For the past few days I’ve been discussing names for the symbols they are.
I’m a writer of romance but I’m also a reader. What romance reader isn’t familiar with names like Darcy and Heathcliff? I know if I saw those two names in print, my mind would make an instant association to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and to Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. An author can’t do better than create a character that stands the test of time as well as Darcy and Heathcliff have. It’s no small feat to inspire an instant association between the character’s name and the literature they’re found in. It shows that not only is a memorable storyline necessary, our character names matter too. Would those two heroes be as well-known 201 and 169 years later if they’d simply been named Dan and John?
In the realm of literature, what other names inspire immediate connotation in your mind? I clearly see each literary work when I see the names below. Test yourself. What do you see?
Ahab Ashley Atticus Moll Uriah Americus Ichabod Jane JeanValjean
Cosette Hermione Daisy Rhett Nancy Scarlett Scout Katniss Antonia
Sethe Sherlock Tristan Frodo Holden Porthos Lara Toby Holly Luna Fern Anastasia Aragorn Harry Celie Novalee Hester Stella Lemuel Yuri Jo Juliette Hannibal Tristam Heidi Augie Dorian Elinor Emma Blanche Watson Humbert Lysander Kizzy Ebenezer Huckleberry Desdemona Tess Algernon Robinson
Galadriel Natty Pippi Inigo Ishmael Caspian Horatio Pollyanna Roxanne
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The doors are open! Author Martha O’Sullivan is there today. Come see her favorite 5-star reviews.
http://eq-recycled-reviews.blogspot.com/
A place for your old stars to shine 😀
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Another 100 Things Blogging Challenge! For 100 days, I’ll post something from my chosen topic: Words on the Verge of Extinction. There are 91 entries to come.
Here’s one for today:
Teterrimous (adjective common from 1704-1864)
most foul
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Today we have author Melissa Keir’s interview.
http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/
All through January the RB4U authors are doing interviews. The thoughtful questions are a great way to get to know us. Commenting that day gives you a chance to win a collectable t-shirt. Come see!
Right now the COLD SNOW, HOT ROMANCE CONTEST is on! Three winners will each receive a $25 gift card for Amazon/Barnes & Noble, and split the other prizes randomly picked from prize list. Be sure to check all our pages for news about authors and their books, publishers and their books, and industry representatives. http://www.romancebooks4us.com/
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Today is The Genesis of a Book featuring author Skye Michaels. She’s sharing the spark behind her novel Cassandra’s Revenge.
Several promotional opportunities for romance authors can be found on my Exquisite Quills group blog. Meet the founding authors and our guests.
http://exquisitequills.blogspot.com/
First Kiss Wednesday ~ share your best 300 word kiss.
Set the Scene in Six ~ share your backdrop or lead-up on Sundays.
The Genesis of a Book ~ share the spark that ignited your novel
Author Interviews ~ We’re booking late spring now.
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Love Waits in Unexpected Places – Scorching Samplings of Unusual Love Stories
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/333971
Sample my love stories for free!
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calliopeswritingtablet.wordpress.com 
Memorable names make a real difference in remembering a story, I find. I’ve enjoyed your posts on names this week.
I’m glad you’re enjoying my posts! Longevity is certainly something to consider when we pick our character names.
Definitely agree about how much of a difference a name makes – and glad to see I could identify a large percentage of those mentioned!
I struggled to put that list together too. lol I could remember the names but not the book titles. Titles could be a blog post for another day!
I could pick out a fair bunch of the names, too, though there were a few that stumped me. But I was a history major, not a lit major. Interesting to see Harry and Katniss in the mix. I think both of those series are going to end up being classics. Marvelous books that will stand the test of time.
I’ll admit to throwing in a few from kids novels like Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and Nancy Drew for that very reason.
Sorry, I guess I’m just not on the same wavelength. Yes, those are two memorable names: Heathcliff is a comic strip about a cat, and Darcy is a detective who works with a Forensic Sorcerer in an alternate timeline where magic is possible (in books by Randall Garrett).
lol but they still have name recognition!
I’ve never read Jane Austin and yet I know those names. But unique names is sometimes a double edged sword for me like Hermione from Harry Potter. I was sure I didn’t read it right during any of the times I read the books but I didn’t care, I just put “H” in my head and read on.
lol yes, it’s a good thing I saw the movie before reading the book. Herminone would have stumped me too.
I love writers who can forge new names and make them believable. I never met anyone called Humbert or Katniss, or any Macbeths or Romeos. The names instantly conjure the characters. Interesting post!
Thanks Helena, glad you’ve enjoyed it. I’ve heard of Romeo for pets..dogs and birds.