3 Tips to Naming Your Characters When You Don’t Know How to

Are you struggling to find the name that just fits for your characters? Well, look no further than here! Today I’m going to be sharing with you guys 3 tips to help you correctly name your characters.

Let’s get started!

 

1. Make Sure No Character Names Begin With the Same First, Second, or Third Initials

We’ll start off with this simple rule: No character names should begin with the same first initial.

Why? because I said so, duh

Well, to answer simply, it’s this: Readers can’t keep track of character’s who have the same first initials as each other.

I knowIknowIknow, that makes us bookwyrms sound super lazy, but it’s actually true. It’s hard enough as it is remembering all those characters, but when characters end up having the same first initial as each other…ittt’s too much.

To add further to rule, there shouldn’t be any names which begin with the same first, second, or third initials. 

 

• TIP: If you’re dead-set on two names that sound really similar but you don’t want to part with them, give them some really good, completely opposite nicknames.

 

2. Search Until It Clicks

I don’t know if this is just me, but I search for character names until it just slides into place and clicks.

Until it’s perfect.

If you’ve ever felt this way, you know exactly what I’m talking about! I definitely encourage you all to aim for that feeling when deciding your character’s name. After all, you’re going to be spending a loooottt of time with those names. (It’s also gunna grow on you reallyyyy fast, so, fair warning? Choose wisely).

 

3. To Add More Depth…

Here’s something super neat to try: Look up what your character’s name’s mean.

I know that might sound a little weird, but seriously, just try it. Fly over to Google, and  type in, “What does the name *fill in character’s name* mean?” and usually they’ll give you one to three descriptions of the meaning of the name, and sometimes some history/origin behind the name as well. 

 

Now, here’s another scenario. Let’s say you know that your antagonist character is a girl villain. You know that she’s angry, reckless, and cunning.

Buttttt you have no name for her.

So, all you have to do is pop over to Google and search: “Girl names that mean ‘evil'”.

And BOOM, you’ll get a website that has girl names that have evil meanings, or mean evil, in alphabetical order. 

You’re welcome. *bows*

 

None of these tips are set in stone, but they’re definitely going to help readers easily read your books without worrying about having to remember everything. 

ALSO, guys, the survey results have spoken! I’m going to tally things up with a one question, 30 second poll.

(Also, whoever asked for free chocolate in my survey…kudos to you *tips hat and then golf claps* I think I know who you are by the way hehehe)

In answers to my survey from last week, writing advice won by a long run, so I’m sorry desktop backgrounds, you’re about to get booted out.

no wonder my email list is dying hehehehe

 

Which one do you want to see as my email list freebie? (aka which one would you subscribe to my email list for?)

 

Click HERE to Choose

 

(It’s only one question, so it’ll only take a few seconds to do).

Thanks SO much everyone! I’m trying to make my email list super fun but also super helpful. If you have any other ideas I could use, tell me in the comments down below!

 

Have you ever struggled with naming your characters? If so, did this post help you?

What does your character’s names mean?

Do you have any ideas for my email list?

 

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I hope you enjoyed this post! If you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment down below.

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

 

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