Screenwriting : Character Names. by Eric C. Jackson

Yeah, it's tough to pick names sometimes, Eric C. Jackson. I usually name a character based on their personality (like "Shy" for a shy girl/teen/woman), appearance (like "Brian" for a muscular guy), or age (like "Julie" for a girl/teen). I also make sure the character's first name sounds good with their last name.

Hi Eric, I have the same problem

https://www.name-generator.org.uk/

https://www.behindthename.com/random/

https://www.namegenerator.co/

I keep a running list of names I love that I want to use for main characters. Otherwise, my process is to go online and look at the "popular names" list for the year(ish) I think they might have been born(ish). I try to nail everything down during brainstorming, but side characters' names have been known to change late in the process, so you're not alone there.

E Langley Brilliant!

My current project, I was calling my characters AAA, BBB, and CCC until that got confusing. Now they’re called Father, Son, and Uncle. I’ll pick some names when I move out of the outline stage.

I always come up with names first, otherwise I can’t write the characters out. Sometimes I find their names based on meaning, other times by sound, and once they have names, they almost never change.

Banafsheh – same here, although that doesn't stop me from changing a name later – i also try to keep the initial letter of each name unique – so when I'm outlining etc, i can save time by just referring to J, M and W – rather than writing or typing (say) Johansson, Millicent and Wayne

Hi Eric,

Naming characters can definitely be tricky, but it’s great that you’re putting thought into it! A good method is to tie names to traits, origins, or themes of the story. For example:

Birth month inspiration: April could become "Ava," or August could become "Gus."

Personality-based: A strong, stoic character might suit "Marcus," while an artistic dreamer could be "Luna."

Symbolic names: If a character represents strength, consider "Ethan" (means strong), or for wisdom, "Sofia."

Using placeholders is fine early on—just ensure the final names feel authentic to the character's journey and world.

Good luck with your writing!

hi Eric C. Jackson naming your characters is really a part of knowing them. it’s best to do the character work first, because without them you really don’t have a story. Look around social media for inspiration. Stage32 may be a great place to start?! You could always pull together a cool first name with another family name if you are worried about it at all?

Here’s wishing you the very best, Geoff

I struggle too. Names are so important. I will fuss over them for a long time before I start writing. Sometimes I’ll use placeholders just to get writing but I don’t like to get too far before settling on the names.

For me, a fun way to go is the name list(s) with definitions and then look at names that are the antithesis of the character ;-)

I've alwaysliked naming characters after people I've known or had some connection too. I used to go thorugh old high school yearbooks until a name jumped out at me.

So far, my Characters are coming up with the names of their fellow Characters. While I'm writing their Dialogue, I'll go with whatever name the Character blurts out for the other Character to keep the conversation flowing.

Thank you all for your feedback.

One fun way is to look up names from various ethnic groups. You will be surprised how easily naming a character becomes after that. Instead of the traditional, commonplace, and overused names like Sarah, John, Mark, Peter, Elizabeth, Victor, etc. Try colorful names like Ivac, Enid, Carlista, Jovan, Lacaster, or Brin. Even some of our Stage32 familia have interesting and exotic names to gander at.

You're welcome, Eric C. Jackson.

I ask the parents. Whoever named them gave them their traits. And their state of mind, when they found themselves with a child in their hands, basically sums up how a person will turn out.

Eric, one thing that helps me find names for characters (especially last names) is to go to sports yearbooks...especially football and basketball ones.