Names I'm Using Are Real

[Eli Grey]

Is it okay to use names of real places and people when you're creating locations in fantasy?

I came up with a pretty cool name for a country, but it wasn't until tonight that I googled it and found it to be a real name. It's usually a last name I believe.

I also came up with a female character's name by combining two pairs of letters I saw on a torn sticker on a train window. I couldn't guess the actual name because letters were missing between the pair. I combined them and got a really great sounding name. Only, I googled that weeks later and found that it is actually a boy's name. Is it okay to use the name or should I tweak it?

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I don't see any problem with those. The only way real names are a problem is if it can be taken as libeling someone or appropriating their identity for your book. Most all of the names in books belong to someone, somewhere, but if it's coincidental you're fine.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

Most all of the names in books belong to someone, somewhere, but if it's coincidental you're fine.

Exactly. These things happen all the time, so it's nothing for you to worry about, Eli.

 

[The Big Peat]

You're probably fine, and that's coming from someone who actively dislikes girls' names being used as boys' names in fantasy and vice versa*. Unless the name in question is something like Paul, then yeah, probably fine.


*its not the idea of it per se, its just in those "Its Real Life Place/Time but different" settings when suddenly there's a gender-swapped name with no call out. It throws me unnecessarily then leaves me wondering if the author knows their elbow from their posterior. Unless your name is culture-specific, that probably doesn't come up.

 

[Juliana]

If the names work in your setting, I don't see a problem at all. Plenty of authors do this, without a problem. For instance, in his Craft novels, Max Gladstone uses a mixture of invented names and real names. His main character in book 1 is Tara Abernathy. Her boss is called Elayne. Pretty normal. Several of GRRMs names are corruptions of normal names. And etc.

 

[Eli Grey]

If the names work in your setting, I don't see a problem at all. Plenty of authors do this, without a problem. For instance, in his Craft novels, Max Gladstone uses a mixture of invented names and real names. His main character in book 1 is Tara Abernathy. Her boss is called Elayne. Pretty normal. Several of GRRMs names are corruptions of normal names. And etc.

Some of my characters' names are "corrupted names" as well. Before I knew about GRRM's naming tactic, I was doing it. It's not exactly a genius thing to do in my opinion. Nevertheless, I love some of GRRM's character names. And the "corrupt" naming process is one thing that actually got me back into writing. I listened to a GRRM talk with Robin Hobb and he briefly talked about his naming process. I thought, "Hey! I do that too!" It was that moment I started to believe in my own WIP again. But several of the names I use are my own that I've not even settled on a correct pronunciation for yet. I also use common names, my main being Raymond.

 

[Eli Grey]

You're probably fine, and that's coming from someone who actively dislikes girls' names being used as boys' names in fantasy and vice versa*. Unless the name in question is something like Paul, then yeah, probably fine.


*its not the idea of it per se, its just in those "Its Real Life Place/Time but different" settings when suddenly there's a gender-swapped name with no call out. It throws me unnecessarily then leaves me wondering if the author knows their elbow from their posterior. Unless your name is culture-specific, that probably doesn't come up.

I still have a male character named Chloe and I refuse to change it. I'm still toggling the pronunciation.

 

[MemoryTale]

I personally wouldn't worry about it unless it turns out you've used the name of someone famous. Even then you could probably get away with it if you call attention to it and say their parents deliberately named them after said famous person.

 

[EJ Heijnis]

If it fits the character, go with it. I lost track long ago of how many names I encountered in Fantasy and SF that I thought were invented by the author, only to find out later they're common in distant places.

 

[Vaz]

As others have said its fine to have real names. Nowt to worry about. Sure, it may annoy some readers but writers can't please everyone. As long as it works for you then its cushty.

 

[Danny McG]

You're probably fine, and that's coming from someone who actively dislikes girls' names being used as boys' names in fantasy and vice versa*. Unless the name in question is something like Paul, then yeah, probably fine.


*its not the idea of it per se, its just in those "Its Real Life Place/Time but different" settings when suddenly there's a gender-swapped name with no call out. It throws me unnecessarily then leaves me wondering if the author knows their elbow from their posterior. Unless your name is culture-specific, that probably doesn't come up.

That riled me many years ago when I was reading The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey.
What? A male called Ruth?
But one of my sisters is called that!
Also my mate's wife and his youngest daughter. So wrong

 

[thaddeus6th]

Don't worry about it. Just slap in the old 'any similarities to places, people or real-life events are entirely coincidental' line.

Also, that was used, to my amusement ahead of Shadow Hearts: Covenant, a videogame whose characters include Rasputin, Tsar Nicholas II and Princess Anastasia. Ahem.

 

[Juliana]

Rasputin, Tsar Nicholas II and Princess Anastasia. Ahem.

'Entirely coincidental.'