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McAnally's (The Community Pub) => Author Craft => Topic started by: Thaumaturge02 on March 17, 2011, 10:49:24 PM

Title: Last Names
Post by: Thaumaturge02 on March 17, 2011, 10:49:24 PM

An irksome task.  I have no problem coming up with first names for my characters...it's last names that are a pain.  Anyone have any advice, techniques, resources that they use for this task?

Title: Re: Last Names
Post by: LizW65 on March 17, 2011, 10:53:29 PM

Check the phone book!  Lots of good names in there. ;D  When you have the right name for a character you'll know...it'll just "feel" right and can even help with characterization.  Also, don't be afraid to borrow names from people you know--they can't be copyrighted.

Title: Re: Last Names
Post by: Alilisa on March 17, 2011, 11:15:24 PM

I've always just taken and combined first names, or even used things from nature, combining things together. But like Liz said, using the phone book is a great way too.  Even going to historical sites is good, there are many old, old names you can "dig up", or cemeteries, etc.  There are lots of ways to come up with names, but I know what you mean. I love the unusual types of names, so mine always come up really strange looking.

Title: Re: Last Names
Post by: jeno on March 17, 2011, 11:28:00 PM

http://surnames.behindthename.com/

Title: Re: Last Names
Post by: Snowleopard on March 18, 2011, 02:17:06 AM

Some names I make up from scratch and some I look up in a baby name book.
Stop laughing. ::)  It has unusual names and gives the meaning behind them.
For some of the more major characters I usually try to give them a name that has meaning to me
if for no one else.

Title: Re: Last Names
Post by: meg_evonne on March 19, 2011, 12:55:40 AM

ditto:  phone books

And I've recorded that site you mentioned Jeno. thanks! Bothers me that my own last name, Dobson, isn't in there though...

Title: Re: Last Names
Post by: falcon4196 on March 22, 2011, 12:59:53 PM

I at least try to decide on a nationality for the character first then look up names online that fit.  If I'm not looking for a specific meaning I''ll just pick one at random.

Title: Re: Last Names
Post by: Thaumaturge02 on March 22, 2011, 04:14:02 PM

Quote from: falcon4196 on March 22, 2011, 12:59:53 PM

I at least try to decide on a nationality for the character first then look up names online that fit.  If I'm not looking for a specific meaning I''ll just pick one at random.

Yeah, I try to do that too. 

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Title: Re: Last Names
Post by: Thaumaturge02 on March 30, 2011, 07:59:32 PM

Sorry to double post, but I thought you'd all like to know that I have finally completed the names for the four "PoV Characters"

Title: Re: Last Names
Post by: Snowleopard on March 31, 2011, 01:58:26 AM

Congrats.