Thoughts on a name and suggestions for wife and child.....

[crissy76]

I'm still working on what I call my "Destiny" novel.

I would like thoughts on the name I've picked for the main male character and would like some suggestiosn for his deceased wife and daughter.

The main male character is Oren Kodiak. He is a 36-year-old pilot from Alaska. He has brown hair, kind brown eyes, and a face full of facial hair, full beard and all. His friends consider him a gentle giant, but most are glad to have him on their side when trouble comes knocking. He is sort of a loner, while at least he is since his wife and daughter died in a car accident a year ago. He's a pack a day smoker and has taken up drinking since his world fell apart.

His wife was sweet and kind. They were high school sweethearts. Oren was the type of guy every girl at the dance wanted to dance with but was afraid to approach him. And his wife wasn't afraid of anything. She walked up to him grabbed his hand and pulled him out to the dance floor.
I was thinking of the name Gemma or Julie.

The daughter was sweet and looked just like the dad. She was famous for talking the ear off of anyone who would listen. She was 9-years-old when she died. She had lots of friends and liked to draw and go fishing with her dad.
I was thinking Abba...I like it because the double 'b' makes me think of babbling.

[consultantmeghan]

Julie totally suits the wife!
Abba is okay... do you like Abigail nicknamed Abba / Abby?

[crissy76]

Julie totally suits the wife!
Abba is okay... do you like Abigail nicknamed Abba / Abby?

I like Abigail with the nn Abba or Abby.

This is what I picture the wife to look like: http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/...hairstyles.jpg. She was full of life. A bit on the ditzy side. She would just start laughing for no reason other then it made her feel good. Talked with lots of hand gestures. Another name I could see her being is Tricia.

This is what I picture Oren to look like: http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/...Kodiak6436.png

[baileystar]

I think Abby would be adorable for the little girl! As for the wife, I think Lisa would be nice too.

My one concern is that your main character, Oren Kodiak, has a very unusual (and awesome!) name and I think it might sound out of place next to Lisa and Abby. I'm not saying that you should change Oren's name, or that you should name the girl and wife Katniss and Andromeda. But I do think you should name the other characters something a little more "out there."

Try this - it's one of my favorite writing tricks: Once you get a name for the wife, think about what Oren and [wife] would name their daughter. Don't try to name her as a character, but think about what they'd do.

Suggestions for the wife: Meredith, Della, Laurel, Nora, Penny, Rebeka

Suggestions for the daughter: Fiona, Briar, Hattie (Harriet), Amelia, Bonnie, Sidney, Addie, Devin, Everett

Hope this helps!

[crissy76]

I think Abby would be adorable for the little girl! As for the wife, I think Lisa would be nice too.

My one concern is that your main character, Oren Kodiak, has a very unusual (and awesome!) name and I think it might sound out of place next to Lisa and Abby. I'm not saying that you should change Oren's name, or that you should name the girl and wife Katniss and Andromeda. But I do think you should name the other characters something a little more "out there."

Try this - it's one of my favorite writing tricks: Once you get a name for the wife, think about what Oren and [wife] would name their daughter. Don't try to name her as a character, but think about what they'd do.

Suggestions for the wife: Meredith, Della, Laurel, Nora, Penny, Rebeka

Suggestions for the daughter: Fiona, Briar, Hattie (Harriet), Amelia, Bonnie, Sidney, Addie, Devin, Everett

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the advice. I see what you mean, but opposites do attract sometimes. I really like Penny and Laurel for the wife. Out of the suggestions you gave for the daughter, I like Sidney and Addie.

[crissy76]

So for the wife, it's a toss-up between Penny, Laurel, and Julie / Jules / Juliet / Juliana. Thinking about the wife's maiden name, maybe Avery. Penny Avery doesn't sound too bad. I also like Julie or Juliet Richmond.

Please let me know what you like best?

[redwoodfey]

I like Penny and Julie for the wife. Abigail nn Abba is very cute for a little girl. I disagree about too many unusual names. I always get annoyed when reading a book and everyone has a special name. Oren and wife might give their daughter an unusual name, but I always find it strange when an Andromeda marries a Stirling whose best friend is a Talon whose ex-girlfriend is a Sparklepony, you know what I mean? On the other hand, unusual names (at least for those born and raised up here) are fairly common in Alaska, so it could work. When naming characters, I think about where they were born, whether their parents were liberal or conservative, religious or not, etc. It helps make a well rounded character. Even if none of the info ever makes it into the book, the author should know these things.

Haha, I just saw that the person who gave the advice used Andromeda as an example of a name NOT to use. Too funny. I was talking at the same time as I was posting, and didn't notice it. I must have flickered over it though, since I used the same example.

[michaela]

I think the wife looks like a Cara/Kara but I also like Penny Richmond

I like Abigail for the daughter also Sadie/Pearl/Juliet(te)

[crissy76]

I like Penny and Julie for the wife. Abigail nn Abba is very cute for a little girl. I disagree about too many unusual names. I always get annoyed when reading a book and everyone has a special name. Oren and wife might give their daughter an unusual name, but I always find it strange when an Andromeda marries a Stirling whose best friend is a Talon whose ex-girlfriend is a Sparklepony, you know what I mean? On the other hand, unusual names (at least for those born and raised up here) are fairly common in Alaska, so it could work. When naming characters, I think about where they were born, whether their parents were liberal or conservative, religious or not, etc. It helps make a well rounded character. Even if none of the info ever makes it into the book, the author should know these things.

Haha, I just saw that the person who gave the advice used Andromeda as an example of a name NOT to use. Too funny. I was talking at the same time as I was posting, and didn't notice it. I must have flickered over it though, since I used the same example.

Thanks. I like to do a mix of names too. Most of the time a uncommon first name should be paired with a common surname. Not the case with my Oren Kodiak. To me, Oren feels like a sweet guy but beware, and that is what the character is. You mess with him or his family and you have an enemy for life. Kodiak...never thought of the whole camera angle, or the Alaska town angle....the name just fit.

I don't like to see the same old names when reading too...same with t.v.

I'm going to go with Penny Richmond.

[misswriter]

For the daughter....
Phoebe Juliet (nn Pheebs? Like a pet name, not something she was always called.)
Rosemary Grace (nn Rosie/Rose)
Madeline Esther (nn Maddie)
Eleanor Jessamine (nn Ellie/Nora)
Jessamine Cassidy (nn Jessa/Jess/Jessie)
Cassidy Zarah (nn Cass/Cassie)
Josephine Zoe (nickname Josie/Jo)
Zoe Lillian (nn Zoey)
Isabelle Eden (nn Izzy/Belle/Isa)
Seraphina Olive (nn Sera/Pheeny)
Olivia Sophie (nn Olive/Livvy/Liv/Ol/Ollie)
Felicity Sora (nn Lissie)
Georgiana Rose (nn Anna/Georgie)
Annabel Kate (nn Anna/Annie)