The Importance of Naming A Character

The Importance of Naming A Character. Harry Potter, Christian Grey, Katniss Everdeen, Holden Caulfield. We know them well as they are some of literature's most popular characters. Their names resonate with us the minute we hear them. We know immediately what book they are in, and even if we haven’t read a single book they're in, we likely know a little bit of who they are. Why is this? Well, aside from the obvious of some names being associated with the title of the book, names are everything when it comes to characters. In order for a novel to stand out, it needs a strong main character who will take on a challenge or adventure or connect and seem real to a reader. One way this can be done is by giving that character a name, a name that will not only represent what that character stands for but will stand out among the rest. How important is it to give your character a fitting name? It’s necessary and essential to your stories' very existence. Sure, you can name your characters John Smith, Emily Jones, or James King, but you're not giving them identity; you're not giving them a name that will stand out among the top names listed in the beginning.

A character's name needs to stand out; when you read it, you immediately know who they are, or when you see their name, it gives you a sense of intrigue and makes you want to read and know more about them. How important is the naming of a character? More important than you would think.

Harry Potter. If you think about it, the name seems rather generic if you take out the fame that now comes with it. Before Harry Potter was written, the name could have easily gone unnoticed and seen as a common one. However, now anytime we see the name Harry Potter, we immediately associate it with the book series of a boy wizard. So, while this shows that it is possible to take a generic name and turn it into a popular one, it’s still better to give your character a unique name that stands out above the rest, so people can easily know what they are from.

The other names listed above are all unique and catch your eye. While Harry Potter and Christian Grey are names of real people, how many people have you met have the names of Katniss Everdeen or Holden Caulfield? Probably none, and if you have, they are likely named after the characters. Many writers would not think to give any deep thought when it comes to naming a character. They think that the setting, plot, and character details are important, and a name is just a name. Yes, perhaps that’s true, but you need to give that setting, plot, and character detailed substance, and that starts with what you think is the easiest thing of all, naming your character. A writer can pick a common name and still make that character stand out, but if a writer wants to get people to read their book or even just be original, they need to think deeply about what name they want to represent their book and their character.

A little bit of research is necessary in the naming of a character as well. If your book is set in China and your character is from there, then naturally, you're going to give your character a Chinese name. If your character is from another country, then you want to give them a name that originates from that country. If you really want to get into detailing and representing what your character is about, you could even look up the meaning of a name and give the character that name, so they live by the very name they were given. Origin, originality, and a strong, powerful visual of the name can really make your character seem very real. How can you come up with a great-sounding name for your character? Look up names alphabetically, look up baby names, look up names from a certain country, ask people, watch movies. You can get names from so many sources; it's about choosing the right one, which may be a difficult task, but when you find the right one, you’ll know. So remember the next time you need to decide and come up with a name for a character, to sit down and give it some thought. Don’t use John Smith, Joe Schmo, or Jane Doe, be original, be unique, and give your character a name that not only represents your book but you can be proud to say you came up with your made your own.

Some main character names I came up with for my books:

Emerson Shaw - A Bloody Bloody Mess in the Wild Wild West

Ryu Tsang - Opium Warfare

Dmitri Townsend - The Wax Factory

Ghyslaine Vandaldrake - The Wax Factory

Kiero Dusk - Brimstone Express

Declan Coville - Nightshade Station

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