Themed names

[Razor]

I've started writing the outline for a new story I'm planning to write, and I wanted to follow a theme for the names of characters. Two major things: is this a good idea, or is it too... over the top? Second, I need names!!! I wanted to follow a plant theme... names of plants, flowers, or something related. Rowan, Thorn, Hyacinth, etc. The more unique, the better. This is still a work in progress, but I think it might fit the subject matter of the story.

 

It would be best classified as an epic fantasy (I've been wanting to write one for a really long time now, but no decent ideas), and to sum it up it chronicles specific characters on either side of a civil war between fairies. I'm trying to plan it out nice and carefully since so many epic fantasies are incredibly predictable and dull.

 

So, is the themed name thing too over the top for the story, or does it fit the subject matter enough for me to pull it off without it seeming dumb to the reader? And, suggestions for names?

[Graeme]

The British comedy Keeping Up Appearances has four sisters with the names Hyacinth, Rose, Daisy and Violet. It actually took me a while to realise they were all named after flowers.

 

I don't think it would work for anything except fantasy, or science-fiction aliens. I would probably recommend against ALL names being themed, but you could certainly do a significant group.

 

For example, if there is a "green" group, naming them all after plants would be quite appropriate. You may want to go for variations of the Latin or Greek names, rather than the English name, to make it sound more exotic.

 

I would try to use appropriate names based on the group. Without more information on the groups, I couldn't say. Some possible themes: Geology (Granite, Quartz, Carbon, Sand, etc), Weather (Storm, Rain, Hail, Sun, Mist, Fog, Drizzle, Thunder, Lightning, etc).

[DarkShadow]

I've started writing the outline for a new story I'm planning to write, and I wanted to follow a theme for the names of characters. Two major things: is this a good idea, or is it too... over the top? Second, I need names!!! I wanted to follow a plant theme... names of plants, flowers, or something related. Rowan, Thorn, Hyacinth, etc. The more unique, the better. This is still a work in progress, but I think it might fit the subject matter of the story.

 

It would be best classified as an epic fantasy (I've been wanting to write one for a really long time now, but no decent ideas), and to sum it up it chronicles specific characters on either side of a civil war between fairies. I'm trying to plan it out nice and carefully since so many epic fantasies are incredibly predictable and dull.

 

So, is the themed name thing too over the top for the story, or does it fit the subject matter enough for me to pull it off without it seeming dumb to the reader? And, suggestions for names?

 

It might be easier to do as I have done in the Druid... and label the chapters after plant names.. as for characters... hmmm I don't know. If there is enough contrast to the names then I think it could work! It really depends on the story.

 

The British comedy Keeping Up Appearances has four sisters with the names Hyacinth, Rose, Daisy and Violet. It actually took me a while to realise they were all named after flowers.

 

I don't think it would work for anything except fantasy, or science-fiction aliens. I would probably recommend against ALL names being themed, but you could certainly do a significant group.

 

For example, if there is a "green" group, naming them all after plants would be quite appropriate. You may want to go for variations of the Latin or Greek names, rather than the English name, to make it sound more exotic.

 

I would try to use appropriate names based on the group. Without more information on the groups, I couldn't say. Some possible themes: Geology (Granite, Quartz, Carbon, Sand, etc), Weather (Storm, Rain, Hail, Sun, Mist, Fog, Drizzle, Thunder, Lightning, etc).

 

I LOVE Hyacinth! Especially when she gets near the Vicker! Heheh Hello... Bouquet (Bucket) residence!

[Lugh]

I've started writing the outline for a new story I'm planning to write, and I wanted to follow a theme for the names of characters. Two major things: is this a good idea, or is it too... over the top? Second, I need names!!! I wanted to follow a plant theme... names of plants, flowers, or something related. Rowan, Thorn, Hyacinth, etc. The more unique, the better. This is still a work in progress, but I think it might fit the subject matter of the story.

 

It would be best classified as an epic fantasy (I've been wanting to write one for a really long time now, but no decent ideas), and to sum it up it chronicles specific characters on either side of a civil war between fairies. I'm trying to plan it out nice and carefully since so many epic fantasies are incredibly predictable and dull.

 

So, is the themed name thing too over the top for the story, or does it fit the subject matter enough for me to pull it off without it seeming dumb to the reader? And, suggestions for names?

 

 

Ok it's fantasy. You make the rules. There could be a tradition passed down for generations that each child be named after something in nature with the belief that the properties of said item would give the child those personality traits. (this is for example only)

 

Another thing you can do is use the "themed names" as family or clan names. Since there are faeries involved, the names can come from the faeries when the humans join their war. They have to be 'adopted' and this is one way to show that they belong. Then you can classify the names into "good side" and "bad side" and have the names reflect that: foxglove, liverwort, paradise, dolphin (yes it's a vine), trumpet (another vine), sunflower, honeysuckle, moonflower, pansy, daisy, morningglory.... lots of interesting options.

 

Just some ideas.....

[dkstories]

Themed names are quite common in fantasy and even sci-fi literature (Just look at JK Rowling's Harry Potter series - there are several examples of themed names including Malfoy (bad faith), Andromeda, Bellatrix, etc.) As long as they follow a scheme, even if the readers are never made consciously aware of it (like all first born children have names ending in -ala), it'll work.

[Dio]

Someone should write a story with all the characters being named after common household items.

 

"Phone...pickup the goddamn phone."

 

Phone sauntered over and grabbed the phone from it's hook. "What?"

 

"Hey phone, it's Blender. Me and fork wanted to go meet Dryer and Scrap Paper over at the arcade. Wanna come?"

 

"Nah...I gotta babysit Paperclip. Little sisters suck."

 

I'm not sure how relevant this thought is to this thread. But, that's what was on my mind so...there you go.

 

-db-