And why is it Homer?

She is a sprightly, bright spirit. Always gives off a positive energy. Her name is real and well established, but also has a whimsical, almost fairy-like quality to it. If her name were a color, it would be a glowing firefly yellow.

I am reading “The Women” by Kristin Hannah. It is about a privileged young woman who volunteers as an Army combat nurse in Vietnam in the mid to late 1960s. I’ve been enjoying it, and then I got to this conversation between the main character and an Army doctor:

"Tell me something good," she said. He thought for a minute, smiled. "My seven-year-old niece, Kaylee, lost a tooth. The tooth fairy left her fifty cents and she bought a gold-fish. Her brother, Braden, made the soccer team."

I’m sorry, a 7 year old Kaylee in 1968?! I can sort of forgive Braden because Wikipedia tells me there are a number of notable people named Braden born before the 1960s but still… how hard is it to do some research and pick period-appropriate names?

I've recently been looking at girls names and have been particularly interested in virtue names. Charity, Felicity, Prudence, and the like.

It's gotten me thinking—what if we were to try "vice" names? I think "Avarice" is a lovely choice, as are "Vanity" and "Hysteria."

Any other names you think would fit the bill?

[Note: I do not intend to give any real, living creatures these names. I just like thinking about it!]

Ok, so Jimothy is a great name for this awkward raccoon. It's Timothy, but Jim (short for James) instead of Tim. What are other similar good combination names like that???

Halexander

Svenjamin

Pamantha (for a girl)

Drewlius

Jaybriel

Danthony

Others????

i'm trying to name an oc and i can't find any names that fit it so i'm turning to reddit lol

i'm really just looking for unique names that have a bit of a vintage/gothic feel to them, but i was never a fan of names that ended in the letter "a" for some some reason. bonus points if the name doesn't sound like it belongs to a 40 year old woman, no offense.

examples of names i am NOT looking for are Carmella and Morgana, since even though they do have a bit of a vintage feel to them, (ignoring what i said about the letter A) i'm not a fan of how it sounds. albeit they are still beautiful names, it's just not what i'm looking for for this particular character.

i'm also quite fond of biblical and mythological names, greek mythology specifically.

names beginning with the letters E, J, L, M, N, R, T, or V would be nice, but I can honestly be interested in anything at this point :P

any help will be greatly appreciated!

Hi! So I am new to the drag scene but I would want to get into it by creating a toxic queen related to radioactivity because it’s been a long fixation of mine. I’ve tried to think of some but they’re not entirely it. Some of the ideas I’ve had were

• Omega Radiation (related to alpha, beta and gamma radiation while omega would be from the omegaverse aka just a bottom radiation)
• Marie Cuntié (from Marie Curie)
• Baddieum (from Radium)

These options are okay but they also seem kind of cringe? I’d really appreciate any ideas!

My husband and I are re-reading Percy Jackson with our son. I always said "TAH-lia" or "TA-lia" (with a wide nasal a sound like in "cat"). My husband says "THAY-lia"

We're arguing about this but also considering the name for our daughter so trying to gauge what the norm here is.

I loved the series, and I loved a few of the characters, but let’s be real. Most of them have raped or been raped. Even the “good” characters did bad things. It’s a dark story. And most of them have super unique names that people only associate with those characters. People will always associate your child with that character. So unless you want to name your child Jon or Jamie, it’s probably not a good idea to name them after a Game of Thrones character.

Sorry if this message got to you too late. I’m sure little Cersei is nothing like her namesake.

Edit: Someone with that name being raped obviously doesn’t make that person bad or the name inherently bad. But if that story is the only thing the name is associated with, it will lead to an uncomfortable conversation with your child at the very least.

Back at it again with another character name post; Sorry I keep crawling back here, but I’m genuinely stumped with her! As the title says, she’s a sailor girl, whose pretty laid back (she’s also still in development so not much to describe personality wise, sorry!)

Anyway, what do you think?

Edit: wow, thanks so much for the sheer amount of amazing suggestions! I’m still deciding which of the ones mentioned are the best, but thanks for all the compliments and tidbits you thought fit my silly little sailor gal :)

It irks me when a character has a creative or flashy name. A main character named Azalea, or Orion, or Thorne. Names like Alistair, Seraphina, Callista do it for me too. It really gives off main character vibes or feels like a creative writing project rather than a story that I can immerse myself into. The only exception is when the author establishes a certain vibe or trope, such as a corny romance where the lover's name is Beau.

Edit to say I like the name Alistair and other names with that vibe, and often there's nothing wrong with the names I listed, but I think I read enough online and in general that I can tell when people (American authors) use names just because they sound cool. Names like that get put on lists for being uncommon/different, at least on the American side of the web. When the writing Is poor but the story has potential, or vice versa, seeing a name like that makes it unredeemable for me.

Uncommon names can be cool because they do happen in real life, but it has to be within reach. I'm expecting something more along the lines of Aubrey or Sammi or Isaac or Ezra (as for American names), unless there's reasonable context such as the parents coming from a certain diaspora/location, belonging to a certain class, having an origin for such a name, being free spirited, etc. Same for names that are made up or spelled differently. If it's a mix of names or existing sounds, such as Corissa, I can see that happening, but something like Terrania, I will accept that only in a fantasy novel or comedy. If it's any kind of realistic fiction that I have to immerse myself in, I'm going to expect it to be realistic to the naming conventions, diaspora, etc.

Hello nerds, I'm on the final draft of a novel, and have decided it's probably time to name the characters (I feel like this is the equivalent of naming a child when they're about to start school...)

The story is roughly based around the Little Mermaid, and I need a name for the mermaid character.

The problem is, for unavoidable plot reasons, I already have a character with a Marina-based name (Maren).

I've been shamelessly stealing names from the last few hundred years of the Danish Royal family for all the characters.

If anyone can think of a sea-inspired name that could fit in with traditional Northern European names, please gelp me out! My deadline is almost upon me and I'm getting desperate!

I’m in the early stages of drafting a book and need a name for my main character.

She’s 18. Story is set in present day USA. She’s starting at an Ivy League university.

She’s from a traditional wealthy family.

Her parents are the sort that would give her a traditional, feminine name. But she’s the sort who would go by a more modern, possibly unisex, nickname.

Something like Alexandra but she goes by Alex, but idk if that’s exactly what I want.

I want it to be believable that she’s 18 in modern day USA, so nothing too dated, but could be a bit old fashioned. Bonus points if the name has connotations of wealth, power, status, etc.

Her family is white. I’m thinking English descent, but that’s not set in stone.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: I saw a good point about region. She’s from the northeast!

Hello all. I'm writing a short story where a woman can't conceptualise of the letter "S", as a fun diegetic way to incorporate a lipogram. I thought it would be interesting if her name seemed like a man's name without the "S", as a fun way to fake out the reader. I don't mind if it's not an English name - anything that fits will work! (Or failing: any androgynous names that become masculine, or feminine names that become androgynous?) Thanks!

Not for a baby, obviously. He's a fictional character. American, white, 40-60 years old. I think the last name is going to be Winters. I want a name that's not too out there, but not one that you hear every day. Something that makes you think, "oh, that sounds like a creepy dude."

I'm looking for girls names starting with the letter P. I'm really surprised how few there are.

Phillipa, Pauline, Paula feel a little too dated at the moment. Paisley is very popular now, but I suspect it's quite a temporary trend.

I've been through all the lists but I'm not finding much else. Phoebe, Penelope.

Is it mad to consider something like Penryn? I've never heard it as a name before, but I don't see why it couldn't be.

Rate the names of these characters played by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in their various movies and shows. Which do you like best? And are they good twin names?

(Left is MK, right is A).

Michelle (shared role)

Sarah & Julie

Kelly & Lynn

Jessica & Suzy

Amanda & Alyssa

Tess & Emily

Mary-Kate & Ashley

Melanie & Allyson

Sam & Emma

Carol & Sue

Maddie & Abby

Chloe & Riley

Riley & Chloe (same names but switched)

Misty & Amber

Kylie & Taylor

Charli & Leila

Shane & Elizabeth

Roxanne & Jane

My favourites are Sarah, Alyssa, Allyson (but spelt Alison), Sam, Elizabeth, and Jane.

I've put together a list of names from Barbie movies (protagonists, antagonists, etc.). What are your favorites?

Edit: Alphabetized the names and added a few more.

Adele

Adrienne

Agnes

Alexa/Alexandra

Ally/Allie

Amelia

Andrea

Anemone

Anne

Anneliese

Annika

Aquaryah

Aramina

Ariana

Arlene

Ashlyn

Aubray/Aubrey

Azura

Barbie

Bella

Berthe

Blair

Blissa

Bridgette

Brietta

Brooklyn

Calissa

Callie

Carla

Carlita

Carrie

Casey

Catania

Catherine

Chantal

Charlotte

Chelsea

Cheri

Christie

Chrysella

Clara

Constance

Cora

Coral

Coralia

Corinne

Courtney

Crystal

Dahlia

Daisy

Danielle

Darcy

Dawn

Delancy

Delia

Delphine

Devin

Dori

Edeline

Eden

Elina

Emily

Emma

Erika

Eris

Fallon

Felicity

Gabby

Genevieve

Georgie

Gina

Gothel

Grace

Graciella

Gwyllion

Hadley

Hailey

Hannah

Harmony

Harriet

Henna

Holly

Honey

Hélène

Isabella

Isla

Jacqueline

Janessa

Jenna

Jenny

Jilliana

Josette

Joy

Kara

Karina/Kareena

Kathleen

Katrina

Kattrin

Kayla

Keira

Kelly

Kristyn

Kylie

Lacey

Laverna

Liana

Lila

Lilliana

Lily

Lorelei

Lorena

Lorraine

Luciana

Lucinda

Lumina

Lydia

Madison

Makayla

Makena

Malucia

Marabella/Mirabella

Margaret

Marie

Mariposa

Marisa/Marissa

Marlene

Marlo

Melody

Meredith

Merliah

Miette

Mila

Millicent

Miranda

Misty

Natasha

Nayva

Nikki

Nola

Nora

Nori

Odette

Odile

Olivia

Olivia

Pandora

Patricia

Pearl

Penelope

Phaedra

Poppy

Rapunzel

Raquelle

Rayla

Rayna

Reena

Regen

Renata

Renée

Rita

Romy

Rose

Rosella

Rowena

Samantha

Sandrine

Sareena

Savannah

Selena

Serafina

Sheena

Shyne

Simone

Skipper

Sloane

Sofia/Sophia

Stacie

Stephanie

Svetlana

Sylvie

Syrenka

Talayla

Talleigha

Tallulah

Tammy

Tara

Taylor

Teresa

Tia

Tiffany

Tika

Tracy

Vanessa

Vera

Victoria

Violet

Viveca

Vivian

Willa

Xylie

Zia

Zoe/Zoey

✨FINAL UPDATE AT BOTTOM OF POST✨

Many people hate certain names to a point where just hearing it annoys them. Do you have any female names that you just hate? Maybe due to it being so common or maybe because it was someone that did you wrong. Whatever the reason id love to hear the names you hate.

My big bad in the story I'm writing is a woman and I'm having a hard time picking a name for her. She's vile, a down right monster of a person and I just call her "big bad" right now which is getting a bit annoying. I haven't found a name I think fits her and I'd love to get some suggestions!

✨ This is a fantasy book/high fantasy so share whatever you got! I will be going with names that would fit better with world but will read all suggestions.✨

😈 BIG BAD INFO: Adding this as it was buried in comments. My big bad is female with long blond hair, and fair skin. She is very beautiful despite her being a vengeful b****. She is absolutely despicable and has caused catastrophic consequences to the majority.

Maybe this will help with name suggestions for people still commenting!

UPDATE 1: I didn't expect so many comments! Give me time to read them all!

Thanks for all the help!

UPDATE 2: THANK YOU TO EVERYONE POSTING! I HAVE A TON OF NAMES TO THINK ABOUT! There have been a few names I love and now I just have to make a decision. I will keep reading comments when I can but I cannot reply to everyone!

Thank you again!

✨✨✨ FINAL UPDATE ✨✨✨: I will be picking one of these names: 1. Guinevere/Gwenivere/Gwenivere 2. Genevieve 3. Sloane/Sloan 4. Elsbeth/Alsbeth

I am not adding anymore names to the list. The list was originally about 10 names that I have brought down to 4 names.

Now I'll just have to pick ONE!!

♥️ Thank you all for the help ♥️

I have a character that was raised in a very strict Christian setting, and has an appropriately Christian name. She was born in 1970, if that timeframe helps. Her parents would have been pretty conservative as well.

But like, Christian names for girls all sort of come off really frumpy or outlandish in a modern setting. I originally named her Susannah as a placeholder but that’s a name I genuinely despise. I liked it because the biblical character of Susanna had some thematic similarities with this character in earlier drafts, but now certain elements have changed that make this less so.

So, I just wanna know, what sort of names would certainly call out to you that the person with it likely had religious Christian parents? If any would have been particularly common in 1970, that would be cool too. I just don’t want anything super crazy biblical

What are your favorite millennial girl names? What are the coolest ones you've encountered?

I'm working on a project and I need something that was in usage but wasn't super common. I love a lotta Jessicas, Megans, and Ashleys but I'm not crazy about their names.

I like Ariel, Meredith, Zoey, Chloe, Danielle, Tiffany, Stephanie, and Sabrina but can't use them. Nothing biblical please.

Thanks 🖤

My wife and I like the name Kylo for the bun in the oven, but my wife hates its strong association with Kylo Ren from Star Wars.

Is there an example of a name that was once, but is no longer, strongly associated with a fictional character?

What are names that could be associated with owls, possibly? I have a character who's a barn owl and I really need a name for her. Heeelp

This is for a short story I'm writing, not a kid or pet!

I need a pair of extremely gender neutral names. Right now I'm thinking Sam and Alex. Both feel like they could be for anyone regardless of gender and don't really have a masc/femme leaning direction associated with them.

Are there any other options like this? I can't really think of any other names that are quite that neutral and don't lean at least a bit towards one side or the other...

​

EDIT: For a western/American audience, and I really do not mean "male name that can be used for women" but something that if you had zero context and just saw the name written down there would be NO assumptions about what gender the person is. I feel like a lot of "somewhat neutral" names still carry a distinct assumption...

Have any name which you’d love to give your kid but wouldn’t because, well, you’re not in a fantasy world? Well, now’s your chance