Here’s the list I turn to when I have to name a fictional character and my idea pool has run dry.
1. Google (or your favorite search engine)
I use Google for two main reasons: finding the meaning of particular names and finding last names of a particular nationality. For example, if I wanted to find the meaning of my last name I’d Google:heintzelman meaning. Or if I want to find an Old English sounding last name I would search for: Old English Surnames.
This is one of my favorite baby name sites. It has multiple tools for finding names. Check out the Name Voyager, which charts the popularity of various names over time … as you are typing.
3. The Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration can show you the most popular names for a given year. It may be the source for many of the “popular name” lists you see on the net. You can also check the popularity of a name over the years, but you don’t get the cool graphs The Baby Name Wizard provides.
4. 20,000+ Names from Around the World
A great site to browse for first and middle names. They have baby names, pet names, sim names, story character names. Thousands of names from around the world sorted and categorized by country, language and meaning. Many with etymological notes.
I don’t use this site to look up name meanings, unless I’m on it at the time. Instead I browse through the surnames, looking for one that catches my eye.
I know, this is number six and I said 5, but I just came across this site and it looks pretty cool. I can see using it for naming siblings or when I want a name sounding similar to another name. Here’s how to use it: Search for a name, which brings up a list of names. Click on the one you want. Now click on the “Baby Explorer” link. This is a fun little application that lets you find related names, sibling names and similar sounding names.
Bonus Info
Here’s some additional links that have great information about naming characters:
- How to Choose a Character Name for Fiction – Guidelines for names and meanings when writing.
- Four Questions to Ask when Creating Fictional Characters – Questions to ask before naming your character.
- What’s in a Name – An interesting technique for naming I had never heard of before.
- Dragon Age – What’s in a Name – How the authors and world designers name their characters based on meaning.
- Focus on Fiction – Don’t leave your characters hanging – Another take on the importance of naming your characters.