WDYT of Kissimmee?

[jame1881]

So as you can tell by my signature, one of my main characters is named Kissimmee. Yes, like the town in Florida, near Orlando (which happens to be her older brother's name). She is called Kassie by the end of the book. There's no way I'm changing this name, but I want to know honestly what sort of reaction I'm going to get. Will you put the book down simply because of the name? Or will you keep it because you're a name nerd like me? Genre is historical fiction, but she's rich so her parents have the liberty to name her whatever the heck they want.
Thanks in advance

[lucystone]

I wouldn't pass it up because of the name, but I'd expect there to be enough back support and character quality to justify such an usual name, aside from "she's rich so her parents have the liberty to name her whatever the heck they want." That's flimsy at best and certainly not enough to justify such a name. Giving the character a name like Kissimmee just because it's fun to say isn't going to make it a very worthwhile character to write, nor very interesting to read.

[erinlw]

I wouldn't not read a book just because of a character's name, but as a writer I try to use names that others can relate to, and personally I don't think that Kissimmee is all that relatable, just because it is incredibly unique and "out there."

It's hard to gauge what kind of reaction you would get because everyone is different and therefore have different opinions. Some people will say it's genius and others will dislike it. You really just have to accept that you can never please everyone. You seem to really love the name and so you should stand your ground no matter what anyone says.

[jame1881]

@lucystone Kissimmee definitely has enough character to justify her name. She's a...spunky perhaps is the right word - nine year old who calls herself a rebel in the Gilded Age. (she wears pants, etc.) Plus the story is in first person, which I think helps character connected-ness, which is more or less answering erinlw...
@erinlw Yeah, I'm standing ground with this one But I still would like to know what people think.

[ppgsss77]

I would read it, but like the Previous poster said, I would have to know a bit of back story as to WHY she was named such a unique name. I love unique names so her name really wouldn't be a problem, I would just like the information.

[catloverd]

I agree with everyone else, names aren't really a turn off for books. I mean everyone loves Rapunzel and that's an unusual name. Katniss was also a hit. Having a unique name though does require a back story or has to fit the character in a symbolic way like Hermione in Harry Potter.

[sheflieswithherownwings]

Ah, I love it - Kissimmee is the name of my bear (after my trip to Florida).

Yes, I think it can work but like other's have said as long as though there's a story to her name.

[east93]

Due to being a name nerd, and coupled with my personality, I lose interest in stories quickly.
I personally, would pick up the book, see the character's named Kissimmee, and put it right back down. I don't like books with unrealistic names. I can usually handle them if it's relevant for some important reason, but otherwise I won't.

If it's a fantasy and the character is named...Forsythia, then I'm all for it. If it's a story about a prom that takes place in say... a suburb in a smaller city in New York, and a character's named Forsythia, I'd put it back down.

The fact that it's a historical fiction, and her parents are rich, makes me even less likely to want to read about a character named Kissimmee.
It seems too out of my touch, but everyone else seems to think it's fine, so you shouldn't worry about my lone opinion. :P