Giving your characters names that fit their personality is one way to enhance imagery. Think about it–when you visualize someone named John or Michael you probably get an entirely different image than someone named Homer. Does your image automatically drift toward someone you know with that name?
Need ideas? Search on any given name on IMDb. Think about what the individuals who come up have in common and whether it fits your character.
Here’s a reader gripe that definitely drives me crazy, this one #7: Similar names! Avoid having them start with the same letter or rhyme. One example that comes to mind is from the TV show “The Big Bang Theory”, where we have Howard and Leonard. These two are very different characters who look and act entirely different, but the names are too much alike. If your reader is the slightest big dyslexic, it will drive him or her crazy.
Your story should never have a Shelley, Sherry, Susan and Stacy. Be more original! Give some thought to naming your characters. Bear in mind that those who read quickly are most likely to stumble over this form of thoughtless writing.
If your characters have a specific ethnicity, be sure to name them accordingly. For example, if your heroine is from Sweden, naming her Inge contributes more to her persona than naming her Yolanda. This reinforces the reader’s image of the character as well, providing a subtle, subconscious contribution to imagery.
Along similar lines, if your character is unique, an unusual name can likewise reinforce that; conversely, naming a character you want to be seen as “normal” and one your reader can relate to calls for a more common name.
All that “What’s in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” business doesn’t necessarily apply to fiction writing.
Avoid giving characters similar names, such as those starting with the same letter or sound, or names that rhyme. Using unique or unusual names makes them easier for readers to keep track of and more memorable as well.
For example, Shelley and Sherry; Allen and Andrew; Michelle and Rochelle; Allison and Madison; Jerry and Terry; Kelly and Kerry, etc. can cause confusion, especially if they’re minor characters who aren’t around for the entire story. Any time a reader has to stop and figure out who’s what it breaks the story flow.
On the other hand, unique names in and of themselves make a person stand out. Surnames are popular given names, so if you can’t think of anything else, you can always use your grandmother’s maiden name. My paternal grandmother’s surname was Jarry. Not bad for a character, unless you already have a Harry, a Barry, or a Larry. My other grandmother’s name was Gale. Another good option.
Not every character who strolls on scene in your story deserves a name, only those who contribute to the plot in some way. Consider that you encounter numerous nameless people every day, whether on your daily commute or even at work. In fiction, these often include incidental characters such as waiters, people in the elevator, some coworkers, etc. Describing their appearance for the sake of imagery, however, makes them seem real. This is when unusual or outstanding characteristics help them stand out and add to the story, even if they have no plot significance.
Marcha's Two-Cents Worth 