1 Topic by Danielle Buckingham (edited by Danielle Buckingham 2015-09-24 20:06:54)

Topic: HELP! Character Re-naming

I'm writing a medieval story and have already picked out the names for the two main characters. I picked them out because I liked the way they sounded and they fit my characters and I did not reference anything except a website with medieval names. And then.....I discovered they were BOTH the names of main characters in the same movie. A movie I hadn't watched in YEARS. After I picked the male character's name I thought I recognized it and I realized t was the character name from that movie, but I decided to keep it because I liked it. Now, I had NO IDEA the female named I picked was from that same movie.
I have been bashing my head trying to find names for them. I've come up almost empty handed (not for lack of tryin for hours) for the female name. I do however have four male names. (one is the original name)


So here is the description for the guy.
A stoic warrior and Captain of the Personal Guard for The Champion, He has short curly black hair. His nose was broke a few times, and healed slightly crooked. He has a black goatee and has hazel eyes.
He has a rugged and self assured air about him.
His most positive traits: Courageous, Calm, Expert, Precise, Loyal, Diligent, Formal, Devout
His most negative traits: bossy, critical, strict, stubborn, and tense.
And he is one of the best swordsmen in the kingdom. He's brave and calm in tense situations.


Here are the names I've narrowed it down to.
Ferand
Ioan
Ronan
Adhemar (original)

Which name fits the character I've described? Which one is the best?
Thanks sooo much!

Quote Post 1

Re: HELP! Character Re-naming

Of your list, my favorite is Ronan.  But I've included a link below which might be helpful. Good luck!

http://medieval.stormthecastle.com/medieval-names.htm

Quote Post 2

Re: HELP! Character Re-naming

Alaric   Aretha
Brodan. Brielle
Caneth. Catherine
Drago. Dara
Eldred. Elise
Ferdinand  Filipa
Garth. Giselle
That should get you started!

Quote Post 3

Re: HELP! Character Re-naming

I'd go with Ronan. The description fits what would be called "Ronin" in Japanese, which is a dishonored Samurai who fights when he feels like it, but is the best at everything.

~Tom

Quote Post 4

5 Reply by Norm d'Plume (edited by Norm d'Plume 2015-09-25 03:21:35)

Re: HELP! Character Re-naming

Adhemar is nice, but Ronan is a good runner-up, IMO.

I unwittingly gave one of my two MCs the name Apollo after the Roman god. It's a sci-fi story with a Roman theme, and I had completely forgotten about the old Battlestar Galactica TV series from the 80s, and I didn't watch the more recent reboot. By the time someone reminded me of that other Apollo, I was too invested in the name to give it up.

Quote Post 5

Re: HELP! Character Re-naming

Thanks everyone so far. I've decided to save Adhemar for a later story and go with Ronan on this one. Simply because I am so completely invested in the Female MC's name, Jocelyn, that no other name works. And trust me, I've looked at hundreds. Its her name and she won't settle for anything less. So unfortunately for Adhemar, he has to be renamed. Thanks to those who helped on this. It really did help a lot. smile

Quote Post 6

Re: HELP! Character Re-naming

Remaining a character is often harder then naming him in the first place!

Here are my thoughts, please take them with a grain of salt. smile

Ferand
I'm just not seeing Ferand as a hero much less the one you described. I'm seeing him as that really snooty extra guy that is engaged to the heroine but we all know she can't be with him because he is so annoying.

Ioan
I can totally see your hero as Ioan  I like the spelling "Ion" better but either way works with his character.


Ronan
This is the name of the terrorist in Guardians of the Galaxy. While I would no rule out a name for a hero just because someone else used it for their villain, I would caution that this is still a very unusual name and thus a lot of people will have associated it with the only Ronan they know. The blue guy who wears a hood and wants to destroy planets. (Teens will more likely associate the name with Taylor Swifts song).

Adhemar
I think you should for another novel where the hero has a different personality.

Good luck!

Quote Post 7

Re: HELP! Character Re-naming

Thanks Rebecca Vaughn. I love your description of Ferand! It actually does sound like that kind of guy! I do like the name Ioan. I haven't seen Guardians of the Galaxy so I didn't know about the villain, but I still really like that name. And Adhemar is gonna be held back for another story.
Thanks so much for your input! It helped.

Quote Post 8