What is in a Name?

"Hi, my name is Gaylord. I'm seventeen. I enjoy skateboarding and fixing computers." He smiles. "Meet my friends, Lucifer and Bob. Wanna hang out with us?"

What's wrong with that first paragraph? Anything? What sixteen year old girl wouldn't swoon for a cute guy named Gaylord? He can fix her computer! Fly down the street on a piece of wood with four tiny wheels!

Three things are wrong with that first sentence. Well, three names. Who wants to read book about a guy named Gaylord, Lucifer, and Bob....

On second thought, it sounds like such a train wreck, it might work!

But seriously, names are very important. I can't stress how important the name of your character is! When you pick up a book it sets the tone for the whole story. If I were to have named Zack Warren something else...say Timmy, or Leon, it wouldn't have gone over so well.

The Unofficial Timmy Warren Fan Club, sounds more like something you'd attend at the fort built in Timmy's backyard.

So when we name our characters, we have to be aware of what the name means and the impact it has on the reader.

"Hi, I'm Jennipher."

Look, there is nothing wrong with spelling a name creatively. BUT, when it comes to writing, it can really throw the reader off. Certain spellings are so confusing and can be annoying. Readers have been known to put down the book or not even buy it.

But you want your character to stand out from the crowd. He or she is different, a rule breaker, a genius. You need the person who picks up your book to know the character is not just another Tom, Dick, or Harry.

Why not try naming them something classic and timeless? Like William or Charlotte. Or go with an unusual name like I did for Briar. Sounds different, but it's been around for a while. You can also look at the other books and see what the super popular names are. Make a list of those names. Use it for reference when you write. If the name is on the list, don't use it.

If you were to put William or Charlotte beside Diesel, Striker and Mandy, IMO, they are more intriguing. Why? Because everyone is so concerned with being different and standing out in the crowd, the quirky names are starting to become the norm.

So next time you see a book about a character named Benjamin or Andrew, give it a shot. He could be a total bad ass or a real prince charming. And don't forget you can give your character a nickname that really stands out, or shorten his long name. The possibilities are endless :)