On Naming Characters

Harry Potter, Gandalf, the Wizard of Oz, Mickey Mouse, Luke Skywalker, Ebenezer Scrooge—all iconic names that any lover of fiction recognizes, each name bringing up a thousand memories of joy and tears for these characters. Yet just how, and maybe more importantly, why are they so iconic to us? Yes, of course, it’s because of their stories that we have journeyed along with them, but why have their names become such a huge part of our culture today? And how did their creators come up with the names for them

It’s not always easy. Some people are able to think of wild, fantastical names in a heartbeat while others can’t think of anything at all, the character remaining a nameless face. Writers and authors have always, at some point, suffered the roadblock that is naming characters, whether that be renaming them or just finding one in the first place.

So how do we name our characters? We want them to be special and unique, either completely made up or based on the real world. But no one seems to like pronouncing Whompernickleston every page. I’d first like to point out why the names mentioned are so iconic. The name adds another layer of character, depth, and story to these characters. They’re unique but simple, easy to pronounce, and generally short (the longest one is only 10 characters!). And it is these qualities that make these names memorable. If Gandalf’s name was something long and ridiculous, it would be harder to remember. The story would stick with us, but it would be difficult to recall the Grey Wizard Gerickersty. So step one is to keep your names short and simple. Yes, they can be brand new, perhaps based off a different language even, but they should be easy for your readers to remember and pronounce.

If you are making your character’s name long, by all means go ahead; but give them a nickname as well, something that other characters can call them and will be easier on the reader than trying to pronounce six syllables in their head each time the name is mentioned. Save using the full name for crisis points or suspense, perhaps when the king about to sentence the protagonist to execution—that would be a good time to bring out the full name.

This next one is especially true as it adds a layer of depth to the character: do your research. Write out a list of names you like. See what names resonate with not only you but also the character. Ensure that the names match the genre you’re writing in; don’t use a droid or computer code for an elf’s name or a dwarvish name for the hacker in your sci-fi—unless you’re somehow combining the genres. If it’s historical or period fiction, use names that were popular back then. Once you have narrowed down your list of names, research each name and its meaning, perhaps as far as the etymology. I use this when naming my characters.  A meaning denoting a symbol, emotion, force, idea, or thing that is deeply connected to your character can add another layer of metaphor to your character’s journey. Even using ancient Bible names can do this, as those names are associated with elements of God’s attributes that were present in their lives. Mythology is also a good source, especially if you’re writing realistic fantasy. Using nature also helps—you’d be surprised how many names you can make out of the scientific name of belladonna.

If your character’s name is from the language you are creating, ensure you know the meaning and significance of the name. This depends on how you go about structuring your language, whether making up your own dictionary or combining two real world languages, but it is important to keep it consistent.

And if you have characters with multiple names or take on an alias, not only make that clear to your readers, but also make sure you keep track of it. It would be bad if the alias turned out to be the name of another character, which could look like sloppy writing to the reader. Maybe include a glossary, either for yourself or readers, to keep track of who has the alias and when they are referred to by the new name.

Naming characters is always easier said than written. As a writer myself, I struggle sometimes, and plenty of my characters are nameless, or about to be subjugated to the process of renaming. It’s a normal struggle we all have to go through. I wish you, my fellow writers, best of luck. May the names of your characters become as iconic as Harry Potter or Gandalf!