Friday, 31 October 2008

Character Naming

I need names. I didn't really care before, but now time is running out and if I have to use the first name I can think of for my MC I don't think I'll enjoy writing it.

So I'm going through my Gmail spam box. I don't know who first suggested to look in the junk mail for names but it's an option that I love for naming characters who don't matter. I get the most spam in my Gmail account (hundreds per week) and most of them are from "people" with full names: Marceline Marlyn, Genaro Best, Shay Norma, Bernie Tor...

When I was trying to write at least 100 words a day I stole my inspiration from that spambox.

But it's harder to pick your main character when you've come up with a plain sort of boy who needs a plain sort of name that is somehow also not someone else's name. It's basically impossible. But actually, he doesn't need a plain name, just a one syllable one.

Now I've exhausted my gmail inbox. Le sigh. Using this now: http://www.kleimo.com/random/name.cfm
  • Rod isn't right, but comes close.
  • Hal. No. I don't want to name him after Malcolm's dad... and no, I don't mind naming him after Rod Flanders.
  • Vern. Troyer... or... Jerry O'Connell's character in Stand By Me.
  • Reed. A girl I know is going out with a guy named Reed.
  • Scot. Or Scott. Which might work because that's what you call a Nigel... not that you know what a Nigel is.
  • Cole. Leads me to Charmed. And
  • Brock. Pokemon. Or "Brock Peters" from that Matthew Reilly book, which actually comes from Peter Brock.
  • Art. Could work. But it sounds arty and that's not what he is.
  • Dick. Yeah right.
  • Beau. As if.
  • Cruz. No.
  • Dirk. Hmm... no weird references spring to mind, but it just doesn't suit.
  • Russ. Always makes me picture a dog.
  • Zane. Too cool.
  • Rich. Nah.
  • Thad. Reminds me of Ghost Boy by Felicty Pullman.
Tad. Ty. Teal. Tar. Tak. Ted. Tom. Tot.

*checked Google notebook of names* Nothing.

Ray. Ralph. Ry. Ran. Rug. Rut. Rat.

Mig. Marty. Mal. Maul. Matt. Mike. Meg. Mart. Marth.

Grant. Greg. Gary. Gale. Garth. Grab. Gad. Gat. Gam.

Blake. Blade. Blair. Blythe. Bruce.

Carl. Roy. Keith Kevin Al.

This boy will remain nameless forever.

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