Why Character Names Matter

I have several works in progress without having actual character names. They have names that will have to change. That's where you come in because names are very important.

Hero names can either make or break the character's image. Heroines' names are a little more creative. An awkward heroine name can be shorten to an easier, often sexier,  name. Think about how you feel about certain names. I will not have a hero named Damien because I still remember The Omen, were the anti-Christ bore the same name. I stay away from the name Jason since it starred in so many slasher movies. Of course, one of my bad guys is Jason.

Then there are awkward names that don’t denote evil, but certainly doesn’t make you think of a sexy alpha male. Names like Elmer, Harold, or Eugene. I went to school with a decent guy named Eugene, but he did not attract the girls. Names do shape the way we treat people.

 As a teacher, I wonder why people actually named their sons Buddy, Buddy, or even Tater. I have seen the birth
certificates. Then there are the girls with stripper names such as Delite, Treasure and Njoy. It will be hard for them to even interview for a job in the professional world. A recent study revealed that applicants with unusual names did not even get an interview despite having the same or better qualifications. The real reason behind this is the interviewer already has a mental image of the candidate before ever meeting him or her.

This is the reason behind authors and stars changing their names. Back in Hollywood’s heyday, they tried
to make the star’s new names between two and three syllables and not more than five for the full name. It was easy to remember and say. The men sometimes could get by on fewer syllables such as John Wayne and Rock
Hudson.

 As a writer, I find myself running out of names I like. I recently went back to list all the names I’ve used in my Secret Cravings Novels. I discovered I repeated two names, Nick and Ashlee. Argh. This is a writer’s worst fear. The reason behind this is people will think they are the same people. They might think my Nick in Reluctant
Cougar is fooling around with the heroine in Escaping
West, even though almost two hundred years separate them. The good news is my historical Nick is really Levi due to changing his name when he became a gambler.

 As for Ashlee, I still have time to change the name since Seeking Shelter hasn’t been published yet. I could use some help coming up with new names for WIPs. Maybe you can help. Here are the names I used. 
 
Hero Names: Nick, Colt, Grayson, Townsend, Wolf, Marcus, Alex, Kevin, Ryan, Dylan, Jackson, Nick,
Curt, Brent

Heroine Names: Yvette, Emily, Eileen, Kitty, Krista, Teresa, Cinda, Darla, Ashlee, Amy, Leah, Elise, Ashley,
Deidre, Theo

I need two names for WIP contemporary romantic suspense.   The thirty-ish heroine manages to survive an attempt by her crime lord husband to kill her. He believes she is dead.  A kind soul and her brother rescue her from the sea. Unfortunately, the heroine doesn’t remember who she is. I need names for the heroine and the hero. The hero is intelligent and thoughtful, more Clark Kent than Superman.

 I appreciate your help. If I use your names, it is fitting you should get something from it. I will mention you in the
dedication, a free book when published, plus a gift card for right now. A $10 dollar gift card for either Starbucks or Amazon depending on where you live. Thanks.

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