Legal Question Re: Name Use?

Ok, quick question about one of my characters (in a fiction quasi-historical adventure MG story)...

Part of my story references J.P. Morgan (1837-1913), whose White Star Line operated the Titanic, and who had various interests in technology and mining in the early 20th century. This historical character ties together a few plot points in my story.

Is there any problem having a generic, present-day descendent (referred to as "Mr. Morgan") in my story? He provides the catalyst for the whole plot, which is set around finishing a project once abandoned by his ancestor, J.P. Morgan.

After writing the book, I started wondering about the legal use of the name, as there are actual living descendants of the historical figure...

Thanks, I figured I was safe with playing with the historical J.P. Morgan, but I was concerned about using a present-day descendent. He's a generic character, not modeled after any of the actual living relatives, and sort of plays the role of the old guy in Jurassic Park - someone with the interest and funding to finance an expedition. There's nothing really negative about his portrayal, but I was concerned as there are probably a few Mr. Morgan's that actually exist.

Maybe I should just finish it as is, and leave it up to an editor to figure out?

Ok great. Thanks for the advice!

Second quick question - any chance Neil Gaiman copyrighted the name Coraline? (can you copyright a proper name?) Any how, in a PB I'm writing, one of the kids is named Coraline, after my daughter (who was named after Gaiman's character). I figured since the two aren't similar or related in any way, I'd be safe using the name...

James D. Macdonald said:

Baby name: Coral and its variants: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/Coral

Click to expand...

Thanks! I'm ashamed to admit I didn't know the true origin of my daughter's name