Does anyone else really struggle to come up with the names for their characters? I often find that I have stories in my head ready to write but spend hours trying to find the right names for the characters. I can imagine everything about them but names just escape me. Does anyone have tips on how to come up with names?
I used my imagination for names and places.
I google 'baby names' and then the feel I'm looking for such as 'cool', 'traditional', 'nordic' and then have a look through the suggestion lists. Although I have to admit that I do sometimes borrow names of people I know.
I use family names mostly, my characters are often related in some way or another. So if I need someone I will think about giving them the same relationship as they have in real life. For example, I have 3 brothers and a sister so have the opportunities to take from our real life interactions.
As I am sure you have heard; write what you know.
I work a sea, so when I need a stranger name then I simply look out the window and mix and match what I find from the names of the ships around. This has given me some very interesting combinations