How do authors come up with names in fantasy fiction?

Authors may also use last names to make a statement or play with language. They could create a name that is a pun or has a double meaning. For example, a character who is always late could be named 'Belated'. Or they might use a name that sounds archaic to give a sense of a bygone era. And in some cases, they simply come up with a name that sounds cool and fits the overall vibe of the character without any deep - seated reason.

Authors might get horse names from various sources. Sometimes they use names that sound strong or elegant like 'Storm' or 'Aria'. They could also base the names on the horse's appearance, for example, if it's white, they might name it 'Snowflake'.

Well, some authors might think about the characteristics of the city first. If it's a dark and gloomy place, they'll come up with a name that reflects that, like 'Blackstone'. They may also consider the history or culture of the fictional world. If there's a race of magic - using people, their city might have a name related to magic, such as 'Mystralis'. They also might use alliteration or assonance to make the name more memorable, like 'Lunar Lake' or 'Sunnyvale'.

Authors use a variety of methods to come up with unpronounceable place names in fiction. One approach is to base the name on the characteristics of the place. For instance, if it's a place full of mist and fog, the name could incorporate sounds that are soft and hazy, like 'th' and'sh' combined in a complex way. Another method is to draw inspiration from mythology or folklore. They might take a name from an old myth and twist it until it becomes unrecognizable and unpronounceable. Additionally, some authors might use a random name - generating algorithm and then modify the results to fit the aesthetic of their fictional world.

Authors often draw inspiration from various sources. They might use elements of real - world languages. For example, combining words that sound exotic or old - fashioned. They could also base it on the setting or theme of the story. If it's a spooky story, they might come up with a name that has a bit of a sinister sound to it.

You can start by looking at different languages. For example, in Gaelic, 'Fionn' means fair - haired and could be a great name for a character. Or combine words that have a magical or otherworldly feel. 'Star' and 'Glimmer' could be combined to 'Starglimmer'. Another way is to use nature - related words and add a twist. 'Willow' could become 'Willowthorn'.

Authors of science fiction often get their ideas from a combination of things. They could be inspired by dreams or nightmares. Some might have a fascination with the unknown, such as what lies beyond our galaxy. They think about the 'what ifs'. What if humans could communicate telepathically? What if there was a planet where gravity worked differently? Also, they may use their own life experiences. If they have traveled a lot, they might write about interstellar travel. If they've had experiences with technology going wrong, they could create a story about a world where technology has turned against humanity.

They often look at the characteristics of the tributes they want to create. For example, if they want a strong and fearless tribute, they might choose a name like 'Maximus'. Or they might think about the district the tribute is from. A tribute from a fishing district could be named 'Fisher' or something related to the sea.

Authors get creative in different ways. They could start with a feeling they want to convey, say loneliness. Then they might think of words associated with that, like 'Desolate'. They could then combine it with something that gives the impression of a spirit, like 'Wind' to get 'Desolatewind'. Another way is to think about the ghost's backstory. If the ghost was a drowned sailor, the name could be something like 'Drowned - Jack' or 'Wave - Grave'. It's all about creating a name that fits the overall atmosphere and plot of the scary story.

One way is to think about the main themes or elements of your novel. Maybe it's centered around a particular magical artifact or a mythical creature. Use those as the basis for the name. Also, look at existing fantasy novels for ideas and tweak them to make them your own.