PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

Studies show that the coolest, happiest, brightest name is Olivia. Are you tired of using the same rotation of names for the characters in your stories? Do you feel like you rely on the same, generic names to spice up your writing? In fact, there are several methods you can use to create unique and interesting character names.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Creating Unique Names

PDF download Download Article
  1. Since first and last names usually sound very different, breaking this tradition would make your character stand ever so slightly apart.[1]
    • For example: Anna Joey, Robert Gideon, Paul Michael.
    • This is a very subtle approach and would make the most sense for a story that unfolds in a time and place that's similar to your own. Some names can be both surnames and forenames, like: Curtis, George, Paul, Jordan, Logan, Dylan, Wilson, Kerry, Owen, Keith, Austin and Oliver.
  2. Watch the credits of a TV show or film; a lot of uncommon names and name combinations can be found there. When you walk, bike, or drive around, take note of the street names. You might even borrow the name of a foreign city, a distant nebula, or a rare plant.
    • Because this is a broad approach, it could be applicable to a wide variety of genres as well as male or female characters.
    Advertisement
  3. Flip through the telephone directory or a guide on baby names. In particular, books on naming babies have a wide variety of uncommon names and interesting spelling variations.
    • For example: Razilee, Kadiah, Joval, Jantanie, Keryl, or Kaline.
    • If you want to be inspired by both a name and a character, check out a mythology book from the library; however, unless you want something obvious (ex. Athena), don't go with Norse, Greek, or Latin mythology. Make sure that the name is still pronounceable. Keryl, Razilee, and Genoviah are pronounceable with little effort, but nobody wants to have to try to pronounce Kazlistynez, no matter how unique it is.
  4. J.K. Rowling, for example, is said to have created some of the names in Harry Potter by first describing a character and then creating an anagram from the descriptions.[2] There are a number of strategies that you could use to engineer such a name. For example:
    • Blend common names together. So, Sarah and Josephine could become Josah and Saraphine; Garrett and Adrian could become Adriett and Garran; etc.
    • Try different spelling variations. Substitute Mikhail for Michael, Gaebriel for Gabriel, etc.
    • Rearrange your own (or a friend's) name. If your name is Bob Smith, scramble the letters to get something like Omi Thibbs. Your friend Eileen could be Neelie, Annabel could be Belanna, and so forth.
    • Create anagrams from common words. For example, laugh can be Gal Uh and jump can be M Puj. You can also use this technique to make a name that fits a character's personality. So, the anagram of laugh, Gal Uh, could be a good name for a comedian and the anagram of jump, M Puj, could be a good name for a high jumper.
  5. If you want something truly unique, give up basing your name in anything you're already familiar with and try to invent something completely new. This might be especially appropriate for a sci-fi or a fantasy story that doesn't fit your current cultural context. Alternatively, you could invent names for each of the characters but have one character with a  traditional name that will make them distinctive from the rest.
    • Type a random string of letters in a Word document, then select a set that seems promising, and rework them to create something you like.
    • Or, you might cut individual letters out of a magazine, throw them into the air, and choose a combination based on how they fall to the floor.
  6. But try not to make it too obvious, as you don't want to directly rip off an existing character's name.
    • For example, if you want to name your character after Katniss Everdeen, don't just name your character Katniss Everdeen, as this is not only unoriginal, it is also against copyright laws. Instead, try to create names similar to the existing name, such as "Katherine" instead of "Katniss", or "Dean" instead of "Everdeen.”
    • You can also use celebrity names to create new names by mixing up or combining the names. For example: Justin Bieber and Kate Alexa could become Jexa Kelbeir.
  7. Take a word or phrase and misspell it to create a new name.
    • For example, misspell “like this” so it appears as: lykkethez. Then, choose an interesting letter combo from the results. For example, Kethez, Ethe, or Ykke.
    • Type a few lyrics from a song without spaces to find interesting combinations. For example, 'All we are is the wind' could become Llwea, Arei, Isdus, Hewin, etc.
  8. Change a male name to fit a female or female name to fit a male.
    • Keep in mind not all names have opposite-gender equivalents.
  9. If you research names on a name generator (meant for baby names, but still useful), you will likely come across one name or several names that could work for your character.
  10. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using a Letter (or Letters) You Like

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you're unsure, pick one of your favorite letters. For example, you may want a character with the letters L and S in their name, because you like how those letters sound or, feel they would fit the character's personality.
  2. Common name endings for girls are: a, bell, na, ly, ie, y, line, etc. Common name endings for boys: ob, ab, an, ly, etc. Pick one you like, or make one up!
  3. If the thing you pick/see isn't a good jumping off point for a name, think of synonyms for the thing.
    • For example, if you are staring at the moon, think of a synonym, such as “celestial body”, which could become the name “Celeste”.
  4. You may like the letters “o” and “a”, and could add a “n” and “h” to make “Noah”.
    • If the name you come up with sounds clunky, add more letters, but don't overdo it.
  5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Finding a Name that Suits Your Character

PDF download Download Article
  1. Pick character names that correspond with the world, time frame, and/or country where your story is set.[3]
    • It will add to the believability of your story if the character names sound appropriate for the setting. For example, a story set in China will likely have different character names than a story set in South Africa.
    • Another technique, used by John Braine, is to use place names from the region or area the story takes place in.
  2. Most readers don't have the patience to try to decipher a character name every time it's mentioned. A hard to pronounce name may also break the flow of the story and take the reader out of the story, rather than immerse them further in it.
    • Look for names that are easy to say out loud and roll off your tongue.
    • Avoid using a lot of strangely spelled names for your characters as this could confuse and alienate your reader.
  3. The meaning of a name could help you connect the name with one of your characters, based on their personality. Think about how the meaning of the name reinforces the character's personality traits.
    • You could also use a contrasting name to create some friction between the sound or meaning of the name and the personality of the character. For example, a tough girl could be named Grace, or a nerdy kid could be named Brock.
  4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I name a character after objects?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Of course! You can even make it so that their name takes on a special meaning to the character. For instance, if a character always sat around like a duck, you could name him Drake.
  • Question
    How do I pick unique Greek names for a story?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Behind The Name is a great website where you can search names that originated from different countries.
  • Question
    How do I come up with a name for a new species of animal or human?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try mixing two names of rare or extinct animals so that no one will have heard it before.
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Reader Videos

Tips

  • Try rearranging letters in a word that describes the character, such as cunning (Gin Nunc), modest (Dom Tes), simple (Sim Lep), words like that. Then you can add and subtract letters as wished.
  • Names like Aristotle, Sebastien and Bridgelle are good for more classy tales, while Andrew and Tom or Emma and Sarah are good basic names for the more "up-to-date" stories.
  • If you want a sci-fi name, mix and match. There are tons of names out there and you can come up with quite a unique character combining sci-fi names.
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

  • Names can be a great way to indicate a character’s culture or background! Make sure you are respectful and research to make sure your character’s name isn’t a stereotype or inaccurate (for example, if your character is Chinese, look up Chinese names and try to avoid making up a name that sounds vaguely East Asian like Cho Chang, which is actually just two surnames and not a name that a real person would have).
  • Try using the website BabyNamesPedia and its AI chatbot. It can help with name spellings, pronunciations, variations, and meanings!
  • Take a look through a spice cabinet. There are plenty of spices that could be used as names, like nutmeg or sage.
  • Try misspelling the name of a street, plant, animal, etc. Add or take away letters to make a name.
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Don't name your character after somebody who's already been invented in a published story, particularly if they have a similar personality. You might face a lawsuit. Check to see whether anyone has used the name in a published piece before you give it to your character.
  • Don't use a name immediately after you create or find it; present it to at least one other (unbiased) person first. What sounds great to you may sound like the name of a prescription medication to your audience.
  • Make your character names believable, especially if you're working on a more serious or somber story. While you should always be as out-there and creative as you want, if you name one of your characters something like "Lord Marky Mark" or “Princess Surfbort”, it may be difficult for readers to take your characters and your story seriously.
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Advertisement

About This Article

Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA
Co-authored by:
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing, Portland State University
This article was co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA. Stephanie Wong Ken is a writer based in Canada. Stephanie's writing has appeared in Joyland, Catapult, Pithead Chapel, Cosmonaut's Avenue, and other publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction and Creative Writing from Portland State University. This article has been viewed 1,107,806 times.
98 votes - 70%
Co-authors: 117
Updated: June 24, 2024
Views: 1,107,806
Article SummaryX

To find unique names for your characters, check movie credits or a mythology book for something unique. If you can’t find anything you like, try misspelling other names or words to create new ones. You can also rearrange the letters of phrases or names you like to create something less recognizable. However, try to stick to names that are easy to pronounce so reader’s don’t have to pause to figure them out. Read more to learn how to make up a name from scratch!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,107,806 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Anonymous

    Anonymous

    Nov 8, 2016

    "I haven't actually used this to help me make a new name just yet, but I have used these tactics in the past..." more
Share your story

Did this article help you?

Advertisement