Book on writing fantasy character names

When you create an original character, you have to give them a name. One approach for fantasy writers is to generate names using a foreign. Every book ive ever written my writing journey duration. Jan 28, 2016 in the great high fantasy novels, characters surprise not only each other but themselves too. Find articles below on everything from how to describe eyes and hands to describing characters posture, voices and more.

Yeah, im one for unusual names xd and two were used on this list. Before adding a name, please check all three tiers to make sure. Apr 08, 2020 this list of general girls names is divided into three tiers. A master list of fantasy character names and places. His father and stepmother, as well as one of his closest friends, are briefly mentioned as well. The story is fictional and written as a satirical parody due to my dissatisfaction at how one of the characters was killed off. Avoid the pitfalls of muddled fantasy book writing and plan ahead. Those who know me from this blog or from following my twitter know i have a bit of a thing for names, and since names are something. Other names from the book include marina, simon, karina, yousef, and dana. I see a lot of people on social media asking about naming characters, fantasy.

English names for his game of thrones characters, since the high fantasy. They introduce their readers not only to plots and characters, but entire new worlds, complete with history, geography, language. The lists are useful and include meanings for the names, but there is a serious gap in the lists. Sep 27, 2016 creating character names fantasy, scifi, dystopian. Were in the process of moving homes, so this week ill be completely. The highly detailed chart below will help writers develop fictional. Writers, are you writing a historical or high fantasy novel this nanowrimo. But the names in this generator will at least have a darker sound to it, and thus fit those on the darker side of life quite well. The easy way to name fantasyscifi characters samantha. How do fantasy authors find names for their characters and places. As you can see theres a lot to explore, but if youre looking for names youre at the right place. Finally, i think you could also find some baby name ideas in the. Creating character names fantasy, scifi, dystopian youtube.

A master list of fantasy character names and places barely hare. In the great high fantasy novels, characters surprise not only each other but themselves too. Writing strong character description ensures readers can picture your characters clearer. Jun 04, 2018 theyll also help fit the name to your storys generational era. Writing adolescent fictioncharacter namesgirls wikibooks. May on a coauthored series the dragons of kudare and i are working a new book, and we needed to name a character.

This generator offers several different options for themebased character names for your fantasy book. Name generator for fun with this one, you can choose from several categories, like villain names, rap names, superhero names, and more. Writing a realist novel set in a familiar city is a challenge itself. But if you have an idea for what i could add or if you want to submit a name, message or other feedback feel free to contact me. This is contrasted with books set in our own, real world that simply have magical objects, creatures, characters or events brian stableford, 2009, p.

Writing an epic high fantasy that sprawls across imaginary continents and peoples is a mammoth undertaking. This list of general boys names is divided into three lots. Ive successfully avoided the fjyrgfj and tkarlobongarro pitfalls, but now im concerned about names being a little too hokey or cliche. This doesnt mean you have to commit before you start writing. Before i started writing the waking fire, i wrote out a long list of names because i didnt want to come to a grinding halt in the midst of writing while trying to dream up a new character name. Jun 09, 2017 what sort of fantasy world is your story set in.

Jan 16, 2010 in my historical fiction set in 1897, i have used a real person wealthy philanthropist as a character in the story. See more questionnaires for writing character profiles. Character name generator the ultimate bank of 2,000,000. In these instances, choosing character names is more difficult. The character naming sourcebook includes reverse lookup of names by their meaning, an alphabetized index of names, and an explanation of naming practices as well as context for each origin. You want them to be unique, special and cool but still pronounceable. Before adding a name, please check all three tiers to. But if you have an idea for what i could add or if you want to submit a name, message.

Personally, my three favourite girl names ever are dawn, willow and ivy. How to name characters in a fantasy novel good story company. Each name is computergenerated and we encourage you to do further research on naming traditions and meanings for your exact region. Call me by your name is a wonderful book but also a source for more unique literary baby names. Of course these lists are flexible names can often be used either way looking for more help with character development. How to invent names for your genre novel daily writing tips. Anthony ryan on naming fantasy charactersand making sure. Feb 01, 2018 all you have to do is scour the page of 300 unique, original fantasy names and keep this list a reference while you write that fandomworthy novel of yours. The names of protagonists and antagonists will feature heavily in your books so. Much of my writing is set in the hereandnow united states, earth, early 21st century and so my characters names arent usually hard to plot. How to come up with an iconic character name in 12 steps. Five books on writing fantasy, compared mythcreants. Read male character names from the story the book of names by thebeautyinthebeast a.

This category is for fictional characters in written fantasy. The art of fantasy names about writing the personal blog of. Names are generally one of the least important elements of your writing. Mar 16, 2010 fantasy writers have a harder time of it than serious novelists. Sep 25, 2018 my thoughts on how to write a well rounded engaging fantasy character for your story. Dec 16, 2018 naming your characters is equally as fun as it is frustrating especially for those of us writing fantasysci fi characters.

One approach for fantasy writers is to generate names using a foreign or ancient language root, e. Naming your characters is equally as fun as it is frustrating especially for those of us writing fantasysci fi characters. If you want to give hints of a place rather like anc. How to create a strong character voice writing tips duration. This name generator will give you 10 random names fit for vampires, goths, warlocks, and other evil characters.

Head to a baby name website and search for names by gender, popularity, and alphabet. All you have to do is scour the page of 300 unique, original fantasy names and keep this list a reference while you write that fandomworthy novel of yours. The fantasy name generator when writing an epic fantasy novel, there is a lot of work to be done regarding names. Theyll also help fit the name to your storys generational era. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Unique, original character names for male and female fantasy characters. Remember, dont choose names that start with the same letter. Read our interview with nicole peeler on fantasy writing. Please note this list is better viewed on a desktop because wordpress sucks sometimes and makes viewing from a phone miserable 100 fantasy male character names. What are some cool names for a fantasy book character. Martin, james dashner, brandon sanderson, and many more of the brilliant authors who are redefining the genre. Writing adolescent fictioncharacter namesboys wikibooks. The hardest thing sometimes for us to create, isnt great characters, plot ideas, or shocking twists.

If youre a fiction writer whether youre working on a novel, short story, screenplay, television series, play, web series, webserial, or blogbased fiction your characters should come alive for your reader or audience. Creating fantasy characters writing character profiles. Kenyons character naming sourcebook is in essence a list of male and female names, along with an opening essay giving some naming guidelines, including by genre. In the first tier are roughly the top 400 names among girls of high school age in the past few decades. In fantasy, there are no rules your only boundaries are your own imagination. Choosing a character name for your novel is as pressurefilled as.

The easy way to name fantasyscifi characters samantha allaker. They introduce their readers not only to plots and characters, but entire new worlds, complete with. Which characters do you think have the best and worst names in fantasy. Feb 26, 2020 one way to create a fantasy character name is to choose a name thats based on your character s defining qualities. Of course, a name is only evil if the person behind it is evil. You will add to the mental association in readers minds if your names echo the setting you want to convey.

The character naming sourcebook kindle edition by kenyon. The exception to the rule is fantasy, where youre crafting an entirely original world from scratch. Book writing tips writing help writing prompts funny names cool names the words fantasy names name games writing characters weaves of the wheel. Medieval names from england novel writing, writing. Jun, 2019 sarat, the main character, is fascinating.

When writing my novel the actress, i needed a name for a japaneseamerican criminal defense attorney, and the name gary kwan burst upon me. Elio, oliver, marzia, annella, chiara, anchise, nico, mafalda. Jul 09, 2019 fantasy name generator are you writing a fantasy novel and need some character name ideas. Writing fantasy writing a book writing prompts writing tips cute names unique names new names unusual names fantasy city names. Fantasy writers have a harder time of it than serious novelists. Even in a fantasy realm, names need to be realistic. This article will describe several different fantasy name generators to help in your fiction writing and gaming scenarios. Here are seven great rules for choosing character names offered up by popular mystery writer elizabeth sims the rita farmer mysteries. Over 500 unique literary baby names for bookish parentstobe. My thoughts on how to write a well rounded engaging fantasy character for your story. In the second tier are other names you might run into more than once in your lifetime. When developing charactersno matter what sort of characters youre pursuingheed common sense and consider each of these tips before cho.

In our search for the finest writing tips in the realm, we spoke to seven of the top fantasy editors on our marketplace. In fantasy, everything is dreamt up from scratch even the names. Todays blog post is a list of irish names for writing purposes. Back, i tell you, back pokes people with a stick xd you will probably see these names in. Jan 14, 2015 11 secrets to keep in mind as you breathe life into your characters through description, from rebecca mcclanahan.

If youre wondering how to name characters in a fantasy novel, this post is for you. See more ideas about names, names with meaning, character names. I have high fantasy that is fictional yet many names, character places, events, and incidence are in fact real. Both of these books are packed full of advice and ideas. Determining a name for a character can be difficult, particularly in a fantasy story, in which the parameters for what can go into a name tend to be broader. Only thing was, as soon as the thousands of copies of hardcovers were printed and shipped to stores, i heard from a reader who pointed out the simple fact that kwan is a chinese surname. If youre telling an awesome story, you can pretty much just tack on the names almost as an afterthought. I always enjoy coming up with names these days now that i can sort of listen to the characters and the settings. There are over 0 name generators, as well as many description generators, guides and various tools you might find helpful. How to choose character names just writerly things.

If youd like to ascend into legend alongside characters like azazel, bilbo, and daenerys, this fantasy name generator is for you. Sort using filters such as language, gender, and fantasy and even discover the meaning behind your favorites. Trying to avoid stupid names for fantasy characters im trying to come up with names for fantasy characters that arent too cliched, or downright stupid. Trying to avoid stupid names for fantasy characters. See more ideas about fantasy names, names and names with meaning. Tolkien in the world or anyone who wants a more fantastical name. How do can i come up with fantasy names and places. If youre looking for human names for your protagonists, this human name generator is built to be a starting point. Names go in and out of style, and those styles should be adhered to in fiction writing. Fantasy name generator are you writing a fantasy novel and need some character name ideas. Creating character names fantasy, scifi, dystopian. Novice writers have a tendency to think of plot and character as two. In the first tier are the top 200 names among boys of high school age in the past few decades. To give backstory, shes a fantasy character, and shes basically a duchess of sorts turned keeper.

This category has the following 47 subcategories, out of 47 total. For example, if your character is brave, you could look up the word for brave in a different language and use that for part of the name. Character names are to characters as titles are to books, so if youre blindly putting. The 7 rules of picking names for fictional characters. Your character names need to fit into the fascinating, magical and mystifying world that you have created. Ive done so with all the characters for my fantasy novel, but im not. Baby names book 2020 names for girls, names for boys kindle edition by ford, cornelia. Read tips on everything from finding the right character adjectives to. The characters in our stories, songs, poems, and essays embody our writing. Jul 03, 2017 before i started writing the waking fire, i wrote out a long list of names because i didnt want to come to a grinding halt in the midst of writing while trying to dream up a new character name. Alexander who wrote the chronicles of prydain series used the term to describe fantasy fiction set entirely in secondary or parallel worlds. This week, for all you hardworking writers out there, ive created a master list of fantasy names.