As I’ve mentioned before, I keep a folder on my jump drive* called “Character Soup,” where I store bios and ideas on characters that cross my mind. The most prevalent document in this folder is the “1 Names I Like” folder (marked with a “1” so it always appears at the top of the list). Whenever I think of a name, hear of a name, or discover a name I really like, I add it to this document. It’s been very, very helpful. I think ¾ of my names for CSH came from that list.
Anyway, one of the best places, in my opinion, to get ideas for fantasy-esque names is in those security codes certain Web sites make you type in to protect users from spam. My favorite is blogger. Whenever I comment on someone’s post, I get to type in a security code, and sometimes those random bungle of letters turns out to be pretty swell.
Here, I’ll go comment on someone’s blog and see if anything good comes up.
[…]
Okay, there. The code word was “Okocoil.”
Not bad. I’ve actually used “Oko” as a name before. And you can play with it to make a name. Or toss it. But there you go.
Excerpt of the day:
“Th-Then it’s true. . .” whispered Son Fabian, sliding his back down the cold stone until he crouched. “The savior has come.”
The Raimos, chapter 23
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*I really need to upgrade from a 4GB to an 8GB.
That's a fun way of getting names. I most always rely on the web site Behind the Name, since I typically draw from real-world cultures in my stories.
ReplyDeleteThose security code things really bother me, though. >_>
I like to take real names, twist and contort them, and shoot weird letter strings at them. Carrie, for example, once became Yawri; Roger, Saskawannur.
ReplyDeleteThe story in question was, of course, doomed.
-bn