Character Names?

J

Joe Calabrese

Well-known member
Should I start pulling names out of my ass, or should I actually give it some thought?

I mean, I want the names to be memorable, so that when people finish watching it and leave, they can remember those characters and relate to them. So, what's my best option?
 
Give it at least a little thought, but the ones you pull out of your ass probably work. Make sure it's not too similar to anyone famous or anyone you know, and think about if it fits. Does saying it fast sound weird, or like a word? Is it overused, and if so, is that a problem? Simple considerations like that. There's nothing critical to it, a couple seconds of thinking is really all you need to answer it. Unless you want to be artsy and have the name have some deep meaning, or be an acronym.
 
Joe Calabrese said:
Should I start pulling names out of my ass, or should I actually give it some thought?
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Definitely pull 'em out of yur ass dude.

I mean, I want the names to be memorable, so that when people finish watching it and leave, they can remember those characters and relate to them. So, what's my best option?
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You could always make up over-the-top sword and sorcery or space opera-ish names for your characters. Those types of names are always pretty rememberable.

Think of some that are well known: Luke Skywalker, Conan, Buzz Lightyear, Galadriel, Bilbo Baggins. You could make up your own fantastical names pretty easily, for example: Seritoth, Cybearicus, Mondo Lazer, Sunspot Phazer (maybe he's a half hippie/half Native American space pirate?)

Then there is one of my favorite character names, the president from Idiocracy -- Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho (who is a porn super-star and five-time ultimate smackdown wrestling champion)

Or you could use something like this for help in picking character names -- http://www.behindthename.com/
 
Using the character's function or mission or any other attribute as sort of a random name generator works nicely for me. So for example if you're trying to name a guy who tries to destroy the main character, you could turn "destroy main" into 'Troy Maines'. I've found it a pretty good way to avoid creating predictable, made-up sounding names. You do have to be careful not to make the logical connection too obvious, but sometimes even that can work, like with Robert DeNiro's character (the devil incarnate) in "Angel Heart", who was named 'Louis Cypher' (as in Lucifer).
 
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Character names should mean something to you or the story. The name usually comes if you listen to the story inside you.
 
Ted Spencer said:
Using the character's function or mission or any other attribute as sort of a random name generator works nicely for me. So for example if you're trying to name a guy who tries to destroy the main character, you could turn "destroy main" into 'Troy Maines'. I've found it a pretty good way to avoid creating predictable, made-up sounding names. You do have to be careful not to make the logical connection too obvious, but sometimes even that can work, like with Robert DeNiro's character (the devil incarnate) in "Angel Heart", who was named 'Louis Cypher' (as in Lucifer).
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That's an interesting technique Ted. I'll have to try that out sometime.

One thing I hate is those cliched and predictable character names. You see them a lot in thriller/mystery novels. Chase is one that is so overused it is not even funny. Chase Meridian, Travis Chase, or something along those lines. I guess authors think "chase" implies a thrilling chase or action set pieces and all that entails in that genre.

Charli said:
Character names should mean something to you or the story. The name usually comes if you listen to the story inside you.
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I agree, that's why sometimes mythological names work well if it fits the genre and tone of the story. For example: Morpheus from The Matrix. Morpheus is the god of dreams in Greek myth.
 
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I've used phone books before, middle names of people I know, or just names that I like and think sound cool. On Leap 2, I used a combination of techniques.
 
While you're writing, use any old temporary names - I often have first drafts full of characters called AAA, BBB, CCC and so on, all ready for a global replace once I've thought of something better.

As for finding the 'right' names, buy a big fat book of baby names and randomly flick through it - certain names will jump out at you. Another great source is the From names in your e-mail spam folder :)
 
Zblock said:
If you want a shiz ton of names refer to the bible.
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Good advice here. But make sure you know who the Biblical character is and what he/she did. Otherwise Biblically literate people (like myself) will either be extremely puzzled, or just laugh at you.

For an obvious example, don't name your protagonist Jezebel if she's supposed to be a sweet innocent thing. Unless you're totally going for irony.
 
I think if the Character development is strong enough and is memorable than any name you give will stick. Think how plain the name Jason is but everybody knows it. He could have been called just about anything and it could have worked. Of course part of the appeal is the ease to remember the name. So Freddy and Jason are easier to remember than The Evil Vittorio Storaro, or something to that nature.
 
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