What's in a Name Origin

Choosing a character's name can be challenging. You want just the right name that will give the right impression.

Some people look at historic names, deities, or legends to find their inspiration. Sometimes, even if you've already found the perfect name, you might want to check those sources as well.

You might not need them to find a name, but they can be useful to make sure you have the right one—or not the wrong one.

If you're picking a name for a harbinger of peace, and the name you've selected ends up meaning war in another language, it might not have the effect you're looking for (unless you are looking for irony). If your character is very set in traditional masculinity, a name that derives from a flower or meek animal might not be the best.

Pick the name that you think fits your characters best for sure, but making sure that your name will give readers the same impression it gives you isn't a bad step to include in your process as well.