I’m a writer blog

Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

Generic Character Name?

Asked by: Kathy Johnson

Why are characters given generic names?

Some authors intentionally choose generic names so that people can’t tell what those people will do. It’s a personal pet peeve of mine to be able to predict a character’s arc by the name choice of the author. But, you could also think about it this way if you need reasons.

How do I name my character?

12 tips on how to name your characters

  1. Keep the time period of your story and your character’s age in mind. …
  2. Make sure your characters’ names fit their ethnic background. …
  3. Pick a name that fits the character’s personality. …
  4. If you want, pay attention to a name’s meaning. …
  5. Avoid giving several characters similar names.

What should I name my fictional character?

How to develop cool names for fictional characters

  • Match name with theme using a character name generator.
  • Use Fido and your street.
  • Combine the names of your favorite authors.
  • Use a name translator.
  • Use an encyclopedia and your creative side.
  • “Borrow” from a friend or family member.

Mar 31, 2021

What is an unnamed character called?

When a character genuinely has no name whatsoever (as opposed to it not being given in the work), then they are The Nameless. If the character’s parents never named them, then they were Never Given a Name.

What do nameless characters mean?

One way to use this literary device is to have an anonymous narrator who plays no part in the story, but who merely acts as an observer telling the tale. Or, in a work that is based on allegory, an unnamed character can be identified by a number, letter, job, or common trait to symbolize a hidden meaning.

How do you introduce an unnamed character?

If it serves the plot to keep the identity of the character concealed until a reveal later in the script, then you should use a generic descriptor, yes. Then, when you reveal the character’s name, you just make sure it’s clear that the character is the character with the generic name.

How do you not name a character?

Naming Fictional Characters: 10 Tips to Avoid Pitfalls

  • Always Google your Characters’ Names! …
  • Choose Names that Fit the Character. …
  • Choose Names that Begin with Different Letters. …
  • Avoid Generic or Over-Used Names. …
  • Be Creative when Naming Fictional Characters, but Make Names Pronounceable.

Which novel has a nameless narrator?

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

The African-American narrator of Ellison’s postwar novel considers himself invisible, and the withholding of his name is a sign that he has no social identity. Ironically, having migrated from the south, he has become a political activist in New York, acquiring a “name” as a speech-maker.

Why doesn’t the main character have a name?

In some cases, the lack of a name doesn’t detract from the main character’s place in the story or their mission, but in other cases, it’s used as a device to tease and taunt the audience or even highlight the themes of the film.



Do characters need names?

Every time you name a character, you’re telling the reader, “This person is important, so remember them.” Or a named character implies a new subplot. Someone bringing scrambled eggs to your protagonist’s table isn’t worthy of a subplot. A character in only one scene does not need an actual name.

Does a protagonist have to have a name?

So no, names are not necessary. However, you’ll have to evaluate for yourself whether naming your own characters will work better for your story.

What is the protagonist’s name?

The protagonist is also called the central character or main character and is often the hero of the story.

What is the meaning of a Tritagonist?

Definition of tritagonist

: the actor taking the part of third importance in a play (as in the ancient Greek theater) — compare deuteragonist, protagonist.



Is the protagonist Tenet?

The Protagonist is the main character of Christopher Nolan’s film, Tenet. He is portrayed by actor John David Washington.

How do you make a villain name?

Many of the best villains have names that sound like other words. Come up with a list of words that evoke villainy, such as “bad,” “evil,” “dark,” and “malevolent.” Now, try to brainstorm some names that sound enough like those words to bring them to mind and make it obvious that the character is a villain.

What is a cool villain name?

Villainous Names for Both Guys and Girls

Angel Slayer Whitewash Cyclone
Whip Blitz Misfit
Hex Cascade Wendigo
Malice Spite Blur
Death Angel Night Caller The Kingston Executioner

What are some dark evil names?

Demon And Evil Names For Boys

  • Azazel: In Hebrew, the word Azazel means the ‘scapegoat or total removal. …
  • Diabolos: Diabolos is a Greek mythological name meaning ‘slanderer or accuser. …
  • Abigor: Abigor is one of the few handsome demons. …
  • Ravana: …
  • Samael: …
  • Satan: …
  • Seth: …
  • Chernobog:

Who is the evilest villain ever?

The Joker & The 9 Most Evil Movie Villains Of All Time, Ranked



  1. 1 Amon Göth (Schindler’s List)
  2. 2 John Doe (Se7en) …
  3. 3 Hannibal Lecter (The Silence Of The Lambs) …
  4. 4 Joker. …
  5. 5 Norman Bates (Psycho) …
  6. 6 Hans Landa (Inglourious Basterds) …
  7. 7 Sauron (The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy) …
  8. 8 Voldemort (The Harry Potter Series) …

What do yOu call a female villain?

A female villain is sometimes called a villainess. Random House Unabridged Dictionary defines villain as “a cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime; scoundrel; or a character in a play, novel, or the like, who constitutes an important evil agency in the plot”.

Who is the youngest Disney villain?

Gaston

Gaston from Beauty and the Beast and Hans from Frozen are currently the youngest Disney Villains to date, with Hans being 23 and Gaston being around his mid-20s.

Who is the number 1 villain?

Villains



Rank Villain Year
1 Hannibal Lecter 1991
2 Norman Bates 1960
3 Darth Vader 1980
4 The Wicked Witch of the West 1939

Who is the coolest villain?

The Greatest Villains Of All Time

  1. Darth Vader. The Star Wars trilogy (1977-1983) Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith (2005), Rogue One (2016)
  2. The Joker. Batman (1966), Batman (1989), The Dark Knight (2008), Joker (2019) …
  3. Loki. …
  4. Hans Gruber. …
  5. Hannibal Lecter. …
  6. Hans Landa. …
  7. Kylo Ren. …
  8. Anton Chigurh. …

Who is the most liked villain?

The 50 most popular movie villains of all time, ranked

  • Tyler Durden. …
  • Bane. …
  • Sauron. …
  • Hannibal Lecter. …
  • Warden Norton. > Most popular film: “The Shawshank Redemption” …
  • Two-Face. > Most popular film: “The Dark Knight” …
  • Joker. > Most popular film: “The Dark Knight” …
  • Darth Vader. > Most popular film: “Star Wars”