Writers: When you named your character did you name them something that had a meaning that fit them?

Well, did you? If not, why did you name them what you named them? just curious....

Writers: When you named your character did you name them something that had a meaning that fit them?
I used to, but I don't so much anymore; I named the main character in my current novel Penelope because I liked it and it seemed to fit her, not because it means "with a web over her face" (according to babynames.com). Usually, though, I do try to choose a character's name based on the origin - for example, Penelope is a Greek name, and the character is half Greek, half Scottish.
Reply:There has only been one time when I gave a character a name that fit his personality/role. It was for a very specific reason, plus I absolutely loved that character. I only did it to subtly convey his purpose in the story--trust me, no one knew the name's meaning unless they did some homework. I also chose it because it could be shortened to a few different names, and I'm a sucker for a nice nickname. But that was the only time.





The rest of my characters are given names I like, but only if the name fits. If I'm writing and can't see the character answering to that name, I change it.
Reply:I once wrote about a character that had a very fiery attitude, and I named her Ember, because an Ember is pretty much a bit of hot ash.





THen, another one who was soft spoken and shy, a bookworm, and in general, very innocent and pure. I named her Celene, because it just seemed to fit her.
Reply:Kind of... Most of the time I just like a bunch of names and give it to the character I think fits it best. Usually they don't mean anything. Except my main character. It sounds stupid, but the story is based in a world that I've created. Her name and her middle named mixed creates the world's name.
Reply:I actually avoided giving my characters names that had to do with their personality





First, because how do parents know their kids will be a certain way? They can only hope





Second, I think it can be kind of lazy to show through a name instead of showing through actions





People are more complicated than one trait their name reveals. At the least, I name my characters according to their ethnicity if relevant.
Reply:Yes, I do name characters based on their personality traits or their purpose in the story (whether it be symbolic or simply to move the plot along) -- but only the supporting characters. The protagonist(s) of my stories always end up having irrelevant names.
Reply:I worte book and I based the name by the time period


but my friend who is a writer wrote a book called poison ivy and the main character was Ivy because she sorta ruined allot of relaationships like a poison would ruin somethin





hope i helped
Reply:I named my character because it was ironic. I'm writing about werewolves and the main character is named Katerine but she likes to be called Kat. Wolves are dogs and cats are well cats haha
Reply:yes and no. I usally picture the characters i create in mind head and think of names that would best fit them. Most of the time the names come to me right away.
Reply:Nope, I suppose I did trial and error with a few names and found the one I liked best.
Reply:I do sometimes, I did with Amie i couldn't find a name and i looked up Amie and it means Love. and I just thought it would perfect.

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