I do the same when I visualize my characters. I name them according to their personal makeup and personalities. I also choose names that fit their culture or heritage. I admit to scanning the phone book for names, but I never choose them carelessly. They have to resonate when said aloud, and have meaning behind the name.

I have a book called the Character Naming Sourcebook written by Sherrilyn Kenyon. The book lists several guidelines for naming characters. I thought I would share a few, since I really enjoy naming my characters.

1. Capture the persona. Never randomly pick a name, get to know your character, and make the name have a personal meaning to you or the story as a whole. Kenyon pointed out that almost every individual has some kind of baggage that comes along with his or her name. Playing off this makes your character seem more real.

2. Consider you character’s heritage and personality or trade.

3. Make the name harmonious. Vary the syllables between the first and last names.

4. Consider the time period in naming your characters. I’ve read historical work, and looked up certain names solely for the reason I didn’t think they fit the time period. I’ve often been pleasantly surprised to find that the name was true to the period.

5. Consider your character’s social status. This is fairly self-explanatory. It would be uncommon to name a chicken farmer from the south Juan, or Marcus.

6. Use nicknames. I’m a big believer in nicknames. To me it makes the character more endearing, and there are so many possibilities to weave around the use of a nickname.

7. Remember the genre. Name characters according to the category. In young adult fiction, a reader will expect a familiar name such as Keri, or Brandon, rather than Elizabeth or Elaine. Its common sense to use a name the target audience can identify with.

8. Avoid names that other writers have made famous. Try to stay on top of naming trends in your chosen genre.

9. If you step out of the box and name a character something out of context, make sure to address the reason in the storyline.

10. Mix it up. Vary the names you use. Don’t get stuck on a letter or rhythm. Avoid naming a heroine Alice and the hero Alec. It is too confusing for the reader to decipher between the two names.

The most important thing is to choose a name that you can embrace and envision for your character. In my current WIP, my character changes her name after she leaves home. She wants to shed the past, and her name held bad memories for her from the start. It has provided fodder for me to develop her personality and her conflict. She only allows the hero in the story to call her by her given name; it adds a very personal dimension to their relationship.

I know that most or all of this information is common knowledge for a writer, but it’s the simple things that intrigue me about writing. In creating characters we breath life into a new individual, it only makes sense to gift that individual with the perfect name.

Do you enjoy naming your characters? What do you use as a resource for naming your characters? Do any of your character’s names hold a special significance to your storyline, or is a name just a name for you? Interested in finding your offical pirate name? Take this quiz matey!