|
Why Naming Your OC
Is Important |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
So, you have this loose idea of a person in your head – you can picture their face, you have a pretty solid handle on their likes and dislikes, now it’s time to name them. Naming your OC can be as difficult, if not more difficult than naming your own child and, it’s possibly more important. Context & Canon Conventions It's crucial that you consider where your character exists when you name them. For instance, if your character is a child of the 70's love movement who happens upon Hogwarts with her messages of peace, love, and friendship. Well, then not naming her 'Moonflower' would be remiss. However, to take an 11-year old girl born in a modern age named 'Persephone' seems out of place and, thusly, communicates to the reader that there is something 'special' about this character. (While every character should have something to add to the plot, having too much to add in the way of mystical powers is a defining trait when determining a characters status as a Mary Sue.) In exactly the opposite fashion, names that are too plain seem out of place as well. A good indicator? If your character's name can be found on an episode of Recess or Lizzie McGuire and it's not a crossover, you probably have a problem. To get a better feel for the names JKR chooses, I've included a brief list of names from the Harry Potter series. I've made the list into three colors - names that I would consider "odd," names that seem "everyday" or "common" and names that are "ethnic" (Disagree with my classifications? E-mail me at bitterepiphany[at]harrypotterfanfiction[dot]com)
As you can see, in Slytherin - a house laden with proud, pureblood families - the names are, more frequently than not, uncommon. Another visible trend is the fading of "odd" names in children. There are far fewer current students with "quirky" names than there are adults. Most of these conventions are drawn from tradition, an important element in the Wizarding World. Likewise, if your character is a Slytherin who can trace their lineage back 600 years, naming the character "Bob" probably isn't the best idea. (Of course, I would contend that naming any Harry Potter character "Bob" is an invitation for flames.) Whereas, you may get strange looks in Gryffindor if your name is "Guthrie" (Celtic for "serpent.") What Your Name Says About You It has long been known in fandom – especially JKR fandom – that names mean something and that what you name your character should say something about them. While taking the care and consideration in choosing a name that is representative of your character is important, it has also yielded many of the worst names in fiction. That said, it's important to both choose a name that suits your character, but also doesn't make them a card carrying member of the MSA (Mary Sue Association.) BehindTheName.com is a great resource for finding out complete name meanings but, be wary! When you stumble upon a name that seems perfect for your character, you are probably not the first person to use it. It's a good idea, when looking for common meanings like "hero," to avoid the commonly used names. An incomplete list of commonly used names can be found below. Also, don't rule out using a characters last name to impart your meaning. It leaves you wide open to choose whichever first name you like but you still get your point across. Last, but not least, it's important to keep in mind the things that your names sound like. I once named a character Emma Weston. Emma, because I am partial to that name and Weston because I happened to be making popcorn using Weston Canola oil at the moment. It took several odd responses from people before I drew the connection. Say the name out loud to yourself and your friends several times to see what it brings to mind. Trust me, you probably don't want to remind your readers of feminine products or chocolate bars every time your character speaks. :) Common Names Below is a
list of some very common names in fanfiction. It is best to avoid them in
order to keep your characters from being labeled "Sue's" Where To Find Your Name
Try sites like these: Still can't decide what you want to name your character? Try the generator for ideas. |
|
Have something you'd like to add? Send an e-mail to bitterepiphany[at]harrypotterfanfiction[dot]com |