Tips for deciding on names for your characters

Here are a few writing helps for you today, especially for finding names for the characters you are creating in your marvellous stories.

If you strive for authenticity in your stories, you might also want to consider the accuracy of the names you choose for your characters in certain time settings. I found a name/age calculator that could be of help to you in selecting a name that was/is used in the time frame of your story. It sets a wide range but focuses on the median – the midpoint when the name is most commonly used. GO HERE to find the NAME/AGE CALCULATOR.  This calculator is based on American names and notes that names before 1940 are estimates.

I also found a site that helps you select a name according to themes or qualities of your character. GO HERE to find NAME THEMES.

If you are looking for a unique name, perhaps from mythology or the Bible, or even a musical name for your character, GO HERE to find UNIQUE BABY NAME IDEAS.

To help you come up with a character by name and personality GO HERE to THE CHARACTER NAME GENERATOR.

I hope you have fun with these and find them to be helpful.

I’ve added the above links to my Writers’ Helps, Quotes & Workshops’ page. Look under Writers’ helps when you need them for your stories.

Do you have any suggestions for coming up with suitable character names that are not listed here or on my Writers helps page?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

 

8 thoughts on “Tips for deciding on names for your characters”

  1. It’s always a good idea to have these sites bookmarked! I find it challenging to pick the right names for characters. I sometimes glean unusual names from the obituary page and when I’m in a hurry I grab the telephone book for last names. I’m horrible at choosing names.

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    1. Hi, Laura. I think your method would work well in a pinch. 🙂 These sites get very creative for more fun, ‘though if you haven’t a good internet connection or the time to play with these name finders the telephone book or newspaper would be quicker.
      I hope these links prove useful for you.
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. What great resources. Thank you, Lynn! One little tip I learned the hard way… In naming characters, be careful not to have main characters’ names sound too much alike or start with the same letter or letters! Sometimes that’s impossible when you are writing biography or other types of non-fiction, but with fiction avoid the trap of Simon and Simeon or Dianne and Deanna!! Your readers will thank you!!

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  4. Great resources! I often use names from family members and friends. Of course, they are described differently and have different personalities but I use the name. My main character is Amanda, which is the name of my second granddaughter. I find the names just pop into my head as I am writing, usually.

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    1. Using family members’ names would be a good way to name characters, I think. Names I’ve used so far, as you said, Just popped into my head.
      Thanks for your comment, Darlene.

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I look forward to reading your greatly appreciated comments. Thanks for making my day! :)

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