Unique Names

Steps to finding the best name

u n i q u e
n a m e s

step one.

Determine your character's ethnicity and appearance. For example, if your character is British, your readers will expect a stereotypical English name, so a non-English name like "Cho-Lin" would only work with a convincing backstory. Remember that most readers will hear a name and instantly visualize a character based on that name, especially if that name hails from a particular culture.

step two.

Determine your character's interests and characteristics, and decide what sounds will and will not work. If the character is quite strong-willed and stubborn, strong sounds like "k" and "p" will pick up well here. On the other hand, if your character is pretty and a bit shy, soft sounds like "f" and "s" work much better.

step three.

Do you want your character to have a nickname? If so, you need to determine three things to your audience:

(a) who calls the character by the nickname

(b) why they have developed this nickname (some, like Becky/Rebecca, need no explaining, others may need more)

(c) does the character like/accept this nickname? Is it a hated handle?

step four.

Don't choose a name that is impossible to pronounce. You may think that Xzighlab is the perfect name for your character, but if the reader has to struggle through this name several times a page they will be put off.

step five.

If your character has a best friend, enemy, partner, sibling, etc who they spend a lot of time with, it is best not to have their names too similar, or the readers may confuse the names. Examples include Rachel/Robert, Mary/Martin, Sophie/Sam etc. Even if they don't start with the same letter, but sound similar, there can be confusion, e.g. Jacob/George.

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Comment your name!

Hi! My name is Rachel and I really hope you enjoy my directory that will guide you away from typical, boring character names.

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