Solutions to Eight Common Name Mistakes

by Mary Lynn Mercer

1. Two or more names begin or end with the same letter.

The problem? Names that appear or sound similar--like Harris and Hollis or Jed and Ted--may confuse the reader and cause them to disengage from the story to recall who is who

Solution: Change the characters' names so that each has a different first/last letter

Exception: Sometimes a plot requires two characters to have similar names. To guard against confusion, sharpen the contrasts between the characters to make them individually memorable and distinct. Perhaps one is a man, and the other is a woman. Or one is dark, the other fair. Or one is boisterous, the other shy.

2. Too many names sharing the same vowel sounds.

The problem? Too many names sharing the same vowel sounds-like Sue, Lou, Stuart, and Truitt--may sound repetitious to readers, and flatten the overall reading experience

Solution: Look for names with different vowel sounds to create texture. Instead, perhaps choose Sue, Larry, Scott, and Taylor

3. Too many names with the same number of syllables.

The problem? If most of the names in a story tap out the same ponderous rhythm--like Anna, Harry, Jennie, and Patty--readers may grow desensitized to the prose.

Solution: Vary the number of syllables in names to create melody in the prose. Perhaps instead choose Ann, Harry, Jen, and Patricia.

4. Characters with unusual names that lack meaningful cause or effect.

The problem? Unusual names--like Xaviera or Nemuel--draw attention, and should exist in a story for a reason. Otherwise, the characterization may feel shallow.

Solution: Choose a different name for the character, one that doesn't unfairly raise reader expectations.

Exception: Unusual names may aid in world-building in genres like sci-fi or fantasy. Sometimes a story requires a character to have an unusual name. Make sure a reason exists in the character's backstory for the name, and create a matching attitude/plot effect in the now of the story.

5. Character’s name doesn’t fit his/her personality.

The problem? Names that defy the characters' personalities without credible reason--like a girl with a sunny disposition named Elvira, or a dark, brooding hero named Billy--will snap readers' necessary suspension of disbelief.

Solution: Use a baby name book that gives the name's meaning to help choose a different name suitable to the character's personality.

Exception: Sometimes a story requires that a character bear a certain name. If the name clashes with the character's personality, make it matter in the now of the story. Or, the character may go by a nickname that better suits his/her disposition. Perhaps Elvira, named for her grandmother, goes by the more cheerful sounding Ellie instead.

6. A character's name doesn't fit his/her social position or ethnicity.

The problem? Names that defy the characters' social position or reflect insensitivity toward ethnic cultures--like a cowboy named Cedric or a German man named Keanu--will snap readers' necessary suspension of disbelief.

Solution: Give the character a different name that accurately reflects his/her social position and culture.

Exception: Sometimes a story requires that a character be a fish out of water socially or culturally. Create backstory explaining the incongruity, and exploit the resulting conflict in the now of the story.

7. Character’s doesn’t exist during the story's time period.

The problem? Readers may be unforgiving of factual inaccuracies--like a 16th Century Englishwoman named LaToya--and lose their trust in the author.

Solution: Obtain a reliable name book that tells when certain names came into use, and choose a name appropriate to the setting

8. The same character has several different names.

The problem? Even if there is only one person in the scene, if that character is referred to by several names--like John, Johnny, Dad, and Mr. Doe--it may confuse the reader.

Solution: Confine each name to a single viewpoint. Perhaps John in his own viewpoint is referred to outside dialogue as John. In his wife's viewpoint, he's Johnny. In his son's viewpoint, he's Dad. In his neighbor's viewpoint, he's Mr. Doe.

Mary Lynn Mercer's short story writing placed first in an online contest and was accepted in two pending paper anthologies. Her instructional articles have appeared in various writing organizations' print and online publications. Visit her Web site at: http//www.svic.net/pearl