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The longer I’m around writers, the more I realize that there are as many ways to come up with characters and characters’ names as there are writers. When I start developing a character, the first thing I have to do is cast him or her with a Real World Template. Most of the time, the character’s name is an integral part of “who” he or she is by this point in the process. But at times, I have trouble coming up with just the right name.

The problem with that is, I’m the type who can’t start writing until I have the names for my characters; even when I introduce a very minor character, I have to stop and work out some kind of background for that person–including a first and last name–before I can have them walk onto the “stage.”

To me, names, as much as words, have connotations. There are certain images I conjure when I hear the names Bambi, Brittany, or Courtney. There is a totally different image in my mind for the names Edna, Edith, or Gertrude. Or what about how various spellings of a name can change the connotation:

Kelley, Kelly, Kelli.
Francis, Frances, Francois.
Louis, Lewis, Luis.
Shawn, Shaun, Sean.
John, Jon, Johann, Juan.
Marsha, Marcia, Martia!

And, just as with that last example, there are cultural connotations that come with certain names. Think about some of the most recognizable names in TV or Movie lore:

Darth Vader
Gomer Pyle
Andy and Opie Taylor
James T. Kirk / Jean Luc Picard
Dana Scully & Fox Mulder
Mike, Carol, Greg, Marcia, Peter, Jan, Bobby, or Cindy Brady
Jack Bauer
James Bond
Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler

These names have reached iconic standing–most Americans would recognize any name off this list above Grover Cleveland or William Taft or Millard Fillmore. But with these aforementioned characters we have one major advantage–we’ve seen them. When you read the names, did you picture the characters in your head? (Was it Sean Connery or Daniel Craig?) What makes these characters memorable? Their names? Or the personalities the actors bring to the roles? We remember Fox Mulder for his determined belief in UFOs and alien life; Jean Luc Picard’s bald head and British accent as he commanded, “Make it so!”; Jack Bauer hiding around a corner whispering into a cell phone while trying to save the world; Rhett Butler carrying Scarlett O’Hara-Hamilton-Kennedy-Butler up the stairs; or Andy and Opie walking along with their fishing rods. And of course, Bond . . . James Bond.

I’ve written before about my disagreement with Shakespeare’s name/rose theory [“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet . . .” (Romeo and Juliet, II ii)]. Names do make quite a difference to the connotation readers associate with our characters. And sociological research has proven this is true.

I once read somewhere–probably in one of the many name books I have–that before a name for a child is decided upon, the parent-to-be should perform a “playground test”–go to a crowded playground and call the full name (first-middle-last) three times. If (a) you aren’t embarrassed yelling it three times in public and (b) all of the little kids around you don’t immediately start mocking it, it’s probably a good name. “Reader test” your characters’ names. Read it out loud–just because it looks good on the page doesn’t mean it’ll sound good on the audiobook. Have a conversation with someone (preferably another writer or someone familiar with our disease) and use the name several times. Pretend you’re introducing the character to someone important in the character’s chosen profession. What will that VIP think of your character just based on that first impression of learning his or her name?

How many characters of your favorite show can you list? Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Hurley, Charlie, Claire, John Locke, Sayid, Danielle, Jin, Sun, Desmond, Ben/Henry Gale, Mr. Eco, AnaLucia, Michael, Walt, Vincent, Boone, Shannon, Libby, Juliet–and those are all just from one show (Lost). Of course, it’s now in the middle of the third season, so I’ve been with these characters for quite some time. (And notice how it’s “John Locke” not just ”John”–interesting how he would be the only one whose last name immediately comes to mind.) Think about the characters from your favorite show. Analyze their names: How does each name fit the character? Do you have a hard time reconciling a name with the character it’s attached to? Does the character’s name add to the characterization? Do you have a hard time remembering the name after the show is over or is it as familiar to you as real people you’ve known for years?

If you read the name Scarlett in a book, whom will you immediately think of? Even if you’ve never seen Gone With The Wind, in our society, that’s usually the image that name gives us, which is why it’s so rarely used now. What about the name George? What image does it bring to your mind? George Clooney? George Burns? George Armstrong Custer? Curious George?

Here’s a fun name/character building exercise: Create a list of ten random character names–they can be favorite names of yours from childhood, interesting ethnic names you’ve heard, family names, anything. Then in a notebook, write one name on the top of each of 10 pages. For each one, do some free-association writing with that name. What color hair does Chloe have? How old is Zachary? What historical era did Bianca live in? What is Sergei’s favorite color? What kind of accent does Katya have? In other words, try building characters from the name up. Then, turn it around. Deliberately build a character without giving him or her a name. Label him X or ”character 1″ (and even the letter or number you choose may lead you to some connotation or association). Give him a little backstory. Describe what she looks like–answer all the questions above. Once you have about a full page of character info and you have a pretty good “picture” of him or her on the page, come up with a name. Which was harder? Building a character from a name or naming an established character?

What are your favorite character names from something you’ve read or TV/movies you’ve seen? What do the names mean to you? What are your favorite names you’ve come up with for your own characters? How did you come up with them?