NPC/Character Names

[kaleemmcintyre]

Hello,

Not sure if this topic should go here or someplace else, but I wanted to ask. What is the best way to go about picking names for characters and places? In certain popular video games I found out that the staff picked names at random sometimes, and sometimes they go through extensive research to find names that define every aspect of every town/villager/location...etc that's in game.

So I just wanted to ask to get some feedback.

Thank you.

 

[Seriel]

I use http://rinkworks.com/namegen but other people have different methods. That's my personal way.

 

[Miss Nile]

I use a name generator most of times myself, and it's a pretty good way to find multiple names and choose what you like. Sometimes I find names from other books/movies/games that I like and keep them aside for main characters or important NPCs. ^^

 

[Seriel]

Sometimes I find names from other books/movies/games that I like and keep them aside for main characters or important NPCs. ^^

Thats where I got the the name 'Lorela' for on of my games.

 

[Dickjutsu]

It depends for me. Generally I like name themes or allegories, at least for the main cast, so I heavily research the names I choose. Other times I'll just use a name generator to pick names, based on the region, setting, etc. I really like http://www.behindthename.com/ for it's random name generator. You can choose a specific culture for the names, select whether or not you want it to generator a surname as well. It's even got fantasy choices Simitiq which gives you fantasy names in an Arab/Hebrew/Persian/Hindi style and Tsang which is comprised of fantasy names in a style similar to Asiatic names (Chinese, Korean, Japanese, etc.).


They even have playful generators like 'Faery' names, which sound like what a hippy would use to name their kids (Riverlight Moonflower, Raingrass Moonwind, etc.), Wrestler names (Iron Force O'Ciardha and Fire Hit Derby), and even Rapper names (King Playa Chill-pain and Dope-P Lil Doggy Dog).

 

[Wavelength]

They even have playful generators like 'Faery' names, which sound like what a hippy would use to name their kids (Riverlight Moonflower, Raingrass Moonwind, etc.), Wrestler names (Iron Force O'Ciardha and Fire Hit Derby), and even Rapper names (King Playa Chill-pain and Dope-P Lil Doggy Dog).

Raingrass Moonwind did 218 damage to Dope-P Lil Doggy Dog!

Dope-P Lil Doggy Dog has been slain!

 

[Shaz]

Moving to General Discussion

 

[BeardBro]

I usually research my names and pick them accordingly. As a professional writer, I consider even the smallest details to play an important part in the story.

Names can sometimes reflect an important part of the character (Scarlet has red hair, Patience is not an angry person, etc), but most importantly, the names have to be relevant to the game's world. The girl was named Patience because her older sister was a living nightmare, and her parents wanted their next daughter to be different, so they took a leap of faith by naming her 'Patience.' In this world, it's common for folks living by the seashores to use very literal names. If the girl had been born inland in a wealthier culture, she might have been named 'Talama' since the inlanders speak a form of Swedish and the Swedish word for 'patience' is 'talamod.'

I feel like this gives my characters more depth and personality than if I had randomized or generated their names.