Varma, Monkberry, and Antanov

Every time I begin a new book, the name search is part of the setup. I know some writers who believe character names aren't all that important, but I think they can provide a shortcut for the reader and the writer.

Whether we want to admit it, or not, all of us form impressions based on names. John Smith doesn't have the same connotation as Danny Ling or Alistair Monkberry. Elizabeth and Margaret bring different pictures to mind than Muffy and Barbie. There is a reason why such names as Wolf and Nick are so popular in the romance field some publishers have banned them. As writers, we can use this character shorthand--or write against 'type'.

Writing against type carries a certain risk if the reader has a heavy bias against such a name. I once met a woman who categorically refused to read any book with a female character named Babs. She said it reminded her of boobs. I can sort of see her point.

But, imagine what a writer could accomplish with a really smart, kick-ass character named Buffy. Oops. That one's been taken. And there's another point. Some characters are so memorable their names end up out of circulation for a good long while.

Rourke. Buffy. Arthur. Xena. After a time, folks forget who they were and the names can be recycled. Many romance readers would recognize Rourke as the hero from J.D. Robb's 'in Death' series. But my first encounter with the name was almost forty years ago with another fabulous Rourke in Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss.

Names can indicate social status, ethnicity, gender, and regional origin. One or two words can provide an indelible portrait before the writer ever adds description or dialogue. A name made popular through literature or popular culture can even indicate approximate age of the character. Imagine all the Harrys and Hermoines out there.

I believe a name--especially names of peripheral characters--can serve to illuminate those characters with a minimum of additional description. But then...that's just my opinion.

anny

Invoking the Name

Much has been written about the importance of a name, both in story-telling characterization and as a recognition symbol for the author.

For instance, most folks have heard of Harry Potter, Stephen King, and Finding Nemo. Instant recognition. But... how about Phaedrus and Babrius? Hmmm?

I studied myths and legends as part of my English curriculum, like most students in my generation. I confess that while I enjoyed the various tales, the names mostly turned me off or just plain confused me. Why couldn't Zeus be named Bob? Oedipus? Puh-leezzz. What would be wrong with calling him Eddie? And the female names were simply horrendous.

Have you ever noticed you are more likely to remember someones name if it's easy to pronounce and the arrangement of letters is familiar? For instance...Plato vs. Aphthonius. Which would you still remember this afternoon? Tomorrow?

Originally, names had specific meanings. They might commemorate something like 'gift from God' or 'rowed the boat down the raging river' but they meant something. Now many names are created because they sound pleasing.

That's okay. As long as our eyes recognize the groups of letters. For instance, a little girl in my youngest daughter's kindergarten class was saddled with Gynnyphyr. Which translates to Jennifer. Really?

Names evoke images. Robert, Rob, Bob, Bobby, Robby... all create different pictures in our minds. Edward vs. Eddie. Margaret vs. Maggie or Peggy or Margie. See?

Our choices--of character name or pen name--also reveal something about us. What do your choices reveal?