How to name your characters?

16th August 2011
Blog
1 min read
Edited
8th December 2020

How do you do it?  Do you get a baby names book, or scour the telephone directory?  (Does anyone use a telephone directory any more?)  Do you eavesdrop in public places and make notes?

What does your character's name say about them?  Is it resolutely plain or brimful of associations?  As someone who has gone through the last 40 years being called Cressida, you develop a certain nonchalance about 'interesting' names.  Once someone knows you work in publishing and are called Cressida - they expect you to work in publicity, be blonde, thin, very pretty, and sound like a minor royal.  They are often sadly disappointed.

Does your own name hold any associations that you feel you fail to live up to?  Let's talk names!

Cressida

Editorial Consultant

Writing stage

Comments

i have selected few friends as characters, and the bad characters goes to my worst subject chemistry from where i have named bad characters, it felt like i have my revenge :)

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Zohaib
Ahmed
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Zohaib Ahmed
23/12/2011