How to Make a Name (suggestions)

Ok, you might wanna DQ this entry because it's not exactly a name; just some advice on how to come up with one. I thought this might work better, since you know your world far better than anyone else. sooooo, the suggestions *dramatic music*!1

1) think of a word to describe your world in some way, like dangerous (if it is) or magical, or something, and then use a translator to find it in another language. This can give you some of the most realistic-sounding names, at the same time as being quite quick and simple. Once you've found the word just toy around with the letters a little, select a part which sounds good to you, or something. I wouldn't keep it exactly the same, because then anyone who speaks that language might think it's a little unoriginal but with a bit of tweaking it could be made perfect 2

e.g. Mentiroso is Spanish for lie (or liar, I can't remember now). I took the part 'roso' and turned it into my pen-name, since my stories are lies, and it seemed appropriate. Another way is to combine different words to find an interesting combination. Try to make sure it's fairly obscure though.3

2) Combine some uncommon letters, e.g. 'y', since it's more fantastical. Play around with combinations.4

3) Once again, choose a word to describe your world, and then make an anagram of it.5

e.g. Dangerous = Anderosug (not the best example, but there you go I'm not so good at this method)6

4)Pick some names from books, and I don't mean copying them. I mean find say a book on plants, and flick through, looking specifically at latin names. Or maybe one on animals. Obviously don't go for something like 'bear' or 'rose' but maybe choose a flower/animal you like and find the name in latin or something.7

e.g. tomato is Solanum lycopersicum, which you could fiddle around with. Perhaps only use the first, or a part of the second, or combine them both.8

Hope that's helpful to you and sorry I didn't really suggest an actual name for it . Best of luck!

Author notes

Hope people find this useful I do. Best of luck people

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Comments

1 - 19 of 19
  • Verry good advise....i might have to play now lol and come up with a better name for me lol


  • StarDragon
    November 25, 2008

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    This list of fantastic ideas, while not what I was looking for was still a tremendous help. I hope that everyone who is stuck as I was has the opportunity to read this, or something very like it.

    Thank you.


  • Ana-Andrea
    November 12, 2008

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    "My stories are lies" haha! You remind me of Rachel Lynd. Mentiroso means liar, by the way.
    This was fun and I think your ideas for finding pennames are very creative! Luck in the contest!

  • StarDragon
    November 11, 2008
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    This is all fantastic advice! Much better then my method of hitting babynames.com and seeing if there is anythign there I can mess with and turn into something I like. It's a great method, but it's limiting when it comes to large scale names like worlds, villages, or other cultural aspects of worlds.

    Not going to DQ you, this is a gem of great advice! Thanks for entering!


  • Be.Your.Own.Hero
    November 7, 2008

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    Wow! This was great advice Dippie! *bookmarks it* hehe, I usually do all of these methods a lot. I have an issue with names, I just love interesting names! >_> I used to do number 3 a lot, writing down my fave names and turning them backwards, but since they don't make sense a lot, I prefer the translating method XD

    or go to one of these websites:

    [haven't visited this in a while though, mostly cause I prefer names with meanings XD]
    http://www.rinkworks.com/namegen/

    [my fave, it also has a surname sister site!]
    http://www.behindthename.com/

    Thanks for the advice Dippie! Good luck in the contest!

    *hands you cookies*

    ~*Princess*~

    beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.


  • waterfalltiger
    November 7, 2008

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    wow ur good...that is actually something i really needed because i have two characters that are unnamed...thanx dippy!!! love ya!


    • Much-Dipstick
      November 7, 2008

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      Thanks Glad you liked it ^_^ and hope it's really useful to you . Love ya too!

  • waterfalltiger
    November 7, 2008
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    wow ur good...that is actually something i really needed because i have two characters that are unnamed...thanx dippy!!! love ya!


  • Cupcake14
    November 7, 2008

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    Yeah, this was really good. I like name contests(They are quite easy if you think about it) but still you never know when you might pick a lame name. Well this can save points and a lot of effort too. Still, many people won't have the time to go through and won't be able to find an online transalator. But who wants to doubt the power of the internet! I don't think this should be DQed, it should be saved for future reference. I think you should make a column out of this.


    • Lion-Serpent
      November 7, 2008
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      Online translators for many languages: www.freedict.com

      Also, google "Jeffrey's Japanese" for the best japanese-english dictionary ever.

      You're welcome.

      • StarDragon
        November 11, 2008
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        Thanks for the links! I will admit I have problems with words in other languages, and I once had the link to an awesome Japanese-English dictionary but lost it. Hopefully this is the same (or better!)


      • Much-Dipstick
        November 7, 2008
        Edit | Reply
        thanks


    • Much-Dipstick
      November 7, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      Thanks and I'm glad you liked it. How do I make a column? XD what is a column anyway? I'm so dumb

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