This is long as heck. Just warning you.
I know people go over this ALL THE TIME, but it's still a thing. OC's having ridiculous or non-fitting names.
Obviously, we all know by now not to use over-original names that no one (no one not on drugs that is) would name their child. Like random gems or combinations of 5 names plus Princess. Of course, a lot of that depends on the type of story. OCs for a Harry Potter fanfiction will probably not have the same kind of names as OCs for a Breakfast Club fanfiction.
BUT another tip is think of who named the OC in the story and what kind of person they are (and probably what time period they live in). The OC's parents play a LARGE part in what the OC's name should be. Even if their parents play a minimal part in your story, think about what kind of people they are.
Negligent parents will probably give their kid a totally basic name or name them after one of their parents (because they don't care enough to give them a name they actually thought of). Basic names vary from generation to generation but more or less overlap; Mary, Grace, James, etc.
Hippie parents are more likely to give their child a nature themed name. However, again, not some ridiculously long, gem-themed name. Think along the lines of bodies of water- River (duh), Ocean, or names of lakes- or plants- Lavender, Birch, Fern- or spiritual/celestial terms- Star, Halo, Zen- or any other number of things. Even the town they were born in could be a possiblitity. Hippie parents are pretty carefree and will find inspiration in random places. They could have even let a sibling name the OC (makes for a good little backstory).
Upperclass/Affluent parents are more likely to give their child a name that has either been in the family forever (mom's/grandmother's maiden name, name, middle name, etc) or very old fashioned, uptight sounding names; Lucille, Sesley, Elizabeth, etc. Of course, this also varies generation to generation. Affluent parents in the '50s will use different names than affluent parents in the '90s. They also typically had pretty basic names. If you can say it in a snobby voice and it sounds right, then you probably chose a good one.
Scholarly parents, especially those of literature backgrounds, might chose book-character names for their children; Atticus (To Kill A Mockingbird), Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Josephine (Little Women). They might even name their child after a historical figure.
Ethnic/Immigrant parents will most likely give their child a name that originates from their native country/language. Spanish- Maria, Ángel (m), Isabel- German- Ada, Claudine, Heidi- Chinese- Chen, Lan, Mei- African (general bc I couldn't pick a country)- Ama (Ghana), Alika (Nigeria), Jamilah (Somalia and Swahili). That's just a few basic ethnic groups. If your OC comes from a specific ethnic background, take the time to look up common names for that culture. But I mean, don't choose a name you can't pronounce, please. Work with something your comfortable with.
These were just a few factors that play into what to name your OC. Obviously, any of these kind of parents can choose a name just on a whim, and you get girls named after their father's first dog or boys named after the road his parents took to the hospital.
Originality doesn't mean you have to just use the weirdest name you've ever heard or made up. Good backstory to your originality can actually add to your story.
In Claustrophobic, I named Cecelia according to the time period, which is something that should also go into what you name your OC. Also, I gave Cecelia's siblings fairly English-originated names (Anthony, Bonnie, Donna, to name a few). I know I'm biased, but I think it's pretty important for the story that the names make sense.
Basically, put thought into your OCs' names. M'kay.
~Mariah
