Tips for Character Names

I’m sure you’ve read a story where you got confused on who is who. Our job as writers is to minimize that problem as much as possible.

Here are some tips:



 





First names should:

• not be too similar
  • begin with different letters or pairs of letters
  • not all have the same ending sound
  • have a variety of syllable lengths
  • not start and end with similar letters
  • not rhyme
• be realistic, which means it fits:
  • the time period of the story
  • the ethnicity and cultures of the time period
  • the genre
  • and possibly, the character’s religion
• be pronounceable
  • or explain the pronunciation early on, e.g. the character having to explain it to someone else
• fit the character’s personality

 
Surnames need to:

• do much of the same as above, plus
• work well with the chosen first name, unless deliberately clashing for a valid reason

 
Where can you find names?

• baby books and names for babies online
• surnames lists
• place names – “While driving through Nashville, I noticed street names that sounded like they should be characters in a novel I was working on.” – Dan Schmidt
• Social Security Administration – https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
• “Popular Given Names US, 1801-1999” – https://www.galbithink.org/names/us200.htm 
• the most popular baby names in countries around the world – and what they mean – https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/most-popular-names-around-the-world-what-they-mean/
• online name generators

 
Things to consider:

• a name’s meaning – “Selecting a name that reflects or symbolizes a character’s role in the story can add subtext to the character.” – Michael Schiff
• alliterative initials
  • can be memorable, but too many in one story is not a good idea
• is it a “loaded” name? E.g. Hannibal, Bambi
• nicknames
• the ambiguity of using names that fit either gender as they can confuse the reader

 
Of course, any of these tips can be broken for a good reason.
 
What tips would you add about character naming?

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