How can I come up with interesting character names for a story?

You can start by looking at real - life people you know or have heard about. Their names might give you inspiration. Also, consider names from different cultures, like using Irish names which often have a unique charm. For example, 'Aoife' or 'Cillian'. Another way is to combine words that have special meanings to you, such as 'Sun' and 'Blossom' to create 'Sunblossom' for a more positive and nature - related character.

You can look at baby name websites for inspiration. They have lists of names with their meanings. Another way is to think about the time period or setting of your story. If it's a historical story set in medieval times, names like Henry or Catherine would be appropriate.

Look at the character's role in the story. If it's a mysterious character, names like 'Mystique' or 'Shadow'. You could also base the name on the character's physical appearance. If they have red hair, a name like 'Scarlett' could be used. And don't forget about using family names or nicknames that can give more depth to the character.

Look at the setting of your story. If it's a fantasy world with magic, names like 'Mystic' or 'Enchantra' could work. You might also base names on physical characteristics. A character with red hair could be named 'Scarlet'. Another way is to use alliteration, like 'Peter the Pirate' which is catchy and easy to remember.

You can draw inspiration from real names of people you know or famous figures. Also, think about the personality and traits of the character and find a name that suits them.

You can draw inspiration from history, mythology, or names of people you know. Just mix and match or tweak them to fit your story.

You can start by looking at the mood of your story. If it's a spooky story, words like 'dark', 'shadow', 'haunted' can be used. For instance, 'The Darkened Path'. Also, consider the characters. If there's a wise old wizard, you could have 'The Wizard's Riddle'. And don't be afraid to combine unexpected words, like 'The Rainbow - Powered Quest'. This can make the name really stand out.

To come up with character names for a murder mystery, think about the personalities of the characters. If you have a sneaky character, a name like 'Slyvester' could work. For a strong - willed investigator, 'Captain Braveheart' could be an option. Also, consider using alliterative names for a more memorable effect. For example, 'Peter Poison' if he's a character who might be involved with poison. You can also mix different cultures' names. Maybe a character named 'Li Xiao' who is an international detective in the story, adding an element of diversity to the mystery.

You can look at baby name websites for inspiration. They have a wide variety of names with different meanings. Another way is to think about the character's traits first. If the character is brave, you could choose a name that means 'warrior' in a different language. For example, 'Kieran' which means 'little dark one' but also has connotations of strength in Irish.

Think about the character's backstory. If they were abandoned as a baby, you could give them a name that reflects that, like 'Orphan' but with a more fictional - sounding spin like 'Orphiana'. You can also combine elements from different languages. Say, take the French word for 'star' which is 'étoile' and combine it with an English suffix like 'étoileson' to create a truly one - of - a - kind name.