Choosing Names for Characters
by Lindsay McKenna
The
name I choose for every character I write about means everything to me.
The name needs to resonate within me, inspire me, sweep me off to the hero and
heroine’s personality, their thoughts, emotions, desire, dreams and
wounds. A name has energy to it and a very specific vibration. That
name is a template from which the character “talks” to me for the duration (and
sometimes, after) the book.
When
I start a new book, I’ll see a character come forward and introduce themselves
to me. I see what they look like, how they are dressed, the expression on
their face, etc. From that, I pick up a vibe about him or her. I
can feel who they are inside and out, as if they are utterly transparent to me
on every level with me. This is the magical part of creation which I
love.
The
only downer is my characters never tell me their names! I go through a
number of books, thumbing through them, muttering a bunch a names to see if one
“fits” them or not. I go to tons of baby names websites on the
Internet. I look for unique, interesting or oddball names. I’ve
written over 135 books and all my favorite names have long ago, been used up!
Choosing
every name of every character is one of the most important things I do when
developing a story. Every time I say that name out loud, I get an instant
telepathic and emotional hit on that character. I never go
out-of-character because of this. Choosing a name that embraces the
particular character’s personality is vital.
I
favor short names over really long, convoluted ones. I like names you can
create a nickname from or around. For example, the hero of RUNNING FIRE is a US
Navy SEAL named Kelly Ballard. But everyone has, forever, called him by
his nickname, Kell. And so, he grew up with it. There’s usually a
reason why some people get nicknames spinning off their given name.
Sometimes, there isn’t. In Kell’s world, people around him just
automatically shortened it. Besides, Kell is an easy going sort of man
and wasn’t one of those people who went around correcting everyone every time
they didn’t call him by his real name, Kelly. (There are people out there like
that, believe me). I also don’t care for a name I can’t pronounce without
stumbling all over it. I figure if I do, so will my reader.
Above
all, Leah was a person who cared deeply for family, and less for herself.
I needed a name with vulnerability built into it. I wanted that softness
that I felt deeply hidden and guarded by her. I had to have a name that
contained those juxtapose polarities: marshmallow combined with
steel. I spent seven days and finally discovered the name that resonated
with her: Leah.
Afterward?
I always have fun looking up on the Internet what a name means by the country
of its origin. And also, any historical or religious significance to it,
or not. I’m always amazed, after I choose a name and then scour the
basics of the name through history, that it ends up reflecting some basic
tenets of my character. Go check the name Leah on Google, and you’ll get
a ton of information!
I
hope you enjoy the many layers, twists and turns of Running Fire! Please run over to my website and sign up for
my quarterly newsletter (free). It contains exclusive information, giveaways,
and surprises that only my subscribers will receive! I love to hear from
my readers, so make yourself known to me at www.lindsaymckenna.com.
Thank you for blogging with us today, Lindsay!
Readers, are character names important to you? Have you ever read a book with characters whose names don't "fit" in your mind? Do you have difficulty connecting with a character when you don't know how to pronounce his/her name?
What does your name mean? Have you ever felt like you should have a different name? If you could re-name yourself, what name would you choose?
One randomly chosen person leaving a comment on today's post will receive a copy of Taking Fire. (US/Canada only)
Click for other stops on the tour.
Thank you for blogging with us today, Lindsay!
Readers, are character names important to you? Have you ever read a book with characters whose names don't "fit" in your mind? Do you have difficulty connecting with a character when you don't know how to pronounce his/her name?
What does your name mean? Have you ever felt like you should have a different name? If you could re-name yourself, what name would you choose?
One randomly chosen person leaving a comment on today's post will receive a copy of Taking Fire. (US/Canada only)
Click for other stops on the tour.
He was a haven in the midst of Hell…
Temporarily assigned to the Shadow Squadron in a troubled region of Afghanistan, Chief Warrant Officer and pilot Leah Mackenzie is no stranger to conflict—even if most of her physical and emotional scars are courtesy of her vicious ex. Still, she's got a bad feeling about picking up a team of stranded SEALs. A feeling that's all too justified once enemy fire hits their helicopter and all hell breaks loose…
SEAL Kell Ballard's goal was to get the injured pilot out of harm's way and find shelter deep in the labyrinth of caves. It's a place of dark intimacy, where Leah finds unexpected safety in a man's arms. Where prohibited attraction burns brightly. And where they'll hide until the time comes to face the enemy outside…and the enemy within their ranks.
Character names are important to me. I dislike names I can't pronounce or that are too long. I substitute an easier version and it is annoying throughout the whole book!
ReplyDeleteLaurie comes from Latin meaning laurel or crown If I would have had a second daughter her name would have been Leah. My daughter's name is Lara.
I like my name. However it became too popular in the 70's due to Susan Dey's character, Laurie , on the Partridge Family series. Lyndsay also became popular due to The Bionic Woman's Lyndsay Wagner. Fallon from Dallas. Cody from Kathy Lee Gifford's child's name.
I'm surprised by the latest trend to name children old fashioned names from my grandparents era: Mabel, Emma, Hazel, Fern, Winnifred, Vera, Ida, Modesta,June, Mae, Mercedes, Laura, Lydia, Anna, Rose, Owen, William, Dominick, Everett, Max....
Laurie, names I can't pronounce drive me batty. No matter how good the story is, they continually distract me.
DeleteI like my name. I was named after a relative when she was in her '90's.
ReplyDeleteThat's lovely. I was named after my mom (first name) and aunt (middle name). I like my name now but there was a time in my younger years when I wanted one that was "mine."
DeleteCharacter's names often create an initial mental picture based on our own experiences, either positive or negative. It's up to the author to provide the description of the character that they envision. I do like to know how to pronounce the characters name, otherwise I stumble over it all thru the book and that disrupts the reading flow.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where my parents got my name - tho there was a hurricane named Diane the month before I was born.
Character's names often create an initial mental picture based on our own experiences, either positive or negative.
DeleteOh, so true! There are a couple names that, because of personal experience, I never want to see attached to a hero I'm reading about! lol
I was named Laura Lee after a great-great aunt. My Mom had picked out a really silly name for me when I was born and my grandmothers, bless 'em, talked her out of it.
ReplyDeleteI don't like when characters' names don't match their personality or are too obscure, but usually not enough to stop reading a book. I really enjoyed reading how an author pick's out a character's name.
My Mom had picked out a really silly name for me when I was born and my grandmothers, bless 'em, talked her out of it.
DeleteI have a similar story. My mom wanted to give me the name that ended up being my childhood nickname. My dad insisted that the name on my birth certificate be more formal. Thank you, Dad!
Names really don't matter too much to me unless they are spelled weird or way out in left field. I can't take a Hero named Stryker too seriously or a heroine named Syrynedie. But... it's kinda like soap opera names... your stuff animal/doll's name + the street you grew up on... LOL... congrats to Lindsay on the new release!
ReplyDeleteI can't take a Hero named Stryker too seriously or a heroine named Syrynedie.
DeleteOh, good grief! Have you actually read a book with a heroine by that name? Yikes!
My name is a French derivation for a follower of Dionysus, the god of the grape harvest, god of wine.
ReplyDeleteDenise
Being named for the god of wine has to be a good thing, right? ;-)
DeleteI kinda like my name. Growing up I thought it was unique because I didn't know if anyone else with my name. Now I know it is pretty common. I have a niece and a goddaughter Named after me, and that's pretty cool. I like characters with nicknames. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI like your name too. :)
DeleteThe only time I dislike a name in a story is when I can't pronounce it. I tend to keep changing it and it pulls me out of the story. I like my name, Jeanne, and believe it's French. I also like the name Lilly!
ReplyDeleteHey Lindsay! There have been a few characters who had names that just didn't fit, but MOST of the time, I can just ignore it and read on. When I was a kid, I would occasionally rename characters in my mind if I didn't like their names. :-)
ReplyDeleteAs for my name: Glenda is the female version of Glen - a small secluded valley. It's appropriate for an introvert, but growing up I hated having a different name like Glenda. My middle name means grace or graceful - sadly, I don't live up to that part of my name. ;-)
Lindsay McKenna's have been favorites since I discovered her in the 90's. Strong characters, interesting locales, and well developed story lines make her books well worth the read.
ReplyDeleteI was named Patricia after my dad's cousin who was a nun, hopping it would help. Sorry. I was called Patsy by family and friends and they still call me that. When I started college, I went by Pat and still do. I really don't care for Patsy any more but they still use it. Patricia means noble.
We wanted to name our first daughter Rebecca Fairlight. (Fairlight was the name of a character in the book Christy. The nurse told us we couldn't use it because it wouldn't fit on the farm. We gave her a shorter 2nd name that I haven't cared for since.
I don't like names I can't pronounce either. I don't mind a long name as long as I can get a nickname around it. Most people actually fit their names as you get to know them. I never liked my name when I was younger but I've had it so long now I'm used to it. :)
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Thanks for featuring Lindsay for the tour!
ReplyDelete