How can I choose good names for characters in a scary story?

Think about the time period and setting of your story. If it's a historical story set in Victorian England, names like Henry, Victoria or Edward would be appropriate. For a story set in modern - day New York, names like Tyler or Mia could work well. Also, consider the personality of your character. A strong - willed character might have a name like Scarlett, while a more gentle character could be named Oliver.

One approach is to play around with sounds. Alliteration can be a fun way to create memorable names. For example, Peter Piper or Sally Sells. Or use rhyming names if it suits the tone of your story. You can also combine different words to create new names. For instance, if your character is associated with the sea and the night, you could create a name like 'Sea - night' or something similar that sounds unique yet relevant to the character's essence.

You can consider the character's personality. For example, if a character is brave and strong, a name like 'Max' or 'Aria' which gives a sense of power could be suitable. Also, think about the time period and setting of the novel. In a historical novel set in medieval times, names like 'Eleanor' or 'Henry' would fit well.

When choosing names for characters in a story, start with what you know. Use the names of people you've met or historical figures as inspiration. If your story has a lot of mystery, choose names that have an air of mystery, such as 'Shadow' or 'Mystique'. Additionally, consider the rhythm of the name. A name that rolls off the tongue easily, like 'Aria' or 'Leo', can make the character more memorable.

Think about the overall theme of the story. If it's a love story, names with a romantic connotation like 'Romeo' and 'Juliet' (though they are very well - known) or new names like 'Amore' and 'Cupidio' (if you want to be more creative). If it's a story about survival, names like 'Survivor' (in a more abstract way) or 'Resolute' could be considered. Also, consider the character's backstory. If they come from a family with a certain naming tradition, that can influence the name choice.

One way is to look at names with negative or spooky meanings in different languages. For example, 'Mordred' in Arthurian legend has a rather dark undertone. Another way is to use names that are associated with death or the afterlife, like 'Grim' or 'Shade'.

One way is to think about the time period of your story. As I mentioned before, for an old - fashioned story, old - style names are better. Another way is to consider the personality of the character. A happy - go - lucky character might have a name that sounds light and fun, like Sunny or Bubbles.

Look at popular names from different cultures. For instance, 'Alejandro' from Spanish culture or 'Yuna' from Korean culture. These can add diversity to your story. Also, play with the sound of the names. A name with hard consonants like 'Kane' might be good for a tough character, while a name with soft sounds like 'Lily' could be for a more delicate character.

Think about the personalities you want to give your neighbors first. If you want a friendly and warm - hearted neighbor, a name like 'Sunny' or 'Rose' could work. For a more serious and strict neighbor, 'Mr. Stone' or 'Mrs. Frost' might be suitable.

You can consider historical last names. For example, 'Smith' which was a common name for blacksmiths in the past. It gives a sense of an ordinary yet hardworking family in a story.