Names for Characters in my Short Stories

Early 1980s sitcom (Family Ties) name that has been well used ever since, with an upbeat three-syllable sound and a slightly tomboyish edge.

Adding a final a to Tamar lends it a more sensual Slavic tone, making it a more popular choice than the original.

Now more popular than Georgiana in Britain, this elegant Dickens. Jane Austen name deserves attention. Most American parents prefer Georgia to Georgina or any other feminization of George.

A color name, a gemstone name, and an ocean-inspired choice, Coral has a lot going for it with its sharp C sounds yet sweet vintage feel. Unlike Scarlett or Violet, however, it is only quietly used in the US these days, perhaps because of its similarity to more 'dated' Carol.

Nona is a name sometimes given to the ninth child -- but unlikely to serve that purpose today. Musical cred: the name of a song by Motley Crue.

Although we prefer Drew to the old Raggedy Andy, Andy has overtaken Drew as a name in its own right. About twice as many baby boys are named Andy, just Andy -- though about eight times as many parents go with the full Andrew.

Medieval name without much of a future.

Boyish nickname name that first heard in the Ricki/Terri era but finding new favor among parents who love names like Billie and Frankie, Scottie and Stevie. Sister spelling Andie has also been on the rise in recent years, and when you combine the two, around 700 girls received the slightly retro moniker.

This sweet nickname style name combines contemporary Indy with vintage Minnie. Popular in the 80s, it fell out of style by the mid-90s, but, with the likes of Annie, Edie, Ellie, Bonnie and Heidi getting more attention, could Mindy make a comeback?

Marty and Martie are old-fashioned gender-neutral nickname names, boyish nicknames not heard much since the middle of the last century. That could change, though, with the rise of vintage boyish nicknames for girls. They have a certain charm and may come back into style along with mother names such as Martha.

Whether you spell it Lisette or Lizette, a somewhat dated diminutive that nevertheless retains some charm.

Dianne, one of the many offshoots and variations of the classic Diana, had its moment in the sun in the 1940s--it was a Top 100 name from 1943 to 1952. It now would make a very unlikely choice.

Time was, even C-starting Catherines who called themselves Kate spelled it with a K, but Cate Blanchett changed all. Cate is now as acceptable as (but not as well used as) Kate. Cait might be short for Caitlin.

Abbie is a gently old-fashioned nickname name that owes its rising popularity to Top 10 Abigail. Abby may be the more usual spelling today.

Darryl is a masculine name with ancient Celtic origins, derived from the Irish name 'Dáire' or 'Daire,' meaning 'fruitful' or 'fertile.' It entered common usage in English-speaking countries as both a given name and surname. Darryl experienced significant popularity in the United States from the 1950s through the 1970s, reaching its peak in the mid-1960s. Sports figures like baseball stars Darryl Strawberry and cultural references in television and film helped maintain the name's visibility. While its usage has declined since its heyday, Darryl retains a friendly, approachable quality. The name is often associated with reliability and straightforwardness, carrying a classic yet not overly formal feel with its characteristic double-r spelling.