Choosing a name seems so easy, right? You've probably met hundreds of people with different names or you've browsed baby name websites before, so you're probably thinking it's easy. Well, to tell you the truth, once you start the process of creating a name, you're going to realize just how few names you actually know and become stumped. I mean come on, we all want a unique and memorable name and it's hard to find one when a majority of your school or workplace has people named common names like 'Carlos Pena' or 'Sarah Smith'. There's nothing wrong with those names, obviously, but it starts to get confusing trying to differentiate between stories you've read when they all have main characters named 'Alexis Jones'. Maybe you've found a first name and are stumped with finding a last name. Well, whatever the case may be, I'll try to help you with some tips below.

1.) Browse baby name websites! I can't tell you how many websites there are for baby names. I personally like websites such as NameBerry and BabyNameGuide. Also, Pinterest has tons and tons of name ideas and you can create boards to store these names. If you're writing a fantasy story, try looking up "fantasy names" or "magical names" or something of the sort. Which leads on to #2!

2.) Try searching for names within the genre you're writing, the place your character is from, and the time period your story is taking place in. For example, if you're picking a name for a character living in Ukraine, choosing stereotypical American names will be a little off. Choosing a name like 'Bradley Trinidad' for your character from 1800s Europe just won't fit well. Try looking up things such as "1950s German name lists" or "unique nature names" to give you names that'll work well with your story. Also, when you find a name, try looking up its meaning, too. All you need is to be naming your character after an Italian cuss word because it sounded nice.

3.) Look for inspiration! There's name inspiration everywhere, you just need to look. When you're watching a movie and the ending credits start to roll, pause and look through the names listed to get inspiration. You can take a last name or first name or even feel inspired from looking at a big picture of different names. Looking through yearbooks, award cases, casting lists for shows, and so on can give you a good feel for finding a new name arrangement that works nicely. Just please don't be stealing celebrities whole names to catch the eyes of readers. Trust me, it's a bad idea.

4.) Say your name idea out loud! Oh god, you may think the name arrangement looks appealing, but you need to make sure the name can be clearly understood if someone were to try to speak about it. For example, rhyming and having too many syllables and vice versa can create a very unsatisfying name. Names such as 'Eleazer Diana', 'Marquis Louisiana', and 'Lacey Kasey' may be unappealing once you say them out loud a few times. (No shade if that's your real name)

5.) Do your research! You can't create a character name for an elder male from Victorian Era France if you've never taken the time to study the era! Take time to look through many name lists and look up name origins and meanings. It'll help you, I promise!

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Thank you so much for reading! I truly hope this helped you in some way. Please, if you have any questions, chapter ideas, or things I can add, be sure to either comment or message me privately. My goal is to improve the writing of as many writers as possible! Also, if there's any noticeable spelling or grammar mistakes, nicely inform me of them. Haha I know how annoying it can be when you're reading something and there's a continuous spelling mistake within the text. I apologize if there are any; I don't proofread my chapters as much as I should.. Anyway, have a happy whatever! Love ya!
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