What's In A Character's Name?

[The Bloated One]

Dear All,

I am looking at various alternative names for a sixteen year old English boy, brought up in Northamptonshire who goes on time travelling adventures.

The name I have used so far is Tarquin Jenkins, but I thought I should look at alternatives as the name Tarquin, (so I am told) sounds a bit 'posh'!

My Alternatives so far, are :

Billy Hudson
Charlie Ross
Roger Rimmer



Anyone got any ideas?

TBO

 

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Whatever you do, stay away from Roger Rimmer! Personally I don't have a problem with "exotic" names like Tarquin appearing in fantasy. I like it the most out of the names suggested, but Billy Hudson sounds OK too.

 

[Peter Graham]

Hi TBO,

I'd definitely stick with Tarquin Jenkins. It sounds good. The other suggested names are either a bit OTT (Roger Rimmer) or a bit dull.

And there's nothing wrong with posh! There's a lot of inverse snobbery about these days (everyone wants to be a working class hero), but just because someone has a posh name doesn''t mean a thing. And your Tarquin has a certain scruffy BoHo appearance that quite suits his name.

Tally-ho!

Peter St John Devereux-Hedgepig, Third Duke of Nonsuch and Royal Drainrodder-in-Ordinary

 

[The Bloated One]

What about Billy Nomates.......?

I had a friend at school called Roger Rimmer, he'l be devestated if he read this...two people laughing at his name...oh the shame!

 

[Kissmequick]

Well Tarquin is a posh name, but if he's a posh kid, why not? although it's a bit old fashioned

Roger -- I don't know anyone under the age of fifty called Roger. ( and Rimmer? Do you want him associated with Arnold Judas?)


The other two are fine, if a little run of the mill.

 

[The Pelagic Argosy]

I like the name Tarquin too.

As an American, of course, I have no idea what "posh" means.

 

[chrispenycate]

What does he get contracted to? I knew an extremrly scruffy, smelly roadie whose parents had landed him with "Reginald", but nobody – even them – called him anything but "Rej".
As to what's in a character's name; I've stopped giving "placeholder" names. I've discovered that my characters always grow into their names, and really don't appreciate changes later.
Perhaps it's just my characters. I must try a different agency.

And "posh" is a class thing, so we don't expect our transatlantic cousins to understand.
"Ooh, en't 'e posh" can be admiring sartorial elegance, or a put down to someone who is overdressed, with barely a breath of difference in accentuation (should I go into the "Port out, starboard home" chalked onto luggage by the Peninsular and Orienal line? Perhaps not.)

 

[The Bloated One]

Nice one Chris, I'll leave it be. Tarquin it stays!

TBO

 

[Urlik]

Jenkins is the best of the surnames by far, and if the lad is a bit of a loner, the christian name Tarquin could easily be a reason why, especially if he isn't posh

 

[flynx]

The main problem with names is that they have associations. As soon as your reader sees a name they make connections with RL to people that they know or of whom they know.

If you call a character Madonna you're going to have a hard time describing them as other than voluptuous and red lipped.
Charles? He's gonna have big ears and a mumbly voice.

For Tarquin he's going to be posh like you said and probably chinless and sackless too. (unless you read VIZ then he's gonna be a very ordinary 12 year old)

On the other hand, if he calls himself Tarq (with an explanation later) then you have any character you like.

 

[The Bloated One]

Thanks Ulrik, Flynx,

Cutting down the name is a good idea, I already have other characters calling him T.J, which has a nice ring to it. I'll use this a bit more.

Regards,

TBO

 

[JDP]

Larry Trotter.

 

[Urlik]

Larry Trotter.

watch out!
JKR and Warners will be after you

 

[JDP]

watch out!
JKR and Warners will be after you

But what does this mean for my Larry Trotter Encyclopedia?!?!?

 

[Ghost of Harrenhal]

Edward Basset

or

Edward Berril

 

[luv4writing76]

Roger Rimmer? Don't set your character up with a name that can be made fun of three ways till Sunday (I was in the Marine Corps, and Drill Instructors would have a field day with that name)! Sorry to your friend Roger, I'm sure the name is very prestigious. Tarquin is an interesting name and sparks a little interest without even introducing the character.

 

[The Bloated One]

Thanks luv4writing76,

Yes, it's more an instruction, than a name...

It fascinates me how an English name has different connotations in different countries. In England Tarquin tends to be posh (middle to upper class) wheras in the USA you see it as interesting.

This is proving to be a very useful exercise.

TBO