Tired of having the same name for the characters in your story? Do you always find the same common names to make your story more colorful? There are several methods you can use to create unique and interesting character names.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Creating a Unique Name
Step 1. Use the first name as the last name
Since first and last names usually sound very different, breaking this tradition will make your character more unique.
- Examples: Anna Joey, Robert Gideon, Paul Michael.
- This is a pretty clever way to come up with character names that can be used in realistic stories or stories that are true to life.
Step 2. Look for the character's name in an unexpected place
Pay attention to the list of production work relatives (credit titles) at the end of the TV show or movie; many names you can find there. When you walk, bike, or get around in a car, jot down the names of the roads you pass. You can even take names from foreign cities, other galaxies, or rare plants.
Because these names have a general context, they can be used for any type of writing or genre and can also be used for male or female characters
Step 3. Find an unusual name in the book
Open the phone book or baby name collection book. Baby name collection books, in particular, have many interesting and unique names and spelling variations.
- For example: Razilee, Kadiah, Joval, Jantanie, Keryl, or Kaline.
- If you want to find inspiration for names and traits, you can look up names in mythology books; unless you want something common (e.g. Athena), don't use Norwegian, Greek, or Latin mythology.
Step 4. Create a name from the character description
J. K. Rowling, for example, creates some character names in Harry Potter novels by describing the characters first, then creating anagrams of the descriptions. There are a number of strategies you can use to come up with such a name. For example:
- Mix up some of the names we hear often. Sarah and Josephine's names could be Josah or Saraphine; Garett and Adrian could be Adriett or Garran; and others.
- Try different spelling variations of the name. Change Mykael for Michael, and Gaebriel for Gabriel, etc.
- Reset your name or that of your friends. If your name is Bob Smith, shuffle the letters in your name to come up with a name like Omi Thibbs. Your friend named Eileen could be Neelie, Annabel could be Belanna, and so on.
- Make anagrams of the words we usually hear. For example, the word “laugh” could be Gal Uh and “jump” could be M Puj. You can also use this technique to come up with a name that fits your character's personality. So, the anagram of laugh, Gal Uh, could be a good name for a comedian character and the anagram of jump, M Puj, could be a good name for a high jumper.
Step 5. Create a name using random word order
If you want something completely unique, don't use names that are familiar to your ears and try to create something completely new. Names like this are appropriate for science fiction or fantasy stories that don't match reality.
- Type random words into "Microsoft Word," then choose one of the most convincing-looking letter sets, and put the letters back together to create a name you like.
- Or, you can cut up letters from magazines, toss them in the air, and choose a letter combination according to the letters that fall to the floor.
Step 6. Name your character according to your favorite story character
But don't make it too obvious, because you don't want to directly damage the existing character names.
- For example, if you want to name your character after Katniss Everdeen (the main character of The Hunger Games novel), don't just copy it directly because in addition to making your character unoriginal, this is also copyright infringement. Instead, try to come up with a similar name like "Katherine" instead of Katniss, or "Dean" instead of "Everdeen."
- You can also use the artist's name to create a new name by mixing or combining the artist's name with other names. For example: Justin Bieber and Kate Alexa could be Jexa Kelbeir.
Step 7. Set and change the spelling of a word
Select a word or phrase and rearrange the spelling of the words to create a new name.
- For example, change the spelling of the word “like this” so that it becomes: lykkthez. Then, choose an interesting letter combination from the results. For example, Kethez, Ethe, or Ykke.
- Type in the lyrics of a song without spaces to find interesting combinations. For example, “all we are is the wind” could be Llwea, Arei, Isdus, Hewin, and so on.
Step 8. Change the "gender" of the name
Use male names as female names, and vice versa.
Keep in mind that not all names can be used for all genders
Step 9. Look up the name on the internet
If you search for names on old name generators that can be found online (usually for baby names, but they can still be used), you'll find one or more names that match your character.
Method 2 of 3: Using One or More Letters You Like
Step 1. Make a list of the letters you like
If you're not sure, choose one of your favorite letters. For example, you might want a character name with the letters L and S, because you like the sound of the two letters or feel that they match your character's personality.
Step 2. Choose a name suffix
Some of the common name endings given to girls are: a, bell, na, ly, ie, y, line, and others. Choose the one you like, or create a new ending!
Step 3. Create a character name based on what you like, or the first thing you see when you look out the window
If the thing you choose/see doesn't fit into a name, think about synonyms.
For example, if you look at the moon, think of a synonym, such as “celestial body”, then that synonym could be the name “Celeste.”
Step 4. Add more letters to the ones you like
You might like the letters “o” and “a”, and you can add “n” and “h” to make the name “Noah”.
If your name sounds weird, add a few more letters but don't overdo it
Method 3 of 3: Finding a Name That Matches Your Character
Step 1. Use a name that fits the setting of your story
Choose a character that fits the real world, whether it's from the era, and/or the country that is used in your story.
- The story is more believable if your character's name fits the setting. For example, a story set in China will have a different character name than a story set in Africa.
- Another technique is the technique used by John Braine, namely by using the name of a place or area in the setting of the story.
Step 2. Choose a name that is easy to pronounce
Most readers don't want to try to digest a name every time it's mentioned. A hard-to-pronounce name may also spoil the storyline and keep the reader from focusing on the story, rather than "drowning" into it.
- Look for names that are easy to pronounce aloud, or that feel good when you pronounce them.
- Avoid using oddly spelled names for your characters as they can make the reader confused and unfamiliar.
Step 3. Think about how the meaning of a name fits into the character you create in the story
The meaning of a name can help you associate the name with one of your characters based on his personality. Think about how the meaning of a name can add to the personality of a character.
You can also use a name that contrasts with your character's personality to add contrast between the sound or meaning of a name and its personality. For example, a tomboy girl could be named Lacey, or a nerdy boy might be named Brock
Tips
- Try rearranging the letters of a word that describes your character, such as “cunning” (Gin Nunc), “modest” (Dom Tes), “simple” (Sim Lep), or other words. Then you can add or subtract the letters as you like.
- If you want a name for a science fiction story, mix and match names. There are millions of names out there and you can come up with quite a unique character name for a sci-fi story.
- Names such as Aristotle, Sebastien, and Bridgelle are suitable for classic stories while Andrew and Tom or Emma and Sarah are standard names suitable for more “up-to-date” stories.
- Mix common names to break them down into more catchy names. For example Chris becomes Kryss, Kris, Chrys or even Crystal.
Warning
- Don't use character names from published stories, especially when they share the same personality. You may be sued. Check to see if anyone has used the name in previously published work before making a name for your character.
- Create character names that sound real, especially if you're writing a more serious or gloomy story. While you can be as creative as you want, naming a character with a name like "Lord Marky Mark" or "Princess Surfbort" makes it difficult for readers to take your story seriously.
- Don't use a name immediately after you create or find it; tell someone who can judge objectively first. What sounds good to your own ears may sound strange to your readers.
