Naming the characters is so important! If I hadn't thought of the main character's name in advance, I wouldn't have been able to start the whole article, and I'd just be staring at a blank document. I believe I am not alone...
Let me talk about this issue from personal experience. I will think of two points for now, part1. Several methods of naming, part2. How to name different types of works
part1. Several ways to choose a name
1. Lazy type
As the number one answer said, there are various name generators on the Internet, and you can even use Baidu to find out You can search for a lot of names, pick out the ones you like, and then arrange and combine them.
2. Random type
Usually it is easy for us to come up with a surname, so for the name, just take a dictionary and look through it, and when you find a certain word, read it in conjunction with the surname. Take a look and see if it is easy to read. If it is not easy to read, then continue reading (the article with a name that is too difficult to pronounce is definitely not a pleasure to read...); if it is easy to read and looks pleasing to the eye, then OK; if it is easy to read but it is easy to read. It sounds weird, but it doesn't matter, just change it to a word with the same pronunciation but a different shape.
3. Inspiration type
Sometimes, while thinking of a story, the name of the protagonist suddenly pops into mind. At this time, you just need to write it down quickly, so as not to forget it when you start writing o(╯□╰)o
4. Allegorical type
The most powerful of this type is It belongs to Mr. Cao Xueqin, someone mentioned it in the answer. The names of "Dream of Red Mansions" are so powerful, "False words in the village" (Jia Yucunyan), "Original sigh" (Yuan Chun welcomes the spring, explores the spring and cherishes the spring), "The jade belt hangs in the forest, and the golden hairpin is buried in the snow" (Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai )... Various homophonic metaphors are used to the extreme! There has never been one before, and it will be difficult for anyone to compete with him in the future.
Let’s talk about the level that most of us can achieve.
(1) Choose a name that reflects the characteristics of the protagonist (including appearance, personality, destiny, specialties...).
For example: I wrote about a child with a congenital disease who was named "Ajian". Of course, it was based on his parents' expectations for him (as for why he chose such a simple name, I will talk about it in detail later). I have also written about the Five Elements, and the names of the protagonists all use the radicals of "metal, wood, water, fire, and earth" (just the first name, the surname is another).
(2) Choose a name with homophonic meaning or meaning.
For example: My friend wrote an article called "Positive and Positive Energy". The male protagonist is Ji Jixiang and the female protagonist is Zhen Nengli. Read them together... Of course, this is an implicit article. romance. For another example, if you want to write a female character from Northeast China, what name can make people smile more knowingly than "Cuihua"?
(3) Choose a name that is easy for people to remember or nickname (flower name). (This point is actually similar to (2), but in many cases it is an unintentional insertion. It is unclear whether the author did it intentionally)
Example: Wu Xie in "Tomb Robbers Notes" , it is easy to think of "innocence", and then there is the classic sentence "I will use my life to exchange for ten years of your innocence."
5. Life style
Many people said in the answer, use the name you have heard or seen, or change it. For villains, use the names of people you hate, and for righteous people, use the names of people you like, so easy~
Many serialized online novels will use enthusiastic readers and good writer friends as supporting characters. Waiting for the name can be regarded as a kind of interaction.
Don’t use sensitivity when highlighting! feel! word! For example, highlighting names of political figures, discordant names, names that are too pornographic...you know.
6. Mary Sue type (purely a spoof, no one should be like this o(╯□╰)o)
Use your own name...
< p>part2. How to name different types of works1. Story & documentary (types such as "Reader", "Friends", "Story Club")
This type The names of his works are relatively simple, even a little rustic, and they are bad... Anyway, at first glance, he looks like an ordinary person, and it is easier to get excited.
Examples: Zhang Meili, Liu Aiguo, Chen Jianjun...
2. Modern Romance
The name of the heroine may be elegant, silly, cute, queen, or rooibos Li, the name of the male protagonist must be high-end, foreign-style and upscale (it can’t be country-style anyway). It’s not a big problem if the supporting characters’ names are simple and the villain’s names are boring. But it’s so unfamiliar that I really can’t read it...
For example: the male protagonist can be called Zhang Liang, but don’t call him Zhang Zhensuo... (I really don’t mean to criticize him OTZ).
3. Ancient Romance
Whether it is the leading actor, the leading lady, the supporting actor or the supporting actress... the name must be beautiful! Then you should pay attention to some historical knowledge, such as the surnames of the Manchu people. The ancients not only had names, but also nicknames, and the characters commonly used by monks...
Examples: Ruoxi, Li Bai, Taibai, Qinglian Jushi, Jinghui Master...
4. Fairy tales & children
I have written this quite often, so I will write it in detail. Taking into account the age and knowledge level of the audience, the name should be cute, easy to remember, and interesting.
(1) Don’t name the animal as the protagonist, just write what animal it is. It’s also good to choose a distinctive name. (The same goes for anthropomorphic plants and objects)
For example: Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf not only explain what animals they are (sheep & wolf), but also explain their characteristics. I have used the fox boy, the raccoon cat uncle... the little tin soldiers and porcelain dolls in Andersen's fairy tales are also written directly.
(2) Common and simple Western names.
Examples: Lily, Baker, Vivian...
(3) Fairies and elves can also refer to (1), write directly or use nicknames and characteristics.
For example: I wrote about a girl turned into a sunflower, named "Xiao Kui".
(4) Interesting nicknames
Examples: Troublemaker, crybaby, witty star...
(5) Repeated words, "little X" , "Ah X"
These are easier to remember and much more interesting than taking a formal name with a given name and surname. What about Xiao Hong, Xiao Ming, etc... Which era are you from?
Examples: Duoduo, Bubble, Xiaoai, and the previously mentioned "Ajian"...
5. Western fantasy (Japanese, Korean and so on)
Just make the name a little more "foreign". Anyway, just like a foreigner's name. Mary, Anna and the like are too vulgar, so forget it=. =
Examples: Alvinia, Edward...
6. Martial arts & fairy tales
This is similar to the old saying, the key is elegance, beauty, and beauty Fairy spirit. Then come up with a nickname & nickname (a nickname?).
Examples: East Evil, West Poison, Southern Emperor, Northern Beggar, Dongting Fairy...
7. Male blog (I don’t know about it personally, just making up the numbers)
Overall, I feel that this type of naming is still close to the actual and down-to-earth route.
Finally, what I am talking about are just some general opinions. If you insist on going the opposite way, you can of course go the personal route. After all, the fate of your own writing is in your own hands. I have it in my hand~
Well, that’s all for now. If I think of any new content later, I’ll add more.