racheliza's list "Intriguing Character Names" of 20 great name ideas: Louisiana - Albany!

Intriguing Character Names

I'm a writer always looking for memorable names for my characters. Here are some that I've come across so far.

Louisiana is a geographic spin on the Louise theme.  Pretty, if a bit of a syllable overload. Short form Lou or Lulu lightens it.

Louisiana

Amiable, undiscovered geographic option. 

Aberdeen

This strong sounding choice is associated with a type of tanned leather that takes its name from the city of Cordoba in Spain, the region in which it was originally made. Cordoba itself is sometimes said to mean "good town".
 
With its leathery image and tough sounds, Cordovan may appeal to those who like Donovan or Conrad, or people those who like Stetson, Suede, and Colton. It even comes complete with user-friendly short forms, Van, Dan, and Cory.

Cordovan

Simplicity and pleasant associations give the word Bell real possibility as a first name -- but somehow it seems better for a girl, a la Belle. 

Bell

Bluebell is one flower name that is used very quietly. Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell joined her former Spice Sisters in creative baby-naming with this adventurous — some might say outlandish — choice. Andie MacDowell has a granddaughter named Bluebell Coyote through her daughter Rainey Qualley.
 
So is Bluebell distinctive and charming? Or better suited to a pet? Your call.

Bluebell

The unique O-ending makes this name memorable, especially for someone with ties to Texas.

Alamo

Andorra is the pretty name of a pocket-sized princedom in the Pyrenees, noted for its skiing. 

Andorra

An interesting unisex possibility, with an air of mystery connected to the Delphic Oracle, the most important oracle in ancient Greece; it was also a major site for the worship of the god Apollo.
 
While the ancient city of Delphi likely derived from Greek delphys meaning "womb", as a name. Delphi could also link to the Greek delphínion meaning "dolphin", and therefore to the flower genus, delphinium, giving it two separate nature connections.
 
Also used as a short form for Delphine and Delphia, the name appears in the stage play, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child and is borne by Lady Delphi Primrose, a Scottish model and influencer.

Delphi

Traditionally a male name, Leith now can make a highly unusual, strong but soft, and intriguing girls' possibility.


Leith

Attractive ancient name borne by several saints but sullied by association with yeast infection. 

Candida

Wyoming

A mathematical possibility, but the odds are against it.

Abacus

Along with August, March is one of the month names perfectly suited to boys. This brisk single-syllable name – which derives from the name of Mars, the Roman god of war – is worth considering as either a first or middle option. As a surname, it brings warm memories of the girls of Little Women, and of twentieth century actor Fredric.

March

Even among the range of blue names on the current baby naming palette -- Blue itself, Azure, Cerulean, Teal, Aqua, Cyan, Indigo -- Cobalt remains the most unusual, not to mention the most masculine.

Cobalt

Extreme cool possibilities in either of these modern categories, like a postmodern Linc. 

Zinc

This may be a bit quirky to make it as a name, especially in first place.  If you love it, you might try it in the middle.

Quartz

CANARSIE

This lovely name from Spenser's The Faerie Queene is borne by a character who represents married love. A related unusual-yet-usable choice: Amabel.

Amoret

Peridot is the gem of the month of August, a vibrant green mineral, said to be good for helping people put the past behind them, and an interesting, undiscovered jewel name. It was regarded in ancient times as the symbol of the sun.
 Peridots figure in the mythologies of several cultures, including the ancient Egyptian and Roman. They are highly valued in Hawaii, where it is believed that they are the tears of the volcano goddess Pele. 
 If you want a truly original gem name, you might consider this instead of Opal or Ruby.