image from beevolve.com
Now and then, I get stuck for a name. I need a ship name (The Devil’s Trident), a tavern name (The Flagon and Flask), a villain’s name (Raven Stonerose), the name of a magical forest (Bitter Fleas Forest), or strange beast (Conewitch Snail).
Name generators are useful in getting the ideas flowing, and occasionally I find the right fit without a tweak. The above names were all straight from the Seventh Sanctum name generator, one I refer to when my brain is numb, which happens rather frequently. It’s a gold mine of thought-starters for fantasy writers.
Oh, you don’t write fantasy and haven’t any use for an elf name such as Ibenhar Lonedragon? You don’t need a hero named Tempest Honorhawk or a villain named Solitaire Ironcomet?
Never fear. This name generator also creates your more standard names: Claudine Briana McGuire, Spencer Vaughan, Haley Lambert, Warner Javier Gallagher, and Herminia Leon to rattle off a few.
Be sure to look through the broad variety of categories under the menu item “Generator Types” as there are more options than are listed on the opening page.
NOW, THE BONUS!!
from farm-sign.com
Okay, this is pure silliness.
I write fantasy and occasionally my characters get royally upset! Sometimes I don’t want to use Earthly curses, particularly if the story doesn’t take place on Earth. I also prefer to avoid foul language when it isn’t necessary for the story or characters.
I ran across the Foul-o-Matic curse word generator on a random search for name generators. It’s a swear-word generator that makes me laugh because most of the word combinations are just plain ridiculous (failed douchewaffle piper and spanking nugget lover). I revert to my ten-year-old self that used to giggle at farts. That said, I’ve actually used it a bit, primarily by toning down some of the outrageous combinations or combining words to make my own.
Does anyone out there use word generators? I’d love to add them to my list.
Myths of the Mirror 
This sounds wonderful… Gonna check it out once I get back from work.. Thanks 🙂
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Enjoy. They’re fun to goof around with. I don’t often use the name they come up with, but they’re wonderful thought-starters.
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I like to play around a little just for fun and who knows one might get something they like.. 🙂
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[…] Wallace Peach’s Link> Trouble Naming your Character? Try a Name Generator. I got the Dipping lard extractor from one of the 2 cool link D. Wallace got for you all! Go […]
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Dipping Lard Extractor? Ha ha. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Another one!
Nut lorry!!!
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Too funny, huh? I actually created a character in my current WIP who uses colorful foul language – just so I could use some of those.
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COOL! Gonna go check it out!
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Please do. It’s a lot of fun, especially the foul-o-matic. Ha ha. Thanks for visiting.
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I don’t use name generators. In fact never heard of them, but what a great idea. I don’t write fantasy, but naming characters can be difficult. Thanks for a great idea and the follow.
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They’re fun when I get stuck, Tessa, and I often will end up tweaking something that I find versus using the suggestions directly. Thanks for stopping by.
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Hi,
I offer bloggers blogging tips, but if I were in the literary genre, I would definitely need a character name generator.
Thanks for visiting my site Reflections. I’m glad you liked my expert interview.
Janice
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Reblogged this on DEATH BY GINA.
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Thanks for the reblog, Gina!
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This was too much fun. sadly the Foul-O-Matic came up with great suggestions I can’t post here. I’ll save them for when my dog doesn’t get outside fast enough or when my computer crashes. One way I generate names is to make a list of normal two syllable names like: Stephen, Jordan, Ruffus. Then I swap first syllables with last syllables. From these names I can make new names like: Stedan, Jorphen, Ruphen. Names sometimes take a long time to choose, but when the right one comes along…it’s magic.
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I’ve heard from others who combine parts of names. What I like about that technique is the names are unique, but not too crazy or unpronounceable. Glad you liked the Foul-O-Matic. It’s good for a laugh if nothing else!
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The Foul-o-Matic is RIGHT up my street, surprise, surprise! I just got “Prodigal Vomit Whale”. Possibly the very best thing I’ll hear this month. Thank you so much for the link!
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Ha ha ha! That’s a good one. Love it.
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I got a name off a license plate once for a character in Caught in Time. I laugh at profootball names because if I used some of them in a story, no one would believe they are real. Actual names sometimes are wilder than those found in stories. But you are right in that a name gives the reader a sense of the character. Tempest Telluria?…watch out!
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And then there are those authors who turn everything upside down and use names that aren’t particularly heroic for heroes. This is so fun!
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I notice name tags on people, and note them down for future use— I know that’s using a real name for a character, but sometimes nothing beats the real thing. 🙂
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I know sometimes people browse the phone book, picking first names here and last names there. I haven’t tried that as I’m usually looking for names that are slightly unusual. It’s interesting to see all the different ways authors come up with names. Thanks for commenting.
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I recently used this restaurant name generator. This one is for a trendy restaurant: http://interactive.sun-sentinel.com/restaurant-name-generator/
Love these things, but the Foul-O-Matic is a first!
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Isn’t that funny! A restaurant name generator. I never would have thought. Thanks.
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Foul-o-matic…very creative. Who’d have imagined ?? Van ☺
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I know. Really. Just in case you ever need to invent foul language:)
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Ha ha ha. So true!!! Cracked me up.
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Great post! I actually wrote about that on my post, “Naming your Characters the Easy Way” (http://nicholasrossis.me/2014/05/30/naming-your-characters-the-easy-way/) – you will find the ones I had unearthed there 🙂
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I took a look. Thanks, a couple new sources to add to my list. I actually love naming characters, and there’s so much more to a name than a name (if you know what I mean). Names and the sounds of names contribute to character. There’s nothing like finding the perfect one.
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Couldn’t agree more!
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That is a blessing. I have the same problem as you. I’ll spend an hour trying to come up with an authentic name that resonates with me. This sounds faster.
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It’s helpful, Jacqui. And entertaining at times. I find it quicker than lists of baby names – another method I’ve used.
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Likewise grateful to know of it! I can see it would loosen brain cells even if one did not pluck a full formed suggestion.
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I tend to make my own combinations or modify what I see, since most of it is over-the-top. It definitely “loosens the brain cells!”
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I didn’t even know such things existed. How interesting! And I can’t stop giggling myself–your curse was hysterical! I guess you can tell my own maturity level. We have some pretty scatalogical dinnertime talk at my house….
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There are actually quite a few name generators. I seem to use these two quite frequently. Yes the curse word generator comes up with some doozies.
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