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Help[Opinions] Default names
I'm currently working on a story that really wasn't intended to be longer than a few pages. And whenever I write, and it’s a short enough piece that I can’t justify spending too much time searching for the perfect name (because that could take as long, or longer, than writing the story itself), I often default to Alyssa and Alex. For this story, realizing I often use Alyssa, I decided to deviate and go with Alicia instead.
However, this story has piqued my interest enough that I want to invest more time and effort into it, so I feel like I need a new name for my main character. One character, Evran, already has a name I’m set on - he’s also currently the only character with a name. But Alicia doesn’t quite fit her, and it doesn’t feel balanced alongside Evran either. So now I’m stuck.
Do you have any suggestions? Even if the name doesn’t work perfectly, it might spark some inspiration and I'd be very grateful. I think a more somber name would suite her.
Also, are there names you naturally default to when writing - or just in general? Alyssa and Alex aren’t necessarily favorites of mine, but they’re always the first ones to pop into my head. I also tend to end up with Margaret's in my stories, usually with different nicknames, though I didn't notice this until recently. I didn’t especially like any of these names at first, but the familiarity has made me appreciate them more over time.
However, this story has piqued my interest enough that I want to invest more time and effort into it, so I feel like I need a new name for my main character. One character, Evran, already has a name I’m set on - he’s also currently the only character with a name. But Alicia doesn’t quite fit her, and it doesn’t feel balanced alongside Evran either. So now I’m stuck.
Do you have any suggestions? Even if the name doesn’t work perfectly, it might spark some inspiration and I'd be very grateful. I think a more somber name would suite her.
Also, are there names you naturally default to when writing - or just in general? Alyssa and Alex aren’t necessarily favorites of mine, but they’re always the first ones to pop into my head. I also tend to end up with Margaret's in my stories, usually with different nicknames, though I didn't notice this until recently. I didn’t especially like any of these names at first, but the familiarity has made me appreciate them more over time.
This message was edited 4/20/2025, 5:17 PM
Replies
How about the medieval name, sometimes heard today, Aldith? It can also be spelled Aldyth (I used to know an Aldyth and prefer that spelling). It sounds sensible and serious to me.
This message was edited 4/21/2025, 10:09 PM
I would consider Alice to be a more serious version of Alyssa/Alicia. Other names that come to mind are Alana, Agnes, Aisha, Alma, Leticia.
That's so interesting that you have go-to names in your writing. When I start something and don't have a name for someone, I'll use something like F, M, or X, Y, Z. If it's a negative throwaway character I'll use a name based on something/someone that recently pissed me off.
That's so interesting that you have go-to names in your writing. When I start something and don't have a name for someone, I'll use something like F, M, or X, Y, Z. If it's a negative throwaway character I'll use a name based on something/someone that recently pissed me off.
Since Evran (Evren) is of Turkish origin, one could start searching there if you want to match the tone of the name.
Adalet (the meaning "to act justly" is fit for a protagonist being met with a difficult choice)
Adile
Ayla
Leyla
Yaren (almost anagram-like to Evran, if that could add something to the narrative/their relationship)
I never really have trouble with the names of characters, as much as it seems other writers have. I usually come up with a name and stick with it, unless I suddenly don't like it and change it.
Adalet (the meaning "to act justly" is fit for a protagonist being met with a difficult choice)
Adile
Ayla
Leyla
Yaren (almost anagram-like to Evran, if that could add something to the narrative/their relationship)
I never really have trouble with the names of characters, as much as it seems other writers have. I usually come up with a name and stick with it, unless I suddenly don't like it and change it.
For middle grade/YA, Ava, Mia, and Ella come up a lot. I would steer clear of those.
Margaret is very pretty. Maybe try Alice if you like the sound of ALyssa and Alex.
Margaret is very pretty. Maybe try Alice if you like the sound of ALyssa and Alex.