As those of you who’ve seen my updates on Twitter and Facebook will know, I’m currently trying to name two new secondary characters. I got some great feedback, so I thought I would extend the discussion here. As I’ve blogged about before, I find naming characters both fun and at times frustrating, because the right name has so much to do with making the character come to life. And of course the same name conjures up different images for different readers, which is why I love getting different people’s reactions.
The characters in question are an estranged married couple. She’s aristocratic but a bit of a scandal now thanks to the public disaster of her marriage. Impetuous, clever, witty, a once heedless, romantic girl turned cynical. Sort of a combination of Ellen Olenska, Barbara Childe, and Kitty Fane with a bit of Caroline Lamb thrown in for good measure. He’s also very well born (wealthier than she was), a classical scholar turned soldier. A serious young man who fell desperately in love and had it all blow up in his face. A bit of Jack Bristow from Alias, a bit of Lord Damerel (though he hasn’t become a rake), a bit of William Lamb.
Possible names for her:
Amy
Amanda
Emily
Jane
Harriet
Cordelia
Cressida
Serena
Helena
Annabel
Possible names for him:
Nicholas
Jasper
Gideon
Harry
Edmund
Andrew
Cyril
Possible surnames:
Drummond
Ashton
Hampton
Bowen
Wyndham
Brabourne
Any favorite names? Any names not on the list you think would be good for one or both characters? (I’m very open to new suggestions).
Do names have a lot to do with the image you form of a character when reading? Writers, how do you go about naming your characters?
Be sure to check out the new Fraser Correspondence letter I’ve just posted from Charles to David.
Tracy Grant - Novelist 
March 14, 2010 at 4:59 am
Your request reminds me of the Anne of Green Gables book where Anne allows Diana to name a character in her story, only Diana has a hard time coming up with a name that satisfies Anne!
Anyway, from the list you posted I think I like “Jane” and “Harry”. The other names are perfectly fine in and of themselves, only it seems that I’ve read so many other books with those names (Well, except for “Gideon” but somehow that name just doesn’t conjure up a romantic image for me!); anyway, it’s like hearing about a new baby nowadays named “Sophie” or “Emma”–pretty names but so trendy and common that they’ve become boring.
Other names not listed: “Miranda” or “Lavinia” for her; “Gabriel” or “James” for him.
March 14, 2010 at 5:10 am
Thanks so much, Julie! I was already writing stories when I read the Anne of Green Gables books and some of my favorite moments were the parts about Anne’s writing.
Good points about a lot of the other names being used frequently. One thing I like about both Jane and Harry is that they sound very British and of the period. Thanks for the suggestions as well–I think Miranda and James are both definitely possibilities.
March 14, 2010 at 1:28 pm
I like Andrew and Serena Wyndham. I think the two first names go well together, and Andrew Wyndham just rolls off the tongue so nicely–try saying it aloud. And Serena sounds like the name of a woman with plenty of character, especially a romantic-turned-cynic.
Thanks for the books! I can’t wait to read about the characters, no matter what their names are. 🙂
March 14, 2010 at 3:03 pm
I tend to like names that reflect some aspect of who the characters are. From your lists, I lean towards Cressida for her, because the Cressida of tradition started out as a romantic girl who loved Troilus but cozied up to Diomedes when her circumstances changed, which you can interpret as her being either shallow, cynical, or just brutally realistic. And possibly Cyril for him, because it has a softer, more refined, more intellectual sound than, say, Harry or Jasper, which strike me as “manly-man” names. Andrew is nice also, but isn’t that the name of Gisele’s eventual husband? Off-list, I’d be tempted to go with a classical-sounding name for him to reflect his scholarly interests–Julius, Marcus, or even Alexander.
Surnames: Unless the couple are meant to be Scottish or Welsh, I favor Wyndham and Hampton among the options here.
March 14, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Thanks, EB! I like Serena for the reasons you say–it somehow (at least to me and I’m glad to know to you too!) captures both her romanticism and and her harder edges). I like Andrew too, but as Stephanie points out it is the name of Gisèle’s husband, which I managed to forget when I was putting the list together, so I think it will have to go. I’ve always liked the name Wyndham. I wrote a play with characters named Wyndham when I was a teenager, and my mom and I had a Charles Windham as the hero of one of our Anthea Malcolm books.
March 14, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I like names that reflect some aspect of the character too, Stephanie, and I thought of Cressida for just that reason (plus I love any names from Shakespeare). I thought of Alexander, but Tsar Alexander is so important in Vienna Waltz that it seems odd to use the name again so soon for a major character. What do you think of Julian? I have to say one reason I like Harry for him is because of the Henry V reference, especially since he’s going to end up fighting the French at Waterloo.
They (or at least he) could be Scottish and certainly will be if I use Drummond. Any other last names to suggest? I think I need a longer list, though I do like Wyndham.
March 14, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Marcus and Cassandra Brabourne or Jaspar and Harriet Ashton.
I like classical names.
I always look forward to the new correspondence and cannot wait for the new book.
Good Luck,
Cathy Vasquez
March 14, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Ooh, I love the way the names sound in combination, Cathy! I like classical names too (hadn’t thought of Cassandra). They have a young daughter, who I think I’m going to call Livia.
So glad to hear you enjoy the Fraser Correspondence. Of course people don’t comment on it as much, so it’s always good to know people are reading it. And very glad you’re looking forward to the next book!
March 15, 2010 at 12:41 am
Harry is one of those quintessential English names and seems to be popular whatever the century–or genre, for that matter. But between Henry V, Hotspur, Harry Faversham, and Harry Alistair (to name only a few), there seem to be a plethora of “warlike Harrys” in historical fiction. I think your suggestion of “Julian” has a nice balance between the scholarly and the soldierly.
March 15, 2010 at 6:18 am
Good point about all the Harrys in history and literature, Stephanie. I’ll think about Julian some more–definitely good possibilities. I as going to name the wife’s sister (also an important character) Julia, but that could change.
It’s so interesting how (at least for me as a writer), I often can’t get a character to gel until I have the “right” name. Gisèle started out as Beth, became Diana, and didn’t really work until I decided her half-French mother would have given her a French name and settled on “Gisèle.”
March 15, 2010 at 1:56 pm
“Marguerite” and “Percy”? Sorry, I couldn’t resist. 🙂
Isabelle and Thomas?
Marianne and Edmund?
March 15, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Gosh, Marguerite and Percy do go well together :-).
I thought about Isabella for her-=it really works well, but I already have an Isobel in the series (David’s sister). Likewise, I already have a Tommy (Belmont). Marianne is a good possibility, and I like Edmund as well. Thanks!
March 15, 2010 at 11:24 pm
I like Nicholas and Cressida (for the same reasons as Stephanie) but I also like the name Cassandra and would be tempted to link it with Edward, Julian or Matthew. Edmund seems to go better with Serena…. but I would not class Serena as cynical….is Mariella too whimsical?
Loved the books, read them both ways and would love to hear more about all the characters, not just Charles and Melanie..I reread the letters too – thanks a million!
Caitriona
March 16, 2010 at 12:41 am
I was going to suggest Cassandra, due to its classical connotations, but someone beat me to it. I like Cressida for the same reasons. Both also work with your description of the character. As for your hero, Edmund or Julian or any of the names (other than Cyril) work for me. Cyril doesn’t work because I’m old enough to remember the actor Cyril Richard so the name suggests someone a bit too fey for your character. Or Gabriel, if you see him as an avenging angel.
March 16, 2010 at 5:48 am
More great suggestions, Catriona. I’m intrigued by the number of people who like Cressida. It’s interesting isn’t it, how you have to pair the names with those of other characters to really get the effect? It makes naming characters sort of a jigsaw puzzle. Matthew’s another good suggestion. I don’t really see him as an Edward, but he could be a Ned…
So glad to hear you like the books and characters! I love all the characters and love writing in this world. Very glad to hear you like the letters as well.
March 16, 2010 at 5:54 am
Thanks so much, Susan, glad to have more votes for Cressida and Cassandra (interestingly the other name I really like for her is Coredlia–it seems she’ll have a “C” name). Good to know your reaction to Cyril–it’s so interesting how an actor or someone we know or a character in a book can influence what we think of a name. I think Dorothy Dunnett’s Gabriel will always hang over my image of that name. Otherwise it’s an interesting suggestion.
March 16, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Is your new book basically Charles and Melanie with their names changed?
March 16, 2010 at 3:34 pm
My arguments are hardly as profound as many have made but for what it’s worth instinct says Nicholas and Miranda. Nicholas because it’s simple, plain, dignified and a little bit forgettable. Which is how I imagine a serious and studious young man was viewed by many females in the social whirl before he fell in love, no matter how much money he had. A lot of the classical and elegant male names can be viewed as romantic which I doubt he commonly was (viewed as).
For her I like Miranda, for an odd combo of classic and pop culture references. I think simultaneously of “The Tempest” and an innocent, idealistic young heroine as she was when they met. But also of “Sex and the city” and a cynical, sharp witted, woman who has survived emotional turmoil by clinging stubbornly to her sense of self. Both poetic and strong, and again simple.
Plus I think they compliment each other, I can picture both young and older.
As for last names I’m still not sure.
March 16, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Precisely, JMM. “Vienna Waltz” (which I’m currently revising) is Charles and MĂ©lanie at the Congress of Vienna. Their names are changed to Malcolm and Suzanne Rannoch, but they’re the same characters (I actually wrote the book with the original names and their did a search and replace) and other characters from Charles and Mel’s world appear as well. The book I’m plotting now (in which this estranged couple appear) is also about Malcolm/Charles and MĂ©lanie/Suzanne. The estranged couple we’re naming are important secondary characters (but they aren’t Charles and Mel and in fact are quite different).
Speaking of names, what does everyone think of Malcolm and Suzanne Rannoch? I chose them because Malcolm and Suzanne and Charles and Mel’s middle names and Rannoch is Charles’s grandfather’s title.
March 16, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Your instincts are excellent, Angelique, as are your arguments! “Forgettable” is, sadly, exactly how this young gentleman was viewed by his pretty, flirtatious future wife before (and even after) they married. And I love the way Miranda combines Shakespeare and Sex and the City, and as you say references both a young, idealistic heroine fascinated by a brave new world, and a tough urbanite who’s seen it all (or most of it). Hadn’t thought of that before, but it makes total sense.
I’m loving everyone’s comments on this! I change my mind about the names several times a day.
March 17, 2010 at 5:29 pm
I used to think naming characters was the fun part, but really it’s not. There’s so many possibilities for extra meanings just based on the names.
I liked Edmund and Helena. Edmund is a good, solid name, and Helena is pretty without being too pretentious.
So far everyone has been making great suggestions.
I saw you had a couple suggestions on Lauren Willig’s site for naming Pink VII. I came up with about 5. It’s getting a little nuts what people are coming up with!
March 17, 2010 at 8:57 pm
I find it fun also a bit nerve-wracking because, as you say, Susan, of all the hidden meanings. It’s so hard to think of all the possible references from classical to pop culture, and one can’t possibly know the baggage individuals will bring to their reading. I like Edmund and Helena–they sound good together, as though you say. Also both have Shakespearean references, which I always like :-).
It’s been fun coming up with ideas for Lauren’s book title. I haven’t been able to keep up with all the suggestions, but there are some great ones. It’ll be interesting to see what they end up choosing!
March 21, 2010 at 10:34 pm
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March 29, 2010 at 5:47 am
Tracy, I came home and went to your site and see that I have a lot of reading I want to do quickly! I had my first 8th grade kiss from a Haskell Vest and the name has always stayed with me. I like it and it is unusual enough for me.
March 29, 2010 at 7:18 am
Lovely to see you tonight, Nelda! I really enjoyed talking! Thanks so much for visiting my site. Haskell Vest is a fabulous name–sounds quite Dickensian!
May 29, 2011 at 2:57 am
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