When choosing a name for your characters spend a few minutes considering the following points to avoid
1. Don’t use a name that ends in the letter ‘s’
This is a simple punctuation nightmare
2. Don’t make it too weird
It will almost definitely pull your reader out of the story
3. Don’t make it too long
Two syllable names are the easiest for your reader to say and remember
4. Don’t use names that sound similar
Example: Kelly and Kerry – your reader will mix them up
5. Don’t use a modern name in older settings
Can you image a Victorian era heroine being called Dakota or Madison
6. Don’t use a name that suggests a different personality
It is wise to look up the meaning of a name before labeling your characters
7. Don’t use one word names
Unless it fits your era. “John, son of…”; Try to avoid it in fantasy novels because it is over done and worn out
8. Don’t use famous people’s names
You want your characters’ names to reflect their personality not that of the famous person
9. Don’t have all your names the same number of syllables or starting with the same letter
Your readers will be completely confused by a family of: Kelly, Karley, Kaelyn, Katelynn and Kenzie
10. Don’t use names that rhyme
Payne/Jane/Laine or Molly/Holly/Polly – makes it harder for your readers to keep them straight
And then for a few DO ideas:
Do give your antagonist and protagonist names that are opposite in meaning and sound
Do make sure the names fit the character, the events, the story, the theme, the genre, the setting, and the era
Do check names for meaning and history
This site will help you get your era names right: https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/
Do include a phonetic pronunciation guide if your names are not common English names
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