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Kimmy
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01 Oct 2010, 2:15 pm

Im trying to write a comic book, and whenever I get to naming my new characters, I draw a blank! I can kind of think of good first names some of the time, but I can NEVER think of last names! Can Anyone help me by sharing how they name their characters?


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Ackman
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01 Oct 2010, 2:18 pm

What era is this comic book set? Maybe you could also look up baby names?



Kimmy
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01 Oct 2010, 2:36 pm

My comic book is set in todays world, and most of the characters are aged from teen to adult. Ive tried looking up baby names but I havent found a website that helps with last names.


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01 Oct 2010, 3:03 pm

www.babynames.com

Just make the last names up.



Kimmy
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01 Oct 2010, 3:45 pm

Thats not very helpful. I just said that I have a hard time thinking of last names. :?


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01 Oct 2010, 3:51 pm

Try using the names of places as last names. I've found that the names of British cities and towns sound kind of like last names.



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01 Oct 2010, 6:09 pm

GOOGLE!

Try "list of surnames" as a search. There's a lot of them. Browse until you find ones that appeal to you.

Here's one:

http://demo.familytreeguide.com/surname ... ree=#char6


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01 Oct 2010, 6:51 pm

Phone books can be good too.

When I worked on a telephone customer service line, I used to jot down the more unusual names, and sometimes I'd write one down just because I thought it would make a cool name for an RPG character. If I can find the list in the next couple of days, I can share some with you.


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greenturtle74
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01 Oct 2010, 7:33 pm

Random Name Generator

I've used this one. You can set your obscurity factor from common to totally obscure.

Favorite name I've found: Harmony Beedle.



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01 Oct 2010, 8:02 pm

You can't go too wrong with names of inanimate objects or animals. You can even change the spelling around to make it feel more like a name (ie... Stohne, Wulf, Fawks, Fehng, Claws, etc.). I'm currently concepting an idea for a graphic novel and find it tough to think of names too. Although it's a very fantasy plot so I shouldn't run into way too many hurdles with last names... it's just thinking of the first names that drive me nuts... what's too bland and what is too exotic? Anyway good luck with the names :)



BroncosRtheBest
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01 Oct 2010, 9:38 pm

If you're basing your characters off of particular people, then using their initials not only helps you remember them, but gives you a starting point to find the last names. Otherwise, I suggest the random name generator.



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01 Oct 2010, 10:56 pm

I enjoy going to cemeteries and looking at all the different names. I saw some fun names, like Goodtimes and Back. I was hoping the grave was going to say "Front and Back".



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01 Oct 2010, 11:24 pm

Good for all kind of uses: a different random name generator.


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nissa_amas_katoj
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04 Oct 2010, 9:12 am

For last names: use those 'word verification' nonsense words you find when you comment on blogs, you know, 'dodlet', 'ejeti', 'naknip' stuff like that.

Or if you want to be totally boring and realistic, open up the phone book to a random page. That's why I wrote a character with the last name 'Kuhweide' (that's German for cow meadow).


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04 Oct 2010, 6:05 pm

just give them temporary 'working names' until the project is done.-Like Alpha, Bravo, Charlie,....Zebra

Then go back a give them permaneant last names appropriate to the characters.



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04 Oct 2010, 7:17 pm

Yeah, I'm with naturalplastic. Don't worry about names right now. You can come back after. That's how many writers and artists do it.