Select different sounding names for different characters

Similar sounding names like Molly and Polly, Ally and Andy should be avoided to prevent confusion unless the similarity in the characters’ names is central to the storyline. It also takes more time to read a book with similar character names as the reader has to keep pausing to differentiate between the characters.

Remember that the way you name your characters also shows your creativity and your skill as a writer. Each name should be evaluated against the character’s role in the book. What is most natural to the storyline should be considered first.

Avoid names of famous people or celebrities

Giving your character an uncommon historical figure or celebrity’s name will appear unoriginal. The character in your novel will be overshadowed by the image of the celebrity which will affect the reader’s ability to view the fictional character as a distinct person. They are more likely to read the book with the historical character in mind than the fictional character being portrayed in the book. Differences between the fictional character and the real character may ultimately cause confusion and be viewed as suspicious.

Use such names only when citing accurate historical facts, for example in historical fiction. However, if the work is fiction, historical characters should only appear in the background and their role in the work should be minimal and general in the plot.

Consider what is natural to you

What automatically comes to your mind when you hear a particular name? Some names have meanings to them and can be easily associated with a specific characteristic. Consider the names of people you have come across before and assess how well they would fit into your book. Such names should be common to most people or slightly different from the real person’s name. In this case, you can consider using first names and surnames from different people to avoid similarities between your fictional characters and real people.

Consider the book’s era

Some commonly used names today did not exist or were uncommon in the past. Other names were commonly used in the past but have faded in usage over the years. Select names that will reflect the era in which the novel is set. A great way to ensure you are picking the right names for your characters and the era they live in is by researching public records that are available for the era you are interested in. A quick internet search can also provide possible names for your story.

Avoid duplication

If you have written previous books in your writing career, avoid using similar names for different characters in different books. This applies especially in the case of main characters who readers can remember and have attached these names to specific characters. The more uncommon a name is also, the easily identifiable it will be and the work will only seem like a repetition of previous works.

Even though there may be many considerations to make when picking names for your characters, the goal is to make them feel authentic and to ensure there is a strong association between the character’s name and the role they play in the novel.