WHAT’S IN A NAME? A LOT, WHEN IT COMES TO FANTASY

Source: Guardian.co.uk

Fantasy writers have a harder time of it than “serious” novelists. They introduce their readers not only to plots and characters, but entire new worlds, complete with history, geography, language and customs. Typically, a new landscape is sketched and suggested in the first few pages of a fantasy novel — although initial appearances can be deceptive, the reader usually understands fairly quickly whether they’ve landed somewhere medieval Arthurian, matriarchal utopian, wholly unknown or teasingly familiar.

Whether I stride gamely into the new world, ready to sniff the carnivorous flowers, or have to be dragged like a mutinous toddler depends to a great extent on the world’s nomenclature. The names of people, things and places provide insights into the landscape’s familiarity, and hint at intended cultural echoes. They also tell me whether the writer has doled out names you wouldn’t call your hamster to his or her protagonists, countries and fauna. This is usually a deal-breaker.

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I’ll admit – I’m a HUGE name- nerd. I love names that hint at a character’s temperament, or their look. I love names like Caoimhe , Siobhan, even simple names like  Blake and the characteristics of the meaning of the name comes into the story. I’ll agree, it’s more fun when it’s a subtle thing – calling a character Backstabby McEvil and making them really nice at the beginning of the book is kind of pointless – and yes, sometimes fantasy writers go over board with fantastical names – but sometimes, that’s half the fun!

What’s in a name for you?

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