I know that may sound counter-intuitive, but think about it. Think about some of the best loved characters in middle-grade literature. In all literature, really.
Let's talk about a few of them.
Harry Potter, and Hermoine Granger too, for example.
They are two of the best named characters I've ever read, and you might think, well they were named perfectly. The names fit them so well. And they do, it's true. I mean being American I personally had never heard the name Hermoine before reading Rowling, and it is absolutely perfect, matching the heart of her character to a tea.
And Potter? I mean Potterwatch? Potter stinks? I'm sure there are other examples of how awesome his name is, but the point is I can't think of a better name for a young wizard trying to discover who he really is, find his power, and discover what he can do with it.
But would these names mean what they mean to us if we hadn't followed their stories through seven volumes and over a million words?
No. Even the best names don't mean anything unless we are compelled by, and feel a connection to, the character who owns them.
Let's discuss some other well known characters in books for young people. Let's try to cover both sides of the coin.
Artemis Fowl.
Here's a name that could almost disprove my point. This is such a wonderful, apt, clever, and all around amazing name for a character, that it almost defines him for you before you read his story. But what if Artemis had been someone else? What if Artemis hadn't been the world's youngest crime-lord genius with an interest in the environment and a soft place in his heart for Captain Holly Short?
Yes, I think we should recognize the fact the sometimes a name can be so great that it plays a major role in characterizing a ... well, character, but even in this case it is not the name the defines the character. Not even close.
What about Percy Jackson?
His named is borrowed from Perseus, the legendary founder of Mycenae, and a mythic Greek hero who took part in the slaying of various monsters. Percy is certainly a clever nickname, but borrowing from a famous legend for a character name isn't exactly original (Artemis also comes from Greek Mythology), and though it does help identify him a bit if you know the source of the nickname, it does not define him.
If you mention the name Percy to any person who's read the books, they know immediately who you are talking about, and they connect with all the amazing things he somehow managed to survive in spite of his ADHD and dyslexia. It's the character they remember. How he made them feel, why they cared about whether or not he succeeded, and what kind of person he was.
So, my point (however foggy and rambling it might be) is that it isn't their names that make these characters great, it's who they are, what they go through, how they handle it, and the choices they make to overcome it that define them for us as readers. I'm not trying to say that names mean nothing, I mean after all, if Harry Potter had been James Wilson it probably wouldn't have felt quite right, but I know that I, for one, could have lived with it.
I'm not saying you should name the protagonist Bob, and his love interest Mary-Sue, in your next novel, but if you make them flawed, compelling, exciting, and true, then whatever you name them will fit, because they'll be known for who they are, not what they're named.
What do you guys think? Got any other examples of greatly (or poorly) named characters in books for young people? Or do you think I'm wrong (you are allowed to disagree)?
And just for fun, here's something which goes against my point, but is too fun not too mention. How many named characters can you remember from the Harry Potter Series?
ReplyDeleteTry your luck.
Great points. It won't matter what the names are if the characters aren't memorable.
ReplyDeleteI think it's something like naming a baby: initially you are uncertain about the name, but once it's bestowed, it just seems to fit, and you can't think of anything more suitable. If you have a strong character, the name will become tied to that character.
ReplyDeleteHolden Caulfield, Huckleberry Finn, and practically anyone from Dickens immediately come to mind.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Captain Underpants.
And yeah, unless there's a character there that the name reflects, it's just McSwiggly Testeroni stomping around the page.
Such a wonderful post and true for every single genre. Well, the characters' names I absolutely adore in Middle Grade stories are the characters in Charlie and the Chocolate factory! So awesome all round.
ReplyDeleteThe characters must be memorable...the good names though, are a delicious frosting.
ReplyDeleteShesh, Matthew, I can't remember my own aunts and uncle let alone harry potter's buddies...
ReplyDeleteUm, wait, there's Snape, Mad Eye, Draco Malfoy, Snuggleupagus...oh, darn, that's Sesame Street...Fleur, Dumbledore, Bellatrix, Snagletooth (darn cartoons)
It appears remembering fictional characters' names comes easier to me than my own relation. *gasp*
first off, love the pics you got for this post. And i agree with everything you said. I love when it comes time to pick names for my characters. It's always great when you can make them unique and fitting
ReplyDeleteI did the play on words thing for my main character, May Betterly. Like Percy, she struggles with dyslexia and has been misunderstood and marginalized by classmates, teachers, family, and even herself.
ReplyDeleteMay B. becomes a burden of a name, something that defines her as mediocre, and something she must rise above.
Call me weird, but I've always loved names that carry meaning, even the heavy-handed ones. :)
Almost all of these characters are famous, especially the ones that look different have always been appreciated. Moreover real human character like Harry Potter received great appreciation too.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Oliver Twist :)
ReplyDeleteI managed 33 but then my brain turned to mush! I'm going to try again later :)
ReplyDeletedamn wish i could join this project.
ReplyDelete+1 for oliver! and following:D
Great first post, Matt. All time favorite: Ponyboy. Heck, just about every character in that book.
ReplyDeleteMy only question is this? Why did you use the names of Bob and Mary-Sue? These two names are among the most well-known in the Sims franchise. Just wondering is all.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Matt.
ReplyDeleteLike Michael, I was going to speak of the characters in The Outsiders. Tex (from Hinton's book, Tex, is pretty memorable too.)
I'll just add The Tuck Family in Tuck Everlasting.
(I went a little over the top in one of my YA novels and named a counselor, Mrs. Bright, and a Principal, Mr. Drake, who, according to the MC, looked like an overfed duck.)
Among the great names are the Hardy Boys, Frank and Joe, and Fenton, their father, and we have Tarzan of course. Great books, at least they were 30-40 years ago >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
Interesting post! I think, on the question of characters and names, Charles Dickens was a master.
ReplyDeleteGurgi and Fflewddur Fflam, from the Prydain Chronicles.
ReplyDeleteOld Yeller from Old Yeller.
I would agree that Harry Potter is one of the best named characters in fiction. I've always been a fan of Holden Caulfield and Ponyboy Curtis, personally. And in TV Land, I think Steve Urkel was the perfect fit.
ReplyDeleteHa! What a great post! Names are very important, but I sort of look at them as icing on the cake, you know? I guess that doesn't quite work, since the name is usually the first thing I come up with... Or maybe that means I eat the frosting first? Help I'm drowning in a cliche metaphor!!! I'll stop babbling now.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Matthew.
ReplyDeleteI have trouble writing a character until I know his/her name, actually. (And I have renamed a character once because the name didn't fit who the character was becoming.
I do love names...but I am finding that I don't give my folks last names very often....hmmm.
Shelley
I like to spend time in baby books learning the meaning behind names. Usually, one will jump out at me as having to do with a theme rumbling around in my head. I want it to make sense...like my latest heroine's name is Sunny--yet her life has been anything but. Thanks for this post! (And may I just say that I love the soap reminiscent from Fight Club!)
ReplyDeleteJeannie
the character therapist
I think with a name you immediately, subconsciously (or perhaps even consciously!) get an idea of what that character is about. Ordinary Joes (except no character in fiction is ordinary) like David Copperfield or Harry Potter; villains like Draco Malfoy or Voldemort... After all, someone called Dumbledore couldn't be a villain, could he?
ReplyDeleteI actually think that choosing the right name for your character is the key to launching him or her into immortality.
I find for me, when I read a name that is just so perfect and right, it snags me deeply and the author would really have to screw up to make me lose that connection.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great 4th, Matt!
Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Seems like some of you disagree with me, which is certainly fine! I would still argue that the character is far more important than the name, but I will agree that when the two go together it does make for a certain kind of ... gestalt that is quite powerful to behold. I like the idea of the icing on the cake.
ReplyDelete"...it isn't their names that make these characters great, it's who they are..."
ReplyDeletePerfectly said! I think creative names that "go" with the characters are important to a degree, if not just fun to come up with, but if the characters aren't great, who cares about their names?? ;)
I so agree. :) Names are important, and can add that little bit of sparkle to a character, but it's the character himself who ultimately matters. Although we should be careful - lame names be break immersion. I know I've read a couple names that have made me roll my eyes and remember that, oh yes, I'm reading a book, not actually entering a world.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point, Bethany, thanks! I think it helps to have good names that make for easy nicknames. Then the names can stand out when they need to and move back when they don't.
ReplyDeleteBefore I even had even read further than the title, Charlotte and Wilbur came to mind. Writing is in fact, all about naming things isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI guess the names for my characters stuck because I could envision who they were from the name alone. And not going to even try to name the Potter characters.
ReplyDeleteI like that in some cases MG names are an extension of the character's personality, to some extent. Roald Dahl is particularly clever in using this e.g. Augustus Gloop, Mike Teevee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Another example of his is Matilda Wormwood - by the name, you expect her to be as rotten as her family, but this turns out not to be the case. I do agree though, that it is the character that makes the name, and if you associate the name of a character with a deeper meaning in their personality or the story, the writer has done a damn good job of telling their tale.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! My mind went right away to Scout, but specifically from Harry Potter??? I'll have to go with Fred and George. I mean, it just doesn't get any better than Fred and George.
ReplyDeletePotter as a surname, sure. Harry? I thought it funny that Aunt Petunia thought it was a low name, yet one of the princes is named Harry. O_o
ReplyDeleteBut children do the same thing. You can give a child a name but the child will make that name mean something to you as the child grows up and becomes a person with strengths and weaknesses. I realize there are some terrible names to overcome. *thinking Sue in that Johnny Cash song*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n--1wR4L7zg&feature=fvwrel
Great post, Matt.
Well it's like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Charlie. But I was with him all the way!! Great writing maketh the character!! Oh yes!!! Thanks for a fab post Mr McNish!!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
I love the look of your new blog. What a cool post.
ReplyDeleteHow about The Great Gilly Hopkins? And Luke Skywalker? I have so much fun picking names for my characters, like the three bullies - Calvin, Dirk, and Runt in Secret of Haunted Bog. I agree that the name is nothing without a a compelling character to back it up.
Fab points and great article. Hope some of my characters become memorable ... someday. :)
ReplyDeleteFrom my childhood I remember a lot of characters named Dick and Fanny. Can't even tell you how much amusement I got from that.
ReplyDeleteIn my kid's mystery 'Dog Show Detective', my main character is Kitty Walker with her dog, Spade.
I would love to list all the names from the Harry Potter series but I'm afriad the post would kick me out and all would be lost. I am addicted to them and have a ticket for the midnight showing of the last showing. I'm that in love.
ReplyDeleteI love great character names. They're important to get right. I'm not in the middle grade mind set but I came up with Harper for my chick lit (she's 29) and I thought for days on the perfect name. I realized she does harp a lot but soon gets her act together. Her love interests name is Chase. I didn't get the correlation but they meet on a train and she does wait for him (he's worth the chase). So it all makes sense in the end.
Well said, Matt. I agree that the relationship between a character's attributes and name needs to be tight.
ReplyDeleteHrm, perhaps next post you can discuss names that don't work. I'd be interested in reading your thoughts on that. :)
Captain Underpants! Way cool name. Black Beauty! That goes without saying when Robyn is in the house. *wink* And all of Dicken's characters names. Harold Skimpole, Wopsle, Polly Toodle, The Squeers from Nicholas Nickleby. He had the talent, didn't he MacNish?
ReplyDeleteGreat post, pal. :-) (Sorry I missed it.) The 4th and all.
Great post! I love Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables, because she actually analyzes her own name, insisting that "Anne with an 'e' is so much better."
ReplyDeleteWow! again you have such a unique perspective. I wonder what names like Darth Vader and Jar Jar (oops, bad example) haha.
ReplyDeleteI think that you make an excellent point here. It is important that the character makes the name. When writing I often picture my character and who he/she will become and then head to meaning of name and pick a name that fits the meaning of the character that I want to develop. The character then must grow into the name.
ReplyDeleteUmbridge.
ReplyDeletePerfect name, perfect character.
Captain Underpants. I love that name. I think a good name either stands out or, as you say, comes from the character. I think a name will stand out in a bad way if it's wrong. I think the idea of a post on names that don't work would be great. I'd really have to think about which don't. Edgar Rice Borroughs, John Carter (since Tarzan was mentioned) always puzzled me. I loved those books (my son's reading the second one right now) but does his name work? Couldn't it be better? Conan? Pretty much perfect. I spend a lot of time on names trying to get them to sound right. I'm not sure what that means but sound seems important to me. As for Harry Potter, I'm embarrassed to say I can only name seven. And I love those books!
ReplyDeleteSo true. A name is just a word without the character to back it up. Sort of like a great premise does not make a good book. Good writing does. It's all about the execution. Great post, Matt!
ReplyDeleteYou realize Hermione was derived from the Greek god Hermes? It was also the name given to the daughter of Helen [Of Troy] and Menelaus. I think the "Hermes" fit the character perfectly though, but I'm not a big fan of the books either way so I can't give a proper etymological analysis of the character.
ReplyDeleteI was recently hooked to the series by George RR Martin, "A Song of Ice and Fire" and the characters have very good names. Though I'm sure the names are conjured by the author's imagination and inclinations for fantasy-like worlds, the names make them and it seems to bring strength to each character's perspective
Before I read Artemis Fowl, I thought it was going to be about a girl who is a secret agent in a secret society and somehow related to artemis, goddess of hunting.
ReplyDeletebut it wasn't.