Saturday is the day that we answer questions from our readers. Do you have a question? Either reading or writing related (we won’t give away our weight, but we’re pretty open to telling you how old we are since we’re all the same age), send them to carly@carlyphillips.com.
This week, Jennifer Y asked:
How do you choose names for your characters?
CP: I start with Soap Opera Weekly which posts quarterly lists of characters/actors names. Between the great Soap names (first and last) and the actors who also have unique names, I’m pretty set. I mix and match. If I get stuck, I go to the baby name books or lists. The hero and heroine, those I have to “feel” it’s right. Same with secondary characters, but often on the minor ones it’s harder not to repeat because I tend to go for such generic names, LOL.
JEL: Like Carly, I use the soaps quite a bit as inspiration, but I rely on my baby books, too. For hip names, I use BEYOND JENNIFER AND JASON, which gives you names based on personality. Things like, “Power Names” and “Feminissima” names. Also by culture, which since I often write about ethnic characters (Cuban, Italian, French, Gypsy, etc.), I use that, too. I sometimes go to the Internet, but that’s often frustrating because there are too many choices. I have to admit to looking at the obituaries sometimes, too, especially for last names. I keep a list of all my character names. I’ve only repeated a hero’s name once and that’s because the second time, I was in a continuity and the hero’s name couldn’t be changed.
LK: I used to just close my eyes and think about the type of person I planned to write and choose a name that suited them depending on their personality, career, dreams, goals, etc. (Like Ruthie in Suite Seduction, who was an adorable, scatterbrained sweetheart.) Sometimes the name was designed to counter a character’s personality (example: Sophie in Thrill Me…supposedly a sweet, kind, good-girl church secretary. In reality a horror/thriller/hack-em-up writer.) Lately, though, honestly, it’s more a matter of finding a name I haven’t used! lol! I really need to start a database for that.
JD: I have to start out by saying that Julie was so smart to start a database of hero and heroine names she’s already used. After 40+ books, I have no idea anymore what I’ve used, and what I haven’t. Though I don’t mind repeating a name if it works for a character. As to how I choose names for my characters, I always watch the credits that roll after a movie. I’ve found a few of my first and last names that way. If I see a name I like, I jot it down on my “list of names” for future reference. If I’m reading a magazine or a book and I like a name, I’ll add that to my list, too. When I’m choosing a name for my character and one of the names on the list just doesn’t work for me, I’ll resort to my “Very Best Baby Name Book” and can usually find something there. As for last names — the phone book is great for that, LOL! Ultimately, the first name MUST work for the character, and if it just doesn’t feel right, I’ll find another name that does.
So…what sort of names do you like best? Have you ever read a character where the name just didn’t work for you? Any suggestions for future character names for the monkeys?
And don’t forget…if you have a question for future Saturday chit-chats, send them to carly@carlyphillips.com!
And don’t forget to come by on Monday for a SPECIAL GUEST BLOGGER!
3 Seductions and a Wedding
COLD SIGHT
Kiss Me If You Can
Wild For Him
Subscribe to Posts 
Comment
Very interesting and totally opposite of how I thought you came up with the names. LOL!! Shows you how everyone has their own ideas on how things work. I thought for sure you all used the internet for your names. :) I suppose having too many options poses a problem though, so it makes sense that you don’t use it.
Comment
Good morning ladies.
I always wondered how the names were chosen.
I like:
Jack
Nick
Annie
Katie
I dont care for very unusual names.
Comment
I actually like less-commonly used names, because if every book I read is about Jack and Sara or some other frequently used name, then they all start running together. I don’t know – maybe that’s just me LOL.
I find it interesting how names are selected. I’ve heard some authors say they have to have the name first then I’ve heard others say it’s the story then the character, then the names come last. Fascinating stuff.
Comment
For children, I am a back to basics kind of gal. I like the basic names, basic spelling. For names in stories, I have always wondered why the names are not the ‘basic’ names, but rather the ‘in’ name of the moment. Now, I know!!!
Comment
I found it interesting in how you pick names for your characters. What a great insight into how the process is done for all of you.
Comment
Interestint to know how you pick names. I like the less used names like Craig, Chelsea, Simone, etc.
Comment
WOW! Thanks for answering my question!!
I must admit, I ask this question of authors a lot. That is the first time I have gotten Soap Opera Weekly as an answer. But I think it is a neat and good idea. They have some good names on the soaps. BEYOND JENNIFER AND JASON sounds like a cool book. I love all of your answers!!!
I like all kinds of names, but tend to prefer those that are relatively simple to pronounce. If a name looks too hard I spend too much time worrying I am pronouncing it wrong and it distracts me from the story.
Comment
I like the name to fit the character. Sometimes I’ve read names that were so unusual they didn’t seem to fit. Name that are different are interesting but I want to be able to know how to pronounce it & not spend the whole book wondering if I am right! :) Recently I read a book that had the H as Nicholas Delaney which immediately spoke to me as my younger grandson is Nickolas & his sister is Delaney, the author of the book was Cindi & the mother of the 2 I mentioned is my daughter Cindy. How is that for coincedence? :)
Have a great weekend everyone.
Comment
The Soap Opera Weekly is a great idea – I’ll have to try that. I don’t know where I got my current heroine’s name – completely random. But it suits her personality so I like it.
Comment
Jennifer, I have done that sooooo many times with a difficult name in a book. I sit and say it to myself over and over wondering what the heck is the correct pronounciation. LOL!! Glad to know I am not alone.
I do like the original names, but ones that you KNOW how to pronounce.
For male names I love: Zach, Marcus, Noah & Max
For Female names: Kelsey, Isabella, Talia, Alexa & Lexie to name a few.
Comment
Well first off I will say, if the character has my name or the name of someone I know it’s always a turn off to me. I like to picture the characters and imagine what they look like, and when they have the name of someone I know, it ruins that a little. Just recently in the last THREE books I read, I swear to you, my ex boyfriend’s name was in all THREE books. Ok his name is Dominick and I guess it’s pretty common. But anyway, that’s why I think odd names can be good. Any name where I dont know anyone by that name is good to me. I want to escape into the book with the characters, not be reminded of a nasty ex bf everytime I read the name! I will admit, I have decided NOT to buy a book in the past because of a character’s name. So I guess picking the right name is very important. As an avid reader, I think the obscure names are the best way to go.
Comment
Rachael…this is funny…you’ll see why on Wednesday. Does it count if the name is spelled slightly differently than yours?
Comment
Well I have never seen my name spelled RACHAEL in a book before. It’s always RACHEL. I still associate it with my own name though and that takes away from imagining the character. I did read one book once called Molokai with a character named Rachel and I loved it. The character was very vivid and I didn’t associate it with myself at all. I guess if the author does good character development, the name should take on a whole new identity of it’s own.
Actually I was talking to Laurie Wilde in an email after entering her contest, and she said she’s writing a book and it just so happens that my name and the same spelling is one of the characters. Is Laurie Wilde your surprise blogger? :p
Comment
LOL! Nope…the surprise blogger is tomorrow. The Rachel/Rachael surprise is on Wednesday.
Comment
I think you gals do a terrific job picking our names for your characters.
Comment
I knew I was destined to be a romance author I have 5 kids their names are all from soaps ashley,blake, austin, nicholas and Taylor lol I guess great minds think alike!