“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
– William Shakespeare
Ever thought about this famous line from old Will Shakespeare? To be honest, I'm not exactly a Shakespeare superfan (thanks to high school lit exams), but I recently came across this line and thought about it properly for the first time. Basically, it says your name doesn’t define who you are. But... is that really true?
In my view, names can shape us in unexpected ways. Just think about family names, especially if you’re the firstborn—doesn’t that tell a story about who you are and where you belong? Some social scientists even reckon names can have a “Dorian Gray” effect, subtly influencing how we see ourselves, how others see us, and even (they say) how we look. Have a read of How Your Name Shapes You if you’re curious.
For example, the article explains: “Say your name is Rose. Social coding may lead you to act feminine, smile demurely, and lean into floral stereotypes. But if your name is the unisex Alex, you might feel freer to challenge those expectations.”
It’s fascinating to think that a name could influence not only how you’re perceived but even how you act.
This is why I’m particular when naming my characters. In my earlier books—like the Playing for Glory series—names just fell into place. But these days, I take the time to get it right. Take Jakes from Eye on the Ball, for instance. At first, he only went by his initials, JJ. But as I got to know him, his full name revealed itself (classic family names) and suited him perfectly.
When creating a character, I think about their nationality, the story setting, and their appearance. The name needs to feel authentic—if I’ve got an Italian-Scot character, they need a name to match. And don’t even get me started on tricky pronunciations! I spent ages learning that Siobhán is “Shi-von” (not “Si-o-bi-han”) and Catriona isn’t “Ca-tri-ou-na” but rather “Ca-tre-na” (if you’re going Gaelic). As much as I love a unique name, I don’t want readers getting tongue-tied!
So, where do I find these names? Bryn Donovan’s list of MILLENIAL names for Characters is a gem, and trusty baby name sites like Nameberry and BabyNames.com never disappoint. They’re packed with meanings and fun insights. And if you’re in the mood for a laugh, Urban Dictionary can provide some... creative interpretations.
For example, how do I find names for the characters in my rugby series? I created a masterlist of names and a masterlist with surnames of rugby players in all the franchises in South Africa. I then mix and match them. 😁 I've also created Masterlists of Scottish names and surnames, of Italian names and Spanish-names. I know, I don't have stories for them all, but one day ....
When picking a name, I also think about how it sounds with a character’s surname, especially if we’re talking romance and the heroine might take her partner’s name later. It has to sound just right.
I hope these tips give you some inspiration when choosing names for your next characters. Happy naming!
Until next time
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