I’m plotting my next novel (Claire, Short for Clairvoyant), and I can’t decide what to name the male character. So I’ve created a poll to help you help me.
This character was born in 1970. In the novel, Jenny (his girlfriend) is searching for him and fears something horrible has happened. It hasn’t — but it’s much more complicated than she thinks. So these are the options (note that the meanings don’t show up on the poll, just the names).
- Diggory: means “strayed” or “lost one.” This is an extremely unusual name, virtually unknown in every decade of the 20th Century.
- Emmett: means “entire, whole,” which Jenny isn’t without him. Uncommon name, but not unknown.
- Greg or Gregory: means “watchful, vigilant.” This has both a literal and a metaphorical meaning. He is vigilant over Jenny’s health and well-being, but his lack of vigilance is exactly what … well, you’ll have to read the book.
- Harris or Harrisson: means “son of Henry.” I wanted to name him Henry (which means “home ruler,” which is exactly his role: staying home and keeping it running while Jenny … again, you’ll have to read the book), but after reading the incredible book The Time Traveler’s Wife, I just didn’t think I could put a Henry and a Claire in the same book.
- Levi: means “associated with,” “attached to,” or “joined to.” This is exactly what Jenny is to this man. Levi is uncommon but not unknown.
- Linus: means “a cry of grief.” Both Jenny and this man are carrying huge loads of grief. As a name, Linus is virtually unknown in 1970, but I could have his parents be obsessed with all things Peanuts and Charles M. Schultz.
- Mallory: means “unfortunate, unhappy, unlucky.” Mallory is virtually unused in every decade.
- Stewart: means “steward” or “house guard.” This has a similar meaning to Henry.
- Tristan: means “sad” and has echoes of deception, like a Trickster character. It also brings to mind Tristan and Isolde, Wagner’s doomed lovers, and the earlier legend of Tristan and Iseult.
- Zachary: means “God has remembered.” God remembers what Jenny has forgotten in this book.
Ready to vote? Go take the poll!
Help Me Name My Character!
Tags: Naming Characters
October 28, 2007 at 10:28 am |
Important question: how religious is this character’s family?
October 28, 2007 at 12:50 pm |
I haven’t done his character study yet–I’m working on the more primary characters right now. I don’t picture him as terribly religious, but since I really haven’t determined yet, he could be.
Right now, he’s mostly a function in a story. He’ll become a real person later.
October 28, 2007 at 10:34 pm |
I think it really depends on the type of person he is…if he is very charismatic, I see Stewart of Tristan or Zachary. I have always been drawn to the name Emmet, and would choose that, but it would only be if the character was mild mannered, kind, gentle, and thoughtful.
October 29, 2007 at 9:22 am |
I like Levi – sounds to me like it would be appropriate.
October 30, 2007 at 12:53 pm |
Well, I’m with your mom, I like Levi, but that only works if his parents are religious. He doesn’t have to be religious, for the record.
November 2, 2007 at 7:21 am |
Shama-Lama Mama: LOL. You picked four names! You’re almost as bad as I am (note that *I* picked 10). My Not-Henry character IS mild-mannered, kind, etc, btw. In fact, I posted today a description of him if it changes anything.
Mom and Mer: Maybe his parents were big fans of blue jeans????
November 3, 2007 at 10:59 am |
Feh. Maybe Mormon parents, or Jehova’s Witnesses? That would be an excellent drive behind his deadly dry, dark wit.
(oh, and PS? you didn’t say it in this post, but that this character would be an excellent mortician, except for the sense of humor? I can’t imagine a good mortician not having a seriously wicked, downright black sense of humor. So there.)
November 5, 2007 at 1:12 pm |
Mer: what if the family was Jewish, but not devout? Would Levi work then?
The only mortician I know is EXACTLY like you describe, and in fact, somewhat reminds me of this Not-Henry character. He’s one of my absolute, all-time favorite people. So I suspect you are right.
November 5, 2007 at 4:58 pm |
Hmm. I’m personally not seeing it, but since your husband thinks it might work, I’m willing to go along with it. As you’ve pointed out on multiple occasions, he has that irritating habit of being right ALL THE DAMN TIME. I shall not be the one to mess with success.
November 7, 2007 at 9:34 am |
LOL. Yep. MOST irritating.
November 30, 2007 at 5:18 pm |
You know a mortician? Do tell.
Have you ever seen the show Six Feet Under?