Writers often spend an ample amount of time figuring out which name suits a character best.
Research may include checking:
- name definitions, to see if the meaning matches the character’s traits, arc, etc.
- when the name was popular, to match it to a specific time period
- region, to make sure the name matches where the character lives
With all that goes into naming, and creating, characters, is it any wonder that sometimes people name their children after their favorite characters?
Would you ever name your child (or pet) after a favorite character, or perhaps a favorite author?
Better yet, are you named after one? Or do you know someone who is?
In case you might like to see some name suggestions, here’s a site that lists 50 names inspired by authors.
http://www.disneybaby.com/uncategorized/50-baby-names-inspired-by-writers/
Enjoy!
Eva Maria Hamilton is the author of Highland Hearts, a Love
Inspired Historical novel published by Harlequin. Her novel, Highland Hearts,
won 2nd Place in the Historical Romance, as well as the
Traditional/Inspirational Romance Categories in the Heart of Excellence Reader’s
Choice Awards, and was an Inspirational Series Finalist in the 2013 Gayle
Wilson Award of Excellence.
Highland Hearts
Scotland 1748
The Battle of Culloden is over, but one Highlander’s fight has just begun…
Logan McAllister survived years of indentured servitude in the Americas to reach this moment. Now he’s returned to Scotland, ready to redeem the secret promise from Sheena Montgomery’s father – that his years as an indentured servant would earn him Sheena’s hand in marriage. But when he arrives home, he learns that Sheena’s father has died, his contract has been lost… and Sheena is engaged to another man.
To connect with Eva Maria Hamilton online, please visit her at www.evamariahamilton.com
The Battle of Culloden is over, but one Highlander’s fight has just begun…
Logan McAllister survived years of indentured servitude in the Americas to reach this moment. Now he’s returned to Scotland, ready to redeem the secret promise from Sheena Montgomery’s father – that his years as an indentured servant would earn him Sheena’s hand in marriage. But when he arrives home, he learns that Sheena’s father has died, his contract has been lost… and Sheena is engaged to another man.
To connect with Eva Maria Hamilton online, please visit her at www.evamariahamilton.com
My problem is more naming characters after people. :) I have a daughter Anna, and have used that name is a short story since. My next boy I want to name Gabriel...but since I have to wait for that, the hero in one of my current manuscripts is a Gabriel. But that was b/c the name fit him, not just b/c I love the name.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the flip side, Angela! I'm sure your daughter is honored and Gabriel will be too :)
DeleteEva, I often begin with names I like but then as my characters grow it's as if they let me know they are not happy with my choices. Once I get it right then things 'fall into place'. I check out historical names then I look through the film credits to get ideas too.
ReplyDeleteI've had that happen too, Rita. Quite often characters do have a mind of their own :) And film credits are good lists to read!
DeleteI was named by my brother after 2 Jennifers in the church. My 2 uncles were named after princes. One was Albert Edward the other William Arthur.
ReplyDeleteHow neat, Jenny! I was named after my grandmother, and we named our daughters after family members.
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