When you've come to love a character's name

hillcountryannie · Apr 2, 2013

When I started writing my novel it was as if the character's name sort of chose themselves. I didn't think much about it.

One of my main character's name is Riley. I've always been a little partial to it because it has connection to where I'm from.

But now after writing it over and over, I love it. I would really like to name our baby Riley. But, is that weird?

I love it so much that I've tried to come up with other names for my character. And I have some good ones, but it doesn't feel right to me. I guess he's just Riley in my head now.

Little Red Barn · Apr 2, 2013

i tend to use ancestor's names for characters i love.

i don't think naming a child riley, or after a charchter is weird. many do.

btw, gooo cards.

Cathy C · Apr 2, 2013

I don't think it's weird, but you'll have to be careful not to EVER mention to baby boy Riley that he was named after his mother's book character . . . especially if you write horror or romance. It would likely weird him out. :ROFL:

hillcountryannie · Apr 2, 2013

Thanks. It wouldn't be that he was named after the character. Just happened that I fell in love with the name in the process. And we're thinking of it for a little girl.

Cathy, haha.

Actually, the name popped in my head for this character because 1) I knew a really nice guy named Riley in college 2) There's this little historic beer joint in the middle of nowhere near where my grandparents farmed. And I love that place.

I recently had a name conversation with my brother and sister-in-law and it went like this

Me: I love the name Riley. As in Riley's.
Brother: You'd name your kid after a beer joint?
Me: Yup.

Lavern08 · Apr 2, 2013

I have a friend who named her daughter Riley, and I thought it was soooo cool.

Brightdreamer · Apr 2, 2013

Cathy C said:
I don't think it's weird, but you'll have to be careful not to EVER mention to baby boy Riley that he was named after his mother's book character . . . especially if you write horror or romance. It would likely weird him out.

That depends on the kid, I'd think. My sister's middle name came from one of my mother's favorite dogs. She thinks it's cool - she's a dog person, as well. (And it was a very special dog.)

I do agree that you might wait until they're older, and you have a better grasp on the child's personality, but I don't see how it would be inherently wrong to tell them. People name kids after all sorts of ridiculous things - naming them after a brainchild would be an honor, IMHO. Especially if, in the meantime, that book went on to be a best-seller - in which case, there may be many, many Rileys out there, named by fans of the book, not the beer joint.

regdog · Apr 2, 2013

I heard the name Tierza once and liked it but didn't think I'd ever use it for a character, then when I came up with A Dog of War, I knew instantly that was the name for the dog.

hillcountryannie · Apr 5, 2013

Lavern, thanks! I think it's very cool, too. I love girls with boys names.

Bright, haha. You're too nice....I can only wish!

I knew someone who named their kid after a soap opera star. Haha.

hillcountryannie · Apr 5, 2013

Reg, that's a name that sticks.

I collect names, especially good "cowboy" names. I find them everywhere when I'm traveling. Names of creeks, roads, and towns. And, I write them down.

crunchyblanket · Apr 6, 2013

I named a male character Dagny because I like the name, but think it's much better suited to a man. The feminine origin of the name is sort of a plot point too

When you've come to love a character's name

hillcountryannie

Son, you ain't kiddin'.

Little Red Barn

haz own threads

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

hillcountryannie

Son, you ain't kiddin'.

Lavern08

Sit Down, and Shut Up!

Brightdreamer

Just Another Lazy Perfectionist

regdog

The Scavengers

hillcountryannie

Son, you ain't kiddin'.

hillcountryannie

Son, you ain't kiddin'.

crunchyblanket

the Juggernaut of Imperfection