I read this article and thought it might be of use to screenplay writers, so I reproduce it here, in full, with permission.
By David B Silva
Naming a fictional character can often be a challenge. For many writers, and I include myself in this group, your character really doesn’t come alive for you until he or she has a name. But you can also waste a great deal of time worrying about finding the perfect fictional character name.
Stephen King named the main character of his novel, The Dead Zone, John Smith. One of the most common names in the English language, it truly represents the common man. However, John Smith was anything but a common man. Perhaps that’s why King chose the name … as a counterweight to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding John Smith’s life.
How about you? What is it that you look for in a fictional character’s name?
For me, I like to find a name that reflects either the primary role of the character or the core of the character’s personality. A strong name for a strong character. An evil name for an evil character. A deceitful name for a deceitful character (think Benedict Arnold). A cool name for a cool character. Though you don’t want to go too far over the top in most cases. Snidely Whiplash is great as a cartoon character, I’m not sure you want your adventure novel villain to carry a name quite so outlandish.
In the planning stages of your story, it’s often easier to use a generic name, something like John or Mary, until you have a clearer picture of the story and the role your character will play. But the earlier you can put a name to your fictional character, the easier the writing will be. I’ve often struggled with a story, every word fighting me, until I realized the name of my main character simply didn’t ring true. When the name feels false, your character will feel false.
The process of finding the right character name can be a bit tedious at times. It’s often a matter of trial and error.
There are some character name generators that will randomly select names for you. I’ve toyed around with one or two in the past before I became restless with them and moved on. They were a bit like playing a slot machine. The odds of finding a character name that suited your needs were extremely slim.
More often, I use the combination of a baby name book and the phone book. As I mentioned, it’s usually a process of trial and error. I’ll find a good first name, then pair it up with last names until something finally clicks. Or I’ll go through the same process in reverse.
How do I know when a name clicks?
If it sounds right, I’ll give it a try. Once I start writing, it won’t be long before I’ll know for certain if the name fits the character or not. It’s similar to meeting someone for the first time who seems familiar. Immediately, you can’t help but put a name to the face. Let’s say you imagine him as a William. Not a Bill, but a William. Whether or not it’s his real name, doesn’t matter, because in your mind he’ll always be a William. That’s what brings him to life for you.
And that’s how you know when you’ve found the right name for your fictional character … suddenly your character is brought to life. He has a lifetime of memories and experiences behind him, a personality uniquely his own, and you feel as if you’ve known him for a good long time.
Article Source: http://www.affsphere.com/Writing/Novels-Short-Stories/A-Name-Is-Just-A-Name-Finding-The-Right-Fictional-Character-Name.html
Wed, Oct 8, 2008
Screenplay