Jump to content


Photo

Need help naming a character


  • Please log in to reply
6 replies to this topic

#1 RoseByAnyOtherName

RoseByAnyOtherName

    Baby Namer

  • Silver Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 139 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Interests:Baby names (obviously), genetics, dancing, writing/reading, film/TV, fashion and sleeping...

Posted 31 July 2015 - 09:40 AM

I'm currently working on a story and need help with naming a character.

 

The character is a woman born in the 1940s. Her family is from London, England, where she grew up with her (also still unnamed) wealthy parents and brother Clive. While vacationing in New York City, she met a fascinating Italian-American businessman, Anthony. The two of them started dating and before long he asked for her hand.

 

After the wedding, the two moved to Long Island to build a family. In the beginning of the 70s, she gave birth to a son, who's named after her husband. However, the happy family life was disrupted for her, as she struggled with the pressure of high society's expectations and her own stigmatized mental illness, all the while lovingly raising her son practically on her own due to her husband's many work obligations.

 

Physically, she's a very classic, elegant beauty. She carries herself with grace, a habit from having grown up in a very posh household. Long blonde hair, pale skin, green eyes, slim build. She cares about looking put together, wearing blouses and skirts even on lazy days. Her passion for the aesthetically pleasing translates into a love for art, decor and movies. 

 

So far, I've only decided that her last (maiden) name is going to be Paddington.

 

The catch is, that the character's son will later go on to name his own daughter after her, so I'm looking for a first name that would work just as well in modern times. All the while, it should reflect the era and environment she grew up in. I wouldn't mind a somewhat unexpected name (within reason), though. Classics like Catherine and Elizabeth may be tried and true but are also not as strongly assosciated to a character "type" anymore, if that makes any sense at all.

 

Some names I've been toying with so far include: Alice, Audrey, Charlene, Diana and Scarlett.

 

My question is, given the character description, what name comes to your mind? Does your mental picture of this character look like a *insert name* to you?

Also, please comment which name you would choose from the ones mentioned. Maybe with a quick explanation on why you think it works best?

 

Thanks for the help everyone!



#2 Jenna_Lee

Jenna_Lee

    Legendary Baby Namer

  • BNG Addict
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,957 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Location:The U.S.

Posted 31 July 2015 - 11:00 AM

Though Alice is my favorite name from your list, I see Scarlett fitting your character very well, as well as her granddaughter (since Scarlett is slowly starting to get popular again). So Scarlett gets my vote from your list.

 

Some others to consider.... (with nickname options in () in case you're interested)

 

Margaret

Christine

Mary

Susan

Adelaide

Beatrice

Lillian

Agatha

Theodora

Violet



#3 PinkTumbleweed85

PinkTumbleweed85

    Junior Baby Namer

  • Bronze Member
  • PipPipPip
  • 33 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Location:Texas
  • Interests:Baby Names (of course!), Writing, Art, Reading, Traveling, Playing Games, Spending Time With Family and Friends, and so much more!

Posted 31 July 2015 - 11:23 AM

Sounds like something I would read, and that's saying something because I can never find something I love anymore.
From your choices, I think any of them could work but Audrey and Scarlett fit best in my opinion. Audrey reminds me of Audrey Hepburn, and Scarlett of Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind." Both have that sophisticated, vintage charm like your character. Here are some more suggestions:

Henrietta (This was the first thing that came to mind, maybe with 'Etta' as a nickname)
Leonora
Emma
Madeleine
Rhea
Bethany
Edith
Pauline/Paulina
Estelle
Theodora
Georgia
Hattie
Victoria
Isabel
Margaret
Kate
Eleanor
Dorothy
Jacqueline
Grace
Beatrice

I hope you find something you like, or get some inspiration!

#4 RoseByAnyOtherName

RoseByAnyOtherName

    Baby Namer

  • Silver Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 139 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Interests:Baby names (obviously), genetics, dancing, writing/reading, film/TV, fashion and sleeping...

Posted 31 July 2015 - 12:03 PM

Though Alice is my favorite name from your list, I see Scarlett fitting your character very well, as well as her granddaughter (since Scarlett is slowly starting to get popular again). So Scarlett gets my vote from your list.

 

Some others to consider.... (with nickname options in () in case you're interested)

 

Margaret

Christine

Mary

Susan

Adelaide

Beatrice

Lillian

Agatha

Theodora

Violet

 

Thank you! Scarlett is definitely a name I'm seriously considering. I adore the option of using the NN "Carly" for the granddaughter.

 

Those are great names! I could see her being a Mary and Lillian fits nicely too. Will add those to my list!



#5 RoseByAnyOtherName

RoseByAnyOtherName

    Baby Namer

  • Silver Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 139 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Interests:Baby names (obviously), genetics, dancing, writing/reading, film/TV, fashion and sleeping...

Posted 31 July 2015 - 12:10 PM

Sounds like something I would read, and that's saying something because I can never find something I love anymore.
From your choices, I think any of them could work but Audrey and Scarlett fit best in my opinion. Audrey reminds me of Audrey Hepburn, and Scarlett of Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind." Both have that sophisticated, vintage charm like your character. Here are some more suggestions:

Henrietta (This was the first thing that came to mind, maybe with 'Etta' as a nickname)
Leonora
Emma
Madeleine
Rhea
Bethany
Edith
Pauline/Paulina
Estelle
Theodora
Georgia
Hattie
Victoria
Isabel
Margaret
Kate
Eleanor
Dorothy
Jacqueline
Grace
Beatrice

I hope you find something you like, or get some inspiration!

 

Wow! That's an awesome compliment!!! Made my day, thank you :D

 

Those two ladies were exactly what I had in mind when I added Audrey & Scarlett to the list. That's the precise feel I want the name to have, as I envision the character being inspired by both those women to a degree. I'm glad that that reads and isn't only in my mind!

 

Thank you for your suggestions. Rhea made me think of Rachel as a possibility. Madeleine is very nice too, although maybe a bit too French to my ears. And I love the suggestion Grace, that hadn't even crossed my mind but I definitely like it.



#6 BMTRHG

BMTRHG

    Baby Namer

  • Silver Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 71 posts
  • Gender:Female
  • Location:Texas
  • Interests:Pinterest, Cooking, Scary Movies, Bubble Baths, Xbox, Singing (in the shower), Community Service Projects, Italian Food, and Antique Shopping

Posted 13 August 2015 - 09:43 PM

Beda - Warrior Maiden

Farrah - Beautiful

Florence - Blooming/Flourishing

Godiva - The gift of god

Imogene - Girl/Maiden

Lana - Calm as still waters

Mildred - Strong & Gentle

Skylar - Eternal life/Strength

Valora - Valor/Courage

Winifred - Blessed peace



#7 MiaKatie

MiaKatie

    Power Baby Namer

  • Gold Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 750 posts

Posted 24 August 2015 - 04:44 PM

I immediately thought of Anna Marie (or Annamarie, however you like it). It definitely fits the air of mystery associated with "classic"-ness and poshness. 

 

Thalia or Eleanor could be quite nice as well. I also thought of Helena (heh-LAY-nuh) and Isabel.






1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users