Character Names: Poll

[Lacedaemonian]

I had been using the name Danae as the name of my lead character in my story (see posts in critique section). However, it has been brought to my attention - though in truth I already knew but was in a state of denial - that Danae is a ladies name. Bummer. Anyway I decided to run a poll of various names to see what people thought. Here are some links to posts I have made in the critiques section:

http://www.chronicles-network.net/f...read.php?t=4134

http://www.chronicles-network.net/f...read.php?t=4108

http://www.chronicles-network.net/f...read.php?t=4075

http://www.chronicles-network.net/f...read.php?t=2630

http://www.chronicles-network.net/f...read.php?t=2691

http://www.chronicles-network.net/f...read.php?t=2660

http://www.chronicles-network.net/f...read.php?t=3349

http://www.chronicles-network.net/f...highlight=Danae

http://www.chronicles-network.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6897

http://www.chronicles-network.net/forum/showthread.php?t=6878

 

[Lacedaemonian]

Also if you want to post any slight alterations to the names feel free. And if anybody wants to gift me a perfectly excellent name, then you are fools, but would be appreciated none the less.

 

[Princess Ivy]

Stick with Danae, why on earth should gender stereotypes affect your story? or, if it really bugs you, call him Daniel, which would be the masculine imo.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

SFF has many examples of transgender names. Danae could be a male name in your world, and who could say that you are wrong?

But if you're sensitive about this, you could always change the spelling.

Dannae Danayah Danay Dannay

 

[Lacedaemonian]

If people were to add their thoughts on whether or not they thought Danae sounded feminine or not, I would also appreciate it. I am asking a lot of people I know - but I guess maybe five people will respond to this poll and it will all be in vain.

 

[Habernakle]

I thought it sounded a little girly...but, I have a name for a man in my book that's really girly. Fernald. Heh, I can't talk! I can't talk!

 

[Princess Ivy]

To me, it sounds asexual.if that is any help at all. I've seen danae's danny's etc used for both male and female in several stories.
just to note, i've had a similar problem in my own work. originaly my main characters daughter was Ashley, however i have been told this is to ambiguous and have had to change it. grrrrrr

 

[Lacedaemonian]

I am tempted to stick with it. Out of curiosity - who voted for what?

 

[Princess Ivy]

only just remembered to vote *blushes* for the original of course.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I didn't vote, because I like several of the names, and see nothing wrong with Danae in the first place.

 

[Lacedaemonian]

Then out of curiosity Maddie, which of the names on th epoll do you deem strong enough to use in my story? And if I can steal a little more of your precious time - what kind of characters do you think the names suggest?

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I like Fendel Lynn, because the Lynn is just pleasing and Fendel sounds like someone who might have some sort of association with wolves.

Jin Waters -- I'm not sure why I like it. Sounds like a bit of a rogue.

Danae strikes me as somewhat aristocratic.

But all of these impressions would quickly fade once I became acquainted with the character. Whatever name you choose, you can make us love it.

 

[Lacedaemonian]

He is a huge character. A living legend - the population come to know his name though strangely only very few know him. For this reason the name has to be great. Not just good or nice - it has to match the man.

 

[Alia]

I didn't vote, because I like several of the names, and see nothing wrong with Danae in the first place.

I agree... for what it's worth. It's your story, your character and there's no reason why his name can't be masculine in the world your creating. I voted to keep it the same!

 

[Culhwch]

I like Danae Dunn. I think it's ambiguous enough to be either male or female. When you're writing, does it feel right? I know I agonise over names when they just don't fit in the story, but it seems yours did and it only became a problem when someone else mentioned it. In a story I've been kicking around I have purposely given a male character a girl's name, which just seems to fit....

 

[Lacedaemonian]

So stick with the original. What about the other names, are there any that you like?

 

[Lacedaemonian]

Another poser. I had originally intended to call the heroes side kick (an old smuggler) Buttrick. However, this name has never seemed quite right. What about the name Jin Waters instead? Or perhaps another from the list.

 

[dustinzgirl]

I like Alle, pronounced ah-lae, if that was your intention for the pronounciation. I dont know why, it just sounds nice.

 

[Lacedaemonian]

What about Robert De Lores as the arch nemesis?

 

[cyborg_cinema]

Just opinion, better character names...

...are names that more people will more likely pronounce the same.
...are names that reviewers will more likely spell correctly.