by Rickie Kay LongfellowAt a recent Kirkersville Writers Club meeting someone asked, “Where do you find names for your characters?” Another writer replied, “Historic lists.” This is a great suggestion and also keeps first names true to the period. Historic tax lists, census records, and marriage lists all provide many names. Your local librarian can assist you. If you research from your computer or another device The US GenWeb Archives provides lists of the above-mentioned from the comfort of your couch with your feet up. Other sources for character naming I have heard over the years in writers’ meetings and writing classes are telephone directories, street names, family names, and more. Today, again thanks to the Internet, we can find any of the above quickly and easily. But before you go to this trouble I have another suggestion - one that I use first. It is my quick, unusual Magical Technique, but I get results and I hope it works for you too. Let’s begin by clearing the mind and relaxing. Find a comfortable position in a quiet place. (Feet up is fine) Review your story and your setting, and pick one of your characters who needs a name. Let’s say your character is a woman.
Be sure to write down her name before you forget it. If she didn’t give you her last name, you may need help in developing it, but her first name should now be apparent. Sometimes your characters will give you their last name also, but be sure to investigate the full name to prove it didn’t come from your subconscious or the movie you watched last night. When I need last names, I like to use surnames or various combinations of surnames from my family history research. But often when I research the area where my story takes place, I will use a name or create a combination of names of people, places, and events for my characters’ surnames. I would love to hear if my Magical Technique worked for you, but also, please share any special techniques you use to name your characters. Happy writing!
Sandy Ferrell
9/2/2022 08:38:53 am
Rickie, you say you don't write fiction, but the way you write suggests otherwise. Thanks for the thoughts on naming characters! Great ideas!
Rickie
9/3/2022 05:53:28 pm
Thank you Sandy. I really appreciate that. I've written fiction as a hobby in the past but in my professional life it has been historical non fiction. Thanks to you and the KWC I am motivated. 😊
Doris Caceres Schumick
9/3/2022 03:58:11 pm
Rickie, I like your magical technique for character naming blog! After the KWC meeting's pen name discussion I searched some places online, as you also recommended in your blog. One special site that I found is called Pen Name Generator. You can search for over a million fake names using filters such as language, gender, or first letter. Just copy and paste this fun site in your internet browser: https://blog.reedsy.com/pen-name-generator/
Rickie
9/3/2022 06:00:45 pm
Thanks, Doris. I will check it out. Great suggestion for character naming, especially if your character isn't telling anyone their name. 😂 Comments are closed.
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