Choosing Character Names: A Personal Touch to The Moonshot Saga
When I first started writing my science fiction novel, The Moonshot Saga: Earthbound, I knew that the characters would be at the heart of the story. But before I could dive into their personalities, backstories, or adventures, I had to decide on something that might seem simple but is actually crucial to the writing process: their names.
Character names are more than just labels—they are an integral part of who the characters are and how they are perceived by readers. For me, choosing the right names was a deeply personal and enjoyable task, one that allowed me to infuse a bit of my own personality into the story.
I’ve always had a strong affinity for nature-related names, finding them to be both beautiful and evocative. There’s something timeless and grounding about names inspired by the natural world, and I wanted my characters to carry that same sense of connection to something larger than themselves. That’s why, when it came to naming the main characters in The Moonshot Saga: Earthbound, I chose names that reflected my love for nature: Pearl, Hazel, and Cypress.
Pearl, with its connotations of purity and resilience, felt like the perfect name for one of my protagonists. There’s a quiet strength to the name Pearl, much like the way a pearl is formed through layers of protection in the ocean. This name embodied the character’s journey and growth throughout the story, as she navigates the challenges of her world.
Hazel, on the other hand, is a name that evokes the earthy, warm tones of autumn. It’s a name that feels both familiar and rich in history, making it an ideal choice for a character who is wise beyond her years and deeply rooted in her beliefs.
Cypress was another name that resonated with me, symbolizing endurance and adaptability. The cypress tree is known for its longevity and its ability to thrive in difficult conditions—qualities that I wanted to imbue in this character. Cypress is a name that carries weight and depth.
Choosing these names was more than just a creative exercise; it was a way for me to connect with my characters on a deeper level. It wasn’t random. Knowing that I would be typing and writing out these names hundreds of times, I wanted to ensure that they were names I genuinely liked and felt a personal connection to. This process also allowed me to inject a bit of my own personality into the story, making the characters feel more like extensions of myself.
Of course, naming characters isn’t always easy, and sometimes it requires a bit of experimentation. For some of my other characters, I played around with different names until I found the one that felt just right. Sometimes a name would come to me almost instantly, while other times it took a bit more thought and consideration. But in every case, the name had to feel true to the character and the world they inhabited.
In the end, choosing character names is one of the many ways that writers can personalize their stories. It’s a small but significant detail that can add depth and meaning to a character’s identity, while also giving the writer a sense of ownership and connection to the story. For me, the names Pearl, Hazel, and Cypress will always hold a special place in my heart, not just because of the characters they represent, but because of the journey I took in discovering them.
If you’re a writer, I encourage you to take your time when naming your characters. Let the names reflect your own tastes, interests, and the world you’re creating. Whether you draw inspiration from nature, history, or something entirely different, the right name can make your characters come alive and resonate with both you and your readers.
