren't as important as other areas. Then again, I tend to come up with character names fairly easily. I try to come up with names that flow well off the tongue and also seem appropriate for whatever time period I am writing in.
As a reader I hate when I read a story that is supposed to be set in the current day and I come across names like "Peggy" or something really old sounding like that. Yes there may be people named that, but those names in this age are very rare.
I was playing a D&D campaign one time and set up a scenario with the DM where my character would slowly be corrupted by evil until he finally turned on the entire party. I looked at all sorts of foreign languages for DAYS until I had come up with a unique name that would give the players a clue as to what would be in store for them if they ever looked into it. Months go by and we finally come to a huge scene where my character is finally going to betray everyone. The scene went over great and all the players were absolutely FLOORED by what we had been building behind their backs. But you know what they never talked about? What my characters name meant. Even after I told them about it, they didn't care. I could have named the character Bob Smith and it wouldn't have had an impact on the story.
I say that to make the point that you don't have to put in too much effort into a name. Yes if you name your character Brad Pitt but try to describe him as some fat ugly geek with oozing pus pockets all over his face readers will have a hard time believing it, but that's because of their association with who Brad Pitt is. If you called him Brad Thornton or Billy Bob Pitt.... not as much of an issue.
"Peggy" or something really old sounding like that
Apparently you've never seen the videos with Aunt Peg in them.
I can't say as though I have. I guess I'm missing something though because those videos mean nothing to me lol. I have no idea what you are talking about.
As to old-fashioned names, they come back. My mother was born in 1919. Bella was an old-fashioned name until Twilight and now it's popular again.
Scrivener has a good method to keep track of names, as well as an random name generator. You can ask for a couple of dozen male or female names and pick one.
There are a lot of random name generators out there.
I like http://www.behindthename.com/random/ because it will let you generate a name for specific ethnicities as well as fantasy, ancient, and mythological names.
That's awesome! I've used a lot of random name generators but never seen this one before. This looks awesome! I'll probably put this one to good use! Thanks for the link!
Great resource!
I tested it out with a non-rare male Spanish name and got Blair Fife. I said, "What?" When I double-checked it I realized I checked Scottish instead of Spanish. Damn these old eyes and small screen.
When I double-checked it I realized I checked Scottish instead of Spanish. Damn these old eyes and small screen.
LOL!
I like http://www.behindthename.com/random/ because it will let you generate a name for specific ethnicities as well as fantasy, ancient, and mythological names.
Living as I do among real hillbillies, I checked the box and got:
Clyde-Lee Tractorgreaser
Maggie-Lu Dirtbaler
Chuck-Bob Barntoter
Joe-Jo Moonshinehauler
Nope, sorry. Not much use there, them ain't real.
I could'a done a sight better jes' lookin' in the phonebook. If'n I hadn't already used the pages otherwise, if ya know what I mean. All good things must come to an end.
I've got 2 Mark's in my current story. Thankfully one of them is an adult an I can get away with calling him "Mr. Jackson" to differentiate between the two.
As this is SOL, I'll point out they can both bang fictional Angela Jolie, decide she falls too far on the crazy side of the crazy/hot scale and leave her.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned WTSman (https://storiesonline.net/a/WTSman). In most of his stories, the protagonist is "George". It's a different George in each story, sometimes young, sometimes old, but it's always George. In one story, he explains why "George" is a name that engenders trust and confidence. If you haven't read about George, treat yourself to some good short stories.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned WTSman (https://storiesonline.net/a/WTSman). In most of his stories, the protagonist is "George". It's a different George in each story, sometimes young, sometimes old, but it's always George.
Is this a pseudonym for George Foreman?
Foreman knew the importance of being George! With all those kids, the name "George Foremen" will live on for decades.
In one story, he explains why "George" is a name that engenders trust and confidence.
I certainly hope so. "George" is the name used to refer to the autopilot on airliners. Better inspire confidence!
I certainly hope so. "George" is the name used to refer to the autopilot on airliners. Better inspire confidence!
You mean it's not "Otto"?
The 1980 movie lied to us?
Can't say I am particularly bothered about my characters names. Sometimes I have to use Words search and replace function because I changed them mid story... LOL
So saying that, I recently dropped a story using the characters from Red Dwarf. Even used the ship name as part of the title... LOL
I just remembered one I included as a joke.
There were several members of a band, and I introduced each of them by name.
All that is, except the Bass Player. I only introduced him as such, and never once mentioned his name. So in a way, that is naming somebody by not actually giving him a name aqt all.
And I toke the idea from none other than Tom Hanks and John Carpenter. In "That Thing You Do" written and directed by Tom Hanks, the bass player was never given a name. Even in the credits he is listed as "T. B. Player".
In "They Live", the main character is named "John", but never has a last name given. In the credits he is listed as "John Nada", Nada being Spanish for "Nothing".
It depends on the story. If the character's name has a significance for the story, whether in text or subtext, then the name of the character is very important. Think of all those biblical stories where wordplays on the character's name proliferate. I once criticized a movie for not naming the main female character "Abelia" because she was so insubstantial she may as well have been just a breath.
The caveat here is that if the name has some significance to the story, you're better off explaining the significance somewhere. Think Starr and Seven in The Hate You Give. Having a name be important to subtext is harder to pull off. You can name a character Mara and put her through all sorts of bitter experiences, but unless your readers remember their Bible, they won't realize the name does have a significance to the story.
If you're trying to write a series of books, it's better to put a lot more thought in the name, precisely because you do want it to stand out. Examples: Nancy Drew, Luke Skywalker, Mack Bolan. This may be why superheroes often have alliterative names for their alter egos (Clark Kent, Peter Parker).
Finally, there are certain names that are best not used because they have immediate negative connotations. Lolita especially comes to mind, but I wouldn't use Adolf as a name even for a German character in a story set in 19th century Germany.
If you're trying to write a series of books, it's better to put a lot more thought in the name, precisely because you do want it to stand out. Examples: Nancy Drew, Luke Skywalker, Mack Bolan.
In my opinion, this only really applies if you name the series for the main character. If you are doing a series, you want readers to remember the name of the series more so than the name of the main character. In fact, the entire series might not even focus on a single main character throughout.
In my opinion, this only really applies if you name the series for the main character. If you are doing a series, you want readers to remember the name of the series more so than the name of the main character. In fact, the entire series might not even focus on a single main character throughout.
True.
why superheroes often have alliterative names for their alter egos
Actually, Stan Lee explained that he did that so that if he remembered one of the names, he had a builtin clue as to the other. Remember how many different characters he had to keep track of... Some major ones he was confident he'd remember (Tony Stark, for example) but...
Actually, Stan Lee explained that he did that so that if he remembered one of the names, he had a builtin clue as to the other. Remember how many different characters he had to keep track of... Some major ones he was confident he'd remember (Tony Stark, for example) but...
I don't doubt that's true for Lee. However, the disproportionate use of alliterative names suggests something more is going on than simply the use of mnemomic devices.
