Nomenclature: Help Name My Characters!
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A photograph of the hardcopy of my ideas, notes and inspirational quotes are above. The rest of my scaffolding is sitting on my computer.
There's just one problem...my characters are nameless.
I need help to decide on the best moniker for them. So, I hand over to you, my readers, the privilege of naming my characters. Of course, I plan to fill my novel with many more characters. These three are the only ones developed enough at this point.
Some quick background: I drew inspiration from two famous literary characters and a notorious historical figure. I've included important character traits as well as the meaning of each name to help in the process.
Some quick background: I drew inspiration from two famous literary characters and a notorious historical figure. I've included important character traits as well as the meaning of each name to help in the process.
Just write your choices for the three characters in the comments below. Thanks for you help!
PROTAGONIST
Female Don Quixote: Knight of Lost Causes, quixotic, passionate,
Female Don Quixote: Knight of Lost Causes, quixotic, passionate,
Dakota- the
allies
Dana-arbiter,
power to decide a dispute; judge
Danielle-God is
my judge
Daphne-Laurel, a
recognition of achievement, honor
Daya-compassion
SECONDARY SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
Female Sancho Panza:Rational, level headed, loving, protagonist's sister
Sade-sweetly
singing
Salena-moon
Samantha-listener
Sandra (Sandi)-defending
men
Sasha-defending
men
Shelby-a place
where willows grow; sheltered
Sydney-wide
meadow
Sierra-Mountain
range
Simone-listening
Skye-cloud
Skylar-guarded;
scholar
Sloan-fighter
Sofia-wisdom
Star-star
Patricia- A
patrician
Paula-small,
humble
Paige-page
Pamela-literary
Patience-patience
Penelope-weaver;
duck
Peta-stone
Petra-stone
Phoebe-bright
Philipa-lover of
horses
Pia-pious
Pippa-lover of
horses
Prudence (Pru)-provident, frugal
Male Pancho Villa: Morally
ambiguous, champion, protector, criminal,
Pedro-stone
Placido-untroubled
Comments
for the MC I like Dana
For sancho panza, I like penelope (Ulysses wife, clever etc. and I like the sound of Dana and Pen together.
I don't actually like pedro or placido for the pancho villa character. since he's going to be (in spirit anyway) a rebellious figure, I think he should be called something deceptively boring, like 'tim' or 'tony' then he can have the opportunity to 'rename' himself. just my 2 cents!
For your main female character, I like Dakota - although it may be a trifle overused and trite.
And for the sidekick I like Schuyler [ or did you spell it Skylar?].
I have to admit that this is a different aproach to character development than the one I usually use. For me the name comes first and the character grows from it. This is an interesting approach. I will be curious to see if your characters change after they are named. LOL
But Dakota is a strong female name. Shelby is more compassionate still a strong sidekick name, but more compassionate.
susan [meier]
EJ
Simone for the second.
I don't like either for the third. But if I have to choose it would be Placido. However, it sounds too much like Placebo and Pedro is far too common. Xavier (Ha ve air) would personally be better, even if the meaning of the name doesn't fit the character.
I don't always go by meanings for names, but some to stay away from these days are Sorcha (being a bit over done. I have a Sorcha and discovered dozens of other writers do as well...) Sasha is too close to Sorcha (IMHO).
When going with unique characters you want to stand out, find a name that rings true to your ears. Looking over names, you'll suddenly hear a "Yes! That's me!" in your head. That is if your characters talk to you like mine do. XD
Good luck! I'm posting my take on character names tomorrow, per your request. ;)
Sydney
Placido
Love the visual of "scaffolding" for all the pre-work on a story. I sometimes call mine "skeletons."
Sofia and placido. I love to choose names for my characters that have meaning.