Name Games

I am fascinated by names.

As a teacher I see some bizarre names fly across my rosters. Some of those poor kids will be spelling out their "unique" names for people the rest of their lives, and never find a personalized bike license plate.

As a writer I agonize over choosing the perfect name for each character, so I am in awe when I come across character names that snap off the page.

Here are some of my recent favorites.

From Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Major Ernest Pettigrew - His name sketches a serious and proper demeanor.

Mrs. Ali - Melodious and lovely which perfectly matches her graciousness.

From The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Hazel and Augustus are the names Green selects for his teen main characters. I love the way he eschews current contemporary choices. These names told me to expect characters that were going to transcend the ordinary.

From Graceling/Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Say this aloud - Katsa

Do you hear the bite in the sound of the name? This character is a fighter.

Po - A prince who goes by a nickname taken from a beautiful tree in his kingdom that matches his eyes. Love that name origin story.

Saph - Named after his gorgeous sapphire eyes

From Divergent/Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Beatrice turned Tris - Another name with crispness that supports strength of character

Four - I love a name that fills you with questions.

What are some character names that have caught your fancy? 


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