Writer’s Hint No. 2: Naming Characters - Comments

This will really help me; thank you so much.

Hey that journal idea actually sounds like it would work! I always have trouble finding names I like, and want to use in my stories, so I end up using my friends names. Which isn't bad in all cases, but you don't want to use the same names over and over. This really helped me!

Ah yes, I'm a sucker for the baby name generators. I find this one particularly helpful, so you're welcome to use it:
http://www.mybaby-name.com/
The names on the site are available in many different and exotic languages. You can also find a name by searching for its meaning. So you take a domineering trait from one of your characters, type it into the search box and let the website do the rest. Of course, you don't have to use the names that come up, but I think that it's a good starting point. I'm a name-tweaker as well!

I wrote all the names i liked (common names mainly) down on a word document and then when i want a name for a story i close my eyes and point at the screen. whatever the name is I decide whether it suits or not and then try again if i think it doesn't. It's very helpful.

I think your advice would be very good if limited to fantasy time stuff, like LOTR or other stories that aren't taking place in modern times.

As far as just regular old, modern day stories, I can't say I agree on your naming advice. I hate when I read a story and the character's name is something so off-base for the time and I can tell that the author just wanted a name that was really really unique.

By the way, do you have any fantasy stuff up right now? I'd love to read something LOTR-ish.

Yeah, I get you there.
An elf named Mark...?
That reminds me of a boy named Luke in a world of Anakins, Duku's, and Obi Wan's. -shot-

Well, they don't have to be perfect, but you don't want a dwarf named Mark. The most important part to me is that the name represents the culture you are trying to portray while also telling something about the character subtly.

That's true, and to each their own, either way.
I'd just rather think my character lived a life before the story I'm writing begins, rather than having it seem like they appeared out of nowhere at the age of 20, or something. For some reason, names that aren't always bulls-eye perfect makes it seem more real for me.
Though, I'm a dork who thinks too much. xD

But, there should be a reason that you name a character something. Though the part with the parents naming them at birth would create a great conflict.

I personally think that "Original Names" are only worth so much. Sometimes, people will have common, generic names. It's not as likely in a fantasy genre, or a story based in another culture, but it does happen.

I also think that, at times (not often), a person will have a name that doesn't match their personality, because it was given them to their parents at birth. If it's something for fun, that's one thing, but when people are trying to make things realistic, I just think that there are times that you shouldn't go over-board with it.

Fun lesson, though. Names are Hell for me to come up with, so I tend to go for something really generic. :(