WVD – Special Edition
Where do writers find good names for characters? Baby name sites/books are probably used the most. I have also found sites for ethnic names, surnames, name trends of certain decades, etc. There are tons of ways to find names. Fantasy names are trickier because we want them to be completely different and still sound good and yet not be too hard to pronounce. The trouble for writers, and parents, is that so many names are common. Google your name, most are not unique.
So, here are some interesting suggestions for “names” that I have been collecting from my Word Verification prompts…(pronunciations are how I would say them)
Girls Boys
Latisina (La-ti-SEEN-a) Pater
Watoma Billyza
Misci (MIS-ee) Foree
Tratorma Quals
Uniqua Brambler
Tatialla (Ta-tee-AH-la) Wiess
Fulla Derbil
Matera Sonsh
Salessea (Sahl-es-EE-ah) Jorph
Sprica (SPREE-kah) Flych
Eluri Quideris
Catavia (Ca-TAVE-ee-ah) Hende
Steria Fidecles
Aleti (Ah-LET-ee)
Leahe
Brexua
Frotta
Sooke
Gensi
And here are a couple of good online names: Foxylizi and LianNYC
Lastly, I have to pass on how to know your stage name (from Laura at the Daily Dodo): Combine the name of your first pet with your mother’s maiden name. I’m Peppy Parker! Too funny!
I may use one or two of those when I start working on my MG Fantasy again. Any fun names you’ve seen?
20 comments:
This is fabulous Tara. Choosing names for your characters can be rough. I think I need to bookmark this page for some of your word verification names. So cool. Also loving Peppy Parker! Cute! :)
Some of your word verification names remind me of this video (in a good way): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCdmiZyyGjQ
Sugars Spoerlein, here. Hehe.
These are wonderful names for fantasy - different, but not too out there, and many are very pretty.
Sometimes when I have trouble coming up with names I just give all three leading men the same name. ;) Speaking of which...arg! Every time someone I know starts reading the book, I waffle on whether or not to give a warning about the, um, level of detail. I should've given you one - I'm sorry! But I promise its limited to a few chapters and the rest of the book is NOT going to be like that (just a couple shorter scenes). Ay carumba!
I read where some author (I think it was Laini Taylor) once used a word she found through word verification as the name of an evil character in her book. So there IS good that can come of those. ;)
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Peppy Parker is cute. Would be a great character name.
Sometimes when stuck for a name, I take things on my desk and combine a few words until I get something that works.
The name sites are a great resource. I like the word verifies you got. I never seem to get naughty ones.
Derbil makes me think of Gerbil!
I love looking up names online. I can spend hours doing it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for finally getting a name from the Parker side of the family. Love it!!
When I read, I like simple names, because I don't like to have to figure it out every time I come to it. If it's too weird, I just shorten it.
Mine would be Flash Jones :) Love your list!
What a fun list of names! I like to do name searches on the web too. I may look for a name that means a certain thing, or I may choose names I like from a certain nationality. And I use name books too. I often combine or play with real-world names to come up with fantasy-world names for my characters.
Crikey... I just hope that these names are going to stay on the pages of fantasy literature.
Very interesting, though...
Maps help me find interesting names.
Great post! Peppy Parker, I love it!!! Mine is Moochy Smith. Would make a great name for a quirky detective or petty thief in a story, I think.
I love Fulla and Derbil!
One of the hardest things for me is matching cool first names with cool last names. I watch movie credits for all the crew names to get ideas. And since I watch a lot college football I go to ESPN.com and look at the rosters for names. They have some great names.
As for my stage name...Huggy Bear Ebert!
Abby, thanks!
Allison, ha haha!
Sugars! I mean Nicki, that's great! and the book isn't too bad - the journey of innocence lost... and tastefully done
Catherine, so I'm not the first? argh! oh well...still fun!
Mary, that's a fun idea! Rip Sharpie? ha ha
Alex, Derbil made me think of Dilbert
Christine, yes, internet searches are time sucks!
Mom, yay Parker =) Cooper was almost Parker
Angie, Flash Jones is awesome!
Chipper, it's fun to pick names =)
Mish, yes. exotic or fantasy...
Marcy, I like some states & cities for names
Candy, Moochy Smith - I love it!
Heather, yes. last names are tough & hard to make up - I usually go to the web, but your idea is great!
Wow, these are quite original :-)
I usually Google for names or make up my own :-)
Word verification prompts! I never thought of that!
Good list - and thanks for the shout out - we used to play that game on school trips :) My other half gave me two names dictionaries - one first names and one surnames - they are fantastic!
Love from Tufty Dibble :)
(Himself says what about using a telephone directory?!)
Oh, I like Quideris. :) Great list!
Yay, yay, yay! As you know I always love your word verifications.
Saw today's post - take care and take a breather. :) You deserve a little time to relax and give yourself a break!
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