What's in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet

[v_hearts]

While this may be true, I bet a whole lot of people wouldn't take a chance to smell it should it have been named "crap". Is anyone else dissatisfied with the names of the protagonists we find in the Romance section of Lit? Why is there an overabundance of uncommon names like Quinn or Hunter in the best of these stories? Why can't Joe or Bob ever be so lucky in love? These guys sound like they would be average people that I can identify with. It is bad enough that Gavin and Aiden are invading the Starbucks of the country with their Apple laptops now they are invading my fantasy land as well

Heh anyways please don't take this too seriously, it's just a lighthearted rant, I thought up while perusing the romance section. To all the marvelous and talented writers please continue to contribute to this site. I love your work (even if I find the names a bit ridiculous sometimes). Thanks for listening and now I'll go put on my flame suit

 

[CWatson]

Actually, I rather agree with you. Poetic license is one thing, but eventually you have to rein in and think about realism. I've never met a Caleb; I was surprised to find out that the Mayor of San Francisco is named Gavin because I first met the name in a Star Wars book; and I'm pretty sure there never has been and never will be a Typhphaanii.

Good news, or perhaps bad news: those are all names I've used on actual characters. Having said that, "Typhphaanii" came from a story where everyone had fictional names (the characters once marveled at new students with the outlandish names of "Mary" and "Bob"), and was a satire of some of the crap going round on real kids. My absolute favorite is that "Tyrique" is now officially a real name: it's a portmanteau of "Tyrone" and "Monique". Evidently, some children need to be bi-gendered. *snort* (And frankly that's got nothing on Pilot-Inspektor or Dweezil. I'm half expecting some wild wag of a celebrity to name their kid Bungalow one day.)

The cold hard reality is that relatively plain names--Michael, James, Eva, Madison, Krista, Jonathan--are the most popular ones. However, the cold hard reality is that plain names just aren't interesting, not in the picturesque way that an Avalon or a Lancelot or even a Donna Maria is.

It's a very fine line, and as a writer I understand the temptation to land on the "fancy" side of it. But, as a reader, I also agree that we're rather too far on that "fancy" side and could really use some scaling-back.

 

[Noor]

Actually, I rather agree with you. Poetic license is one thing, but eventually you have to rein in and think about realism. I've never met a Caleb; I was surprised to find out that the Mayor of San Francisco is named Gavin because I first met the name in a Star Wars book; and I'm pretty sure there never has been and never will be a Typhphaanii.

Good news, or perhaps bad news: those are all names I've used on actual characters. Having said that, "Typhphaanii" came from a story where everyone had fictional names (the characters once marveled at new students with the outlandish names of "Mary" and "Bob"), and was a satire of some of the crap going round on real kids. My absolute favorite is that "Tyrique" is now officially a real name: it's a portmanteau of "Tyrone" and "Monique". Evidently, some children need to be bi-gendered. *snort* (And frankly that's got nothing on Pilot-Inspektor or Dweezil. I'm half expecting some wild wag of a celebrity to name their kid Bungalow one day.)

The cold hard reality is that relatively plain names--Michael, James, Eva, Madison, Krista, Jonathan--are the most popular ones. However, the cold hard reality is that plain names just aren't interesting, not in the picturesque way that an Avalon or a Lancelot or even a Donna Maria is.

It's a very fine line, and as a writer I understand the temptation to land on the "fancy" side of it. But, as a reader, I also agree that we're rather too far on that "fancy" side and could really use some scaling-back.

Plain names can lead to interested characters, esp as its unexpected.

 

[CWatson]

Well, yes; and seriously, characterization is the important part. But part of being a writer is being in love with words and the effects they have on people. So it's part of the fun to find the exact right name to provide the perfect first impression.

The problem is when it gets overboard.

(But at the same time, if you see an overboard name, it's actually a pretty good indicator that you're going to see a good story. Bad writers don't waste time agonizing over the names of the characters; they just slap something on and go with it.)

 

[KarennaC]

Caleb's actually a fairly common name around here in Maine; I've worked in at least a dozen schools in the state, and there are always at least one or two Calebs.

I try to use average names for most of my characters, though sometimes I'll use more unusual ones to make sure my characters don't share names with anyone I know. It depends on the mood I'm in and the moods of my characters; sometimes they don't want to be average.

 

[MarshAlien]

The rose might smell as sweet, but it would not smell as SweetWitch. Herself and I have discussed this very same topic, albeit in a slighty more argumentative tone.

So you had all yesterday to write? Enough whining, already. Do you need help? A plot? Story ideas? Some of those whacked out names your characters always seem to have?

And just what the hell is wrong with the names of my characters? I would really like to know, you ass. There's nothing whacked out about them. We can't all have nice little inter-steller names like you.

There's nothing wrong with the names of your characters. Your stories are just the first time I've ever heard them. You should write about someone named, say, Bob. He can still be a wolf. Sort of a bobwolf. . . . You seem to be in a bad mood.

I was in a fine mood until you poo-pooed my characters' names. A hero named Bob just doesn't have the same punch, silly Alien.

You probably can't even write a story about a Bob . . .

I did, once. It was Bob, the Battery-Operated Boyfriend. So there, nyah.

Of course, it wouldn't have been a "Romance" story. I hope. I am the King of Ordinary Heroes, my friends. The protagonists of my Romances are Bill, Patrick, and Caroline and William. I do have a Julius in one of the stories I co-authored with tickledkitty, but he was a Cupid. And I do have a Harris in a humor story (see the picture in my sig!), but I chose that to rhyme with Paris.

 

[SweetWitch]

My names tend to be of ethnic origin, as is my own real name.

Bryce Matheny was of Scottish descent.
Niko Pavli was the first generation of Greek Americans in his family.
Camille Pavli, Niko's wife, had a French-born mother.

When ethnicity is not an issue, I tend to use names that have a particular meaning or translation that fits my characters' personalities.

Onida means "One who is searched for".
Neve, quite literally, translates to Snow and was given to a fairytale character that was called Snow White in the original story.

Of course, I did use a Bob in one story but only so that one of the characters could quip: "Who ever heard of a warlock named Bob?" That's for you, Alien.

 

[Daniellekitten]

Considering I have a Quinn Hunter in one of my stories, I guess this applies to me. Hunter is the family name of a long lineage of characters that I write about. I just like names that are a bit different, though I do know a Quinn. Aidan had always been one of my favorite names so I use it alot. But I also use names like Matthew and Scott and no, I've never used Bob, but now I guess I'll have to. So when you see a Bob in my story, it's in there for you.

My dog's name is Riley Bob...does that count?

 

[MarshAlien]

So when you see a Bob in my story, it's in there for you.

When you say "there for you," do you mean it will be there for me D) or for v_hearts (), who after all a) is a virgin poster and b) was picking on your characters' names - and is therefore unlike me, who a) is a Literotica poster of long standing, b) was picking only on Molly's character's names, and c) is a fawning fan of yours for an even longer standing?

Not that I would be jealous or anything . . .

And I realize that Molly's "Bob" is already there for me . . .

 

[elfin_odalisque]

When you say "there for you," do you mean it will be there for me D) or for v_hearts (), who after all a) is a virgin poster and b) was picking on your characters' names - and is therefore unlike me, who a) is a Literotica poster of long standing, b) was picking only on Molly's character's names, and c) is a fawning fan of yours for an even longer standing?

Not that I would be jealous or anything . . .

And I realize that Molly's "Bob" is already there for me . . .

*sticks finger in mouth and suggests a new nom-de- plume of MischievousAlien* Anyway, what about you is of 'long standing'?

v_hearts, your answer is in your quotation. Juliet cries about roses, 'What's in a name', to reinforce the effect that being a Montague or a Capulet typecasts you for life.

In stories, the name of a protag is a great shortcut to getting a word image in a reader's mind. If DK's Hunters had been called Smallbottoms, it wouldn't have quite been the same.

Surely, Dirk says something different than Geoffrey, and Arabella is not Candi?

Elle

 

[starrkers]

I used Arabella in a romance. I deliberately chose an unusual and pretty name for a plain very average character.

Must try a romance sometime with Bob and Susie. The villain could be Jim...

 

[PrincessErin]

.....

 

[SweetWitch]

I used Arabella in a romance. I deliberately chose an unusual and pretty name for a plain very average character.

Must try a romance sometime with Bob and Susie. The villain could be Jim...

Oh, and don't forget the jilted lover, John.

 

[CWatson]

I used Arabella in a romance. I deliberately chose an unusual and pretty name for a plain very average character.

I once had a Genevieve. The girl was born to parents in their late forties and is their pride and joy, so of course they picked a fairly overblown name to saddle her with (as well as a multitude of middle names). Having said that, "Genevieve" doesn't seem overblown enough when compared to her original name, which was "Mirreille."

Then she grew up to be super-statuesque and almost fall in love with her high-school math teacher.

I too try not to repeat names. That's part of why I saved "Mirreile"; she actually belongs to another project. (Now if only that project weren't as dead as the story with Genevieve in it... )

 

[starscape]

Intriguing discussion. Hope you folks don't mind if another newbie weighs in.

As others have mentioned, I too find a certain attraction for beautiful/poetic names. IRL I'm probably going to be automatically intrigued if I meet a person with a slightly less than usual name. But again, as previously mentioned, there is the issue of taking the whole thing too far.

As someone who works in education, it is interesting to see the naming trends for children. When I was growing up, there were tons of Jennifers, Jessicas, Brians, Jasons, etc. The trend I've noticed for the kids currently in grade school is the so-called "unusual" name, i.e., the Jadens, Kadens, Ashlyns, Caitlyns. Well, at some point these "new" names stop being unique and distinct and simply become the Brians and Jennifers of tomorrow. There can be a risk of "dating" one's story if you follow contemporary trends too closely.

(But at the same time, if you see an overboard name, it's actually a pretty good indicator that you're going to see a good story. Bad writers don't waste time agonizing over the names of the characters; they just slap something on and go with it.)

^ Just to play devil's advocate for a moment, I think that a name, if too overwrought (admittedly, a subjective determination), can come across as trying too hard and might even make it more difficult for some readers to lose themselves in the plot than if the author had simply chosen a more common name. If I'm reading a story where a main character has a particularly distinctive name, as a reader I want to know why that person has that name. As someone suggested earlier in the thread, it might be something as simple as the character's ethnic background or symbolism for his/her qualities. And that's fine and can be used to great effect.

At the same time, as a reader, if I'm going to buy in on a universe inhabited by an Alexia-Anne Allister McAvalon and Braxton Beauchamp Bannister IV (I just pulled that out of my ass, can you tell? ;-) they damn well better have something in their backstory that in some way plausibly explains (or even hints at) the origin of their monikers. Otherwise I can't suspend my disbelief and it's back click city for me, no matter how well the story might be written.

I'm not suggesting that every character in a story needs to have some deep delving into the motivations of his/her parents' naming choices. Just as IRL, we come across people who have names we've never/rarely encountered before, and we don't always ask about the history or meaning of it. As for myself, I don't usually blink twice if I meet someone with an "ethnic" name, except perhaps to comment on its beauty if I find it intriguing; for all I know, it's the American equivalent to "John". But if I meet a Cinnamon or a Gator, you can count on it that I'm going to express my curiosity about how they came to sport such an unusual name.

Of course, this is all based on the premise that the author is seeking a certain amount of "realism" in the universe he/she has created. I think it's a totally different ball of wax if going "over the top" is the intention, in which case, have at it and make your names as flowery and fanciful as you wish. LOL

P.S. How the heck do you insert smiley icons into your posts?

 

[CWatson]

P.S. How the heck do you insert smiley icons into your posts?

You click on the one you want in the panel to the right of the "I'm Writing My Post Here" text box, at which point it's inserted wherever your cursor is. Alternately, click the [More] link below them to open a pop-up window which gives you the actual "code" for each smiley (as well as a wider selection than the 15 in the quick-menu).

Also, I like your improv names. Do you write?

 

[Shwenn]

I have an aversion to interesting names because it feels too forced. Like you are insecure and think the name will make your character interesting.

I've only given one of my characters an interesting name. I use that name, what she does with it, to build the character. Hers and the narrator's.

One of my characters is named Roman. I don't know if that qualifies. I was just playing a lot of Grand Theft Auto IV when I wrote it.

 

[RaLaWrites]

I can't say I've read that many romance stories on the Literotica site but I definitely understand what you mean. As a writer, sometimes the allure of putting something unique in the story (like names) is strong, hence the Quinns and Hunters and so on. What I've learned though, is that less is more. I was reading a romance novel yesterday and believe it or not, the characters' names were Jill and Bob. How's that for plain?

I like using relatively plain names myself (Gabrielle and Kyle are the main characters of my story; I happen to think those are relatively common) because it adds realism to the story.

I think the uncommon names would be perfect for stories set in a specific time period, like Victorian or Medieval times. But I share your point of view.

 

[starscape]

I see the light!

You click on the one you want in the panel to the right of the "I'm Writing My Post Here" text box, at which point it's inserted wherever your cursor is. Alternately, click the [More] link below them to open a pop-up window which gives you the actual "code" for each smiley (as well as a wider selection than the 15 in the quick-menu).

At last! Cool! Thanks for the tips. <-- Look, I did it!

Also, I like your improv names. Do you write?

LOL! Thanks.

As a matter of fact, I just got my first story back from my editor this afternoon and plan to submit it to Literotica tonight.

Oddly enough, it's probably going to go in the Romance section, on the advice of my editor, though when I wrote it that certainly wasn't my intention. The story just sort of took me on a wild ride and, like a child growing up, ultimately determined its own identity.

I'll probably start a thread in this forum when it goes online (it's a three-parter), because, well, after working on the damn thing for 6+ weeks I want some feedback!

In any case, in my story the protagonists' names are Ben and Julia.

/thread hijack

 

[mynameisben]

I betcha roses wouldn't smell as sweet if they were called "shit bag maggot pus." I haven't conducted any olfactory research on this, however. It's just a hunch.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Only just saw this, but had to reply.

Names surely are fundamentally important to the character you're trying to draw. Without visuals, we draw our mental pictures on sound of voice and name. Sure, writing hasn't got the radio touch so the names you give your protags define something in our brains - perhaps influenced by guys we knew in high school.

Randy is not Christopher (I hate Chris) and Wayne is not Toby (Tobias really, but I hate it).

Names and what we think of them are surely integral to everything we write?