I may have found the problem...

[southern.maple]

I'm currently working on a writing project that I began back in November. It's the longest I've ever stuck with a story and I've done A TON of work on it, so I think it might be "the one" if you know what I mean. Lately I've been struggling to write, and I think I found the problem.

My main character and her cousin don't have the right names. My main character is Marissa Evelyn, called Riss or Rissy. It doesn't suit her at all. Her cousin is Eleanor Grace called Ellie, which also doesn't fit her at all.

"Riss" has twin brothers named John Howard (Jack) and Benjamin Floyd (Benjy) who are named after their grandfathers. "Riss" is not named after anyone. "Ellie" has a brother named Tristan Elijah (Tristan), which is a different style from Eleanor Grace.

"Riss" is headstrong, understanding, a little quirky, independent, eager to prove herself, and adapts easily to her situation. She has reddish brown hair, green eyes, and is a little overweight. "Ellie" is very girly, athletic (she's an avid gymnast), vibrant, talkative, emotional, and tends to linger on things more than she should. She has blonde hair, brown eyes, and is lean and muscular.

Ideally, both of their names will be in the top 50 (US) the year they were born (1994 for "Riss", 1997 for "Ellie"). "Riss" was a tomboy when she was little so I liked the idea of her having a name that could shorten to a boyish nickname.

Hope someone can help! I definitely need some outside opinions at this point.

[lineska]

I've done the same thing. I recently slammed on the brakes 50,000 words into a project I was loving and couldnt figure out why, renamed one of the characters and back on track, somehow it makes ALL the difference.

I usually read Top 100 names from the year of birth to get some inspiration too, just trying to think like that parent. Let's see if anything works or at least inspires a direction for you...

1994, so currently Marissa/Riss/Rissy
Cassandra nn Andy
Melissa nn Mel/Melly/Mels/Lissy/Lissa
Christina nn Stina/Tina
Michelle nn Chele/Mitch
Alyssa nn Al/Ally/Lyss

John Howard, Benjamin Floyd, and Melissa Amber
John Howard, Benjamin Floyd, and Alexandra Eve
John Howard, Benjamin Floyd, and Cassandra Jane (Could get Andy, Cassie, CJ, etc..)

1997, so Ellie, Eleanor Grace
Melanie (I danced with a girl with a similar description in the 90s, so I think this is where I went first!) nn Melly
Danielle or Daniella
Samantha

Tristan Elijah & Daniella Brooke
Tristan Elijah & Samantha Rose
Tristan Elijah & Melanie Paige (Melly-Paige)

I think Cassandra Jane and Melanie Paige get my vote, haha. Good luck!

[nono]

For Marissa ...
Olivia "Oli" / "Ollie"
Alexandra "Alex"
Allison "Alix"

For Eleanor ...
Natalie "Nat" / "Tallie"
Victoria "Vita"
Sarah "Sadie"
Caroline "Carly"

[southern.maple]

Thanks guys! I forgot to mention in the original post that their surname is Hardy. I've been giving this issue some thought and have gone all the way back to my very first notes for this story for ideas. This is what I've come up with.

For Marissa/Riss:
I'm liking Jessica (Jess or Jessie) or Alexandra (Alex) the most. Right now I'm leaning toward her middle name being Sanders, which is her maternal grandmother's maiden name. I think her middle name is mentioned twice in the entire story, so I'm not making a big deal out of it. Jessica Sanders Hardy sounds the best to me...

For Eleanor/Ellie:
I'm stuck on Brianna, Brittany, and Danielle. Which combination sounds the best with last name Hardy?

[bethlow]

For the character Marissa/Riss, here are the names I thought of (that are also in the top 50 names at the time)

Nicole (Nic)
Amber (Amie/Ambie)
Victoria (Tori/Toria/Vix)
Shannon (I know this is no.60 but when I read the description this name came to me straight away)

And for Eleanor/Ellie, I like Brianna out of the names you chose, but here are a few of my own just for you to look at.

Alyssa (Lyssa)
Shelby (Shell)
Kayla (Kayl)
Brooke (Brookie)
Lauren (Laurie)

[southern.maple]

@bethlow: Thanks for the ideas. Shannon is a really good suggestion. I like Brooke and Lauren for "Ellie" too.

[lineska]

I really like Alexandra and Danielle from your narrowed choices.

Jessica and Brittany are very 90s in my mind though, so I think it depends how specific you want...I don't really like to use names that key in too too much to the decade, just feels distracting to me, but to each his own of course.

[southern.maple]

@lineska: I think I'll take Brittany off the list. I agree with you about it being too 90s. Jessica, although it was the most popular girl's name of the 90s, actually doesn't feel that dated to me.

So here is the new shortlist for Marissa/Riss:

Jessica Hardy (Jess/Jessie)
Alexandra Hardy (Alex)
Shannon Hardy (wouldn't use a nickname)

...and for Eleanor/Ellie:

Brooke Hardy
Lauren Hardy
Brianna Hardy (Bree)
Danielle Hardy (Dani)

Woo! Can't wait to figure this out.

[southern.maple]

I've tentatively decided on Jessica and Brianna. I'm going to try them out in the story and see how they work.

[kala_way]

I like Alexandra better because you could use Xana, Xara, Andy, Lany.
While I like Jess, it feels more stunted, maybe you're leaning toward that because you've been calling her an 'ess/iss' name for so long.

For the cousin, I like Bree, but I like Dani and Danielle better than Brianna.

Good luck though!