The perfect character name can elevate a story, resonating with readers long after they’ve turned the final page. From Sherlock Holmes to Katniss Everdeen, memorable character names become cultural touchstones, carrying their own weight and significance. But how do professional authors consistently create names that feel both distinctive and authentic? This workshop explores the techniques master storytellers employ when naming their creations.
The Psychology Behind Memorable Character Names
Before diving into specific techniques, it’s worth understanding why names matter so profoundly in fiction. Cognitive studies suggest that names serve as powerful memory anchors, helping readers form stronger connections to characters. Names that are distinctive yet pronounceable create what psychologists call “processing fluency”—they require just enough mental effort to be memorable without being frustrating.
As novelist Neil Gaiman explains: “Names are how we identify ourselves to the world and to ourselves. The right name for a character gives them weight and reality.”
Technique 1: Cultural and Historical Authenticity
Historical fiction authors and fantasy writers building secondary worlds often research naming conventions extensively to create authentic character identities.
Hilary Mantel’s Approach: The late Booker Prize-winning author of the Wolf Hall trilogy meticulously researched Tudor-era naming patterns. She kept names historically accurate while selecting those that modern readers could easily process. For minor characters where historical records were incomplete, Mantel chose period-appropriate names that reflected social standing and regional origins.
George R.R. Martin’s Method: For A Song of Ice and Fire, Martin created distinct naming conventions for different cultures and regions. Stark names are deliberately short and harsh, reflecting the unforgiving North (Jon, Ned, Robb), while Targaryen names feature Valyrian conventions with repeated phonemes and abundant vowels (Daenerys, Viserys).
Workshop Exercise: Research naming conventions for your story’s time period or cultural setting. For fantasy worlds, create consistent phonetic patterns for different regions or cultures.
Technique 2: Phonetic Symbolism
Many authors leverage the subtle associations readers make with certain sounds to reinforce character traits.
J.K. Rowling’s Sound Patterns: Rowling masterfully uses phonetic symbolism throughout Harry Potter. Slytherin characters often feature sibilant sounds (Severus, Salazar), while Voldemort’s name (literally “flight from death” in French) sounds simultaneously sophisticated and threatening.
Ursula K. Le Guin on Sound: The legendary author of Earthsea once noted, “The sound of the name is important… I’ll sometimes use a name that has a particular sound to it because I know what emotional reaction that sound will produce.”
Workshop Exercise: List your character’s key traits, then experiment with names whose sounds evoke those qualities. Hard consonants often suggest strength, while liquid consonants (l, r) and long vowels can evoke elegance or fluidity.
Technique 3: Meaningful Etymology
Many authors embed meaning directly into names, creating subtle layers that attentive readers can appreciate.
Philip Pullman’s Approach: In His Dark Materials, Pullman frequently uses names with meaningful etymologies. Lyra (meaning “lyre” or musical instrument) reflects the character’s ability to weave stories and “play” others, while Mrs. Coulter relates to “colt” (a young, untamed horse), hinting at her dangerous nature beneath a controlled exterior.
N.K. Jemisin’s Method: Jemisin, author of the Broken Earth trilogy, often incorporates geological terms into character names (Alabaster, Jasper) to reinforce her world’s deep connection to geological forces.
Workshop Exercise: Research the etymology of potential character names using naming dictionaries. Consider how hidden meanings might add depth to your characterization.
Technique 4: Specialized Naming Patterns for Unique Character Types
For characters with supernatural, mythological, or specialized backgrounds, authors often draw from specific naming traditions.
Rick Riordan’s Technique: For his Percy Jackson series, Riordan cleverly adapts classical Greek names for modern settings, making them both authentic and accessible.
Phoenix Character Naming: For characters associated with fire, rebirth, or transformation, specialized resources like NameCraft’s comprehensive phoenix name collection provide authentically resonant options drawn from multiple mythological traditions.
Workshop Exercise: For characters with specific thematic associations, explore specialized naming resources that align with those elements or symbolism.
Technique 5: Name Evolution Through Drafting
Many professional authors view character naming as an evolving process rather than a one-time decision.
Stephen King’s Process: King often begins with placeholder names that capture a character’s essence, allowing the “real” name to emerge during the writing process. In his memoir On Writing, King explains that names sometimes arrive fully formed while others develop as the character does.
Toni Morrison’s Naming Evolution: Morrison was known to try multiple names for key characters, reading passages aloud to test how they functioned within the narrative rhythm before making final decisions.
Workshop Exercise: Give yourself permission to use placeholder names in early drafts, noting characters who don’t feel “right” yet. During revision, experiment with alternatives until you find names that resonate with their fully developed personalities.
Technique 6: Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Professional authors share several practices for avoiding naming problems that can confuse or distract readers.
Margaret Atwood’s Rule: Atwood avoids having multiple characters whose names begin with the same letter or have similar syllabic patterns, preventing reader confusion.
Brandon Sanderson’s Approach: Sanderson suggests testing fantasy names with beta readers to ensure they’re both distinctive and pronounceable. He recommends including pronunciation guides only for names that readers genuinely need help with, not for every unusual name.
Workshop Exercise: Create an alphabetical list of your story’s character names, checking for accidental patterns or similarities that might confuse readers.
Technique 7: Cultural Sensitivity in Naming
Contemporary authors increasingly recognize the importance of respectful, well-researched names when writing across cultural experiences.
Celeste Ng’s Perspective: Ng, author of Little Fires Everywhere, emphasizes the importance of understanding naming conventions when writing characters from cultural backgrounds different from your own. She suggests consulting with sensitivity readers and cultural experts to ensure names feel authentic rather than stereotypical.
Workshop Exercise: For characters from backgrounds different from your own, research naming conventions thoroughly and consider consulting with readers from that cultural background.
Practical Workshop: Building Your Naming Toolkit
Professional authors rarely rely on inspiration alone—they build robust naming resources they can turn to repeatedly.
Developing Personal Name Banks: Many authors maintain collections of interesting names encountered in historical documents, obituaries, credits, and other sources.
Specialized Resources: For themed naming needs, specialized collections like comprehensive guides to mythological naming can provide historically and symbolically accurate options. For instance, writers creating phoenix-associated characters might leverage resources like NameCraft’s curated collection of phoenix names, drawing from multiple cultural traditions.
Digital Tools: Name generation tools can provide helpful starting points, though most professional authors modify generated suggestions to suit their specific character needs.
Conclusion: Finding Your Character Naming Style
As you develop your writing career, you’ll likely discover personal preferences in naming techniques. Some authors prefer names with clear symbolic connections, while others choose names primarily for their sound and rhythm. The most important consideration is consistency within your fictional world and alignment between names and characterization.
Remember that even the most seasoned authors sometimes struggle to find the perfect name. If you’re stuck, try writing a few scenes with a placeholder name—often, the right name emerges naturally once you understand your character more deeply.
By studying the techniques of professional authors and building your own naming toolkit, you’ll develop the skills to create character names that resonate with readers and strengthen your storytelling.
