Anagrams in Character Names

orion_mk3 · Feb 1, 2008

For a long time, I was in love with anagrams as character names. For instance, in one tale a major character was called "Amy Pongil", which is an anagram of "Pygmalion." The myth of Pygmalion and Galatea was strongly echoed in the story, and I thought at the time that my anagrammery was extremely clever.

I don't do this anymore, but I do have a fair number of older stories that do so. No one has ever picked up on it (though precious few people have actually read the works, of course) and I began thinking that it would seem a tacky move even if deciphered.

Should I go back and remove all the old anagramm'd names as tacky, or let them stand?

juneafternoon · Feb 1, 2008

I dunno, to be honest. In one of my stories, I can kind of see a reason for anagrams, but unless it's specific to a story, I'd take them out. Then again, I really wouldn't care if I read a story with anagrams. I might think they're cool, but I'll never say, "How tacky."

David I · Feb 1, 2008

Unless they are too weird-looking or obvious, I don't see why you should change them.

I have a character in my WIP who works as a canopy biologist in the rainforest. She's called "Mira" because her name is "Miranda", but "Mira" is also an anagram for "Rima" (the 'bird girl' of Green Mansions.)

That's the first time I've used an anagram, but many times my character names are significant in unobvious ways. A reader who catches the reference will usually be pleased; those who don't, won't notice. WHat's the downside?

LeeFlower · Feb 1, 2008

If they're all as subtle as Amy Pongil, I think you're fine. That's just an easter egg.

Where it gets weird is if your anagrams are for things like "I am secretly the villain," and the MC's name is needlessly long/odd in order to hold the secret message. That's almost always awkward and obvious.

So I'd leave them, unless any of them are wandering through the book shouting "Raga Mania Man!"

DWSTXS · Feb 1, 2008

Keep them in.......if anything, they can be your secret joke on everyone......I'm about to put a co-worker into one of my WIP's and his name is going to be.....Hass Ole

blacbird · Feb 1, 2008

I'm thinking about using a right-wing talk-show blabbermouth named Sir Hal Humbug.

caw

girlyswot · Feb 1, 2008

LeeFlower said:
Where it gets weird is if your anagrams are for things like "I am secretly the villain," and the MC's name is needlessly long/odd in order to hold the secret message. That's almost always awkward and obvious.

'I am Lord Voldemort' springs to mind. Didn't seem to do J.K. Rowling any harm.

Nor even the much more obvious Lord Asriel = Israel in His Dark Materials.

Mr Flibble · Feb 1, 2008

I've got an outline from a couple of years ago about the nanny state in the UK. The Prime Minister was Troy Hannibal

Gillhoughly · Feb 1, 2008

I did anagrams for names in a book, but it was in revenge to the publisher who made me rewrite a work-for-hire five times when there was nothing wrong with it. I was ready to go postal on them.

Instead, I got even. Quietly.

They caught me out on a dude I named "Boushdag," but ALL the rest--anagrams of naughty words and the bits of human anatomy that have to do with reproduction fun--got through.

It's now in the Library of Congress, as is.

DWSTXS · Feb 1, 2008

anagrams

Gillhoughly said:
I did anagrams for names in a book, but it was in revenge to the publisher who made me rewrite a work-for-hire five times when there was nothing wrong with it. I was ready to go postal on them.

Instead, I got even. Quietly.

They caught me out on a dude I named "Boushdag," but ALL the rest--anagrams of naughty words and the bits of human anatomy that have to do with reproduction fun--got through.

It's now in the Library of Congress, as is.

That's genius!

shelboselby · Feb 1, 2008

I plan on using one anagram, if I can find the right one. There's a demon-y creature in my story that is really just a gaseous form, and I want the anagram for his name to represent who he really actually is, or that he's not just entirely gas, he's really a person.

They have their place, and in your example, it's one of those things only really dedicated people will notice. And everyone loves those sort of easter eggs.

DWSTXS · Feb 1, 2008

gaseous man?

shelboselby said:
I plan on using one anagram, if I can find the right one. There's a demon-y creature in my story that is really just a gaseous form, and I want the anagram for his name to represent who he really actually is, or that he's not just entirely gas, he's really a person.

They have their place, and in your example, it's one of those things only really dedicated people will notice. And everyone loves those sort of easter eggs.

how about sangma? (gas man)

HeronW · Feb 1, 2008

In one book I have a char named Cephira who's lace is taken by another called Raciphe so in this case the anagram works because of he body switch.

chevbrock · Feb 1, 2008

Amy Pongil sounds like a normal kind of name and I reckon you should keep it. I dunno about you, but names are hard enough to think up as it is.

LeeFlower · Feb 1, 2008

girlyswot said:
'I am Lord Voldemort' springs to mind. Didn't seem to do J.K. Rowling any harm.

Nor even the much more obvious Lord Asriel = Israel in His Dark Materials.

The difference in Rowling's case is that it wasn't the author sticking in an anagram that people weren't supposed to notice; it was the character who made an anagram of his own name as part of the plot. And it wasn't a big giveaway-- unless I'm mistaken, we didn't get his middle name until after we knew he was Voldermort.

A counter example is Libba Bray's Rebel Angels, where she makes a big deal about anagrams shortly before revealing the middle name of an MC. Slightly unusual male name; female character. How weird. Wonder if it's an anagram? Oh hey, look, it tells us she's the villain. Way to spoil the big reveal with your obvious, Bray. I enjoyed the book, mind you, but I really wish she hadn't done that.

That's not what we're talking about here, though. We're talking about easter eggs, which is completely different from in-story clues that readers are meant to pick up on.

Ziljon · Feb 1, 2008

Anagrams are magical or should I say Agar's Man!

Matera the Mad · Feb 1, 2008

I have used one anagram. One of my villains is named Ivergan. He's a real sourpuss. I don't push the personality clue, and that's all there is. Did it to please (and challenge) myself

Danger Jane · Feb 1, 2008

I also don't see any reason to remove the anagrams unless the names sound stupid. It's the kind of thing readers like to find out later on a website or something, I think.

Anagrams in Character Names

orion_mk3

Ne Cede Malis

juneafternoon

Return of the Jedi

David I

LeeFlower

Lurker Extraordinaire

DWSTXS

Mr Mojo Risin...

blacbird

girlyswot

Mr Flibble

They've been very bad, Mr Flibble

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

DWSTXS

Mr Mojo Risin...

shelboselby

One Girl Mediocrity Machine

DWSTXS

Mr Mojo Risin...

HeronW

Down Under Fan

chevbrock

LeeFlower

Lurker Extraordinaire

Ziljon

Tortilla di Patate

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Danger Jane