How to Come Up with Character Names for Short Stories?

You can look around your environment for inspiration. For example, the name of a street, a flower in your garden or a pet you see. You can also combine different words that you like, like 'Sun' and 'Shine' to make 'Sunshine'. Another way is to use different languages. Maybe a French word like 'Bleu' which means blue can be a part of a character's name.

You can start with the main theme of the story. For example, if it's a love story, words like 'Heartstrings' or 'Love's Whisper' could work. Also, think about the main character's trait or name. If the character is brave, 'Valor's Tale' might be a good name. Another way is to consider the story's setting, like 'Mystic Woods' for a story set in a magical forest.

First, consider the climax of your story. If the climax involves a discovery, 'The Great Discovery' could be a start. Then, you can add some mystery or intrigue to it, like 'The Enigmatic Discovery'. Also, think about the overall tone. If it's light - hearted, a name like 'The Funny Adventure' could be suitable. You can also draw inspiration from real - life events or places that are related to your story's concept.

One way is to look at your story's theme. If it's about nature, you could name your character 'River' or 'Willow'.

You can draw inspiration from nature. For example, names like 'Amberleaf' or 'Stormwind' are great. Amber is a beautiful natural material, and leaf gives a sense of connection to the forest. Stormwind can represent a character with a wild and powerful nature. Another way is to use old languages. Latin or Old English words can be modified to form unique names. For instance, 'Veritas' which means truth in Latin can be a name for a wise character in your fantasy story.

You can use names that have a certain mystery or ambiguity to them. For example, names like 'Shadow' or 'Mystique' can immediately give a sense of mystery. Another option is to use old - fashioned or archaic names that are not commonly used today, such as 'Eldridge' or 'Ophelia'. Also, you can create compound names by combining two words that evoke mystery, like 'Nightshade' or 'Fogwalker'.

You can look to nature for inspiration. For example, 'Aster' which is a type of flower, gives a sense of delicacy and beauty. Another way is to use words from different languages. 'Kaida' which means 'little dragon' in Japanese can be a really cool name for a strong or mysterious character.

You can use names with dark connotations. For example, 'Damien' which has been associated with the devil in some horror concepts. Another option is to use old - fashioned or archaic names like 'Ezekiel' or 'Ophelia'. These names can bring an air of mystery and unease to your horror story characters.

You can draw inspiration from various sources. For example, use names of your friends or family members and tweak them a bit. Another option is to look at different cultures and their naming traditions. Greek, Roman, and Celtic names can add a touch of mystery or magic to your characters. You could also consider using nature - related names like River, Sky, or Willow which can give a sense of calmness or wildness to your characters.

One way to create unusual character names for stories is to look at nature for inspiration. For instance, you could use the names of rare plants or animals and modify them slightly. Take the 'Quetzal', a beautiful bird, and turn it into 'Quetzalyn'. You can also think about historical or mythological figures and give their names a twist. For example, if you have a character based on Athena, you could name her 'Athneya' or something similar. Additionally, using onomatopoeia can work well. If a character is very quiet, you could name them 'Silentsigh'.