I’m waiting to name a character Sorrell. And Hezekiah is what I would have loved to have named a son, not that I would have found support on that one. Maybe as a middle name?
In a story, I try to avoid using names of people I know, or at least know well. Ditto for close family. So they don’t count here. It certainly narrows the range. On top of everything, after multiple revisions, I don’t always remember what I’ve kept in the end.
Besides, a name should be suggestive.
Now for ten or so more.
- Lane. Or Blaine. Unisex, very useful.
- Perry. Unisex again.
- Majik. Was a fisherman around here but could be unisex.
- Dana. Well, since we’re on a roll.
- Marilyn. Evocative, yet all-American.
- Pierce. I see a cutting edge in his glance.
- Bonita. Could go by Bonnie, too. From the Spanish, makes an alternative for Linda, which I also haven’t used, or Melinda, even better.
- Trent. The family had aspirations and this was the golden boy.
- Berry. Back in unisex, along with alternative spellings.
- Lark. Even Clark. Or Clifford. Or Larkins.
For children, though, I’ve become very fond of handing down family names. Even using a maternal surname. Guess it’s the genealogist in me at work.
We haven’t even gotten to nicknames, which can really pop a character into focus. Think of “Willy” as one possibility.
How ‘bout some suggestions from you?
Jnana's Red Barn 