In this post, I’ll share one of my go-to success tips for making your story stand out: the art of using character names.
A well-chosen name can leave a lasting impression, and I’ll show you how to make this powerful tool work for you.
When it comes to storytelling, the names you give your characters are more important than you might think. A great character name can stick in the minds of readers long after they've finished your book. Here's how I approach naming characters to make them both memorable for readers and easy to write.
1. Mix Common Names with Unique Ones.
In my writing, I like to blend familiar names with more unique, less common ones, especially for my main characters. This creates a balance that feels both relatable and distinct. Readers will recognize and connect with the familiar name, while the unique name adds intrigue, setting the character apart and giving them an air of mystery or specialness.
In Dark Love Book One, for example, my female lead was named Inara and the male lead was Lemuel. Both names are not very popular, but they left an impression. I also introduced Inara’s older sister, Amara, another uncommon name. For supporting characters, I used more familiar names like Elizabeth, who is Inara’s best friend. However, I established early on that she answered to Zee, a much shorter and unique nickname. By calling her Zee throughout the book, her name felt fresh while also being easy to remember.
2. Keep It Short.
Another tip I stand by is keeping names short. Simple, concise names are easier to remember and faster to write. As an author, this not only helps with the flow of writing but also ensures that readers can recall and engage with the character effortlessly throughout the story. In the case of Zee, her short name added an element of uniqueness and memorability, and as a result, readers were asking for more of her story.
Why It Works
Names are a big part of what defines a character. By keeping them simple yet distinctive, you make it easier for readers to form a connection and keep track of the characters in your story. This can be the difference between a character fading from memory and staying in a reader’s mind long after they’ve finished your book.
For Dark Love, many readers easily recalled Inara, Lemuel, and Zee’s names when talking about the book in comments. It was clear that their names, being both unique and short, helped forge a fresh connection with the readers. This ultimately contributed to making the book stand out. By the end, Zee's character intrigued readers so much that I ended up writing Book Two of Dark Love focused on her.
I wish you well on your writing journey.
Feel free to share this article to those who might need it. Also, don't hesitate to drop your thoughts.
Shalom.
