Editor: What’s in a name

May 18, 2016


  • The spelling

  • The meaning

  • The fit to your character

  • The standing out not alienating

  • The knowledge someone(s) will hate it, mispronounce it, ignore it

  • Why does your Russian character have an Irish name

  • Male character = female name

  • Female character = male name

  • Period piece requires a period name

  • You’re in your 50s writing a character in their 20s naming a child of the future – why your generation’s popular name

  • Hmm a tad stereotypical name – too stereotypical

  • Your favourite author’s character’s name is showing up – okay

  • But, you wanted that name – okay

  • Last name? Yes, you need one. Never know when it’ll come up

  • That name to that culture, country, time, religion – you’re sure

  • Oh, you know someone by that name. Hope that’s the only sameness. Hope they like the character

  • Oops, forgot you knew someone with that name.

Well, what’s in a name?